Troubleshooting Your AC Capacitor
If you’re knowledgeable enough to be looking for bad A/C capacitor symptoms, you already have an idea of what may be wrong with your system. There’s nothing worse than an air conditioner that doesn’t work when you need it to. The Air Condition is not one of those household appliances that when they break you can just put on the list of things to fix later.
Your AC unit is what will keep you and your family comfortable and cool when the mercury rises to insane heights. When it’s broken or not working properly, contact USA Air Conditioning Services, we’re your local Fort Lauderdale air conditioner repair specialists! We will do everything in our power to make sure that it’s back on track before you lose (the rest of) your cool with the heat and humidity.
What Does the Air Conditioner Capacitor Do?
If something has a motor, it has a capacitor. The capacitor is the part that makes the motor go. It works by charging the motor and shooting current through it so that the appliance powers on. A functioning capacitor in an AC unit keeps your unit’s motor going so that your house stays cool, and all’s good with the world. If your AC unit is behaving wonky, and you suspect it’s your capacitor at fault, knowing what symptoms to look for can help.
You Hear a Humming Noise
Humming is nice, but only when you do it. When your AC makes a humming noise, something is amiss. It usually means that your air conditioning capacitor is breaking down.
Your System Is Too Old
Capacitors lose their power and punch as they get older. If you have an old AC unit, you’ll very often find that the capacitor has aged right along with the rest of the unit, and it is losing its ability to function. If this is the case, you’ll want to call USA Air Conditioning Services at (866) 983-0488, and have the unit capacitor replaced. If your unit is extremely old, you should consider replacing the whole thing. Replacing parts piecemeal on a very old unit ends up costing a lot of money and time. Eventually, every single part of the unit will break down.
Your AC Is Powering Off and On By Itself
If your unit is powering up on its own without you touching it, it could be because the capacitor broke.
Your AC Doesn’t Turn On Right Way or Doesn’t Turn On at All
If you flip the switch on your AC and it takes a few seconds before it powers on, or it doesn’t power on at all, there’s most likely something wrong with your capacitor that’s preventing it from sending a charge.
Testing Your Capacitor
If you suspect that your A/C capacitor is damaged, you may be able to test it yourself if you’ve got some level of skill. You can test the capacitor using an ESR meter if the capacitor is still installed inside the circuit or a multi-meter if the capacitor is no longer in the circuit. You can find the capacitor inside the AC’s condenser unit located on the outside of your house. You simply have to take a screwdriver and take off the side panel to access the capacitor inside. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, your best bet is to speak one of our HVAC experts and have them to properly assess the issue at hand. We will diagnose the problem and get it resolved!
If you have determine that the capacitor isn’t working, you can get a new one at most hardware stores. Buying a new capacitor is one thing, but installing one is a completely different animal. It’s a pretty complicated process. So, unless you have the experience, it’s best that you hire a professional to get it done. Call (866) 983-0488 today for assistance!
