Resetting Your Air Conditioners Circuit Breaker
It’s May, the beginning of summer here in Southwest Florida, which is the beginning of stormy season. Our wonderful daily afternoon thunderstorms that keep our gardens so green, are also a source of frequent power outages. It usually only goes out for a little while and then comes back on, but sometimes when that happens, your power comes back on, but your air conditioner doesn’t. At Wayne Martin & Son, we get calls about this all the time, and we respond as quickly as we can. However, for comfort’s sake, you may want to try a couple of these tips first to see if you can fix the situation on your own before calling us. After all, you’ll want to get your HVAC system back online as quickly as possible. Quite often it’s simply that the power surge overloaded the circuit and caused the external electrical circuit breaker to “trip.” You’ll need to reset it, here’s how to do that.
Steps to Resetting Your Air Conditioners Circuit Breaker:
- Set your thermostat to off. This stops the thermostat from calling for cooling until you have reset the external breaker.
- Find your circuit breaker box. The breaker box is a grey metallic box usually located in one of these areas: garage, basement, closets, laundry room or an exterior part of your home. Just look for a switch that is “tripped,” meaning that it has moved to the neutral position. To reset the circuit breaker, turn it to the “off” position (right), then the “on” position (left).
- Wait for 10 minutes. This is the amount of time needed for your air conditioner to reset. During that 10 minutes, you should keep the thermostat in the “off” position.
- Once the 10 minutes is up, head back to your thermostat and set it to “cool.” Make sure the temperature setting is at least five degrees below the room temperature. The thermostat may have a 5-minute delay before the AC will try to start again.
Resetting Your Air Conditioners Circuit Breaker Didn’t Help. Now What?
If your air conditioner doesn’t power on after resetting your air conditioners circuit breaker, don’t worry—there are additional steps you can take before calling in the experts. First, double-check that the thermostat is functioning properly. Ensure that the display is active and the batteries, if used, are not dead. A malfunctioning thermostat can prevent the system from receiving the signal to start cooling. Replacing the batteries or resetting the thermostat itself can sometimes resolve the issue and get your system back to running normally.
Another thing to inspect is your air filter. A clogged or dirty filter can restrict airflow, causing the system to overheat and potentially trip the circuit breaker. If your filter looks dirty or hasn’t been changed recently, replace it with a clean one and attempt to restart your air conditioner. Proper airflow is essential for optimal system performance, especially during Southwest Florida’s hot and humid summer months.
Additionally, take a moment to listen for unusual noises when the system tries to turn on. If you hear humming, clicking, or grinding, it could indicate a more significant mechanical problem. This type of issue may involve worn-out components or electrical malfunctions within the unit that require a professional’s attention. Ignoring these signs could lead to more extensive damage or higher repair costs down the line.
If, after checking these potential issues, your air conditioning system is still not functioning properly or after resetting your air conditioners circuit breaker, it continues to trip, it’s time to call in the experts. Repeatedly tripping circuit breakers indicate a deeper problem, such as electrical shorts, failing motors, or other wiring issues that could be dangerous if left unaddressed. At Wayne Martin & Son, we’re dedicated to diagnosing and resolving these issues promptly to keep your home safe and comfortable.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you’re experiencing persistent AC issues. If you’ve reset the breaker and the circuit still trips or the AC does not turn back on, give us a call! Our techs at Wayne Martin & Son will investigate the problem and get your home cool in no time! Give us a call at 239-462-4068.