Resetting your AC unit might seem intimidating at first, but don’t worry, we at Express Air are going to break it down for you into six easy-to-follow steps.
Why would you want to reset your AC unit?
There are a few reasons, but the main one is a tripped breaker. Like most electrical appliances, an air conditioning unit has its own individual circuit breaker. Two, to be exact. One operating on the outside, and one operating on the inside.
Generally speaking, a circuit breaker is a safety switch that protects your unit by immediately shutting it down when an overload is detected. This prevents fires and explosions.
Once your power comes back after an outage, the sudden jump in electrical voltage can cause an overload in your unit’s circuit. This is when a circuit breaker kicks in.
Sometimes after a breaker is tripped, however, your AC unit may not work as well as before. If you have it set at a cool temperature but all you’re feeling is warm air — a quick reset is sometimes all you need.
How do you reset your AC unit?
1. Turn off your air conditioning system using the thermostat. You don’t want it to call your AC unit for cooling until after you’ve finished resetting it.
2. Search for the breaker box. Look for either a metal panel or a metal box placed flush against a wall. Sometimes it’s painted to blend in with your home, but usually, it’s a plain metallic color. It can be found in any of these areas:
- Garage
- Basement
- Closets
- Laundry room
- Crawl spaces
- The exterior part of your home
3. Shut off your AC unit at the breaker. Search for the breaker switch that runs to your central heating and air conditioning system. Switch it to the “off” position.
4. Wait at least a full minute before switching the breaker back to the “on” position.
5. Wait for 30 minutes before turning your unit back on at the thermostat. This gives your system a chance to reset its internal circuit breaker.
6. Once the 30 minutes is up, carefully set your thermostat back to “cool”. To really be able to tell if everything is working properly, make sure you set the thermostat to at least five degrees below the room’s current temperature.
Simple, right? It gets even easier if you have a reset button on your AC unit that’ll perform this entire process for you. To check if your system has this button, you’ll need to look for it on your outdoor unit. Usually, it’s a big, red button. If you don’t see it or find it difficult to reach, it might be best to contact a professional to come to check your unit for you.
When should you call an HVAC technician?
If your AC unit is still not working or if you notice your circuit breaker is tripping over and over again, don’t attempt to reset your unit back to back! Some other potential causes we’ve observed at Express Air include:
- Clogged air filter
- Faulty wiring
- Fan motor issues
- Compressor failure
Whether it’s circuit breaker issues, locating the reset button on your outdoor unit or more complex issues like those listed above — Express Air is happy to help! Contact us or give us a call to schedule Express Air for all of your air conditioning and heating needs!
