Air Conditioning - Help! A/C won't shut off when temp reaches mid 80s

I live in an apartment complex. The weather here has been in the mid 90s. The problem I am having is that the A/C keeps running throughout the day when the temp hits mid 80s and above. It will go through the usual cycles when the temp outside is below that which is normally in the morning. However, even in the evening when the temp starts coming down, it is still taking a while to cool. It does not reach the temperature it is set at which is normally 75-76. So far maintenance has changed filter, cleaned coils, checked freon level, replaced thermostat, and cleaned the outside unit. I detected a water stain on the ceiling in the bedroom and maintenance replaced the duct. Said that it was leaking and not properly insulated. With all that I still have the same problem. The manager says that it's normal for the A/C to run 13+ hours and that 75 is too low and I should set the temp higher. The apartment is only 816 sq. ft. Also maintenance checked the temp difference. I think it was 16-17 degrees. They compared the temp coming out of the vent to what the thermostat was showing. Is this the correct way? Wondering if anyone can please help me. Could there possibly be another leak? The manager said that she can call in an approved A/C repair company but if they don't find anything wrong then I would have to pay for the service charge. I really don't want to pay that. :(

Well, you've given us a little info to start.

816 sqft apartment.

16 to 17 degree difference is good. BUT, the temps need to be taken where the air comes out (as was done) and where the air goes into the unit (was not done). These temps need to be taken at the correct place with the same thermometer. Don't rely on the one in the cheap thermostat.

Who is the manufacturer of the unit? What are the model and serial numbers? Is it a small packaged unit in a cubby or are there two different pieces (one outside and one inside)?

I guess where we are is trying to determine what is wrong, and what to tell a service company to look for so you can get it fixed and not pay.

Oh, hit the enter key when you type everyonce and a while. Makes the post easier to read for older eyes.

Take the supply vent temp and then the temp of the air entering the return filter grille face and post both numbers. If the maintenance guys really cleaned the coils/checked the duct and checked the refrigerant level you probably have a unit that is functioning moderately well. I assume that you have lived here for a while and that you have noticed a change in the performance from summers past? This would for sure indicate a problem. Few maintenance people have the skill level to do a proper AC unit diagnosis so you could have a problem that they have overlooked (halfway cleaned the coil etc). How much is the service call? It might be worth a little bit to have a Pro check it out. Bad thing is that if the apartment complex calls them they may not be the experts that you think they are. You might want to check with friends and family and find a company that you can trust and see if the apartment people will let you use them.

Hi thanks for responding. I'm really not knowledgable on A/Cs. I know maintenance cleaned the inside coils and they said they cleaned the outside too. I will have to look and see what brand it is.

It's almost 9pm here and the A/C has been running continuously since around 1:30pm. It's about 90 degrees right now. The thermostat is set on 76 and reads 78. Seems to stay at 78 today but some days the temp inside will keep getting higher as the temp gets hotter.

When maintenance cleaned the coils inside it took him about 5 minutes to do it. He had some spray can.

The service charge is $105 for the trip and first 1/2 hour and then $40 per half hour after that. The manager said they will not pay if another company inspects it. They have to be approved already.

Is it really normal for the A/C to run that many hours without getting to the set temp. In the evenings when the temp starts getting lower, it still takes the A/C a long time to get to the set temp. Is this normal?

I also hear gurgling sounds every now and then coming from the A/C. Not sure what that it.

I got some information on the A/C from the outside unit. It's dark out but I manage to write down some info.

Voltage 208/230
Amps: 10.5
Hertz - 80
Phase - 1
Compressor AMP - FLA 0.67 HP 0.10
Outdoor fan amp - FLA 0.67 HP 0.10
Min circuit amp - 12.9
Max overcurrent - 20

It's a split system A/C. Manufacturer is Nordyne.
Model # JS3BA-024KA

Managed to find a website that had info on this A/C. Here is the link. http://www.furnacecompare.com/air-conditioners/gra/JS3BA-024KA.html

It's now almost 11pm and the A/C just reached the set temp.

Anyway, I appreciate your help. Thanks.

According to the mod# it's a 2 ton (24,000btuh) which should be ok up to 1000 sq ft, unless you're on the 3rd floor or have large glass/southern exposure. I would say the indoor coil needs to be cleaned thoroughly as 5 mins just don't cut it. Also, the blades on the blower wheel could be full on their concave side, which will cause low air movement, and possible coil icing, further reducing heat transfer. You need someone who has the instruments to measure airflow, temp diff across the evap coil (Delta T) etc.

I'm really not sure what maintenance actually did. The apt. manager is kinda difficult to work with too which doesn't help. She won't confirm that the apt. complex will pay for the repairs if their vendor comes out to inspect the unit and finds something is wrong. I have to have that in writing. It's been almost one month and the problem still is not fixed.

My electric bill was $154 for May. It just started getting hot the end of May here. That's too high for 816 sq ft apartment.

My apartment is on the 2nd floor which is the top floor. It has vaulted ceilings in the living room. Tha A/C was not performing like this last year. This is my 3rd summer here.

I woke up this morning and the thermostat is reading 84 degrees. It is set for 76 degrees. Called in a maintenance request and it turns our the contactor had to be replaced. I wonder if this had been the problem all along.