Bad AC Capacitor Symptoms

Homes in the Inland Empire count on their air conditioners and heat pumps to keep them cool on the hottest summer days. But if your AC unit is acting more like a heating system, blowing warm air around your home, you could be seeing signs of a bad AC capacitor.

Air conditioning systems have many components to keep the system working. If any of the components aren’t working properly, your system will not be able to properly cool your home. 

One such component is the capacitor. In our latest blog post, we’ll cover the bad AC capacitor symptoms you need to know. We’ll also review what an AC capacitor does, how to test AC capacitors, and how capacitors fail in an air conditioner. If your Inland Empire area home is experiencing cooling issues, contact Sanborn’s for air conditioning repair services.

Review: What Is an AC Capacitor? How Does an AC Capacitor Work?

The AC capacitor is a component within the outdoor condensing unit of an air conditioner or heat pump. It delivers power to the motor driving the air conditioning system. The capacitor delivers an initial energy burst to turn the system on when it’s time for a cooling cycle. Then it keeps running with continuous electricity until the cycle is complete. 

The initial power burst is between 300 and 500 percent of the normal electrical amount required by the system. Once the air conditioner motor reaches proper operating speed, the capacitor limits excess power and supplies a steady amount for the duration of the cooling cycle. In some ways, it’s like a battery that stores energy and dispenses it during use.

What Causes Bad AC Capacitor Symptoms?

Problems with the AC capacitor prevent your air conditioning system from performing as it should. Bad AC capacitor symptoms are commonly caused by:

• Overheated system circuitry
• Short circuits in the cooling system
• Power surges
• Lightning strikes
• Extremely high outdoor temperatures
• Equipment wear and tear

How Long Do AC Capacitors Last?

Generally, AC capacitors will last for around 20 years. However, this range can be shortened or lengthened depending on factors like usage frequency, local climate conditions, and how often your air conditioner has received regular tune ups.

It’s important to monitor your AC system for signs of capacitor failure, such as humming noises, difficulty starting, or inconsistent cooling performance, to ensure your unit runs efficiently and reliably. If your system seems to be showing signs of failure, turn to Sanborn’s for AC repair services.

Issues Caused by Bad AC Capacitors

Drop in Performance

A bad AC capacitor will often cause problems with your air conditioning system’s performance. When you’re dealing with a bad capacitor, the exterior unit will not function properly, which hinders the cooling process as a whole. 

Additional Stress on the Cooling System

Improper voltage delivery to exterior unit components forces the system to work harder as it attempts to perform its job. Additional stress on your air conditioner can cause parts to wear out before they otherwise would.

Higher Energy Bills

High energy bills can occur due to the increased power demand to cool your home. If your bills are going up despite not making any drastic changes to your home’s AC usage, you may need professional AC services to address the issue.

Bad AC Capacitor Symptoms Checklist

As a problem develops, the cooling system continues to run, albeit poorly, and homeowners may not notice right away. Other times, the main bad AC capacitor symptom a person notices is the air conditioner quits altogether.

These bad AC capacitor symptoms warn you of a cooling system issue. Contact us for air conditioning repairs if you notice:

• Smoke or a burning smell from exterior air conditioning components
• A humming noise from your air conditioner
• Your air conditioner takes some time to start a cooling cycle once you turn it on
• The air conditioning system shuts off at random
• No cold air blows into your home while the air conditioner runs
• The air conditioning system doesn’t turn on at all
• Your energy bills are higher despite not changing your air conditioning habits

How to Test an AC Capacitor

HVAC contractors use a tool called a multimeter to test AC capacitors. Also known as a multitester or VOM, it combines multiple measurement functions in one device. Most multimeters measure current, voltage, and resistance. Analog multimeters use a microammeter with a spinning pointer to mark readings. 

When our professional technicians access the interior of your condensing unit to look for the source of the problem, these bad AC capacitor symptoms help professionals know to investigate the component further:

• Cracks
• Bulging
• Oozing liquid from the capacitor and circuit board
• Not enough charge when tested with a multimeter

Call on Sanborn’s for Comprehensive HVAC Services in Redlands, San Bernardino, and the Inland Empire

The Inland Empire experiences a variety of weather each year. From furnace repair to AC system replacement and everything in between, we’re proud to be the HVAC company that homeowners in Redlands, San Bernardino, and the Inland Empire can count on.

Our experienced heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality technicians take a thorough approach to ensure your HVAC system issues are completely resolved, whatever they may be. Contact us today to schedule air conditioning services for all your AC needs in the Inland Empire.