How to Reset a Non-Working Air Conditioner
It's a sweltering American summer day, and you're happy you have air conditioning. Subsequently, you observe that your air conditioner is not cooling as it should or is acting strangely. Try resetting your air conditioner before you lose your cool. This easy action usually resolves small problems and restarts your system.
Why Would My Air Conditioner Need to Be Reset?
Every air conditioner has a protective circuit breaker. This safety feature guards against electrical accidents caused by power surges or outages, such as fires or explosions. When the circuit breaker trips, the air conditioner must be reset to operate again.
If your air conditioner is spewing warm air when it should be chilling, now is another opportunity to reset it. A thermostat malfunction could be to blame in this instance. Sometimes, the problem can be resolved with a straightforward reset.
It's crucial to tackle this assignment cautiously, though. To provide peace of mind, contact an expert if you're uncomfortable adjusting the air conditioner. Additionally, keep in mind that tampering with the internal components of your equipment could void your warranty, so always read the instructions before doing anything.
Five Ways to Turn an Air Conditioner Back On
Resetting is an excellent place to start when small problems arise. There are five different ways to reset an air conditioner.
1. Turn the circuit breaker back on.
The breakers for every electrical circuit in your house, including a special one for your HVAC system, are on the electrical panel. Try this if the AC isn't working after a power spike or outage.
Find the switch indicated for your HVAC system by locating the electrical panel, which is typically located in the utility closet, crawlspace, basement, or garage. Should the circuits be unlabeled, you may need to conduct experiments. Please turn off the circuit breaker, then wait thirty minutes before turning it back on. Now that the air conditioner is operating again ensure the thermostat is set to "cool" and see how it works.
2. Click the Back button.
If your air conditioner's reset button is there, you can easily fix any small issues with the system with this method. This tiny red button is likely on or close to the outdoor condensing unit; it might be under a "Reset" panel. If you need help locating it, look up an online owner's handbook or consult your physical one.
To use the reset button on an air conditioner, take these steps:
- 1. Turn the thermostat to the "off" position.
- 2. Turn the air conditioner's circuit breaker on.
- 3. Hold down the reset button for a duration of three to five seconds.
- 4. Turn the circuit breaker on to return your air conditioner online.
- 5. select a thermostat temperature marginally below the present indoor temperature and set it to "cool." In a few seconds, the air conditioner should begin to run. If the air from the registers feels cool, you're good to go.
3. Press the Separation Switch.
If you can't locate the reset button, look for the isolation switch next to the outdoor unit. When the air conditioner breaks, this safety feature turns off the power without harming the other appliances in your house. It should resemble a dial with "on" and "off" positions.
After turning off the isolation switch and waiting thirty to sixty minutes, turn it back on. This manual reboot enables all electrical parts to reset by cutting off your AC unit's electricity.
4. Unplug the Device
Is there still a problem with your air conditioner's performance? Unplugging the device is the second way to reset the AC. Locate the shutoff panel next to the outdoor unit and turn off the compressor's electricity. After that, disconnect the power supply board's AC. Unplug the device for at least thirty minutes to clear any faults and restart the system. This will allow any leftover charge to escape the internal parts. Replugging your air conditioner might not solve the problem; there's a chance the socket is broken. To fix this issue, a professional is required.
5. Get a Pro
If all else fails, hiring a professional is your best option. Otherwise, it would help if you tried the following do-it-yourself tips. A professional HVAC expert can use sophisticated instruments to reset your system and identify underlying problems that a simple reset may not fix.