What Can A Heating And AC Repair Technician Diagnose To Be The Reasons For Capacitor Overheating? | Keller, TX
A furnace is a critical home appliance for your home. When the temperatures fall too low during winter, the unit helps heat your home to ensure it is comfortable. A furnace comprises many parts that work together to ensure that your home is properly heated. One of the electrical components that are essential to the furnace is a capacitor.
The furnace capacitor is a vital component of your furnace, providing the necessary electrical power to start the unit and keep it running smoothly. However, sometimes the capacitor can overheat, leading to many problems and potentially damaging your furnace. This is why routine maintenance by an experienced heating and AC repair technician is required. Here are eight reasons why your furnace capacitor may be overheating:
The Capacitor Is Old and Has Reached the End of Its Lifespan
A capacitor is a unit that stores the charge used for turning on and running. Although they are designed to last for a long time, capacitors can wear out and become less effective as time passes. This means that the capacitor can no longer hold the required charge, resulting in overheating. When this happens, the unit will start having issues turning on or running, meaning that your home will not be sufficiently heated. If your furnace is relatively old, let’s have the heating and AC repair technician in Keller, TX replace the capacitor.
The Capacitor Is the Wrong Size for Your Furnace
Like any other component, the capacitor also has to fit the furnace. This is not only capacity-wise but also in terms of physical size. If the capacitor is too small or has less capacity, it won’t be able to provide enough power to start and run the furnace, leading to overheating. On the other hand, if the capacitor is too large or has a huge capacity, it may try to draw more power than it can handle, leading to overheating. Hence, a professional heating and AC repair technician should help you purchase the unit after determining the required capacity and size.
If the Capacitor Is Faulty or It’s Been Damaged
Capacitors can become faulty due to various issues, including manufacturing defects or physical damage. Most of these issues are caused by neglecting the maintenance of your furnace unit. If the furnace capacitor is damaged or faulty, it will not be able to hold enough charges. The capacitor will also be unable to properly regulate the flow of electricity, leading to the capacitor overheating. Unfortunately, power surges are the leading reasons why the capacitor becomes faulty. Unless you have had a heating and AC repair technician install a surge protector that will protect the furnace from electrical overloads.
The Furnace Is Oversized for Your Home
An oversized furnace can cause a capacitor to overheat in a few different ways. First, if the capacitor is not rated for the high current and voltage levels produced by the oversized furnace, it can become damaged and overheat. Second, if the furnace is not properly sized for the space it is heating, it may run for longer than a properly sized furnace, which can cause the capacitor to overheat due to prolonged use. Additionally, an oversized furnace can produce more heat than the air conditioning system is designed to handle. In any of these cases, it’s important to properly size the furnace and air conditioning system for the space they are heating and cooling. Additionally, have a heating and AC repair technician install a capacitor rated for the equipment’s operating conditions.
If the Furnace Is Clogged or Dirty
A clogged or dirty furnace can cause the capacitor to overheat because the furnace’s motor is responsible for turning on the blower, which circulates air through the furnace and out into the home. If the furnace is clogged or dirty, it will put an extra strain on the motor, which can cause it to work harder than usual. The capacitor is the furnace component responsible for turning on the motor. Hence, this extra strain can cause the capacitor to overheat, which can cause it to fail. To prevent this from happening, it is important to have a heating and AC repair technician in Keller, TX regularly clean and service your furnace to ensure that it operates efficiently.
The Furnace Blower Is Not Working Properly
An improperly working furnace blower motor can cause the capacitor to overheat. The capacitor provides the necessary power to start the blower motor. If the blower motor is not functioning properly, it can cause the capacitor to work harder than it should, leading to overheating. This is why it is important to have your furnace checked by a professional heating and AC repair technician if you suspect the blower motor is not working properly. The technician can diagnose the problem and make necessary repairs to prevent the capacitor from overheating.
The Capacitor Has Been Installed Incorrectly
If the capacitor is installed incorrectly, it may not be able to regulate the flow of electricity properly. The capacitor might need help to provide the required power to turn on the various furnace motors. This will make the motors work harder than required to blow the heated air into your home. This extra strain on the motor can cause the capacitor to become overheated, leading to failure. It is important to have a furnace capacitor installed by a heating and AC repair professional to ensure that it is done correctly and to prevent overheating.
If your furnace capacitor is overheating, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your furnace and ensure it continues to operate efficiently. A qualified heating and AC repair technician in Keller, TX can help diagnose the cause of the overheating and recommend the appropriate course of action. Call us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Fort Worth for a proper furnace installation.