How to Restart an AC Compressor

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By jimdris
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Restart an AC Compressor

On occasion, a home air conditioning system will fail to come on at the beginning of the season or after a power outage. This article lists the proper steps to restart the system for many air conditioning and/or heat pump systems.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Access to home thermostat and master circuit breaker box

Step 1

At the thermostat control on an inside wall of the house, turn the control at the bottom to the "off" position. Your choices here are "heat", "off" and "cool".
Step 2

Go to the main circuit breaker box and locate the breakers for the air conditioning and heating circuits. Usually these breakers will consist of pairs that are connected together, since they involve 240 volt circuits. (similar breakers can be found for electric dryer, electric water heater, or hot tub circuits.)
Step 3

Pull the heating and air conditioning circuit breakers to the "off" position, leave them off for five minutes, and then return them to the "on" position.
Step 4

Return to the thermostat. Adjust the temperature setting to at least four degrees HIGHER than the room temperature reading. This is the most important step!
Step 5

Turn the system back on by moving the switch on the bottom of the thermostat to the "cool" position.
Step 6

Move the temperature adjustment on the thermostat to four or more degrees BELOW the room temperature. (If you were me you would have said a little prayer, first. Otherwise, at least cross your fingers!)
Step 7

After about three minutes, place your hand near one of the vents and hopefully you will feel cooler air coming in! If the air conditioning system is not working properly at this point, it is time to call in a qualified repairman.