Every air conditioning system has a different way of getting electricity. Central air systems need different wiring than window units. There are window units that operate on 110, 120 and 220 lines. The central air conditioning systems usually operate on 220 lines. Depending on where you place the air conditioning unit, you might need to install some wiring and a receptacle to operate the unit. It is important to know what type of unit you are buying. If you are buying a window unit and need 220 wiring, you will need to have enough room in the breaker box to add a 220 breaker.  If you don’t have enough room in your panel, you may need to upgrade your panel or your electric service coming into your house.

The central air system will need different wiring requirements. The wiring in your house has to be up to code or you could find yourself turning on the air conditioner and the microwave at the same time and trip the circuit. If you have too many things running on one circuit, you are asking for problems. The air conditioner should have its own breaker, if possible. Some homes do not have this option and you might need an electrician to look at the wiring and tell you what can be done. If you are in a home with fuses, you might need to have a new circuit box installed so you can even use a window air conditioner.

If you have central air that is experiencing problems, an electrician may be the one that is going to be able to troubleshoot the problem and fix it. It is not recommended for unqualified persons to work on any central air units because of the potential danger. To troubleshoot the unit, the power must be on and you could get hurt or damage the unit if you are not knowledgeable about this type of work. Always call a professional electrician if you have any problems or concerns with your wiring or electric as it relates to your air conditioner issues.