It’s no secret. It gets pretty hot in Southern Nevada. But for those of us who live here, year in and year out, we get used to dealing with it. Air conditioning helps – in fact, it’s a necessity! The very thought of a summer without air conditioning is enough to raise your body temperature.

But what if you’re a renter and your air conditioner just stops working? We hear this question all the time. Are you on the hook for A/C repairs if you don’t own the unit? In other states, the answer might be different, but in Nevada, A/C repair is considered an essential service that landlords are obligated to provide. If you are renting and your air conditioning is not working, it’s important to know what rights you have.

Nevada tenant’s rights around A/C

Your landlord is expected to provide the following essential services during the course of your leasehold:

• Running water
• Hot water
• Electrical lighting
• Working air conditioning
• Waterproof premises

If, in fact, any of these services is not provided or is interrupted for any reason, the unit will be deemed unfit for living. At this stage, the renters have every right to pursue an independent solution such as calling in their own repair people. In order to enforce this clause, a written notice must be issued to the landlord to say that they failed to provide an essential service. While most honest landlords would be on-site right away to make sure the repairs are done, some may choose to string you along. In fact, they are not legally required to do any repairs at all unless they receive a written notice from you.

What happens after your written request for A/C repair?

Once they have received your written notice, your landlord must attempt to fix the A/C within 48 hours (not including weekends and holidays). To be sure they receive it in a timely manner, be sure to send your notice by certified mail. If the landlord has not made the requested repairs within 48 hours, you then have four choices:

1. Find your own repair service and deduct the cost from any upcoming rent you owe. If the unit is beyond repair, this means you can purchase a new one. Be sure to keep your receipts!
2. Sue your landlord for damages in small claims court. The amount would take into account a reduction of the market rental value of your unit as well as any damages to your property (such as a ruined wine collection, for instance!)
3. Withhold rent payments. In Nevada, you can withhold your rent until your landlord makes good on their obligations.
4. Move into temporary housing. If the alternate digs are comparable in cost to your rent, you can deduct that cost from the rent you are supposed to be paying. Either that or you can recover the rental cost from your landlord directly.

We should note one exception, however: if the unit is damaged by a tenant or due to the negligence of any person on the premises at the tenant’s invitation, the landlord’s obligation cannot be enforced. In other words – if you or your friends break it, you’re on your own!

Make sure you know your rights and are ready to act immediately. Your landlord has 48 hours to respond after they receive your written request. In Nevada, living in a home with no A/C isn’t just uncomfortable – it can be deadly! If your A/C isn’t working, don’t delay! call A/C Plus today!

A working air conditioning system or A/C unit is a must for comfort in the Las Vegas heat. In fact, many of us probably take our A/C systems for granted, confident that they will continue to keep us cool reliably every single day.

But what happens when your A/C system isn’t working as it should? Don’t panic! AC Plus has answers.

One of the most common issues we hear about is an AC system not shutting off at all. If your system is running continuously, you could be in for much higher energy bills – and that’s the least of your problems. If your AC system won’t shut off, it could be a sign of bigger, more expensive problems on the way.

Here are some ways you can troubleshoot this problem at home before you make that service call:

Make sure your thermostat is working

This should always be your first line of inquiry if your AC unit won’t shut off. It may be set incorrectly—for instance, the fan may be set to run constantly instead of automatically—or it could be that the temperature has been set too low. Try setting the thermostat to a degree or two above room temperature. If it still doesn’t shut off, then it’s probably not the thermostat that is at issue.

Clean the condenser

Dirty coils are often the cause of inefficient cooling. Dirt, dust, and debris build up on the coils over time, causing the unit to work overtime to maintain the temperature. Clean your condenser coils on a regular basis to ensure your unit is working as it should.

Check the fan switch

Near the blower, you will find a “fan limit switch”. This feature allows the fan to run independently, meaning it is not affected by the thermostat setting. When this setting is on manual, it may mean that the fan runs constantly instead of just when it’s needed. Switch this to “auto” and the fan won’t run on its own anymore as it will be controlled by the thermostat settings.

Perform regular maintenance on your A/C unit

Regular and seasonal maintenance is crucial to maximizing the efficiency and longevity of your A/C system. A properly maintained system will ensure you are getting the most out of your investment and paying the least possible amount on your energy bills. It will also help keep the air quality in your home the best it can be and reduce the number of service calls you will have to make throughout the year.

Still need help with A/C maintenance? Call AC Plus today!

These are just a few tips to help you troubleshoot problems with your A/C system. If you have performed these simple tests and the system still won’t shut off, it might be time to call in the experts at AC Plus . We offer same-day and emergency service throughout Las Vegas, helping you maintain cool comfort all year-round.