NYC HVAC Repair (AC, PTAC & Heating Specialists)

NYC Heat Season runs from October 1 through May 31. During this period, landlords are legally required to provide heat. The specific rules are: between 6 AM and 10 PM, if the outside temperature drops below 55°F, the indoor temperature must be at least 68°F. Between 10 PM and 6 AM, the indoor temperature must be at least 62°F regardless of the outside temperature. Hot water must be provided year-round at a minimum of 120°F. If your apartment fails to meet these thresholds, call 311 to file a complaint — HPD will schedule an inspection and can issue violations with daily fines against the landlord. Document the temperature with a dated photo of a thermometer as evidence.

PTAC (Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner) units are the through-wall heating and cooling systems common in newer NYC condos, luxury rentals, and hotels converted to residential. Responsibility depends on your lease and building structure. In most cases, the building maintains the metal sleeve (the housing built into the wall) and the electrical connection, while the tenant or unit owner is responsible for repairing or replacing the actual chassis — the removable machine that slides into the sleeve. In some luxury rental buildings, the landlord covers the entire unit. Always check your lease for the specific PTAC maintenance clause before calling a technician.

Yes, and it’s more important in NYC than most places. Window AC units in the city accumulate massive amounts of street exhaust particulates, dust, mold, and — in upper-floor units — pigeon debris and feathers in the exterior housing. Running a dirty unit recirculates all of that directly into your living space, which can trigger allergies and respiratory issues. A professional deep clean involves removing the unit from the window (or servicing in place), cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils, flushing the drain pan and line, replacing or cleaning the filter, and straightening bent fins to restore airflow. The difference in cooling performance and air quality is immediately noticeable.

New York recognizes a “repair and deduct” doctrine, but it comes with strict conditions. You can only deduct repair costs from rent if: the issue is a serious habitability problem (no heat in winter qualifies; a slightly noisy AC does not), you notified the landlord in writing and gave them a reasonable period to fix it (typically 30 days, or less for a genuine emergency like no heat below freezing), the landlord failed to act within that period, you hired a licensed professional and obtained a paid receipt, and the repair cost is reasonable relative to the issue. Even then, landlords may dispute the deduction. The safest approach is to document everything — written notices, photos with timestamps, thermometer readings, and the repair invoice — and consult a tenant rights attorney if the amount is significant. For emergency heating failures, calling 311 first creates an official record that strengthens your position.

Notify your landlord or building management immediately in writing (email or text creates a record). If they do not respond within a reasonable time, call 311 to file a heat complaint. HPD treats no-heat complaints as emergencies during Heat Season.

Usually yes for standard window units, but check your lease. Some buildings require professional installation or restrict AC placement to certain windows. Co-ops may require board approval for any exterior-facing modification.