What Causes an AC Capacitor to Fail?

A capacitor is a small, cylindrical component that sends energy to the motor that powers the air conditioning system. It’s located inside the outdoor unit, also called the condenser, and can lose its efficiency with day-to-day wear and tear. In this article, HVAC replacement company Stone Heating and Air shares the common reasons for AC capacitor failure and what to do about it.

AC capacitor failure

Signs of AC Capacitor Failure

Common symptoms that indicate a problem with the AC capacitor include:

  • Smoke. As the capacitor starts to fail, it may emit smoke that smells pungent or acidic due to the chemicals within the component.

  • Leaks. It’s quite common for a failing capacitor to produce leaks.

  • Noise. Humming sounds coming from the air conditioner are usually an indication of a bad capacitor.

  • Startup failure. When the air conditioner is unable to perform its job, this may be a sign that the capacitor has broken down.

Causes of AC Capacitor Problems

Only an air conditioning repair specialist can correctly diagnose the root cause of capacitor breakdown. Some of the common reasons for these problems that they find are:

  • Physical damage to the capacitor.

  • Improper voltage or current traveling through the capacitor.

  • Overheating of the system.

  • Age-related wear and tear.

What to Do When the Capacitor Breaks Down

When the capacitor of your air conditioner fails, you need to call for professional service immediately. An experienced technician can determine whether the component can be repaired or has to be replaced. If a replacement is due, they’ll note the voltage and micro-Farad marked on your capacitor so they can find a new unit that matches.

You can count on Stone Heating and Air for high-quality HVAC repair and maintenance services. Our certified technicians aim to deliver the comfort and efficiency that each and every homeowner in Central Point, OR, deserves. Call us at (541) 313-5984 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.

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We had our AC go out on one of the hottest days of the year. We called as soon as they opened and they came out so quickly and offered us some loaner units to keep our babies and animals cool in the meantime. Matt was so helpful and fixed the problem quickly. He went above and beyond to help us and we will be using Stone Heating and Air to replace our unit when it’s time. They’ll be our first call in the future!

Elizabeth T.

Matt's response was extremely quick, he was very professional and friendly. He explained everything in detail and was very knowledgeable. He had my unit up and running within no time! I highly recommend calling stone heating and air. I will be signing up for the yearly service plan with them!!

Tim S.

I had a wonderful experience to hangout with this superior crewmen who came to install a new HVAC system at my house. To see these professional guys were at work with their best, I would recommend to anyone to do business with this wonderful company! Best regards

Bryan H.

I’ve used Stone Heat and Air for several projects and every time they have preformed beyond my expectations. I would highly recommend them for any of your HVAC needs.

Matthew V.S.

Excellent Service I could not have been more happy with the service, quality and honesty that I received from Stone Heating and Air. I will refer this HVAC company to all of my friends.

Gene S

Great Service, knowledgeable service technician This was for our guest house heater. I was very happy with the service provided. They were on time, polite and clean. They inspected the Monitor heater and then proceeded to clean it and they were able to fix that. Will definitely use for jobs in the future

Amanda S

Maintenance Great service, and great price

Mike J.

Great Company Dave was fantastic. He is very knowledgeable about the system and his cleaning job was incredible. He was able to explain everything that he was doing and make it make sense for general homeowner. Good Job guys!

Brian F

Excellent service! Excellent service! Knowledgeable staff! I was very impressed with the responsiveness and knowledge of your team. Shortly after 1 called for an appointment, Dave and Gino did a thorough inspection of my system and explained all of the areas that needed repair or replacement. They gave me short and long-term options and the benefits of both. HVAC is not something I know a lot about so I had appreciated their patience. Overall, it was a great experience! 5 STARS!! Highly recommend Stone Heating and Air!

John L

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