Is your A/C working properly?

It’s almost the season of eggnog, latkes and candy canes, but the Austin Code Department is thinking ahead to summertime and implementing new inspection procedures for residential air-conditioning systems. While there’s no code requirement that says dwellings must be air-conditioned, if there is air conditioning in a residence, the International Property Maintenance Code says the system “needs to be properly installed and maintained in safe working condition and capable of performing the intended function”– to keep the inhabitants from melting in the broiling Texas heat. Malfunctioning A/C is also a public health issue, as interim Assistant Director Daniel Word explained in an announcement about the new inspection program: “Hot, humid summers and poor ventilation can lead to dangerous conditions. Those conditions can also lead to mold growth which is harmful for residents with underlying respiratory conditions.” Tenants who are experiencing problems with their A/C should tell their property managers or landlords. Potential code violations may be reported by calling Austin 311. The inspection program covers central air only, not window units or mini-splits.