How To Check & Replace An Air Conditioner Capacitor

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⚠️ Disclaimer:
This video is for educational purposes. Any and all HVAC repair work is done at your own risk. The DIY HVAC Guy channel is not responsible for any possible damages or injuries caused by the use or misuse of the provided information.

[duckpwnd]

I looked up your video and other videos after my AC stopped working. I first called a local HVAC guy and he said it would be at least week. He also said that what I was describing might be the fan motor which would typically run around $3500 to replace, but it might be a capacitor which would be "only around $2000" to replace. I watched your video and another video on cleaning coils. I bought new capacitor for $15 (and a spare for a rainy day) and a can of coil cleaner for $8. In about 45 minutes, I had the capacitor replaced, coils cleaned, and nice cool air in my house. Thank you.

[seczee]

OMG! My AC unit went out and I called for service. The HVAC guy told me I would have to replace my AC unit, and quoted me a price of $5, 695, after my $1500 home appliance protection plan. I decided to go to YT (my trusty source for education and DIY), and after seeing your video, I checked my capacitor and noticed it had a puffed up top. I went to ACE hardware and purchased a new one and installed it myself (thanks to your great instructions). My AC fan turned on and I now have cool air again.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. It is truly appreciated. And thank you for saving me thousands of dollars.

May you and your family continue to stay blessed in every way possible.

[AnnikaDegenstein]

My AC went out during the heat wave here in California! I have two small children and pets at home, husband was away at work.... I came across your video, among others, but yours was the most helpful and clear. I went out and bought the capacitor from ACE and within 10 minutes had my AC up and running again!!! Thank you so

[MD.ImNoScientician]

Thank you for your instructive videos !
1.) You NEVER talk down to us like we are children.
2.) Your videos are ALWAYS respectful of the process and our safety (within reason)
3.) You always show us how to use and where to buy the equipment needed.

The important things I have learned from your channel is
1.) How to clean my unit
2.) How to test my capacitor.
3.) How to install a soft start on my a\c
4.) When to call a professional out to service my a\c

Thanks !

[anaceciliamillena]

Our AC went out in the middle of the night. The next day it was 95C ! We called our HVAC company and was quoted $220/hr just for diagnosis. We called our HVAC friend and thru facetime, he suggested replacing the capacitor. We ordered the part on amazon ($20), it came on the same day and we were able to replace ours. We deep cleaned the coils, plugged the power in and boom! cold air galore!!! Thank you for the video!

[antonleimbach]

You saved us bro. I watched this video a couple of years ago and bought capacitor for my AC system. It sat in my garage until today. The outside fan was not working so I used my meter and checked the capacitor and it was bad. I changed it and now our house is nice and chilly! I’m in a wheelchair so if I can do it anyone can thanks to you my man!

[Spz]

Thank you for making this video. I followed your directions and I was able to have AC on the Fourth of July, and no injuries. Taking pictures was a great suggestion also. 😅

[helloImNK]

OMG, thank you for this video!! We live in hot Las Vegas and our fan stopped working. We were quoted $400, but with the help of your video, we only paid $22.00 and changed the capacitor ourselves. Thank you!!

[olrjqno]

You're the best. A local ac company raked my wife over the coals here in Fl when the condenser fan died and I was 1400 miles away. A grand, and said they installed a hard start too which they never did. They had the nerve to shoot us a ridiculous estimate for a new system. No way and I'll never deal with them again. Told all my neighbors too, and left bad reviews everywhere I could.

[mutleymutley]

Two years ago the capacitor on my AC unit (Ruud) went after more than 30 years. The technician could not believe the capacitor was the original. When he replaced it, his words were, "Well, I hope this one last that long, but I doubt it." So far so good.

[victortelhami]

Even a year later after publishing this video, I found it to be extremely helpful, with the best explanation possible and the right tool to buy. We thank you!

[triumphaudio]

I have fixed my various HVAC systems 3 times now ( I have 5 of them!) and each time it's the capacitor that goes. This last time it cost me $17 on Amazon and I fixed it in under 10 minutes after watching and relearning how to do it with your video. I have found a nice independent repair man but I think he is so busy right now and his minimum service charge is $165. Feels good to fix things and save tons of money! THANK YOU!

[rogerhodges]

I watched this video a month ago. Yesterday, my AC went out. Tonight I am already cool. Amazon provided the capacitor that I needed for about $14 and and it took about hours work. Thank you so much for this great video. TAKE GOOD PICTURES!!!!

[davidminyard]

I am SO glad I saw this video months ago and bookmarked it and ordered a spare capacitor!! Woke up this morning hot and discovered that the outside unit was not running. The capacitor was swollen and tested bad with a meter. Replaced it in 5 minutes flat and now it's working great! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[adammay]

Give this dude some money! I just did. He saved me hundreds and the repair literally took 10 minutes. Happened during a heatwave and I’m back up in no time.

[mikewonser]

I really like watching your show, I was working HVAC for 35years and I like remembering what you are saying, GOOD job

[butchc]

I had my HVAC company do I $100 spring check up non my heatpump. He said my capacitor was out of spec and might fail. He quoted me $750 with a 5 year warrantee. I’m glad I did not let him do it. Thanks for the video I’m searching for one now.

[MrRipley]

Thank you 1 million times for this video. It is exactly what was wrong with my unit. $30 later, unit running again. Thank you for giving us the confidence to do something that heating and air guys charge way too much for. I am so grateful today, and my family, I can't barely put it in words. Thank you.

[trcass]

thanks so much for doing this video. i had a "service" for my hvac yesterday and the tech said the capacitor was weak. he showed me a reading of 35 and i asked him about replacing it. he had one on the truck....lol. cost to replace it was at $350 or $500 for the heftier model. i said nope, will wait till it breaks. came in and checked capacitors and saw the low prices of 10-30 buck on almost any of them. i saw your video today and see my capacitor was pretty much where it is supposed to be. thanks for doing this video. saved me a bunch of unnecessary expense. need to watch the cleaning video....thanks again.

[estherbarbara]

I am so happy to have found your video. After waiting for a technician to play it safe, I finished the work on my own. The technician showed up at the moment the unit began working again. Only got charged $100 for the service call to check the refrigerant amount and temperatures. Thanks for saving me money.