Air Conditioners

Related Policies

Prohibited Items

Policy

Students are prohibited from installing window or portable air conditioners (A/C) in the residence halls or brownstones. Students will be fined $150 for the removal of Housing-provided A/C units and $100 for window stop replacements.

Buildings with Air-Conditioning

The following buildings are air-conditioned buildings: 

  • 542 W. 112th St.
  • 611 W. 112th St. 
  • Broadway Hall
  • Carman Hall
  • East Campus
  • Furnald Hall
  • Schapiro Hall

The following buildings have permanent window air conditioner units: 

  • 538 West 114th Street 
  • 604 W. 114th Street
  • 606 W. 114th Street
  • 619 W. 113th Street
  • Carlton Arms
  • Hogan Hall
  • John Jay Hall
  • McBain Hall
  • River Hall
  • Ruggles Hall
  • Wallach Hall
  • Watt Hall

In a select few rooms across campus in other buildings, Housing provides window A/C units.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting Procedures

To report an issue with air-conditioning in your room, place a Service Request.

Energy Saver Mode 

If your unit is in Energy Saver Mode, it will continuously cool the room until your set temperature is reached. Once reached, the compressor turns off and the unit enters standby. Periodically, the fan will run for approximately 30 seconds to sample the room temperature: 

  • If the room has warmed above the set temperature, the compressor and fan will turn back on.
  • If the room is still cool, the unit will shut off again after sampling. 

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Before requesting assistance from the Housing Hospitality Desk, please consult our troubleshooting procedures below. 

No Power / Unit Not Turning On: 
  1. Check for a green light on the plug.
  2. If not visible, press the Reset button on the plug to restore power.
AC Is On, But Fan Cycles Intermittently: 
  1. Likely caused by Energy Saver or Dry mode being enabled with a high temperature setting.
  2. Switch to Cool mode and set the thermostat to 68°F – 72°F. 
Unit Not Cooling 
  1. Confirm unit is set to Cool mode.
  2. Lower the temperature to 60°F to initiate cooling. 
Clean Filter (CF) Indicator Turns On

The CF indicator means that AC filter requires cleaning. This process should be completed whenever the CF indicator turns on. The filter should also be inspected periodically and cleaned if there is visible dust or debris buildup.

Follow these steps to clean your filter: 

  1. Shut down the unit: Turn the unit off and unplug the unit from the electrical outlet before beginning any maintenance. 
  2. Remove the filter: Locate the air filter behind the front grill. Carefully pull the filter forward and lift it slightly to remove it from the unit. Use caution when accessing the filter. Do not touch exposed metal components, as some edges may be sharp.
  3. Clean and air-dry the filter: Rinse the filter using lukewarm water. Do not use abrasive cleaners, harsh chemicals, or excessive scrubbing. Gently shake the filter to remove excess water. Do not twist, bend, or wring the filter. Allow the filter to air-dry completely before reinstalling it. Do not reinstall a wet or damp filter.  
  4. Reinstall the filter: Slide the dry filter back into the front grille and carefully push it into position. Verify that the filter is properly seated and securely installed. Do not operate the air conditioner without the filter properly installed.
    1. If the filter is damaged, cannot be securely reinstalled, or the unit continues to display an error or operate improperly after cleaning, stop using the unit and submit a service request.
  5. Reset the filter indicator: Plug the unit into the electrical outlet and power the unit on. Then, press and hold the Mode button for approximately 10 seconds to reset the CF indicator.


When cleaning your filter, never spray or pour water directly into the air conditioner. Water contacting internal electrical components may damage the unit and create an electrical shock hazard.