Capacitors and Refrigerant Woes: 2 HVAC Issues That Can Impair Your Compressor

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The compressor in your central air conditioner starts off the cooling process with a supply of gas refrigerant. Compressed coolant can then enter into a set of coils that perform a phase change, pass the liquid inside the home, and finishes up the cooling process. If your compressor malfunctions or stops working, you won't have a fully functional air-conditioning unit. Efficiency and cooling will both suffer.

What problems most often strike a compressor, and how can an appliance-services company help?

Capacitor Issues

The compressor's function depends on a steady electrical supply to power the motor and the compressor. If the supply suffers a hiccup, the compressor can shut down prematurely. Two capacitors or electrical storage devices exist to help ensure the compressor keeps operating steadily. A problem with either capacitor can cause a compressor malfunction.

The start capacitor supplies the boost at startup, and its failure would cause the compressor to shut down quickly. The run capacitor helps keep the compressor running smoothly so the system can operate normally for a while before unexpectedly shutting down.

You can test both capacitors with a multimeter that has Ohms readings, but don't perform the test if you lack electrical knowledge. Turn off the breaker for the air conditioner, find the capacitors, unhook the wires from the terminals, and then work on removing the stored electricity in each part.

You can drain the start capacitor with the multimeter set to AC, attach the probes to the terminals, and wait for the reading to zero out. Drain the start capacitor by laying an insulated screwdriver across the terminals and wait a few minutes. Then test with the AC to make sure the charge is gone.

Test both capacitors by setting the meter to Ohms, hooking the probes up to the terminals, and then making sure the reading matches the approved range listed on the side of each part. If you need a new capacitor, call an HVAC tech to perform the replacement.

Low or Improper Refrigerant

Central air-conditioning systems have carefully calibrated levels of refrigerant and require a particular type of the chemical to function properly. If the coolant levels become too low, or if you don't have the right kind in the system, your compressor can suffer efficiency issues and potentially long-term damage.

Low refrigerant often occurs due to a leak somewhere in the system. You should call a service tech to check the evaporator and condenser coils for leaks, replace the coils where needed, and replace the lost coolant.

An improper type of refrigerant can get in due to maintenance or repair mistakes. Ask your tech to make sure that your system has the right kind and make a switch if necessary.


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