Many appliances in our homes need a reset occasionally to keep them working. Air conditioning units are no different. Below, the Lyons Air & Heat HVAC experts will break down the ins and outs of resetting your air conditioning unit.
Can You Reset an Air Conditioner?
Like all appliances, air conditioners have their own circuit breaker. The circuit breaker protects the air conditioning system by shutting down when overheating is detected to prevent the unit from catching on fire. Following a power outage, the sudden power increase can result in the unit overloading and switching off. When this happens, a quick reset should fix the problem.
Why Might You Need to Reset an Air Conditioner?
There can be many reasons why you need to reset your air conditioner. You may need to reset your air conditioner if you’ve recently experienced a power outage or the unit is otherwise disconnected from the electricity.
Another reason your air conditioner might need a reset is that it’s blowing warm air even though the thermostat is set to “cool.” There can be many reasons that your air conditioning unit is blowing warm air, but one reason is that there could be a thermostat error. Often, this can be fixed with an air conditioner reset.
How to Reset Your Air Conditioning System
Resetting your air conditioner might seem easy, but all HVAC units are different. It’s important to read over the user manual to make sure that resetting your air conditioning unit will not affect the warranty. If you have consulted the user manual and feel comfortable resetting your AC unit, you can follow the steps below.
- Turn off the air conditioner: Find the circuit breaker box and power down your AC unit.
- Find the reset button: Most air conditioning units have a reset button located on the outdoor unit. The reset button is usually red and is relatively small. If you are having trouble finding the reset button, consult the owner’s manual.
- Press and hold down the reset button: Hold the button down for three to five seconds, then let go.
- Power back up the AC unit: Go back to the circuit breaker box and flip the power back onto the unit.
After completing these steps, check the thermostat and make sure that it is set to “cool.” After several minutes, the air conditioner should kick back on. You’ll want to check the air vents to make sure that cold air is blowing out of them.
A window air conditioner will not have a reset button, so performing this task is different from the standard AC unit. Once you have turned off the power to the window air conditioner, you will need to unplug the unit and wait several minutes. After unplugging it for a few minutes, plug the AC unit back in and turn the power back on. It should start working properly again.
Other ways that you can reset your AC unit are:
- Resetting the unit via the isolator switch: Some AC unit models have isolator switches that isolate the air conditioner from the electricity to increase safety during repairs. You’ll need to consult the owner’s manual to locate the switch, as they can be in different places depending on the air conditioner type. After locating the switch, flip it to the off position and wait 30 minutes before turning it back on. Once this time has passed, the AC unit should begin working properly again.
- Reset the air conditioner via the circuit breaker: Your home’s circuit breaker is typically located in the laundry area, basement, or closet. In some homes, the circuit breaker can be located in crawl spaces. Once you find the circuit breaker box, turn the AC switch on. You should be able to restart your air conditioner.
- Reset the AC through the thermostat: If the options above do not work, you can try resetting the air conditioner through the thermostat. If the issue lies with the thermostat, it could be telling the air conditioner false readings, causing it not to kick on. You can replace or remove the batteries or press the reset button to reset the thermostat.
Trouble Resetting Your AC? Call Lyons Air & Heat Today
If you’re still experiencing problems after resetting your AC unit, the issue might be more severe than you think. Don’t get caught in the Texas heat with a malfunctioning air conditioner. Call the University Park HVAC experts at Lyons Air and Heat. An experienced HVAC technician will visit your home and evaluate your air conditioning system. Whether you’re in need of a repair or a new HVAC system, our technicians can handle it. To schedule a service call with Lyons Air & Heat, call (214) 432-2859 today.
