Capacitors may seem small, but they're compelling and essential for an AC unit's proper functioning. It's as crucial as a battery that transfers electrons from one conductive plate to another.
Units have continuous cycles; thus, they keep on turning on and off. They're critical to your AC startup as they consume a bit more energy than the electricity in your home.
The capacitor is specially designed for energy storage and to jump-start the A/C units. How often do you need to change a capacitor? Professional HVAC contractors recommend that capacitors be replaced regularly to curb system breakdowns.
You should also replace your capacitor if you realize that your unit isn't working well. The same goes for putting internet in your garage if you don’t get good reception throughout your home.
Why Should you Replace your Capacitor?
The capacitor is small, but it plays a crucial role. Unfortunately, capacitors fail to work efficiently. The following are some of the reasons for their failure:
● Prolonged exposure to heat: Exposing your capacitor to heat for long hours makes it vulnerable to damage. You should, therefore, consider shading your unit to maximize its durability. Ensure that it spends a few hours in the sun to avoid damage before lasting the expected lifespan.
● Age: How long do capacitors last? The life expectancy of the air conditioner capacitor lies between 10-20 years. However, various factors, such as heat exposure, may tamper with their lifespan. If your capacitor is tiny or was built with the wrong parts, it may not live long. The good thing with capacitor replacement is that it's cheap. How long do ac capacitors last? Try to determine this when choosing a capacitor to pick the best one for your unit.
● Wrong voltage rating: Most homeowners realize that they've bad capacitors and change them without calling technicians. When changing them, they choose the wrong capacitor for their unit to save some bucks. Fixing a unit might seem easy, but the reality is that you need to hire an experienced heating repair professional to do it for you.
Each AC unit is unique and requires a specialized capacitor. Capacitors must have a specific voltage rating for them to work with your unit. When you choose to do it yourself, you may not land the one intended for your unit. A wrong capacitor might end up shorting or working harder, thus shortening its lifespan.
Faulty capacitors may also result in parts breakdown, thus leading to failure of the entire system. If you must change the capacitor on your own, find out how to replace ac capacitor first from the field service management service. The alternative would be to hire a commercial air conditioning expert who has an increased online presence.
What are the Common Signs of a Faulty Capacitor?
● Failure of the A/C to turn on
● Your A/C shuts down on its own
● Your air conditioner produces a humming sound.
● Once you turn the A/C unit on, it takes longer to start.
● The A/C unit doesn't blow cold air.
These signs indicate the necessity of you replacing ac capacitor or buy a new commercial conditioning system. You can choose a financing plan that will suit your replacement needs.
Bottom Line
Just like air purification units, your HVAC capacitor may frequently fail over time due to some factors. The most common reason is prolonged exposure to heat, especially in hotter states. Modern capacitors can't weather excess heat as it can make it swell and burst. The damage blocks the current flow.
Alternatively, the swelling and bursting can cause a closed-circuit failure or even short, causing an excessive flow of current through. Capacitor failure results in either a lower or higher capacitance value. Breakdowns often result from insufficient or excess capacitance.
Failure of your unit to cool could as well be as a result of capacitor failure.
You can ensure that your A/C unit runs efficiently and has a long lifespan conducting the capacitor's checkup and maintenance twice per year.
Then how often do you need to change a capacitor? You need to be keen on the early signs of a defective capacitor and take the necessary measures. If you need to find out more about how to better connect to Orlando’s startup tech community, read more of our blog.
