When the air conditioner goes out in this heat, you want to get it back on as soon as possible. Leith Heating & Cooling, offering exceptional AC repair in St. Charles, IL, handles all air conditioner problems, and we can get your air conditioning repaired or replaced as needed. But sometimes, the issue is as simple as resetting a breaker.
Here are the steps for anyone wondering how to reset an air conditioner breaker.
Top St. Charles AC Team Says Follow These Steps To Reset Air Conditioner Breaker
Some AC repairs don’t require a professional St. Charles AC team, so if you can take care of it, why not get the cool air flowing quickly without paying for a repair?
However, if you feel uncomfortable handling the repair or can’t do it physically, by all means, let your HVAC team know, and they’ll take care of it for you.
Storms or an overloaded grid cause ACs to shut down no matter how new or well-cared for the unit. The power might come back on without the AC coming on. Here’s how to reset the air conditioner breaker in this case.
Turn Off the Unit
Never forget to prioritize electrical safety standards.
This might seem contradictory, but even if the power remains turned off, an AC can power up. Therefore, turn off the unit before doing any work. If you don’t do this, you could become part of the circuit, which means you’re being electrocuted.
It’s like sticking your finger in a socket. Electric shock can lead to:
- Cuts and bruises
- Arc burns
- Electrical burns
- Thermal contact burns
- Broken bones
First, locate the switches to turn off your air conditioner. They may look like a light switch near the indoor system and a switch on the actual outdoor system.
Then, go to the circuit breaker box. Flip off all the indoor and outdoor circuit breakers for the AC. Turn off the thermostat, too.
Otherwise, it might kick in while you are working. This can flood the system with power and damage the unit.
Locate the Isolator Switch or Reset Button for the Actual Reset
Another important point about how to reset an air conditioner breaker pertains to having an isolator switch or reset button.
Newer units usually have an isolator switch that separates the AC from the rest of the home’s power supply. This is like the modern version of the reset button. It acts as the system’s circuit breaker by monitoring and protecting the air conditioner from unusual energy activity.
If you don’t know how to find it, consult the owner’s manual. Don’t worry if you don’t have one. You should be able to find a PDF version online.
Turn the isolator switch off and wait half an hour before turning it on. Waiting this long gives the unit time to get rid of the electrical charge. If you rush this, you could get shocked.
If you have a reset button, check the power and reset it. You don’t have to wait thirty minutes when dealing with a reset button. However, wait at least a minute.
Flip the Breaker Switches Back On
Now, head back to the breaker box and flip the switches back on to power up your AC.
Turn on the Thermostat
The thermostat needs about half an hour to readjust as well. This gives the system time to prepare for the onslaught of power to work properly.
Once the time has passed, set the thermostat to your preferred temp, but do this slowly so you don’t overwhelm the unit.
Give the AC Time and Know Signs To Look Out For
An AC needs a few minutes to work normally again, but it shouldn’t take long. If it’s not working correctly or working at all, a professional AC service needs to examine the unit to see what is wrong.
It is possible that the outage caused internal damage, but it is also possible that the AC sustained damage that made an existing issue worse.
If you notice the AC making a funny sound or an odd odor coming from the AC, a wiring problem could be the cause. A burning smell means you need to shut down the unit. If that burning smell remains after the power is off, your unit might be on fire even though you can’t see it.
Resetting the AC in St. Charles Revitalizes It With or Without a Power Outage
Resetting the AC enhances the unit’s performance and extends its lifespan. Therefore, don’t wait for a storm to shut down your AC. Make a habit of resetting the system to improve its performance and protect the purchase you made. You can do it after thermostat issues or when you replace and clean the filters.
It’s like maintenance that way, although resetting the air conditioner does not reduce the need for regular maintenance visits. Still, it might make those visits less labor-intensive. Maintenance is a lifesaver, so why not take advantage of it?
Maintenance can spot faulty wiring that might cause you to smell smoke. Keeping the refrigerant at optimal levels, the coils clean and lubricated, and ensuring the blower fan works properly will keep your house cool and utility bills reasonable.
Leith Heating & Cooling provides maintenance that makes a difference and will see the effort you’ve put into caring for your AC by resetting it.
And if you haven’t ever had to deal with your AC after a power outage, you can always bring up how to reset air conditioner breaker during the maintenance visit.
Contact Leith Heating & Cooling To Reset Your Air Conditioner Breaker in St. Charles
Leith Heating & Cooling can determine why your AC needs a reset and handle other AC issues that prevent your St. Charles home from cooling. We can troubleshoot both minor and major problems. We work around the clock to make your home comfortable.
We can fine-tune your AC and reset the limit switch on your furnace.
Contact us to know more about how to rest your air conditioner breaker or if you need AC repairs: 847-851-8698.