LPT: Buy a Backup AC Run Start Capacitor
With how hot it has been, I recommend everyone to buy a backup central AC Run Start capacitor and learn how to replace it.
It's a very common failure point and super easy to replace. It's around $20 each and will last years stored in your garage. Finding it locally when you need jt can be difficult if it's after business hours.
The symptoms will be that the fan will blow inside the house, but air will be warm. The outside unit will have either both outside fan and compressor not working, or one of them will not be working.
Disconnect power first. There will be a disconnect right next to the outside unit. Just turning off the ac at the thermostat is not sufficient. Open up the panel on your outside unit. There will be a cylindrical device with 2 or 3 wires going to it. That's the capacitor. The specs will have 1 or 2 set of microFarad ratings as well as a voltage. Buy an exact match for the farad ratings but the voltage rating can be equal or higher.
I recommend getting the exact same brand/model as your existing ones so you can more easily drop and replace. However, if you can't find an exact match, just getting one with matching farad ratings is good enough.
Replacing the capacitor is just duplicating your existing setup. Pay attentionn to the marking on top of the terminals. It'll be marked with 'herm', 'c', and 'fan'. Just make sure the wires are plugged in to the correct spot same as the non working one.
It won't fix all issues, but it's a common one and very doable for the homeowner. Then you don't have to wait for an HVAC person to show up and charge you $100 just to show up.
Here is a good video on how to do it.
If you want to be extra safe, you can also get a backup contractor contactor, but that's less often the cause and a bit more involved to replace.
submitted by /u/goRockets
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