Bryan heat pump; approx 14 y/o. Has been operating flawlessly until tonight. Now the compressor is not starting. The inside air handler coil is clean and frost-free; the outside fan is running but the compressor is not. Any help? We are in south Alabama and it will get hot FAST! Any help would be appreciated. I am competent to follow any instructions given (within reason of course, I am not a professional). Thanks in advance for your help.

Start by making sure all the wiring for the compressor circuit is OK. That includes the wiring at the compressor itself. The wiring there has been known to go bad and cause a bad connection. Also check the compressor run capacitor for any bulges or loose wiring.