7 Ways to Tell If Capacitor Is Bad on AC Unit

With summer right around the corner, it’s easy to freak out if your air conditioner isn’t working properly. After all, most issues seem to increase in gravity tenfold when the humidity is oppressive and you’re sweating bullets.

This blog aims to give you a brief overview of what a capacitor is and how to tell if it’s not working properly.

If you prefer to fix things on your own, always remember to turn off your AC unit before you start. We can’t stress this enough. Not doing so increases the risk of electrocution. In fact, shut off the power breakers too.

Ok. Ready to proceed? Let’s get this party started.

What Is an AC Capacitor?

Let’s start with the basics. Everything with a motor has a capacitor. It’s the machinery that charges and starts the motor. For a detailed explanation and anatomy of different capacitor types, click here. In a nutshell, it looks like a large battery, usually shaped either like a cuboid or a cylinder.

When it works properly, the capacitor will send an energy surge to your AC’s motor, and voilà! You get to cool down your home!

Now that you know what a capacitor is, common sense might show you some signs it isn’t working properly. However, in the interest of making your suspicions something you can hold on to, the following are some of the common indicators something is not right with your capacitor.

The 7 Most Common Bad AC Capacitor Symptoms

Homeowners can resolve some air conditioning problems with a quick DIY fix or repair. However, when it comes to a failed AC capacitor, your home’s HVAC system will need professional attention. How can you tell if your air conditioner’s capacitor is bad or experiencing failure? Here are some common symptoms of a bad AC capacitor.

1. AC Not Blowing Cold Air

An air conditioner that doesn’t blow cold air is one of the first signs of a problem many homeowners notice. Try turning your system off and back on again, and if the problem persists, you’ll need to call in for professional help.

2. High and Rising Energy Bills

Are your energy bills creeping upwards? An AC capacitor failure may be to blame. The harder your air conditioning system has to work to perform the job, the more energy the system will use.

3. Humming Noise

Listen to your AC system when you turn it on. If you hear a humming noise from your AC, or if it is hesitant to start, your capacitor may be failing.

4. Old HVAC System

An aging HVAC system will eventually stop working for one reason or another. If your unit is several years old and goes through spurts of refusing to turn on, you may need to replace the capacitor.

5. AC Turns Off On Its Own

If your AC shuts off on its own every now and then, it may indicate something is wrong with your capacitor.

6. AC Doesn’t Turn On Immediately

Does your AC sometimes take a while to start once you turn it on? This is also a sign of a bad or failing AC capacitor.

7. AC Won’t Turn On

If your AC unit doesn’t start at all, a bad AC capacitor could be the culprit.

How to Test Your AC Capacitor

If you’re having any of the above issues, there’s a simple way to test the energy charge from your capacitor. For this, you’ll need a multimeter. A multi what? A multimeter. Some people reading this may be glorified handymen. For everyone else, you can watch this YouTube video.

If you don’t have one, you can purchase it at any hardware store. Once you get it, watch this second video to learn how to test your AC’s capacitor.

Don’t know how to access your capacitor in the first place? Fret not, dearest readers. Blair’s is here to clear up the confusion. You can locate your capacitor inside the condenser unit outside your home. To access it, use a screwdriver to remove the side panel. For a visual tutorial, click here.

If your capacitor is not producing any charge, you can purchase a new one at any hardware store or retailer that sells HVAC parts and accessories. That said, this isn’t the simplest DIY repair, so if you feel overwhelmed by all of these steps, we are here to help you.

Call Blair’s Air Conditioning for AC Repair

Contact the HVAC experts at Blair’s Air if you notice signs or symptoms or your air conditioning capacitor beginning to fail. If you aren’t sure exactly what to look out for, but notice your unit isn’t performing at optimum levels, our trained and experienced technicians are here to diagnose the problem and resolve it quickly and effectively.

Our experienced HVAC professionals will get your AC back up and running in no time. We offer 24/7 emergency AC repair services, and we are open 365 days a year.

If you live in the Tampa Bay area and are experiencing an AC problem or emergency, contact us today.

Call 727-592-8479 to schedule your appointment.