Savannah, GA, is constantly ranked one of the best southern cities by Southern Living Magazine due to the breathtaking greenery in nearby parks, local beaches that allow for water sports, and more than 145,000 residents making up diverse neighborhoods. However, the subtropical southern climate can affect your cooling unit, leaving you wondering, “Will an AC fan run if the capacitor is bad?”
As a local team, we understand the 84 to 93-degree summer highs from May to September are enough to debilitate your air conditioner. And as a leading AC repair specialist in Savannah, the team at Georgia Air Cooling & Heating knows what it takes to get your cooling system back on track. A faulty capacitor is one of the primary reasons your unit may not be providing relief, so we’ll delve more into this below.
The Air Conditioner Capacitor and What It Does
Have you ever noticed how your circuit breaker disrupts the flow of current into your home so it can send the right amount of energy to each of your household appliances to bar overloads? An air conditioner capacitor has a similar task since it stores energy and is in charge of supplying that energy to the fan, compressor, motor, and other moving parts.
Acting like short-term batteries, the capacitor first sends out an initial burst of energy that is between 300% to 500% more than the unit needs throughout the cycle just to get it started. The origin capacitor receives this energy, but once the unit officially begins its cycle, the capacitor lowers the energy flow to the engine to maintain motor operation. But what happens if your Savannah capacitor isn’t up to its job?
What Happens to Your Savannah, GA, Air Conditioner If Your Capacitor Is Bad?
So, will an AC fan run if the capacitor is bad in your Savannah, GA, home? Unfortunately, if this barrel-shaped component isn’t up to par, it won’t supply the electrical jumpstart your unit needs to begin its cooling cycle. It also won’t provide enough energy to keep it cooling properly. In turn, the motor will work harder to keep up with demands, forcing the system to long-cycle and prematurely decline.
Other signs you need a professional to repair or replace your capacitor include the following.
Unusual Noises Like Humming
A certain amount of torque is crucial for getting your motor to function. However, a faulty AC capacitor, which should be supplying energy to the motor, can leave the latter struggling to perform a cooling cycle, resulting in a humming noise. The best way to determine if this is the case is by turning your Savannah unit off by hitting the power button and then on again to see if the noise remains.
If so, it means you have a faulty capacitor. However, other parts of your unit can hum in distress, such as the compressor in the condenser unit, so call a professional to determine which internal component is affected and for an accurate fix so you won’t have to wonder, “Will an AC fan run if the capacitor is bad?”
A Burning Smell Radiating From the Unit
If you ignore the unusual and unprecedented noises, a burning smell will eventually partner arise since the motor and other moving parts are overworking. While you may smell this electrical issue indoors, it’ll be more evident outside near your Savannah condenser unit since that’s the unit portion that houses the compressor, motor, and fan blades.
This can be a dangerous issue since the capacitor holds a strong electrical charge. Even if it’s faulty, meaning it’s not distributing the electricity the way it should, it still contains this energy, which becomes a fire hazard. So, a malfunction can easily leave you with a smoking unit that could catch on fire and threaten your home, meaning you should call for immediate assistance before this becomes an issue.
Warmer Indoor Air
In most cases, at least at first, your Savannah unit will turn on even if it’s undergoing AC unit capacitor failure. However, with little to no electrical current running to the compressor, this component won’t be able to pressurize the refrigerant and send it through the evaporator and condenser coils.
Since the refrigerant is what absorbs heat from your indoor Savannah air and expels it outdoors, the heat transfer process cannot take place in this case. That leaves you home feeling warmer and your unit long cycling.
Issues Powering On and Off
Again, your unit will run longer than it’s supposed to to make up for the lack of energy and cooling capacity. That means it’ll take longer than usual to power off, resulting in higher energy bills. However, an even bigger concern is, “Will an AC fan run if the capacitor is bad?”
After a while, an AC fan capacitor issue will cause not only your fan but your motor and compressor to stop working altogether. That’s because it won’t store or distribute enough charge to start or keep the components functioning and your Savannah unit won’t turn on. Even if your unit has enough startup torque, it won’t stay on, shutting off prematurely, so call to get a new AC fan operation capacitor installed.
Swelling From Within the Capacitor
Sometimes, the best way to tell if your capacitor is failing is by visually inspecting it in your outdoor compartment. First, turn off the power to your air conditioning system and go outside to your condenser unit. After lifting the cover panel, look for the device with a cylindrical shape and wires that connect to the top and see if you notice any bulging or swelling.
When the dielectric fluid in the capacitor begins to expand due to a faulty capacitor, it causes the component the irreversibly swell. In this case, the capacitor needs replacing rather than repairing.
What Causes a Capacitor To Go Bad in Savannah, GA?
Now, you know the answer to, “Will an AC fan run if the capacitor is bad?” It will run for a while (although not with the appropriate energy efficiency or cooling capacity) but will eventually keep your unit from turning on and functioning altogether. But what causes your Savannah capacitor to go bad in the first place?
While older air conditioning models had capacitors that lasted over a decade, modern-day ones comprise devices that last five or more years, sometimes 10 with proper and professional care. However, the average air conditioner lasts 15 to 20 years, meaning you’ll likely need a capacitor replacement long before you need a new cooling unit.
Aside from your Savannah capacitor reaching the end of its lifespan, it can go bad prematurely in any of the following cases:
- You receive a subpar capacitor from a low-brow brand.
- Your capacitor overheats, especially if it is located on the south or west side of your Savannah home that receives up to 14 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Poor ventilation causes dust and debris to build up and restrict airflow, also causing overheating.
- Lightening strikes or power surges shock the system and cause improper voltage to fry the component.
- Physical wear from being hit (like from overhead falling branches) affects the way the mechanics function.
Replacing a Faulty Capacitor in Savannah, GA
Once you pinpoint the signs of a failing capacitor in Savannah, you can then take action by calling on specialists to remedy the issue. You should never attempt a DIY project since the capacitor stores a lot of energy, the average amount ranging from 370 to 440 volts, even when turned off or broken. Mishandling it without professional precaution can lead to electrocutions, fires, and even death.
When you call an HVAC technician to answer the question, “Will an AC fan run if the capacitor is bad?” they’ll come to your home, listen to your concerns, and look for the signs for a correct diagnosis. They’ll then go to your outdoor condenser unit and look for the defective part. After disconnecting it from the compartment, the expert will then free it of the wires and mounting bracket.
Depending on your unit type and size, the Savannah experts will then add a new capacitor to your unit. They place it on mounting brackets and attach the necessary wires so that it can control the engine and other moving parts. After testing the capacitor by running the unit, the team cleans up after themselves, taking no more than an hour to reverse the capacitor effects on AC fans.
Georgia Air: The Only Air You Should Have in Your Savannah Home!
Whether you have capacitor problems, AC fan issues, or simply want to know “Can you install an AC yourself?” you need a team with years of experience that has seen it all.
At Georgia Air Cooling & Heating, our professional team comprises these qualities alongside reliability, promptness, and transparency. So, to learn more about “Will an AC fan run if the capacitor is bad?” call 912-513-3724 in Savannah, GA, and schedule peachy services today!