Air Conditioner Will Not Turn On

Go through these in order

1. Thermostat. Blank screen? Replace the batteries. Still blank, check the furnace or air handler switch.
2. Breakers. The AC usually has a two-pole breaker in the panel. If it has tripped, reset it one time. Leave it off if it trips a second time.
3. Outdoor disconnect. The gray box on the wall near the unit has a pull-out block or a lever. Make sure it is in and on.
4. Float switch. Many air handlers have a small switch on the drain line or pan that cuts power when water backs up. Water in the pan means the drain is clogged.
5. Service switch. A light switch near the indoor unit can get flipped off by mistake.

When the problem is inside the equipment

If power reaches the unit and the thermostat calls for cooling but nothing runs, the fault is usually a blown low-voltage fuse on the control board, a bad transformer, a failed contactor or a dead capacitor. Summer storms that roll across the bay and knock out power for a moment can take out control boards with the surge.

JCP&L outages happen in the township during summer storms. When power comes back, give the system a short while before you try it. Many units have a built-in delay.

Questions about AC Will Not Turn On in Middletown

Why does my AC breaker keep tripping?

A shorted compressor, a failing fan motor or a loose wire can all pull too much current. Repeated resetting can damage the equipment, so leave it off and call.

Water in the drain pan shut my system off. Can I clear it myself?

You can try a wet vac on the outside end of the drain line. If the pan refills or the line stays clogged, a contractor should clear it and check for algae further in.