What is an air conditioning and heating Hard Start Kit?
An air conditioning and heating system undergoes a lot of strain during summers. It must continuously operate to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. As the system ages, there is always a risk of it running into trouble due to wear and tear. One of the most common issues that an aging system faces is a hard-starting compressor. Before getting into the details of what a hard start kit is, it is essential to understand a bit about hard-starting.
What is hard-starting?
A compressor is one of the most crucial parts of an air conditioner. Hard-starting is when the compressor struggles to begin the cooling cycle and uses more power than it should during start-up. When an air conditioner hard starts, it fails to produce the desired cooling, shows flickering lights, makes humming and clicking noises, trips the circuit breaker, and has a brief operation period before shutting down again. It happens due to friction in an aging compressor, a failed capacitor, or compressor motor issues.
Hard-starting is a major malfunction that causes the compressor to burn out prematurely, eventually leading to complete system failure. It also drains high electric power, causing a significant increase in the utility bills
One of the most common fixes an air conditioning and heating contractor suggests for hard-starting is to attach a hard start kit to the compressor.
What is an HVAC hard start kit?
A hard start kit, or compressor saver, is an electrical component that assists the compressor start-up by overcoming the mechanical inertia it experiences. The hard start kit contains a relay and a start capacitor that gives the compressor motor an extra electrical boost every time it starts. This kick-start aids the HVAC system to turn on effectively without any delay.
How does a hard start kit work?
An air conditioner consumes four to eight times more electricity to start than it does while functioning; the stopped motor requires a significant energy push to attain proper velocity. Once the fan and pump turn on, they efficiently maintain that velocity and continue operating at the required speed without any additional assistance. A hard start kit can reduce start-up time by up to 50%, meaning less energy usage each time the system starts.
A hard start kit capacitor stores a significant amount of energy in advance to get the compressor motor operational at the optimal speed almost instantly. It reduces the strain on the compressor and adds a few more years to its life.
Benefits of a hard start kit
Here are a few advantages of installing a hard start kit in an HVAC system:
Extends compressor’s life
Offers better energy efficiency
Assists the compressor in starting during low voltage conditions
Low utility bills
Prevents flickering lights
Replacing a compressor is expensive. Though a temporary solution, an air conditioning and heating hard start kit adds a new lease of life to an aging compressor. However, if the unit is more than 15 years old, it is better to replace it. Call an air conditioning and heating contractor right away if there are power issues, the compressor makes noises or faces trouble starting up. They can inspect it and determine if it is beneficial to install a hard start kit for the system.
Above and Beyond Air Conditioning & Heating is a San Antonio residential and commercial air conditioning and heating company dedicated to providing the highest level of home comfort. Call us today at (210)794-9895.
