Air Conditioner Repair: Part 2

If your central air conditioner doesn’t go on automatically there are a few things you can do to see whether your thermostat or air conditioner needs repaired or replaced.

1 – Be sure the thermostat is set to “cool” and below the current temperature.

2 – A central air conditioner should be on a dedicated 240-volt circuit; make sure there aren’t any tripped breakers or a down fuse by looking at the main electrical panel and any secondary circuit panels. If you find the problem at the panel, reset the breaker or replace the fuse.

3 – Make sure the furnace power switch is turned on and that the outdoor condenser’s power switch, mounted on the outdoor unit, hasn’t been shut off. Also, be sure the 240-volt disconnect next to the compressor (in a metal box, usually mounted on the house wall) hasn’t been shut off.

4 – Turn off the power to the air conditioner and check the thermostat inside your home.

5 – Remove the thermostat’s cover and unscrew the wire from the Y terminal.

6 – Turn the power back on.

7 – When holding the wire by its insulation ONLY, touch the bare end to the R terminal and hold it there for about two minutes. Be sure to be careful when handling the wire. If the compressor kicks on, the thermostat is broken; replace it or call a licensed air-conditioning technician. If the compressor doesn’t go on when you hold the two wires together, turn the power back off and call a Dallas-Fort Worth area technician, because only a professional will be able to handle the rest of the situation.