AC Quick Fix?
Sometimes, after a quick check list of the failed AC factors, rolling the dice is worth the gamble,
Meaning…..
Understanding all the factors involved in HVAC (heating, ventilation , air conditioning) rivals the amount of info. needed to obtain a PHD,
I mean…..it’s alot, and my hats off to the HVAC experts and appreciate their level of commitment to learning and processing that amount of technical info.,
With all that said, if certain factors, such as mine recently, it probably makes sense to play the odds,
Such Factors: not an acient system, meaning, AC and Heat (furnice and condensor) are no more than 10-12 years old,
My situation: system was about 8 years old, decent 3 ton system installed by Aladdin (reputable HVAC company), this was installed before I bought the house,
The registers were blowing cold air, all good and WHAM!, the air is no longer cold, I go out look at the condensor, and the fan is spinning but no “Buzz”,
the compressor was not running (the compressor is located in the center of the condensor unit under the fan, its job is to circulate the refrigerant, i.e. cold air),
So, if you Fan has stopped running or your Compressor is no longer buzzing, there’s a high probability your Capicitor has failed,
What the H is a Capicitor you ask:
A capacitor is a small cylindrical device inside your air conditioning unit that supplies and stores electrical energy,
It’s located in one of the corners of your condensor, with screwed in, metal housing protecting it and the wires,
Once the housing is removed, take a photo of all the numbers on it match it up with what’s on Amazon, and order it,
Mine was $15 and arrived in 2 days,
It’s a very easy install, turn the power, remove the post sleeve from each post and plug it into the same post on the new one (the posts are labled…fan, herm and C (common)), put the cover back on, turn on the power turn the AC on at the thermostat, and wahlah….
GOT COLD AIR!!!
So, all in all, it took 15 minutes and cost $15 dollars,
Now,
Could it have been many other things that the HVAC professional would have determined with their multimeter?
Short answer…..Yes
Was it worth the Gamble?
Based on the factors described above,
Absolutely!
*NOTE… you’ll want to discharge old Capicitor by laying a screwdriver across both terminals.
Gojoehandyman.com
