First cleaning in years finds a weak capacitor

Last updated October 27, 2026Reviewed by Waseem Shahzad, Lead Technician

Bay Shore, NYAC Tune-UpTechnicians: Waseem and JustinJuly 2026

A 16-year-old air conditioner that had never been cleaned got a full tune-up. A capacitor reading low on the compressor side was replaced.

Contactor and wiring inside an outdoor condenser, Bay Shore NY

Run capacitor tested during an AC tune-up, Bay Shore NY

Gauges checking refrigerant levels during maintenance, Bay Shore NY

What the homeowner reported

The homeowner asked for maintenance on an air conditioner that, according to the record, had been reinstalled about 16 years earlier and never cleaned since.

What we found

Refrigerant levels, fan motor amps and compressor amps were all good. The capacitor tested low on the compressor (HERM) side.

What we did

Waseem and Justin completed the cooling maintenance and replaced the capacitor.

The result

The system was working properly after the new capacitor. A heating check was planned for the winter.

Job details are from our July 2026 service record for this Bay Shore home. Customer details are left out.

General information, not details from this job

About catching weak capacitors

A capacitor rarely fails all at once. It loses capacity over time, and a meter reading during maintenance shows that before the part quits on a hot afternoon. A dual capacitor has a compressor (HERM) side and a fan side, and either one can weaken. Replacing a low one during a tune-up costs far less than an emergency call, and it protects the compressor, which works harder and runs hotter when its capacitor is weak.