{"id":1042,"date":"2021-05-24T11:00:52","date_gmt":"2021-05-24T15:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.covenantheatingandcooling.com\/blog\/?p=1042"},"modified":"2021-05-24T13:17:01","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T17:17:01","slug":"what-should-know-air-conditioner-capacitors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.covenantheatingandcooling.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/what-should-know-air-conditioner-capacitors\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Should Know about Air Conditioner Capacitors"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The one thing you should know about your air conditioner is that it takes a lot <\/em>of different components working together for the system to function as efficiently and effectively as it’s meant to, and to perform at all. It\u2019s a complex electronic appliance with many wires, switches, motors, and capacitors. When something goes amiss with this system, it\u2019s always solvable\u2014but you need to call on an experienced pro for the job.<\/p>\n

If your air conditioner isn\u2019t working, even if you\u2019re sure you know why, it\u2019s time to give us a call. In the meantime, read on to learn about how your AC problems could be connected to one AC component in particular\u2014a capacitor.<\/p>\n

What Is a Capacitor?<\/h2>\n

The capacitor is an electrical component that functions as a temporary battery for the system\u2019s motors. They store voltage, and then send that voltage to the motors. Most motors have two capacitors built in, one that starts <\/em>the motor and the other that keeps it running. <\/em>Capacitors do not last as long as the entire air conditioner, which can remain functional for 10-15 years if it\u2019s well taken care of. So eventually you will need to have one replaced.<\/p>\n

How Do You Know if You Have a Bad Capacitor?<\/h2>\n

First of all, you should be scheduling maintenance once a year for your air conditioner\u2014twice a year if it\u2019s a heat pump. During this service, our technicians will thoroughly inspect your entire system, checking <\/em>for things like bad capacitors, or at least worn down capacitors that could break down soon.<\/p>\n

But the signs of a bad capacitor are similar to signs of other AC problems\u2014this includes warm air coming from the vents, a system that\u2019s making odd noises, or even a system that\u2019s short-cycling. Clogged filters, refrigerant leaks, and ill-maintained or improper installation can all lead to these problems\u2014which is why it\u2019s so important that you call on an experienced pro if you suspect something is amiss.<\/p>\n

That said, there are some particular signs you can watch out for that are usually specific to a bad capacitor, such as:<\/p>\n