What's the average going rate to replace an AC capicator (labor and parts)? Any recommendations on who to call?
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A/C Capicator Replacement
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Last: 5 mo ago by AggiePirate
I really like Clear Creek. Family run. Have had great luck with Ben (as recently as today unfortunately)
Fairly simple to do yourself. You can get capacitors at Ace Hardware.
Edit to add- they are ~$30.
Edit to add- they are ~$30.
Changed one for our pool pump recently and can confirm it was really easy. I took the old one in to the pool store and they handed me a new one. Easy in and out.
Just paid a technician way too much because I had never heard of this issue. Regret later after a quick google search. Watch a YouTube video and do it yourself for $30 in parts.
I've actually replaced a hard start kit myself in the past.
However, my hard start kit and capacitor went out this weekend, but I discovered that some of the wires are discolored and look like they have overheated. I feel comfortable replacing the capacitor and hard start kit, but I don't feel comfortable diagnosing electrical problems. I have a quote for all these things, but I have no idea if it's reasonable. I am looking for other rates and recommendations because I don't want to burn my house down or at least my AC.
However, my hard start kit and capacitor went out this weekend, but I discovered that some of the wires are discolored and look like they have overheated. I feel comfortable replacing the capacitor and hard start kit, but I don't feel comfortable diagnosing electrical problems. I have a quote for all these things, but I have no idea if it's reasonable. I am looking for other rates and recommendations because I don't want to burn my house down or at least my AC.
I would guess you're paying under $500 for a pro to come out and do it. Somewhere in that ballpark.
I would consider $250 a pretty good deal from a pro. That's about 1 billed hour of labor and $100 for the cap.
What have you been quoted?
But as mentioned above, Ace has them. I paid $31 to replace mine a few weeks ago.
I would consider $250 a pretty good deal from a pro. That's about 1 billed hour of labor and $100 for the cap.
What have you been quoted?
But as mentioned above, Ace has them. I paid $31 to replace mine a few weeks ago.
Thanks Esteban, that's helpful!
Initial service call was $350. The estimate for capacitor including labor and parts is ~$120. Which would be x2 because the run capacitor and the hard start kit have to be replaced, in addition to other things.
Initial service call was $350. The estimate for capacitor including labor and parts is ~$120. Which would be x2 because the run capacitor and the hard start kit have to be replaced, in addition to other things.
Sometime the capcitors just get hot and burn a wire
I am not an ac guy but I do habe 80 units that I work on and that has happened and I just replaced the ends of the wires
But mine are simple units
I am not an ac guy but I do habe 80 units that I work on and that has happened and I just replaced the ends of the wires
But mine are simple units
maddiedou
Contact Steven Bobinger, (979) 321-7181 / steven@totalcomfortbcs.com, at Total Comfort Air Solutions for an honest take on the situation and a fair price.
A couple of general comments. You can easily order a replacement or spare from Amazon. Look at your existing capacitor to get the specs. Plenty of YouTube's on this. Cost is about $30
The videos show how to discharge the capacitor before it is removed.
If you call a repair HVAC company, the cost will be $225 plus.
Extreme heat, lightening strikes nearby, and age cause the capacitor to fail.
You can visually look at (usually) to see if it has failed. A bulged top indicates failure.
The videos show how to discharge the capacitor before it is removed.
If you call a repair HVAC company, the cost will be $225 plus.
Extreme heat, lightening strikes nearby, and age cause the capacitor to fail.
You can visually look at (usually) to see if it has failed. A bulged top indicates failure.
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Our charge to replace most common capacitors including labor would generally be less than $250. We only sell and install USA capacitors and ours come with a 5yr part warranty. They aren't cheap but what is cheap anymore? Other questions that should be considered are: is the refrigerant charged properly, are there any burned or compromised wires, is the compressor hard starting or normal, what's the amp draw, is the contactor pitted or have a weak coil? These are things the $145 labor charge will also get you answers to and that might be cheaper in the long run than replacing your own capacitor. It's never a bad idea to keep a spare and know how to do it yourself in a pinch but just realize there's more to an AC than the average Joe can diagnose and repair. The flip side of that is make sure you call an honest company and not a sales based company because then everything is broke and needs replaced lol.
If you have any questions or would like to give us a try you can reach us at 979-422-0148
If you have any questions or would like to give us a try you can reach us at 979-422-0148
Robin Sparkles said:
What's the average going rate to replace an AC capicator (labor and parts)? Any recommendations on who to call?
How many different common capacitors are there? If I wanted to stock spares for my rentals, what should I get?
Cs78 Text me
maddiedou
do a little research. I believe it depends on how large a capacitor you need, however they do have "universal" capacitors that can cover a broad spectrum of AC units. So you likely wouldn't need to keep but a few different sizes depending on your rental unit setup.CS78 said:
How many different common capacitors are there? If I wanted to stock spares for my rentals, what should I get?
Note, I am not an HVAC technician, I just read up and did research this summer out of curiosity in the event mine went out. Youtube had great guides and Amazon had universal capacitors that can cover a broad spectrum... though I don't believe it was a one size fits all; so you still need to pay attention.
What's your take on soft start units to reduce draw on generators?
How many different common capacitors are there
There are universal ones or whatever they are called, but you have to use jumpers and know what you are doing
turbo 200 is the name
There are universal ones or whatever they are called, but you have to use jumpers and know what you are doing
turbo 200 is the name
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I'm waiting to see one on the shelf of my supply house to try out. I'm going to use my neighbors unit as my guinea pig as he has a 10kw generator wired to power his essentials on his house but it can't start his AC. I'm hoping they work as it sounds like a good idea but I just don't know until I try one myself.
halibut sinclair said:
What's your take on soft start units to reduce draw on generators?
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We keep about 25 different sizes on the truck at all times. If you have many units as a landlord you can buy a Turbo 200 (this capacitor is expensive through us) but it can cover almost all your common sizes in a pinch and use it to get a house by until you get the correct size and then put it back in the toolbox.
CS78 said:
How many different common capacitors are there? If I wanted to stock spares for my rentals, what should I get?
Welp. I started the day with a busted ac blower motor, checked TexAgs for the best advice from the latest thread, this one, and deducted that Steve was the best option. I gave Steve a call and he picked up first time and was over same day, fixed my issue with an affordable part hat was hundreds less than the next quote I got the week before. If you have an AC issue and you want good honest help at a fair price I have to also lay down my price to Steve. Thanks for helping my teen ' not die ' from the heat .InfoTechAg said:
Contact Steven Bobinger, (979) 321-7181 / steven@totalcomfortbcs.com, at Total Comfort Air Solutions for an honest take on the situation and a fair price.