Blossom's Big Move

[poohbear_nc]

It sounds like your thermostat sensor is whacked .... if your landlord won't replace/repair it you may need to develop a wall chart to convert thermostat readings to actual room temps.

The thermostat sensor is probably measuring air temps right next to it - and couldn't care less what the actual room temps are away from it. If cool air pools by the thermostat, it doesn't know to turn the unit on. That's why I recommend the oscillating fans - not only do they more evenly distribute the cool air within the rooms, but they also prevent cold air from stagnating by the thermostat, which makes the unit think the entire room is cold.

Also, check your rooms for heat sources that are warming the air away from the wall unit -- window air leaks, incandescent bulbs, appliances (PC fans throw out lots of hot air into a room), etc.

[gabby98]

It could also be low on coolant...when mine started running low (due to a leak), the pipe would freeze a little and it could be thinking its cooler than it actually is

[Blossom]

We finally have internet! Time Warner finally showed up! I am typing this on my desktop! *happy dance*

I am exhausted! We have a very inconsiderate neighbor downstairs. 3AM they have this surround system or something they are watching a movie till 5AM. It was like our bed had been moved while we was sleeping into a movie theater. Not only the walls and floors shaking and all the bass but sound effects, screams and music. It was concert loud. This isn't the first time they've done this but first time it's past midnight.

Hubby thinks maybe they are trying to get out of their lease but I just think they are inconsiderate @#$%%...you get the picture.

Maintenance came today and the electrician so they installed a dryer vent and a 220 plug for the stacked W/D. I have never used one I sure hope I don't break it!

We had some storms yesterday and the power went on and off a few times I sure hope that is not the normal here.

This place wouldn't be too bad if the neighbor downstairs could tune it down. It was cool last night so the a/c barely ran. Nothing like a nice rain shower to cool thing off. it was 77F in the bedrooms till the storm though. Ick! I got to get a window unit and some fans. I better get swagging.

[poohbear_nc]

Sometimes you find out the hard way why the apt. was empty. Any clause in the lease about noise levels?

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Sometimes you find out the hard way why the apt. was empty. Any clause in the lease about noise levels?

No not really it says pretty much they can't be held responsible and that you can't get out of your lease or tranfer to another unit because of noise. However when we signing the lease the agent mentioned something she called the NSA -Noise Security Agency but did not expound what the world it was and everyone was distracted you had three people signing a mound of papers so we was passing them back and forth. So we need to talk to the office and find out more about it.

The apartment had just been empty for a week when we got it. They go super fast here due to parents preleasing for fall term. I will say the walls and floors are super thin but the amount of noise I heard last night would have traveled through any normal floor. It was horrible.

Just did laundry. The little stacked W/D works great. Added our bookshelves today too now just to find my books! It's 750 SQ feet so this place is tiny.

[booklover6]

How are the cats doing?

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by booklover6

How are the cats doing?

They are doing quite well. I just found their flea meds in storage today as I think for first time in their life they may picked some up at the Red Roof Inn in Cary as they are scratching alot.

Speaking of that nightmare hotel. The last night there the unit next to us was noisy but at 11PM this woman started screaming like she was being murdered. It was blood curling and went on for like 3 minutes. I thought someone has busted into her room. I almost sure I heard her yell the R word twice. We immediately picked up the phone and call the front desk. They were over there in matter of minutes. The woman acted like nothing had happen but they were warned anything more like that and they would leave without a refund. It took me 3 days not to freak out at the slightest loud noise.

Now back to the cats they are being very naughty. I am having to get up in the middle of the night and keep them quiet. I tried keeping them up all day so they would sleep at night but it didn't work. Instead of sleepy kitties I had cranky kitties that got into everything Cabinets, drawers, knocking things off surfaces. I tried putting them into their pet taxis and well Maisy just made more noise. I won't try that again the next night I let them alone and they were much better then we got woken up with that horrible noise and they were scared and clinging to me.
They aren't super noisy. Quieter than kids but they like to be well cats in the middle of the night and they get bored real easy.

[FizzyWater]

Did you say this was your first experience with a window/wall unit A/C?

I just got a link to a "cleaning tips" story at "Real Simple" that included this:

Air conditioners: When your A/Cs are in use (say, from May through September), it’s smart to clean them monthly so they don’t get listless (or conk out completely) on the hottest days of summer. First turn off the power and pop off the front panel. Remove the spongy filter and soak it in the sink in equal parts warm water and white vinegar for about an hour. Use the vacuum’s crevice attachment on the coils. After you’ve replaced the filter (wait until it’s dry) and the front panel, dust the exterior and the control buttons with a disinfecting wipe. Have central air? Once a season, unscrew the vent covers and clean the slats on both sides with a damp cloth.

Maybe yours needs a good cleaning (to maybe not have to work so hard)?

[poohbear_nc]

Cats in a new environment will be very 'wary' - exploring everything & marking everything with their scent - before they will call it home - so this roaming/exploring behavior is quite normal - you have to let them adjust at their own speed. Plus they have to find their 'safe' havens to hide in when they feel threatened.

Also - they pick up on their humans' emotions - if you are upset/scared, etc. -- they will be too. Try scheduling play times & cuddle times to reassure them. Put out towels or blankets for them to perch on - esp. on elevated surfaces - so they can survey their entire domain - cats need both floor level places to hide and elevated places to feel safe & secure on. Before bedtime, have a calm cuddle time - it will soothe all of you.

Also - be careful - scared/threatened cats can start urine marking or stop using the litterbox - they're not being naughty - it's an instinctual form of behavior in response to feeling threatened.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

Did you say this was your first experience with a window/wall unit A/C?

I just got a link to a "cleaning tips" story at "Real Simple" that included this:



Maybe yours needs a good cleaning (to maybe not have to work so hard)?

Any idea where that would be? Here's the picture of the unit. It's about 3 1/2 feet long.

[poohbear_nc]

If you can find it - Google the model number for your unit - and find a maintenance manual - or manufacturer's manual.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

If you can find it - Google the model number for your unit - and find a maintenance manual - or manufacturer's manual.

I have no idea what model is but I found a manual that is close. Looks like it's something maintenance has to do.

Oh I found out it's not a wall unit it's called a Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner. It looks like the filter is under the vents. I'll ask maintenance about it. I had a nice long chat with one of the guys today. All three of them are really nice. We talk to the office about the neighbor downstairs they are sending a letter and a I heard from one of the guys the person is a elderly male and really nice. So I'm hoping we can come to a understanding and all live HEA.

I've been doing laundry today. I am loving this little stacked unit. It gets my clothes clean and smelling fresh. It's not a HE unit. My washer is a HE and the clothes never smell that good. I'll never buy another HE washer again. Sometime newer isn't better.

Oh we got our fan from storage and shooting it down the hall. It's overcast and only 77F outside so it's hard to know but it's really cool in here today even with the mini dryer going. I actually turned the A/C up 2 degrees.

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Any idea where that would be? Here's the picture of the unit. It's about 3 1/2 feet long.

Glad you were able to talk to your maintenance guys, because it doesn't look possible from those pictures. The one I had that was built into my wall had a vent section that was separate and could be opened like a door. I'd take the spongy filter out of it and wash it in the sink (although I didn't know about soaking it in vinegar!)

My old apartment was 450 sq ft or so, and that wall unit would cool the whole place, although I'd have to freeze in the bedroom to be comfortable in the living room/kitchen area. I loved sleeping under thick blankets back then, so it wasn't a problem. (Nowadays, I've hit that "certain age" for women where I'm going back and forth between being TOO hot and then chilled).

[Blossom]

Yeah I don't think I would attempt messing with the A/C controls or filter myself. It was really cool yesterday it was 71 most of the day and it cooled off the entire apartment so I had the a/c on 66 which is 70-72 range since yesterday. I have a fan pointing it down the hall and it really moves air.

This place is a bit too exciting for this country gal. Last night the cops were over at the apartment across the hall. Domestic dispute. Two days ago they busted someone in the parking lot for drugs. I must say the police are really on the ball here.

This morning around 7AM we were woken up by neighbor downstairs bass. Hubby said that's it. Got dressed and went downstairs to talk to the neighbor.
I knew from talking to one of the guys here our neighbor is an elderly gentlemen so I figured it wasn't done intentionally. Hubby introduced himself and talked to the guy. He was really nice and apologize and said he didn't know it was doing that. So since then we haven't heard anymore bass. You have to lay on the floor to hear it now. So I slept in. First time since leaving TN I got any good sleep.

We had talk to the office 3 days ago and they said they would send a letter but obviously it never reach the guy or he seldom checks his mail but I think it may be resolved now. I really hope so. I need my sleep!

I still need to get a small window unit for the bedroom so we can move the bed in there.

[Blossom]

Well the A/C has suddenly started working. It now shuts off at 66F So it is cold in the living/kitchen. I may have to put it at 68 if this keeps up. Leave it to me to get a unit with PMS.

Some nice news for a change. Our sofa and recliner was 12 years old so we pitch it before we left for NC. The in laws decided they wanted to get us new ones for a housewarming gift. So for the past few days I have been furniture shopping. First thing I realize is they don't make sofas I like. The over sized furniture trend is super ugly. The pillow back sofa some are nice but have no back support. I finally found a sofa that was the right size, price and has a good back. So we order it and the matching recliner.

It's the Vergana collection from Ashley Furniture. So that will be here in two weeks. So that means moving the bed into bedroom so I talk to my mom and she is going send me the difference on the Mini A/C so I can order it. So I can say we are finally getting settled in.

We brought my office chair in from storage and my youngest kitty went nuts. She is super happy to have that chair back. She sleeps in it and well it's a bit ratty from her claws. So the cats are doing really well, Maisy is even doing the lay on your back look at me I am cute thing again. It tells me she is content.