If your air conditioner suddenly quit running, and you didn't lose power inside your home, you want to check elsewhere for the problem. The power sources that keep your AC running could be off or damaged. Without power, your AC won't run. Learn why your AC experienced a loss of power and how you can solve it below.
Why Did Your AC Lose Power?
Your air conditioning system relies on more than just your home's electrical power to run throughout the day. The system also uses other power sources in and outside your home. The power sources include the capacitor.
The capacitor is one of the most critical components inside your outdoor cooling unit. Although the capacitor is relatively small, it holds enough electricity to power the outdoor unit throughout the day and night. However, the capacitor can become corroded and damaged over time. An ailing capacitor won't hold enough electricity to power the outdoor unit.
Your cooling system will also experience a loss of power if the disconnect switch outside the house flips off. The switch can accidentally flip off if your home loses power during a storm or community power outage. The capacitor can also fail if it shorts out from moisture or overheats from stress.
Your AC may lose power from a number of other things. Only an air conditioning contractor can learn why your AC lost power.
What Can You Do Next?
An air conditioner contractor will most test the AC capacitor for a loss of power, corrosion, or moisture before they check anything else in the unit or system. If the capacitor is the source behind your system's abrupt loss of power, a contractor will clean and charge it.
It may be necessary to replace the capacitor altogether. Capacitors can burst under pressure. The contents of the capacitor can leak out of it and damage the rest of the unit. If a leak does occur in the capacitor, a contractor will need to remove it from the unit and replace it with something newer.
If the capacitor isn't behind your AC system's power loss, a contractor will check the refrigerant line for ice and holes. Your cooling system depends on refrigerant to keep it cool and operational. Refrigerant leaks can cause the indoor and outdoor units to overheat.
If you have more questions about your AC system's loss of power, contact an air conditioning contractor.