Electrical HVAC Problems? Call Us For Repairs
When your air conditioning unit stops working, most of the time it’s because of a problem with one of the electrical components in the condenser. At Wayne Price Heating and Air Conditioning, we can get your electrical condenser parts repaired or replaced. Two parts inside your condenser fail more often than anything else in your entire HVAC system: the capacitor and the contractor switch. First, let’s go over some basics.
How Does it Work?
When your thermostat sends a signal down the wire to call for cool air, the condenser comes on, assuming everything is functioning normally. The condenser fan and compressor turn on, drawing the warm air from the house and sending refrigerant back to the evaporator to cool the air and blow it through your vents.
When the thermostat registers the temperature you set, it opens the connection, and the condenser fan shuts off. Of course, this is a bare-bones version of how an HVAC system works.
The Capacitor
The capacitor stores an electrical charge sufficient to start your compressor and fan motor. It consists of a rolled sheet of metal suspended in electrolytic fluid in a case with wire terminals attached.
Over time, the repeated recharging and discharging cycle causes it to fail, so it can no longer send that critical jolt of electricity to start your condenser. We can get you a new capacitor.
The Contactor
The contactor switch receives the signal from your thermostat. When it’s time to start cooling, a 24-volt connection engages a magnet, which pulls a contact switch closed and allows electricity to travel. Just like the capacitor, the on-off cycle wears out the contacts so they can’t conduct current. There could also be dust on the wire coil, or the magnet itself can lose strength. In any case, we can replace the contactor for you.
Leave It To the Professionals
Your HVAC system runs on a 220-volt circuit, almost twice as much as a standard household circuit. This amount is likely enough to kill you. Certain electrical components remain dangerous even if you remove power, so you should contact us for a quote and appointment. Our technicians have extensive training in how to work with electricity without getting shocked or causing damage.