When your A/C breaks down, you call someone to fix it. But what if you’re on vacation? You’re not just going to pay money out of your own pocket to repair the HVAC system in a vacation home. But on the other hand, the weather’s really hot, and cool air is essential. So here’s a guide to what to do when your rental A/C breaks down.
Getting Your Rental A/C Fixed
First, check for possible quick fixes. Maybe the system isn’t broken. Maybe it’s a minor problem you can take care of yourself, without having to call anyone. Check the power on the unit. Is it plugged in? Is it turned on? Maybe the circuit breaker was tripped and needs to be reset.
If you’re mechanically inclined, you can even check for loose wires and other problems with the unit’s inner workings. But keep in mind, this isn’t your responsibility. Don’t do anything that will cost you money, without talking to the landlord first.
Talking to the Landlord
When renting a vacation home, be sure to get a phone number where you can reach the landlord in case something like this happens. You can e-mail them as well, but calling is more personal, and more likely to get you a direct and swift response.
Let them know the situation. They may employ someone who handles minor repairs, or they may do it themselves. Or they may need to call an HVAC technician to take a look. However they handle things, impress upon them that this issue needs to be resolved as quickly as possible, so you don’t have to spend your vacation in the sweltering heat.
If that doesn’t work, it’s time to go over their head. If you rented through a third party, such as Airbnb, talk to their customer service department and see what they can do for you. Or it might become necessary to take them to court, to receive restitution for their negligence.
To learn more about handling your rental A/C, contact us at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’re Indianapolis’ trusted source for HVAC solutions.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
