Late summer here in Boston, MA can wreak havoc on air conditioning systems, as months of heavy use combine with the inevitable pre-Labor Day heat wave to create problems in many units (especially older ones). Among the issues you need to watch for this time of year is trouble with your capacitors, which can become worn through regular use and result in big trouble for your system.
A capacitor requires professional licensing and training to fix, and can be dangerous for the uninitiated to tamper with. But by understanding how it works and watching for capacitor issues with our air conditioner, you can get a jump on any emerging problems as quickly as possible.