At Rosie on the House, we have been hearing about an increase in an air conditioner upgrade called a “hard start kit” being sold to folks that may not have needed it. That being said, hard start kits can be an extremely worthwhile upgrade to your AC compressor. Let’s look at what they are, how they work, and give y’all some helpful DIY tips on how to determine if your unit would benefit from one.
What Is a Hard Start Kit?
A hard start kit is essentially a capacitor. That is a device that can hold an electric charge and disperse that charge when called upon. These are used to help your compressor get started when it is called upon to start compressing coolant to cool off your home. Typically, a compressor initially needs a much higher amount of electricity to get it started, and once started, it will use less electricity. The hard start kit provides an extra boost of electricity needed by the compressor every time it starts.
Todd Russo of REEis Air Conditioning, a Rosie on the House Certified Partner, tells us, “The hard start acts like a battery to get coolant flowing at startup. It is the startup of the compressor that puts the most strain on that device and causes them to wear out over time, especially on days over 105 degrees. A unit can use up to 10 times more power on startup than running speed.”
What Our Certified Partners Have to Say.
Now we know what the hard start kit does, we asked some of our Rosie on the House Certified Partners to give us their thoughts on hard start kits.
Bryan, with Integrity HVAC in Phoenix, says these kits can be effective “usually in an older compressor.”
Tony, with Temperature Control Inc. of Tucson, tells us, “There’s no certain age. If you are having issues, hard start kits are always good.”
So, what are those “issues?”
Here are some symptoms to look for where a hard start kit might be helpful. Remember, this is all about the compressor, which is the most expensive part in your AC unit.
Electrical usage, as reflected in your utility bill, is on the rise.- The lights in your home dim when the compressor starts, or the circuit breaker is tripping. This is a clear indicator that too much power is being consumed.
- Air flow is reduced, or hot air is blowing into the house. Both are signs your compressor may be having trouble.
- You hear all manner of strange noises when the compressor starts up. The compressor is vibrating, or you are hearing a knocking sound at startup.
- The compressor fails to turn on.
If any of these symptoms are not what you are experiencing, you might not need a hard start kit. A caution flag should go up if you are having your system evaluated and prepped for summer, and a technician says you need a hard start kit and you are not experiencing any of the symptoms. All these symptoms should be evaluated by a certified, ROC-licensed, bonded, and insured HVAC contractor.
An inspection will consist of a visual component, an audible component, and a physical testing of the equipment to rule out any failure or operational inefficiency of any other parts. They will ask you how old the system is and determine the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). If your unit is generally less than 10 years old, and less than a 14 SEER, then the compressor may benefit from a hard start kit.
Todd says, “Most HVAC repairs are visual. Ask the tech to show you when they say you need something.”
Bryan agrees. “If you’ve never had an issue then you probably don’t need one.”
Tony says, “Trust the intuition of the homeowner, trust your gut.”
The Costs.
What is the likely cost of adding a hard start kit? While different markets will make costs vary, the general consensus is that a hard start kit should cost between $300 to $400 per compressor (as of June 2023).
We have heard horror stories from folks paying as much as $600 to $800 for a hard start kit. The rip-off usually occurs when you call for a seasonal prep and check, and a tech tells you that a hard start kit is needed. Make them explain and show you the symptoms we mentioned above and give you a price. We strongly recommend getting a second opinion if you are not feeling comfortable or have not experienced any problems.
There are good reasons for adding a hard start kit. They can add years of life to your compressor, which as we have said, is the most expensive part in your air conditioning system.
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Homeowner Handbook: #HardStartKit
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