What to Know About Bad Air Conditioner Capacitors

Has your home's air conditioner suddenly stopped working? One common repair that needs to be made is replacing a bad capacitor. This is the part that starts the motor for your air conditioner, and when it overheats and stops working your air conditioner won't be able to run. Here is what you need to know about this crucial component of your air conditioner. 

1. The Capacitor Can Be Tested

Be aware that the capacitor is a part that can be replaced before it gets to the point of failing. If you have your air conditioner inspected, a multimeter can test the power levels that are going to the various components of the outdoor condenser to see if the part is going to hold up. If the part is near the need for replacement, the meter will show that the amount of power leaving the component is not where it should be. There are also several places where power is sent to, such as the fan, and each component needs a proper amount of electricity to run.

2. The Other Components Can Become Damaged

Even if the capacitor is working in the air conditioner, not having enough power flowing to the various components can cause them to become damaged. For example, if the fan is not receiving enough power, it will simply put more wear and the component to operate with less electricity than it needs. This can cause the fan motor to fail prematurely as well. This is why it's always best to be proactive when an HVAC technician tell you that the capacitor requires replacement since doing so will extend the life of your entire HVAC system

3. The New Capacitor Comes with a Warranty

Know that getting a new capacitor will come with a warranty on the part itself from the manufacturer. This means that if the part ever were to fail during the warranty period, you could have the part replaced with a brand new one for free. This can give you some peace of mind that replacing the capacitor will keep your air conditioner protected and avoid a repair in the future. 

4. The New Capacitor Should Get New Wiring

When replacing an old capacitor with a new one, contact 24/7 AC repair technicians and ask them to replace the capacitor and all the wiring leading to the capacitor. While it is possible to just switch out the capacitor itself, it's a good idea to replace all the wiring as well at the same time.