AC Won't Turn On: What to Check and What It Costs to Fix
An AC that will not start at all is often a cheaper fix than one that runs badly, because the usual culprits are electrical parts rather than refrigerant or compressors.
Two-minute checks
- Thermostat on Cool, set below room temperature, fresh batteries, screen lit.
- Breakers for the air handler (inside) and the condenser (outside). A tripped breaker that trips again means a real fault; stop resetting it.
- The condensate float switch. Many Las Vegas air handlers sit in the attic or garage with a safety switch that shuts the system off when the drain line clogs. A clogged drain is one of the most common summer shutoffs.
What the technician checks and what it costs
| Part | Las Vegas range |
|---|---|
| Clogged condensate drain and float switch | $100 to $250 |
| Capacitor | $150 to $450 |
| Contactor | $150 to $400 |
| Thermostat replacement | $150 to $500 depending on the model |
| Control board | $400 to $900 |
| Blower motor | $450 to $1,200 |
Do not do this
Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips, and do not open the condenser's electrical panel; capacitors hold a charge even with the power off.
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