Your air conditioner needs power to drive three important motors: two for the fans, and one for the compressor. Each time you start up your AC, a capacitor—a cylindrical device the size of a soda can—transmits an electrical charge that starts up these motors. Another capacitor provides a charge to keep the fans turning. If the capacitors develop problems, the motors won’t receive enough voltage and eventually, your air conditioner may end up unable to start. With the year-round warm weather and heavy humidity in Florida, a failed capacitor can be a big problem.
For service on your capacitor and all your other air conditioning repair needs in St. Petersburg, FL, call Forest Air!
Look for these signs that may indicate capacitor problems:
- Loss of cool air: A capacitor may start to decline and fade before a complete shutdown occurs. As it becomes weaker, it will provide less power to the compressor that does the job of circulating refrigerant. If the air coming out of your vents starts getting warmer no matter how you set the thermostat, it may point to a weakening capacitor.
- Tripped breakers: If operating your AC causes tripped circuit breakers, the fault maybe with the capacitor. If the wiring in the capacitor breaks, the device may send a power surge that will overload your circuits. A professional can perform electrical tests to determine what steps are necessary to fix the problem.
- The AC won’t start at all: There are a number of reasons that your air conditioner may not turn on. A burned-out capacitor is one of the most common. Without power transferred to the AC’s motors, nothing will happen. Get a technician to diagnose the problem and suggest whether repair or replacement is the optimal route.
Whether you suspect your capacitor is heading toward failure or if it has failed already, you need to get it serviced as soon as possible. Because of the complexity of the wiring in your air conditioner and the risk of electrical shock, you should not attempt to make these repairs on your own with a do-it-yourself guide. Rely on a trained HVAC technician to do the work. In St. Petersburg, FL, leave these important repairs to Forest Air and its expert staff. We’ll get your capacitor and your AC working for you again.
If you are looking for expert Air Conditioning Repair Services in the St. Petersburg & Tampa Bay area, give us a call at (727) 339-5533 or fill out our online request form.