How to Reset an Air Conditioner That Won’t Work
It’s a scorching summer day in Edmonton, and you’re thankful you have central air conditioning. But then you notice your air conditioning equipment behaving oddly or not cooling like it is supposed to. Before you panic, try resetting your AC. This easy step often fixes little issues and gets your system operating normally again.
Why Would I Need to Reset My Home’s AC?
Every single AC has a protection circuit breaker. This safety apparatus stops electrical mishaps, such as fires or explosions, that could develop from power surges or outages. When the circuit trips, resetting your central air conditioning is necessary to get it operating again.
Another thing that could lead you to have to reset the AC is if your unit is blowing warm air when it ought to be blowing cold air. In this situation, the culprit might be a thermostat malfunction. Sometimes, a simple reset is all it takes to resolve the situation.
Then again, it’s crucial to approach this task with caution. If you’re uneasy about resetting the AC yourself, get in touch with a professional for help. In addition, it’s important to realize that tampering with your unit’s internal components might void your warranty, so always check the guidelines before attempting this type of work.
5 Tips for Resetting the AC
When simple issues develop, a reset is a good way to start. Here are five ways to reset your central air.
1. Reset Your Circuit Breaker
Your home’s electrical panel contains the breakers for all your electrical circuits, including a dedicated one for your heating and cooling system. If the central air is having difficulty after a power surge or outage, try this strategy first.
Find the electrical panel—commonly found in the garage, basement, crawlspace or utility closet—and look for the switch labeled for your HVAC system. If the circuits aren’t marked, you might have to try things out. Flick the circuit breaker off, wait 30 minutes, and then flip it into “on” mode. Next, turn the AC back on, confirm that the thermostat is set to “cool” and take note of how the unit operates.
2. Hit the Reset Button
If your air conditioner has a reset button, this is probably the quickest way to clear any minor bugs in the system. This small, red button is probably on or near the outdoor condensing unit, perhaps under a panel marked “Reset”. If you cannot find it, reference your physical owner’s manual or find a digital copy online.
Use these tips to reset an air conditioner using the reset button:
1. Set your thermostat to the “off” setting.
2. Hit the circuit breaker that powers your AC.
3. Click and hold the reset button for three to five seconds.
4. Return power to your AC by turning the circuit breaker back on.
5. Then, set the thermostat to “cool” and set it to a temperature slightly lower than the current indoor temperature. The cooling system should turn on in just a few seconds. If the air blowing from the registers is nice and cool, you’re ready to go!
3. Hit the Isolation Switch
If you can’t find the reset button, search for the isolation switch near the exterior unit. This safety feature lets you turn off power to the air conditioning system when the unit malfunctions without impacting the rest of your home’s electricity. It usually looks like a dial with an “on” and “off” position.
Power down the AC by flipping the isolation switch, wait 30 to 60 minutes and then turn it back on. This manual reboot totally disconnects your air conditioning from power, allowing all electrical elements to reset.
4. Unplug the AC
Is your AC still not working as expected? The next AC reset method is to unplug the system. First, find the shutoff panel near the outside unit and turn off the power to the compressor. Then, unplug the air conditioning equipment from the power supply board. Leave the unit unplugged for not less than 30 minutes to let any residual charge dissipate from the internal components, clearing any errors and giving the HVAC a new start. If your cooling system still isn’t working right after plugging it back in, the socket could be bad. You’ll need a professional to repair this issue.
5. Work with a Professional
If nothing else works, or you’re unsure about attempting the DIY tips above, hiring a skilled HVAC specialist is your best bet. A certified HVAC contractor can reset your system using particular tools and diagnose underlying issues that might not be resolved with a simple reset.
Air Conditioning Still Not Working? Call the Skilled Team at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning
If you’ve attempted resetting your air conditioner yourself and it’s still not working, don’t worry—Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help. Our certified technicians provide high-quality, long-lasting AC repair, with your satisfaction guaranteed. If you’re not entirely happy with our AC services in Edmonton, we’ll make it right! Call us at 587-404-0790 today to experience the difference we can make in your life and comfort level!