Rheem AC & Heat Pump Troubleshooting
Whether it's 100 degrees outside or 30, when a Rheem heat pump or air conditioner is not working, you’ll definitely notice. What’s more frustrating than wiping the sweat off your brow or doubling up on layers is not knowing how to fix the problem without making a call. Although there are certainly technical issues that are best left up to the professionals, it’s nice to know what you can diagnose and repair yourself and what you can’t.
At any rate, it might save you a few pennies if all you have to do was reset a circuit breaker. Let’s take a look at some common Rheem AC & heat pump troubleshooting pain points that might be causing problems with your heating and cooling.
Rheem Heat Pump Not Working
Problem | Solution |
Unit is not turned on | Ensure unit is plugged in and has power |
Power outage | Reset circuit breakers or call electric company |
Thermostat set too high or low | Reset thermostat and adjust settings |
Faulty control board | Please call an authorized service technician |
Blown fuse | Replace fuse |
Tripped circuit breaker | Reset the circuit breaker |
Faulty transformer | Please call an authorized service technician |
Open high-pressure control | Please call an authorized service technician |
Miswired communications | Please contact an authorized service technician |
Compressor Will Not Start But Outdoor Fan Runs
Problem | Solution |
Faulty run or start capacitor | Please contact an authorized service technician |
Faulty start relay | Please contact an authorized service technician |
Loose connection | Please contact an authorized service technician |
The compressor is stuck, there's a grounded or open motor winding or an open internal overload | Wait at least 3 hours. If the problem persists, please contact an authorized service technician |
Low-voltage | Please contact an authorized service technician |
Not Cooling
Problem | Solution |
Thermostat is not set to cooling | Set thermostat to cooling |
Dirty or clogged air filters | Replace air filters |
Unit too small for cooling demands | Size up a unit |
Poor indoor air circulation | Replace air filter, improve indoor air circulation or increase the blower’s speed |
Improperly charged refrigerant | Please contact an authorized service technician |
System compromised by air, debris or moisture | Please contact an authorized service technician |
Faulty ID TXV | Replace TXV |
Compressor Short Cycling
Problem | Solution |
Improperly set thermostat | Set thermostat to auto |
Unit is too big for heating and cooling demands | Size down a unit |
Dirty or clogged air filters | Replace air filters |
Improper voltage | Please contact an authorized service technician |
Fault overload protector | Please contact an authorized service technician |
Improperly charged refrigerant | Please contact an authorized service technician |
Detecting Water
Problem | Solution |
Poor indoor air circulation |
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Rheem Air Conditioner Fan Not Working
If the fan is not working, there are some easy Rheem AC troubleshooting techniques you can try before calling in the professionals:
- Thermostat set incorrectly – Is the thermostat set to “cool?” It’s an easy mistake to make and one worth double-checking. Also, wait a few minutes. The fan only runs when the AC is cooling, so it might just be between one of its cycles.
- Tripped circuit breaker – Power surges have been known to happen without rhyme or reason. So, if your air conditioning unit unexpectedly cuts out, this might be why. Check the circuit breaker to ensure power is still flowing to your unit.
- Unit is unplugged – Listen carefully. Do you hear the hum of the AC? If the house or building sounds unusually quiet, the unit might be unplugged.
- Dirty air filter – How long has it been since you last replaced the air filter? If it’s been longer than 3 months, it’s most likely what’s causing the upset with your air conditioner fan.
- Broken fan motor, blade or capacitor – If none of the above tricks work, it could be a greater issue with the fan motor or capacitor that requires the attention of a trained professional.
How Do I Reset My Rheem Air Conditioner?
There are one of two options to reset a Rheem air conditioner. Keep in mind that not all Rheem air conditioner units come equipped with an official reset button. If that’s the case, we’ve included two ways to reset your unit with or without the button:
AC Unit Has a Reset Button
- Step 1. Turn off the thermostat – It’s a good idea to turn off the thermostat to prevent it from interfering with the reset process.
- Step 2. Press the reset button – After locating the reset button, press and hold it for a couple of seconds.
- Step 3. Wait a few minutes for the system to reset – Give the air conditioner unit a few minutes to reset itself.
- Step 4. Turn the thermostat back on – After a couple minutes are up, go ahead and turn the thermostat back on. Did that fix the problem? If not, the issue might require a more substantial fix best left up to the professionals.
AC Unit Does Not Have a Reset Button
- Step 1. Turn off the thermostat – It’s a good idea to turn off the thermostat to prevent it from interfering with the reset process.
- Step 2. Flip the circuit breakers off – Find the circuit breaker that controls power to your HVAC system, and turn it off.
- Step 3. Wait 30 minutes – Be sure to wait a full 30 minutes to allow enough time for the AC unit to reset.
- Step 4. Flip the circuit breaker back on – After the full 30 minutes are up, go ahead and flip the circuit breaker back on.
- Step 5. Turn the thermostat back on – Now it’s time to turn the thermostat back on. Did that fix the problem? If not, the issue might require a more substantial fix best left up to the professionals.
Where Is the Reset Button on my Rheem AC Unit?
The exact location of the Rheem AC reset button may vary depending on the model, but typically, you’ll find it on the outside condenser unit or under an access panel. However, it is true that some Rheem AC units might not have a physical reset button, in which case, you’ll have to reset the unit by turning off the thermostat and flipping the circuit breaker.
Additional Resources
Did this guide spark your interest in learning more about your heat pump unit? We have plenty more of where that came from! Check out our super in-depth collection of Rheem parts manuals and diagrams to expand your knowledge on HVAC.