By reducing the strain on the compressor during startup, a hard start kit can help prolong its life, delaying the need for a costly replacement. Additionally, by improving the efficiency of your AC unit, a hard start kit can help reduce your energy consumption and lower your utility bills.
A hard start kit can prolong the life of your AC unit if the compressor is the source of the problem. If you have a newer unit that's otherwise in great condition, installing a hard start kit is a solid choice. However, with older compressors, a hard start kit may not be worth installing.
Are Hard Start Capacitors a Permanent Solution? Hard start kits are designed for long-term use, and high-quality models last for many years or even decades.
It won't damage the compressor. It will smoke the start capacitor in about 90 seconds if the start relay doesn't take the start cap out of the circuit by then. Take a picture of the top of the start cap and check it again in 10 months.
A hard start kit is essentially just an extra capacitor and a relay, it takes some of the stress off your main cap. Won't reduce amps, but it will stop your other caps from blowing up, and it will keep your compressor starting until it locks up completely.
How Much Does a Hard Start Kit Cost? To have a hard start kit installed on your compressor, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $350. Our prices always include the cost of labor and parts. The overall price of a hard start kit is cheaper than paying for a compressor replacement which can be $2,500 or even more.
A hard start will shorten the life of your HVAC unit and can cause pre-mature failure to the compressor. While a SureStart® soft starter will extend the life of the compressor improving the longevity of your HVAC unit.
Think of your compressor as the unit's heart and apply the same lesson here. While a Compressor Saver is about 3 times the price of a Hard Start Kit, the use of one will help the compressor last longer, the air conditioner to cool more effectively, and ultimately cost less in the long run.
No, a hard start itself doesn't inject anything to contaminate the system. I have seen hard starts cause some weird operation to compressors that are in decent shape when the capacitor itself goes out of range or the relay fails but rarely is it THE reason for the exploded capacitor like what you have here.
The compressor could also fail at some point due to any of the following issues: Dust, dirt, and other debris in the coils. Damaged suction lines. Bacteria, fungi, insects, and other contaminants in the compressor.
While every unit is different, and every homeowner has a different understanding of when their central air conditioner is broken beyond repair, it's fair to say that, with proper maintenance and care, you can expect a good 15 to 20 years of cooling from a new high efficiency air conditioning system.
The size and power rating of the hard start kit should be appropriate for the size and power rating of your compressor. If the kit is too small, it may not provide enough power to start the compressor. If it's too large, it may overload the compressor or cause other problems.
Hard start kits added to a new compressor greatly reduce this strain on the compressor windings while possibly extending the life of the compressor. This reduction in start-up inrush current may also reduce operational cost as well as stopping light flicker.
Note that if the HVAC unit utilizes a scroll compressor, hard start kits aren't generally needed. Hard starters typically cost less than soft starters. However, the forcefulness of a hard start can cause compressor parts to deteriorate faster.
The 5-2-1 Compressor Saver (hard start kit) significantly reduces the amount of time it takes for your air conditioner to start – SAVING YOUR MONEY AND PROTECTING YOUR EQUIPMENT. Your air conditioner uses anywhere from 5 to 10 times more power on start-up than it does while running.
It improves the efficiency of the AC by enabling the compressor to turn on faster. Since the compressor has to work the hardest in the first couple of seconds, a hard start kit can alleviate much of that effort. The improved efficiency also reduces wear and tear on AC components other than the compressor.
If the compressor won't start, the air conditioner simply won't work. A compressor will hard-start when it has difficulty overcoming the pressure difference inside it. This can be due to a failing capacitor, trouble with the compressor's motor, or wear and tear inside the compressor itself.
If the run capacitor is going out then the hard start kit will start the compressor but it will operate at a higher amperage than designed. Running at a higher amperage is going to shorten the compressor's life. Another item in the circuit is the contactor, in older system's the contactor could have pitted contacts.
Hard Starting Kits and Your Central Air Conditioning
Additionally, if your air conditioner trips the circuit breaker when it tries to start, this could indicate that the compressor is drawing too much current at startup. In such cases, a hard start kit can help by reducing this current draw.
It's safe to use a hard start kit on a compressor temporarily, but it is not recommended as a permanent replacement for the original equipment as it could lead to premature wear and tear. Consult a professional for the long-term replacement.
Based on the data above, the rotary-screw and centrifugal compressors are the most efficient; they are able to produce the most cool air.
To have a hard start kit installed on your air conditioner or heat pump expect to pay between $300 and $350. At Fire & Ice our prices include the cost of both parts and labor. For comparison, a compressor replacement can cost $2,500 or more.
Before you replace your air conditioner, try adding a 5-2-1 Compressor Saver®. The 5-2-1 Compressor Saver® might save you from having to outlay thousands of dollars to buy a new air conditioner or compressor. At a fraction of the cost, installing the 5-2-1 Compressor Saver® is a wise investment.
Simply multiply your unit's tonnage by 3,500 (1 ton = 3,500 watts). So, on a 3.5 ton AC, the wattage would be 12,250 (2.5 x 3,500 = 12,250). Note: This method calculates your unit's starting wattage (also called “surge wattage”), which refers to how many watts an appliance requires just at start-up.