Do I Have a Bad Capacitor?

When you live in this part of the country, you really need your air conditioning system to operate effectively, reliably, and efficiently. Even the best air conditioners, though, and even those that are routinely serviced, will encounter operational problems at some point. There are a lot of different components that must operate in perfect harmony in order for your air conditioner to function precisely as it ought to. Your capacitors, for instance, play an important role in keeping your AC operational. If you run into trouble with your capacitors, you’ll have to schedule prompt air conditioning repairs in Tucson, AZ. Here are some tips to help you spot the signs of a failing capacitor. 

Does Your AC Struggle to Start Up?

Does it sound as though your air conditioner is trying to start up, but simply cannot get up and running? Do you hear the system humming but not starting in full? This could be due to a faulty start capacitor. A capacitor is a device that stores and electric charge and supplies it when necessary. Your air conditioner requires more power when starting up than when running, so the start capacitor is used to give it the extra torque that it needs to start the cooling cycle. If you have a faulty start capacitor in your system, the air conditioner is not going to start up as reliably as it should.

Does Your Air Conditioner Start Up, Only to Shut Back Down Quickly?

Short cycling is the term for the situation described above, and it may indicate that you have a problem with your run capacitor. Just as a start capacitor helps your AC to start, the run capacitor helps it to run dependably by regulating power to the motor. The run capacitor  on the compressor motor is the most likely to fail, though you may also encounter issues with the blower motor run capacitor in your home, or the fan motor run capacitor outdoors.

Whatever problems you may encounter with a capacitor or your AC in general, Goettl Air Conditioning can help.