Last week, my home AC unit started to fail. Or started acting weird. Here's what's happened:
I started feeling hot humid air out of the vents instead of cold air. I checked the AC unit and noticed the fan was stuck and had a buzzing sound. I did some research and that pointed out to my capacitor being bad. OK! No problem, I purchased a capacitor and changed it myself. The fan of the AC unit started working. However, the fan was not functioning like before. This time it had a squeaking noise. A few days later the squeaking noise is gone. And the flow of air appears unaffected and cool. The capacitor I changed is the right one. That did solved the problem. However I dont know if the compressor is bad.

The AC unit I have is a Carrier unit
The AC unit is a little bit over 3 years old.
I live in Nevada where is very very hot.
I mention this because, aren't these units supposed to last 10 to 15 years?

Any sugestions to save me some money before I get raped by the AC companies out there. The capacitor I changed myself was $35.00. The company charges $95 to do it. So I tried to do most of the work myself, but there comes times that I dont know what else I could do.

Could you possibly have a bad fan? The squeaking might be a bearing or bushing that has failed.

Sorry, but your post is about as clear as mud.

"A/C quick working due to fan". Ok
"Changed out run capacitor and fan is working". Ok
"Fan had a squeaking noise, but is now gone". Ok

"and the flow of air appears unaffected and cool"
What air flow, indoor or outdoor?

Suggestions?
I'd have some, but you really haven't stated what the problem is currently.

Is it cooling now or not?

HVAC equipment should be lasting 18-20 yrs.

If the equipment is only 3 years old, shouldn't it still be under some level of warranty? The last system I had installed has a 5 or 10 year (can't remember right now) warranty on it.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
If the equipment is only 3 years old, shouldn't it still be under some level of warranty? The last system I had installed has a 5 or 10 year (can't remember right now) warranty on it.

Most all equipment has a standard 5 yr parts only warranty.
If registered properly, most will include a 10 yr parts warranty to the original owner.

The standard 1 yr labor warranty (some include 2 yrs) is provided and being absorbed by the installation company.

Then obviously, there are extended warranties which can be bought to cover parts and labor.

Cost him $35 to purchase and install the cap himself.
Would have cost him $95 for the HVAC company to install a free cap.

Manufactures do not pay labor. They will provide a new part to replace the defective part.
Any shipping or installation supplies are not covered by the manufacture.