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AC Not Turning On
in Sioux Falls, SD
An AC that will not start at all is one of the most common calls we get in Sioux Falls on the first hot weekend of June. The system sits all winter, then gets switched on and nothing happens. Sometimes it is a simple fix like a tripped breaker. Other times, a component failed over the winter and the system needs a part before it will run.
Quick Answer
When an AC will not start in Sioux Falls, the problem is usually a tripped breaker, a failed capacitor, or a thermostat issue. Check your breaker panel first and reset any tripped breaker once. If it trips again, stop there and call for service. Call (605) 231-9370 so a technician can find the real cause before something bigger fails.
Telltale Signs
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Nothing happens when you lower the thermostat to call for cooling
- The outdoor unit is completely silent and shows no signs of starting
- The indoor air handler does not blow any air at all
- The circuit breaker for the AC is tripped in the electrical panel
- The thermostat screen is blank or showing an error code
Root Causes
What Causes AC Not Turning On?
Tripped Circuit Breaker
AC units draw a large amount of power on startup and a failing component can cause a current spike that trips the breaker. In Sioux Falls, power fluctuations during spring thunderstorms also trip breakers in older panels. A breaker that trips once might just need resetting, but one that trips again right away means something is pulling too much current.
The Fix
Breaker Reset and Electrical Inspection
Reset the breaker one time and watch whether it holds. If it trips again, a technician needs to find the component drawing excess current. Do not keep resetting it, because that can damage the compressor or wiring.
Dead Thermostat or Wiring Issue
The thermostat sends a signal to start the AC. If the thermostat loses power, its batteries die, or a wire connection at the air handler works loose, the signal never reaches the unit and nothing starts. Sioux Falls homes built in the 1970s and 1980s often have original low-voltage thermostat wiring that has developed loose connections after decades of use.
The Fix
Thermostat Inspection and Replacement
A technician checks thermostat power, verifies the wiring connections at both the thermostat and the air handler, and tests the signal. A faulty thermostat is straightforward to replace and often gets the system running immediately.
Failed Contactor or Capacitor
The contactor is a switch that sends power to the compressor when the thermostat calls for cooling. The capacitor gives the motors the jolt to start. Either one can fail over winter when they sit unused in cold temperatures, and Sioux Falls regularly drops below zero from December through February, which shortens the life of electrical components.
The Fix
Contactor or Capacitor Replacement
A technician tests both parts with a meter and replaces whichever one is outside its rated range. These are some of the more common failures on systems that are 8 to 12 years old.
Self-Diagnosis
Which Cause Applies to You?
Check the signs you're observing to narrow down the likely root cause before your inspection.
| What You're Seeing | Tripped Circuit Breaker | Dead Thermostat or Wiring Issue | Failed Contactor or Capacitor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breaker for the AC is flipped to the off or middle position | |||
| Thermostat screen is blank or shows no response | |||
| Outdoor unit hums briefly then goes silent without starting | |||
| System worked fine last fall but will not start this spring | |||
| Breaker trips again immediately after being reset | |||
| Thermostat shows correct temperature but no call to cool goes out |
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