Yes.  In and around the urban and many suburban areas there are a larger amount of small apartments, flats, duplexes and cottages.  The smaller square footage lends itself to the cheaper AC units.

 

 Also - the "dog days" are scattered between a 2 or 2.5 month period. Rather than the 4plus month stretch in the south.  So they are used for as little as half as much each year. 

 

In areas that are at higher elevation north of NYC - some apartments and houses can still be found without AC at all. Although that isn't as common as it was 15 years ago.  

 

 

We do live in different worlds, I was kinda thinking TMD was living in a slum ... but not. I would spend 8k on cooling, but then I would have to cut the stuff he would consider a necessity out.

 

I can't grow Palm Trees, but I need me some serious cooling.

 

 

 

This sounds to me to be a likely culprit and inexpensive to try as a temporary fix.  I rarely like to give advice on the internet when it comes to electrical/electronics issues, especially if someone has no experience/knowledge of such things.  Here are a few safety tips that I recommend doing should you decide to do a replacement.

 

1.  First, make sure that you open (turn off) any and all breakers for the unit.

 

2.  Before you touch the capacitor, take a screwdriver and short both of the leads on the top of it.

 

3.  Pay careful attention to how it is hooked up, and be sure to hook up the replacement the exact same way.

 

 

 

 

Don't listen to this guy, stick your tongue on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's how I also meet women, sometimes.

---

My advice: it's 20 years old and you have no idea what you're looking at/doing to fix it, buy a new one.

---

My advice: it's 20 years old and you have no idea what you're looking at/doing to fix it, buy a new one.

 

 

 

20 Years old in my book is a huge plus, I'm not really wanting to change the Diapers on a new one.

---

... I'll have to shell out the friggin dough to buy a brand new one, right?....

Tip for scoring a replacement cheap:  

 

When my last window unit died, I knew a buddy who worked maintenance at a 70 unit  apt building that used window units.  I went to him and asked about units left behind when people move to apt's with central AC.  He said there were a dozen abandoned in the basement and I should bring his boss a case of his favorite beer and inquire about obtaining one. 

 

I left with a 2 year old unit that runs great and costs about $750 new.  For the price of 24 beers. Now - if you need a through-the-wall unit -- it might pay to check out any multi-unit buildings in the vicinity using similar or same units and speak to their maintenance staff. Might score a used one or meet someone that has fixed them on the cheap before. 

---

Don't listen to this guy, stick your tongue on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's how I also meet women, sometimes.

This been working out for you?

---

What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is agoin' on here???

Tip for scoring a replacement cheap:  

 

When my last window unit died, I knew a buddy who worked maintenance at a 70 unit  apt building that used window units.  I went to him and asked about units left behind when people move to apt's with central AC.  He said there were a dozen abandoned in the basement and I should bring his boss a case of his favorite beer and inquire about obtaining one. 

 

I left with a 2 year old unit that runs great and costs about $750 new.  For the price of 24 beers. Now - if you need a through-the-wall unit -- it might pay to check out any multi-unit buildings in the vicinity using similar or same units and speak to their maintenance staff. Might score a used one or meet someone that has fixed them on the cheap before. 

 

 

That's the same way I bought my Wife's wedding ring.

 

Except it was a trunk instead of a basement.

---

This been working out for you?

 

 

 

Once you get past the smell, you got it licked.

---

Needing A/C for 4+ months in the south???? Dang, mine comes on in Feb and goes off on Christmas Day. The heat comes on when the ball drops in NYC.

 

Regards.....................the Chiefjag

---

Sound advice jagibelieve. I do it so often I forget to add the most crucial information.

Thanks

---

Needing A/C for 4+ months in the south???? Dang, mine comes on in Feb and goes off on Christmas Day. The heat comes on when the ball drops in NYC.

 

Regards.....................the Chiefjag

Well, technically I said, the "dog days" last 4+ months down there.   Meaning - the time when it's an absolute necessity by today's standards. I've used mine as early as April here and as late as October, but I could certainly get by only using it from mid June to late August if I had to be frugal with the electric bill. 

 

Certainly - to be comfortable we both extend our usage beyond the dog days whenever possible.  The ratio between regions remains intact. 

---

Well, technically I said, the "dog days" last 4+ months down there.   Meaning - the time when it's an absolute necessity by today's standards. I've used mine as early as April here and as late as October, but I could certainly get by only using it from mid June to late August if I had to be frugal with the electric bill. 

 

Certainly - to be comfortable we both extend our usage beyond the dog days whenever possible.  The ratio between regions remains intact.

He is talking necessity!!

---

What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is agoin' on here???

Once you get past the smell, you got it licked.

Good for you!! :yes:

---

What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is agoin' on here???

He is talking necessity!!

Haha. Point taken, but is AC really a necessity down there around Valentine's Day? 

---

Haha. Point taken, but is AC really a necessity down there around Valentine's Day?

Sometimes it is. Back when I still got a tan the old fashioned way, I've actually been out on the beach laying out on New Year's Day before.

---

What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is agoin' on here???

In the 'cold' months, my a/c unit will go weeks and weeks without being turned on.  On the coldest mornings (when it dips waaaaay down into the upper 20s) I will turn the heat on for a while to warm the house up while everyone gets ready for the day.  As the sun rises the house warms up.  I never run the heat at night.  I don't see the sense in it when everyone is under blankets.  Besides, the coldest my house has ever gotten during the night is 63.  But so far as cooling, my builder's grade unit has been bravely huffing it out the last few hot days.  Poor little guy.  But, my thermostat stays at 78.

---

In the 'cold' months, my a/c unit will go weeks and weeks without being turned on.  On the coldest mornings (when it dips waaaaay down into the upper 20s) I will turn the heat on for a while to warm the house up while everyone gets ready for the day.  As the sun rises the house warms up.  I never run the heat at night.  I don't see the sense in it when everyone is under blankets.  Besides, the coldest my house has ever gotten during the night is 63.  But so far as cooling, my builder's grade unit has been bravely huffing it out the last few hot days.  Poor little guy.  But, my thermostat stays at 78.

I can't stand to sleep with the heat on all night...I'm guaranteed to wake with a nose bleed if I do! :yes:

---

What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is agoin' on here???

Sometimes it is. Back when I still got a tan the old fashioned way, I've actually been out on the beach laying out on New Year's Day before.

 

 

When I did that, people kept rolling me back in.

---

When I did that, people kept rolling me back in.

And dousing you with water to keep you alive til they could get you back in?

---

What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is agoin' on here???

And dousing you with water to keep you alive til they could get you back in?

 

And kept his blow hole clear.

---

And kept his blow hole clear.

Of course...wouldn't want a clogged hole!

---

What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is agoin' on here???