What is a Compressor Hard Start Kit?
A Compressor Start Kit is needed in your air conditioning system to help it start up. Part of the compressor start kit is a potential relay which kicks the Start capacitor out of series in the unit when the compressor has started. Once your air conditioner kicks on your run capacitor provides running torque when the motor is up and running. Your Hard Start Kit only works on start up of your compressor. In other words a Hard Start Kit helps your air conditioner compressor start up smoothly to manufacturer specifications.
My Air Conditioner Doesn’t Have A Start Kit Do I Need One?
It can help reduce damage to your air conditioner, to many “AMPS” can cause damage to your contactor relay and reduce the life of your compressor. More than often when a technician is recommending a Compressor Hard Start kit or Compressor Saver they will find the contactor is worn out and burnt at contacts. A damaged contactor relay can fail shut, meaning when you turn your air conditioner off at your thermostat you may see notice your outdoor air conditioner compressor and condenser fan running. When that happens your system will start freezing over and cause major damage to your central system. If your air conditioner is not equipped with safety devices such as low or high pressure switches, properly sized fuses etc… your air conditioner can in a sense run until something gives, chances are your compressor will damage and start over amping until your breaker flips.
How Do You Know If Your Air Conditioner Is Starting Hard?
- Air Conditioner Starts Then Shuts OFF ( Internal Compressor Switch Turns it OFF )
- Loud Air Conditioner, Bang on Start Up ( If Your Neighbor Can Hear It, Have it Looked At )
- Your Compressor or Outdoor Unit Flips The Breaker ( Your AC Is Using More Energy Than It Was Designed For )
- Flickering Lights When Air Conditioner Is First Turned On
Should I Replace My Compressor?
If your Compressor is more than 10 Years old and in need of a Hard Start Kit there is a high probability your compressor will be going out soon. A Hard Start Kit should not be looked at as a fix, talk to your service technician about getting a quote on replacing your compressor in your system is under 8 Years old a replacement compressor may not be hard to find. What will determine the a good chunk of the price of replacing your compressor is determined by what kind of refrigerant your system is using? is it R-410A? or R-22? Can a replacement refrigerant be used on your system if it is R-22 to bring the price down a few hundred dollars? Is it better to replace my entire system?
Contact your service professional for a solution to this problem, Make sure they are licensed and have good online reviews on Google, Yelp Etc.
Below Common Start Kits Used on Air Conditioners 5 Ton and Below
3 Wire Set Up Hard Start Kit
2 Wire Set Up Hard Start Kit
