Why Do Lights Flicker When You Turn the AC On? Answering Elburn Residents’ Questions

Have you recently noticed a light flickering when the air conditioner turns on in your home? Why does this happen? While the symptom seems subtle and harmless enough, it could indicate potentially dangerous AC unit electrical problems.

Andersen Plumbing, Heating and AC Repair is your trusted provider of comprehensive AC services in Elburn, IL. Our technicians have encountered this problem a time or two. We’ll explore why this happens and what you can do about it below. 

The Relationship Between Your Electrical Infrastructure and HVAC System

The average modern air conditioning system runs on electricity. Your cooling equipment in Elburn, Illinois, requires plenty of electricity to initiate a cycle, so it can cause an AC startup power surge. The surge draws enough power for all the components to begin functioning for a full cycle.

This intense air conditioner electrical draw can manifest as a light flickering when the air conditioner turns on. Why? It typically indicates either unfit or outdated HVAC or electrical components within your building. Let’s dive into the more common causes below. 

You Have a Problematic Capacitor

The capacitor is responsible for supplying sufficient electricity to the air conditioner for startup and stores enough power to juice the air conditioner to life. Think of it as a battery for your HVAC system. 

Over time, the capacitor might lose its ability to gradually gather and store power. As a result, the air conditioner must suck electricity directly from your electrical network instead of this essential component. This causes a noticeable decrease in indoor illumination since your Elburn power grid must allocate energy from other sources. 

Some Wires Have Loosened or Become Frayed

Alternatively, you might have some home electrical issues to address. The air conditioner might function perfectly well on its own, but some external part of your network struggles to support it. When you notice a light flickering when the air conditioner turns on, think back to the last time you scheduled a professional wire inspection. 

Damaged or insecure wires can’t adequately maintain a consistent, safe electrical circuit. The ones connecting your air conditioner to the circuit might be frayed, which entices the system to draw excessive electricity. This will affect consistent illumination in your home. 

The wires attached to your light design could also be the problem. They might struggle to establish a connection when the voltage drops upon HVAC startup, causing flickering lights.  

Your Air Conditioner Overloads Your Building Circuitry in Elburn, Illinois

Finally, an electrical circuit overload could be the culprit of the spooky lighting issues plaguing your home in Elburn, Illinois. Overloads typically occur for the following reasons:

• You have too many appliances and devices depending on the same circuit. Let’s say your air conditioner draws power from the same circuit as your refrigerator, washing machine, and dryer. You might need to disperse the appliances to different circuits. 
• The circuit cannot adequately support your air conditioner. Your circuit might not be equipped to supply your air conditioner with sufficient power, especially if it’s old. This can cause a light to flicker when the air conditioner is turned on. 
• The electrical panel cannot balance the power demands. You might need to retrofit or upgrade your electrical panel altogether. Otherwise, the problem will persist and potentially damage your air conditioner and other internal electrical components. 
• Your grounding system isn’t doing its job. If your circuit lacks steady grounding, it can suffer from imbalanced electricity distribution.

So what can you do to assuage the above-listed problems? 

What To Do About a Light Flickering When Your Air Conditioner Turns On

You should generally avoid trying to handle any electrical problems on your own. Electricity provides modern convenience, but it’s still incredibly dangerous when handled by someone without experience. Shut your air conditioner off and contact an HVAC technician in Elburn, Illinois. 

They will conduct light-flickering troubleshooting tests to see if the air conditioner is causing the issue. They can ensure the air conditioner’s capacitor and wiring functions safely. If they can’t fix the problem, talk with a nearby electrician about circuitry, panel upgrades, and other electrical services.