After dealing with an unexpected power outage, air conditioners may experience issues and start blowing warm air instead of cool air.
Fixing this problem involves several steps, like finding your breaker box and moving the AC switch-off position.
If you’re still having trouble after checking the circuit breaker, consider looking at this page for more insights on troubleshooting AC fan issues.
Table of Contents
Reset the Breaker
If your AC fails to come on after a power outage, it could be because the circuit breaker that powers both indoor and outdoor units has been tripped – this is beneficial, as it prevents harmful surges when electricity returns on by shutting down your system safely and tripping its circuit breaker.
To reset a breaker, first, ensure both indoor and outdoor units are turned off at their thermostats. Next, locate your breaker box and open it up; inside are many switches labeled “central heating and air conditioning system,” among other controls; look for this switch and turn it off before proceeding.
Once you’ve switched off power to your air conditioner at the breaker box, wait at least 30 minutes before turning it back on – this allows time for its internal circuit breaker to reset itself and start cooling again.
Once the appropriate time has elapsed, return to your breaker box and detect the switch for your air conditioner, flipping it on before waiting a few seconds to allow its unit to begin restarting itself and powering back on again – you should hear a soft humming noise as this occurs.
Check the Compressor
Your AC unit’s compressor is responsible for turning high-pressure refrigerant into low-pressure cool air. If its performance falters, however, warm air instead of cool will be delivered instead.
To assess its condition and make an accurate assessment, check its appearance; typically, a canister on top resembling a capacitor bulges or leaks oily liquid when damaged. In such instances, professional services should be sought to rectify the situation.
After experiencing a power outage, another potential explanation for why your AC has stopped functioning may be that the compressor’s motor has frozen.
An electrical outage due to severe weather can have disastrous repercussions for your air conditioner and other home appliances, necessitating shutdown before the storm hits and investing in surge protection for the HVAC system. Doing this will prevent costly repairs after power has returned.
Check the Wiring
After a power outage, it’s essential to inspect the wiring of your air conditioning system. Power surges during an outage can damage the electrical components of your AC unit, including the wiring.
Carefully examine the wiring connections in your AC unit. Look for any signs of loose or damaged wires. If you notice any issues, it’s best to call a professional HVAC technician to handle the repairs.
Check the electrical connections in your AC unit using a multimeter. This will help identify any faulty connections that may be causing the problem. If you’re unfamiliar with electrical work, it’s recommended to seek assistance from a qualified technician.
Check the Thermostat
If your air conditioning doesn’t turn on when power returns, there may be an issue with the thermostat. First, ensure the internal circuit breaker is set to “cool,” not “heat,” which will stop it from activating.
Furthermore, if your thermostat isn’t connected to Wi-Fi or hasn’t had its settings changed for some reason, it may not recognize when the power comes back and remain stuck at a hot setting; changing it to at least five degrees cooler will usually reset this internal circuit breaker and activate air conditioning for proper cooling of your home!
If any of these components are damaged, professional assistance may be required to repair them. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to change the air filter before restarting your unit, as clogged filters restrict airflow and can cause it to overheat.
If your unit still doesn’t seem to be cooling even after resetting its breaker and replacing its air filter – and replacing both as suggested above – chances are good you may require help from a professional.
