Heater question

[Feloni]

Hey all,

Was wondering if anyone else has had trouble with their heating units over the last couple of weeks. I live in East Hampton and my bedroom heater has been running only in fan mode recently. I had the building super come and look at it and he says its because its warm outside. But I dont really buy that explanation.
We only use the heaters at night while sleeping and its definitely still cool enough for the heaters to come on imo. The one in the living room does and there is a very stark temp difference between the 2 rooms. But the super's explanation is that its because the living room is bigger (huh?! - its warmer because its bigger?)

So just wanted to know if I am the only one having trouble with the heating units...

Thanks!

[DogLover]

I am ALWAYS having trouble with the units. I am on my 5th unit, I think. There is always one problem or another with them.

[Smurfy]

I'm in EH, and haven't had a problem ... But I'm fairly new, so I'll probably end up in your shoes sooner or later.

Is it possible that management controls when the AC/heating units can be operated (even if they don't control the individual temperature)? I've lived in buildings like that before

[goldfish]

Hey all,

...the super's explanation is that its because the living room is bigger (huh?! - its warmer because its bigger?)

So just wanted to know if I am the only one having trouble with the heating units...

Thanks!
I'm always amused at some of the explanations I get from the super about technical issues. It's almost like he really believes what he's saying when I know he's just making it up half the time.

Here is the scoop on your heat/AC unit.

The heating works in one of two ways:

- Heating coils only. In this mode the unit is somewhat quiet and should produce heat immediately. It's kind of like a big blow dryer. When the weather gets down to around 38 degrees or less this is the only mode it will operate in. (The exact opposite of what you were told)

- Heat Pump Mode. In this mode the compressor kicks in (like in AC mode) but the cool & hot sides are reversed so the warm are generated by the compressor is "pumped" into the room. It only works in this mode when it's somewhat warm outside and it takes a good deal of time to begin generating heat and it is freekin noisy. The only up-side is that it is allegedly more cost effective per kilowatt hr. I can't say that I notice a big difference in my bill but that's what I'm told.

All that said - if your switch is in the "heat" position and your not getting hot air (from the unit, not the super) then your unit is probably broken.

Try this - put the switch on "low heat", crank the thermostat all the way to the left (warm), if you don't feel heat then your unit is broken.

End of story.

Get a tape recorder & record the super's explanation when you show him, I could use a good laugh.

good luck

g

[msion1]

We had problems with our bedroom heater all winter. IT never produced heat. Eventually we just bought a space heater and unplugged the wall unit.