Hi,
I have an AC/Heat-pump unit in Alabama. Last year, a guy did a routine tune-up and charged me $200 for putting in a new capacitor. This year, another guy came in and charged me another $200 for a capacitor and added freon. My questions:
1. What so special about that capacitor?
2. How often do I need to add new freon.

Was I ripped off here?

Thanks for your insight.

Best.

The capacitor they are speaking of assists the compressor when it starts up, and often, also helps the fan on the outside unit start up.

I installed a new capacitor on my air conditioner about 10 years ago. They dont go bad every year, unless they have gotten really crummy in manufacturing.

Here's a good video on how to test your own capacitor.

Never.
If you had to add some then the unit needs to be fixed or replaced. A good technician will know how to find a leak and know if it can be fixed or if the unit needs to be replaced. It is illegal to knowingly add freon to a leaking unit. A unit should keep its charge forever.



Nothing. Most likely just a $20 part.
Did it need to be replaced? I guess not. Maybe every several years.

My A/C system was installed in 1991, and has never had a drop of freon added. I oil the blower motors yearly. They are original too.

Talking to several repairmen,they all seem to agree that the quality of capacitors manufactured today is terrible. My Lennox unit is 50 years old this year, Within the last three years I had to replace the condenser fan motor and put in the capacitor that came with it. last weekend[always on a weekend] no cooling. Couldnt raise a repairman so had to do it myself.After checking everything else I went to the capacitors, Checked all the capacitors associated the the compressor and while not maybe original they are at least 30 years old and they were all good.Checked the one I put in for the condenser fan and you can guess the rest. Had saved the old one and miracle of miracles I finally remembered where I put it. Happy ending everything great.Present day capacitors are poor. Dont know where they`re made Tasmania maybe. Due to leverage buy outs, no more capacitors are made in New Jersey.

Great post and good info!