I am again fighting with the building management here. I started having problems with the thermostat last winter, but then I no longer needed heat and forgot about it. It's now worse. It's not cold when I go to bed, but the temperature drops during the night and since the heater doesn't come on when it's supposed to I often wake around 3 or 4 am, freezing, and can't go back to sleep. It doesn't make for a happy tenant.
I called the HVAC guy they use, but he's not called me back. The last time he came out it was a nightmare: didn't bring the right parts, even though I'd told him over the phone what was wrong, had to reschedule for the following week (while I was without heat), and then he arrived 2 hours late. I have little confidence in him. I swear I don't know where they find these contractors. I imagine they work very cheaply.
The manager informed me that her thermostat doesn't work properly, either. She advised me to hit it or turn it off, then on again, both of which I already do. That's her solution. She also suggested that the pilot light be raised. When I first moved here I couldn't understand why the apartment was always so hot. I later learned that the pilot light was way too high and had it adjusted. Apparently, they've used that approach before.
But, picky tenant that I am, I can't understand why I can't have a properly functioning thermostat. I've scheduled a visit from the gas company. they won't replace the thermostat, but they will tell me what is wrong, and I trust them a LOT more than I trust the HVAC contractor.
If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them.
