Can resetting the breaker fix AC?

Can resetting the breaker fix AC?

If you’ve ever asked an IT professional why your computer isn’t working, they may have responded with a question: “Have you tried restarting it?”

Like many appliances around your house, air conditioners are getting smarter and sometimes require a good old-fashioned reset. Even older models that suddenly stop working can benefit from a reset, especially after a power outage.

Why Do I Need to Reset My Air Conditioner?

The most common reason for an AC unit requiring a reset is when the protection circuit breaker in your AC unit kicks in. This typically happens after a power outage and is in place to prevent fires and explosions.

A reset can also correct an AC that’s only blowing warm air, even when the thermostat is set to “cool.” There are a handful of reasons your AC could be blowing warm air, but one of them is a general thermostat error. Sometimes a hard reset of your AC can solve that problem.

While resetting an air conditioner is an easy task, if you are uncertain or uncomfortable, please contact an HVAC professional to assist by requesting an appointment with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. As a final precautionary note, accessing your resent button may require you to open your condensing unit plan and with certain units, this could impact your warranty. Please check your warranty guidelines before attempting to reset your air conditioner. If you are familiar with your AC unit, and comfortable moving forward, follow the simple instructions below. 

  1. Power down your AC. Start at your circuit breaker panel and flip the breaker that powers your AC. Also, flip the power switch your AC unit is connected to outside to the off position.
  2. Find the button. Most air conditioning units are equipped with a reset button. These buttons tend to be red and quite small. If you’re having a tough time finding it, consult your owner’s manual. (If you can’t find it, most are published online for quick reference).
  3. Hold down the reset button for 3 to 5 seconds and then release.
  4. Restore power to your AC. Flip all switches, including the one in your breaker panel to the on position.

You’ve successfully completed a reset! Next, go to your thermostat and make sure it’s set to “cool” and a temperature that’s lower than the current temperature inside your home. After a few seconds, your air conditioner should start up.

Place your hand by the vents to confirm that cold air is blowing through your ductwork.

How to Reset a Window Air Conditioner

Since most window air conditioners do not have a reset button, you’ll need to unplug it for a few minutes to dissipate the charge.

After plugging it back in and turning the circuit back on, the window AC unit should reset and be operational again.

AC Reset Button Not Working? Call One Hour

When the reset doesn’t seem to be working, it’s time to contact the HVAC professionals at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning.

September 10, 2021 | Blog

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!

What does resetting AC breaker do?

This typically happens after a power outage and is in place to prevent fires and explosions. A reset can also correct an AC that's only blowing warm air, even when the thermostat is set to “cool.” There are a handful of reasons your AC could be blowing warm air, but one of them is a general thermostat error.

How long does it take for AC to come back on after reset?

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.

Which breaker controls the AC?

To check if this is the case, locate the A/C circuit breaker on your circuit breaker panel; it's the main power distribution panel that can be located inside or outside of your house. It's usually marked as “A/C,” “HVAC,” or “air-conditioner”.

How long does it take for an AC unit to reset?

After you've turned the system back on, it will take a bit of time for the air conditioner's internal circuitry to reset. It usually takes about 30 minutes, so sit tight until then.