We turned on our air today and the automatic setting didn't kick in. The house was at 81 degrees and we have it set at 74 so it should have kicked in. The fan works and even blows out cold air but once we switch it over to automatic it shuts off. What is wrong with our air conditioner and is it something we can fix ourselves?

Is it digital Thermostat? Unless you have a heat pump , most t-stats are set up for gas/electric heat. For example, White Rodgers t-stats have a small black toggle switch on the bottom. To the left is electric, to the right is gas. Make sure, unless you have gas heat, that toggle switch is set to the left. If.. its an old t-stat replace it. White Rogers makes a great t-stat (digital) for about 20/30bucks depending upon where you by it.

There could be several things that could happen but that's where I start first. Keep me posted.