AC Not Turning On? Check These First

Quick checks before you call

Do these in order. They take a few minutes and solve a surprising number of no-start calls.

• Set the thermostat to Cool and lower the temperature a few degrees below the room. Replace the batteries if the display is blank or dim.
• Check the breaker panel for a tripped breaker for the AC. Reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off.
• Look at the outdoor unit for a switch or disconnect box nearby and make sure it is on.
• Check the air filter. A badly clogged filter can keep the system from running.
• Make sure the indoor unit has not shut itself off because of water in the drain pan.

Why an AC will not turn on

When the quick checks do not fix it, the problem is usually one of these:

• A failed capacitor, which helps the motors start.
• A bad contactor or a worn control board.
• A blower or compressor motor that has failed.
• A float switch that shut the system down because the drain line is clogged.
• A thermostat that is not sending the signal to start.
• A breaker that keeps tripping because of an electrical problem.

What not to do

• Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips again. That points to an electrical problem.
• Do not open the electrical panels on the equipment yourself.
• Do not keep switching the system on and off, which can wear out parts faster.

When to call Cool Guys

Call us if the checks above do not get the system running, if the breaker keeps tripping, or if you hear humming or clicking but nothing starts. A technician finds the cause, tells you the price before any work begins, and fixes it. The dispatch fee is $49 and it is waived with any repair. If the system is near the end of its life, we will show you the repair and a replacement option side by side. Replacement estimates are always free.