I have several homes...rentals. Two have AC. It takes forever to drop the temp with a NICE AC unit. It costs a ton to run. The one AC unit, breaks down about every 3 years. It's the newer one. A Trane.

But....the LG roll around unit I have....is instantly cold. Put it in front of you and you'll be freezing in 15 minutes! It cools 400sq feet effectively. The hose is put into the side of a window.....and the air is fresh....and WONDERFUL! I own "one" and loan it to one of my renters. She loves it! Mine doesn't have a heater....this is the one.

Digital readout...remote control....easy to set up....💕

Sounds like what Nicole linked might be a good choice for you. BUT, your apartment owner should take care of your problem! I am in the south also, though temps not as high as you, but we are above average temps this week. Our AC cools much more quickly than a degree an hour. (That signals to me something is wrong.) We have been very fortunate with our ac/heat unit. We built this house just over 25 years ago and our first unit lasted (and worked well) until, I believe two years ago. We then put in new unit which so far has been great. We keep our house on the cool side. We both like a cool bedroom to sleep in. I hope you get the problem resolved quickly. It literally drains you being in that kind of heat.

Akt, I'm sorry you're dealing with this - I remember my days in an upper apartment with an A/C that didn't work well. I've never used a portable one but know they have to exhaust out a window - heard they can leak. Some people have had good luck with those that can be wall mounted (can't think of the brand, maybe Samsung) but your complex may frown on that. Really they need to fix it for you !!!

Btw, DS's apartment was on the top (3rd) floor, West windows.

We have a portable that we can roll to wherever we need it. We bought ours at Lowes a few years ago. It works very well. If you decide to get one get the largest that will work with your 110 plug.

We have had to use a portable unit twice -- when we were without AC for 2-3 weeks in similar heat and when we needed service last summer and parts were an issue. Our AC service has them as loaners. We didn't know if we would be able to get a loaner, so we went looking to buy one, They had up from about $300 to about $400 and up. We bought one that can also run as a dehumidifier. For an apartment, you should not need a larger one, especially if it is supplementing AC. They are a bit loud, but not unbearable -- and this newer one we bought seems quieter than what I remember the older one being 10 years ago. I think it is worth a shot. We didn't have ours or the borrowed one leak and the one we bought didn't eve have any water to drain when we were done. I can't look now but can let you know what brand it is.

Beyond a portable unit, you can add black out curtains or shades and make sure your light bulbs are LEDs. Incandescents and halogens produce a lot of heat. We had a noticeable improvement when we changed the recessed can light bulbs to LED.

AC units are designed to cool 20-30 max, and you are getting that -- even with the western . sun and third story, so I think you are doing pretty well --it's just miserable when it gets this hot. Take cold showers, use your fans and stay hydrated. The pray the grid holds up!

We had a portable AC/Heater in a previous garage. DH drilled the hole for venting, but we still had to dump the water. They are loud.

If it's 100 outside, every AC/heat pump we've owned can cool to 71 (which is our norm). If your AC is not leaking coolant, maybe the control has gone bad. DD2 recently had her house power washed before putting on the market. One of them stood on her split unit (heat and air is outside, not under house and no furnace is a closet) and not only cracked the control at the bottom of the unit, but she now has a small leak at the top. None of them admit to standing on the unit, but they were the only ones working at her house for months.

FYI, your lease should state how many days it takes for them to do repairs after you have reported. Also in writing/email. Keep everything. It also should have a clause about you living comfortably. Air and heat is no different than water. Record both outdoor and indoor temps for at least a week. If repairs are not made in a timely manner, you might be entitled to a break in your rent.

Got a minute to go look -- ours is a GE Smart Control 3 in 1 (AC, dehumidifier and fan).

I would not recommend the portable units. They don't work well enough to cool you off. Ours lasted only two years despite infrequent use.

The indoor temps you're experiencing are dangerous, especially when the overnight lows are as high as they've been in Texas. I would request to move to an apartment on the ground floor that faces east. It's not going to get any cooler there so it's not something you can ride it out.

Also when it’s super hot like this, your A/C does not cool that efficiently especially if you have a heat pump. you can generally expect to get about 20 or so degrees cooler. So, do not crank your A/C down too low because it can’t get there.

My neighbors here in VA cool their entire house with this type of unit. ANY portable A/C unit is going to work. Here is a ranking of units from wirecutter: Best Portable AC units

We've had heat pumps since 1995. They all have cooled the houses during heat waves (in Southern states) more than 20 degrees. According to my weather app, "feels like 102" today, but our heat pumps are keeping all three floors at 72. If you have a heat pump that is not cooling during a heat wave, it is not appropriately sized or needs to be oversized. Article

Agree with not turning the thermostat down more since that will only hurt the unit/won't help.

Air conditioners (not heat pumps) will not cool/have a hard time cooling more than 20 degrees during a heat wave.

Ditto Allison (other than the last paragraph as I have no knowledge of this). We are experiencing abnormally high temps this week, but our house is nice and cool. We do not adjust the thermostat other than seasonally.

Don't let management off the hook - 81 is too hot. Ask them to provide a portable unit until they can repair your AC.

I've had portable ACs at my cottage before we switched to ductless units. LG brand was a good one and worked well. If your lease specifies that your apartment has ac, then your landlord must repair it. Keep after him or her.

My hubs is HVAC tech. First thing he did this evening when he got home from work was set up a small mist sprinkler to hit the coils on the unit outside. (not going into the top where the fan is, just hits the coils) This helps cool the air intake, and helps the unit.

About dusk, he turned it off.

Yes the ground gets pretty soggy, but it sure helps!

Can you do this ATK?

@amykath you say 3rd floor - is that the top floor? The solar load on the roof if you are on the top floor will be next to impossible to counteract. Your idea of the blackout curtains on the OUTSIDE of your patio doors is a great idea - anything you can to to keep the heat from passing through that glass will go a long way to keeping the temp down. I hope you can get some relief.

AK, I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this and hope you find relief soon.

Keep bugging the management.

I saw this window film and want ro try it for our south facing windows. Maybe ths will work for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Window-Reusable-Privacy-Blocking-Reflective/dp/B089SLZPDQ/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_hpb_pf_vs_sccl_2_5/146-4109239-7249537?pd_rd_w=LzQiP&content-id=amzn1.sym.24a2a5a6-7170-4483-b6ab-3a58a5aa28bf&pf_rd_p=24a2a5a6-7170-4483-b6ab-3a58a5aa28bf&pf_rd_r=GVWTH1VCTK04ZZQPS7SX&pd_rd_wg=C1a3i&pd_rd_r=46eb7fbc-868c-48f8-9ddb-ee0849d7cc24&pd_rd_i=B089SLZPDQ&th=1

Thanks so much for all the advise!

Yesterday my AC did not get above 75 and it was 101 out. I did have it set to 73 and then when the afternoon sun started was hitting my apartment it went to 75. Not too bad.

I am the top apartment on the 3rd floor. I so wished I were not! This weekend I am going to have my friend's husband help me put up a roller shade that when fully rolled down covers the top half of the balcony opening (it waws here when I moved in and fell a bit ago) and have him helps me with the tension rod for the black out curtains for right outside my windows and patio door.

Believe me, I will keep on them. I have to unfortunately wait until the ac does not work again.

This summer has already been brutal and we are just getting started. My friend who lives just outside Denver said it was 111 on his car temp display.

Ugh, Amy, so sorry! This heat is so bad, we’re setting records. :(

I’m currently recuperating from a heatstroke (happened Sunday, was totally my fault for being stupid) …. I’m worried about you. And furious that management isn't doing anything!

Please be careful, it can come on instantly. I hope you find a good solution. You’re more than welcome to our guest room! It’s not fancy, but cool. ❤️

Jinx... a heatstroke? Om my gosh, I am so sorry! How are you feeling?

Thanks for the offer on the guest room. :)

Better, thank you! I had one years ago, so am more susceptible now. I don’t take my own advice. :D

I just can’t believe this weather so early in the summer. It’s too much!

I installed a Nest thermostat last winter. One of the statistics it gives me is how long the unit has run on any given day. Yesterday, my a/c unit ran for 13 hours! I had the indoor temp set to 73, which is warmer than I like. The heat is brutal!

Jinx and bb... honestly this heat is scary. I feel a weird sense of panic everyday that my AC or the grid here will go out. Luckily my friend's house is not too far and is always cold and ready for a visitor.

Akt, my sister lives just outside Dallas. They would escape every summer because of the heat. I truly hope mgmt will get that a/c fixed or replaced for you. Jinx, oh hear, I hope you are better now.

Thank you, Arapaho. ❤️

It’s scary how quickly it comes on.

Jinx, that's so scary. Please be careful.

I will, Bunny, thank you. ❤️

I’m so mad about Amy’s management putting people at risk!

I'm glad you have a plan B akt but I hope between apartment management and the steps you are taking on your own, you will be comfortable in this impossible heat. Our AC went out during an especially hot August in Florida and for two days while we waited for parts I thought I would die. I do not have the right personality to be that hot and uncomfortable, Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Jinx - hope you are feeling better. Scary indeed.

Thank you, Ruby ❤️

Glad your AC is cooling your apartment better.

Jinx! Glad you are okay and feeling better. Scary!

Allison, thank you. ❤️

I’m concerned if these temps keep up all summer, the grid will go down like it did the winter of ’20. They didn’t fix anything after that happened and I’ve heard rumors there may be blackouts.

Amy and fellow Texans — wanna go up to Michigan with me? My bestie is up there visiting at her in-laws’ house on the lake, temps are in the 70’s!

Glad your a/c is doing better, Amy. This Texas heat is brutal. I am dreading August-we usually leave for the month then, but aren't leaving until early September this year.

Jinx-oh my gosh, how scary. Hope you are ok.

Thank you, Jana. ❤️

I can’t remember in my 50+ yrs triple digits this early!

OMG, Jinx, so sorry to hear this.

We had 97 or 98 yesterday and this whole week will be bad. Last night we had Tears for Fears and Garbage at the outdoor amphitheatre. We were in the covered section and they have giant ceiling fans, though I’m sure they’re blowing the C**V** around too. We keep our A/C at 76 but we also use our ceiling fan in the LR. It’s quite nice in here and we’ll try not to run the oven or dryer. Our HVAC guy was here this morning for regular maintenance so we are all set. We had thunderstorms this morning, so luckily he was able to finish before the storms came.

gs, thank you. ❤️

Ugh, the concert sounds like it was hot! Hope you enjoyed it, though, I love Tears for Fears.

We usually go to outdoor concerts at the Botanic Garden every summer, won’t be this year.

We've used a portable unit while waiting for repairs on the central a/c. Works best in a smaller space and is very noisy, at least the one we borrowed was.

I would request to move to an apartment on the ground floor that faces east.

She lives in an apartment, not a hotel. 🙄

I doubt your landlord will do this, but putting in an attic exhaust fan would make a huge difference for you. its the kind of fan that goes through the roof and draws cooler air into the attic.. I added one to my house and the difference was huge.

I also run a ceiling fan in my bedroom along with the central ac.

Could you purchase a window unit for your bedroom?

Also, @amykath, can you change the filter or is this something they do. I just heard this on the local news. That can also be a factor.

Judi, Yes, I could put in a window unit but only in my living room as it won't show from outside due to my balcony hiding it. I am considering this as a backup and piece of mind. I could bring out my thick gel top memory foam and use it to sleep on in the living room. It is actually quite comfy. I have done this when I have had guests and I give them my room. Also, yes thanks for pointing out I live in an apartment and not a hotel. To move would be horrible. I really do not want to do that and it would cost me a lot!

Gscience, I need to have them replace it I am sure. That or I will buy one and replace it myself. I love Tears for Fears as well! I bet that was fun!

Detired, unfortunately there is not chance they would do that. I wish!

Today, my AC is just where I have it and it has not risen at all. Probably bc it is not over 100 here.

However, the window unit is still calling my name as we are only in June.

Thanks for all of the insight, suggestions and sympathy/empathy!

Amy

AK, I hope you get some cool.

Jinx, Yikes! I wasn’t sure how heat stroke went and looked it up. Really dangerous. What will you do so that you don’t get it again? wear an icebag on your head? Are you okay now?

I feel horrible for people in India.

Have you checked all windows and outside doors for any drafts?

Thanks, Petal. ❤️ I just have to be careful now and try not to get overheated. It’s a very scary experience, I’m so angry that Amy’s apartment management isn’t making sure people’s A/Cs are working well!

I've been thinking about you and checked in for an update. Have have they repaired your AC? We still have the hottest part of summer ahead.

Maire

Yes, my AC is working but on super hot days where it is above 100 I can only get my AC to cool at 76 or 77. It is ok. Thanks for checking in. I can not imagine what it will be in August!

Ak, let’s spend the rest of the summer somewhere cold. I’m so tired of this. :(

You are on Jinx! I need to get the heck out of this furnace! I work remotely so I could go anywhere for the most part.

Give me the date and I am there!

Yeah, it was so nice and cool when we were in Buffalo.

We had 101 the other day.