“1/3 of the AC problems I run across are electrical, 1/3 are refrigerant, and 1/3 are airflow issues. Misdiagnosis can be costly and the average homeowner can get into a lot of trouble if they dig into these machines. More efficient machines with two speed compressors, hard start kits, low and high pressure switches, etc with wires going everywhere can really stump a homeowner, especially when they don’t know the function of the majority of parts and how to follow the flow of electricity. Just my two cents. “
You have a point. I didn’t mean to imply that any Tom, Dick, or Harry could necessarily troubleshoot an AC system. You do have to have a basic understanding. But it’s still worth getting to that level, and it’s not too much - providing you don’t have a (much more complicated) heat pump...or you don’t have add-ons, like a hard-start kit.