Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting air conditioner problems

If your air conditioner is not working properly, follow these instructions:

Check to see if the thermostat is set properly. If it is not set below the current room temperature, your thermostat will not signal the air conditioner to begin running. Also make sure your thermostat is set to Cool or Auto.

Check the lights on the Energy Partners device. They will indicate the status mode of the device so you can determine if Energy Partners is cycling.

Check the circuit breaker or fuse for your unit. Your air conditioner should be wired to a separate circuit protected by a circuit breaker or fuse in your electric service panel. These devices contain high voltage and can be dangerous. If you're unsure about resetting breakers or replacing fuses, contact an electrician or air conditioner contractor.

Check your air conditioner's Disconnect Box. It is generally a metal box located on the outside of the house near the air conditioner compressor. Check the disconnect box for the following:

  • Switch type circuit breaker - Reset by turning it to the off position first and then turn to on.
  • Cartridge type fuses - The fuses should be replaced with new ones of the same amperage rating.
  • Pullouts - Check if the pullout is firmly pushed in.

Resetting a breaker or replacing a fuse can cause a power interruption. It is normal for your central air conditioner to remain off 2 to 5 minutes after the power has been restored. During this time period, the red light(s) on the right side of the EPD will remain on up to 5 minutes.

Warning: These devices contain high voltage and can be dangerous.

Call an air conditioner contractor. If you’re unsure about resetting breakers or replacing fuses yourself, contact an electrician or an air conditioning contractor. If, after following the procedures described, your air conditioner is still not working, or if you’re unsure about resetting breakers or replacing fuses yourself, call a qualified independent air conditioner contractor.

Troubleshooting for hvac contractors

When servicing or troubleshooting a central air conditioner on the Energy Partners program, the following steps may help identify the problem:

  1. Verify proper thermostat setting (cool and auto).
  2. Check customer fuses at panel and also outside at compressor. NOTE: It may take 2-5 minutes for contact inside box to close after power to compressor has been disrupted.
  3. Check lights on Energy Partners device ( EPD):

There are a series of lights on the front of the EPD, including four smaller lights followed by a large red light on the right. (Position 5 in diagram). These lights will tell you the status of the EPD mode.

If only lights 4 and 5 are on or blinking, EPD mode is normal and means:

  • The device is operating normally.
  • There is power to the compressor.
  • The EPD is not controlling the air conditioner.

EP Device with lights 1, 2, 4 & 5 onEP Device with lights 1, 2, & 4 on

If lights 4 and 5 are on or blinking AND lights 1 and/or 2 are on or blinking, the EPD is in cycling mode and the central air conditioner is being cycled off by the EPD.

EP Device with lights 1, 4 & 5 on      EP Device with lights 1, 2, 4 & 5 on

Note: The EPD is designed so that it will not allow the compressor to work for up to 5 minutes after power to the air conditioner has been interrupted. The lights on the EPD will look exactly the same as when the air conditioner is being cycled. After 5 minutes the EPD will release control, and the air conditioner should operate normally.

If NONE of the lights are on, one of the following situations exist:

  • The EPD has been de-activated, which means the customer has been removed from the Energy Partners program.
  • There is no power going to the compressor. Check the circuit breaker or fuse, and the air conditioner disconnect box.

    EP Device with series of lights 1-5
  1. With the unit in normal status and compressor not running, bypass the EPD. If the compressor starts, the problem may be with our unit. Leave the unit bypassed and have the customer call We Energies at (800) 772-4797. Please provide the customer with a written statement explaining the problem on your invoice to the customer. The customer may then submit a claim for reimbursement of the service call.

If the compressor does not start, the source of the problem is the customer’s equipment. Once the unit is operating properly, reconnect the Energy Partners device. Note: Permanent disconnection of a working Energy Partners device for other than diagnostic purposes is not allowed and could result in legal action.