How to Fix Your AC Not Working After Power Outage

Whether it’s flickering lights or a full-blown outage, losing power is no fun for Tennessee homeowners. Power fluctuations can affect anything in your house that plugs in, from small electronics to the internet – and even your air conditioning system!

Have you recently experienced a power outage, and now your air conditioner refuses to cooperate? Power outages often cause air conditioners to malfunction or stop working altogether. If this sounds like you, then it’s the Right Time to reset your AC system – and this blog is here to guide you through the process! Reset your air conditioner and bring back that much-needed cool air. We’ll discuss the common issues that may arise after a power outage and provide step-by-step instructions on resetting your AC unit to get it up and running quickly. So, let’s dive right in and regain control over your indoor climate!

What Makes Your Air Conditioning System Turn Off After a Storm?

Tripped Breakers: Circuit breakers are essential home safety devices that prevent electrical overloads and short circuits. They work by monitoring the flow of electricity through your home’s wiring system, and they automatically shut off a specific circuit when an irregularity or excess current is detected. This helps protect your appliances and reduce the risk of electrical fires, ensuring a safe and efficient electrical system within your home.

During thunderstorms, power surges are a common occurrence and one of the biggest threats to your home (it’s why we invest in surge protector strips). These sudden bursts of electrical energy can trip one or more circuits, causing the inside HVAC system, outdoor compressor equipment, or both to shut down. When this happens, your air conditioning unit may stop functioning or fail to operate at its full capacity. Properly resetting your breaker is the only way to restart your air conditioner after a power outage.

System Damage: A tripped breaker isn’t the only issue you can encounter after a power surge. If your air conditioner is running partially but not cooling or heating, you may need to call for professional air conditioning service. Surges and voltage issues can damage your compressor, fan motor, or capacitor; a licensed and trained HVAC technician must repair this. Don’t worry; you should be back on track to cool comfort with an inspection and repair!

Reset Your AC Unit in Four Simple Steps

Good news: you can reset your air conditioner after a power surge without professional help. However, your cooling system is a big piece of machinery that requires more than just hitting a reset button to get going again.

We’ve broken the process into four simple steps to get your air conditioner’s internal circuitry going again. Let’s take a look!

Turn Everything Off: Thermostat & Circuit Breaker

When a storm disrupts your air conditioner, taking the right steps to reset it and regain comfort is essential. The first step in this process is to turn off the thermostat and switch the AC circuit breaker to “OFF” (it’ll be in the neutral position if the circuit breaker is tripped). By doing so, you’re ensuring that there’s no electricity running through your air conditioner.

When you switch the thermostat to “off,” it prevents it from starting your air conditioner as soon as the circuit is reset. If you forget to flip the thermostat settings, there’s a chance that this fix won’t work.

Reset Your Breaker Box

Now, it’s the Right Time to reset the circuit breaker. Wait a few minutes and then move the circuit to the “on” position to restore power to the system.

Take a Break for 20 to 30 Minutes

Hold on! It’s not quite time to turn the thermostat back on yet.

Your air conditioner has a internal circuit breaker, and this internal breaker needs time to restart as well. Sit tight for 20 to 30 minutes before switching your thermostat on and setting the temperature.

Yes, this can be a pain (especially if your home is heating up), but your air conditioning can end up shutting down again if you try to cool your house too soon.

Restart Your Air Conditioner

After you’ve waited the required amount of time, turn your thermostat back on! Everything should start running smoothly.

If you find that your AC isn’t restored as expected, is running without cooling, or trips the circuit immediately, then it’s time to call the pros at Right Time HVAC! Along with regular maintenance, our licensed and experience technicians can handle any job – including fixing your air conditioner after an outage. Call today to get scheduled for a fast, affordable, and reliable fix!