Hard Start Kits - What are They and Do you Need One?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ส.ค. 2024
- One of the most common things HVAC service technicians come across is a failing compressor or a worn-out capacitor due to an influx of damaging electricity. One way to avoid this surge of electricity is using hard start kits. In this video we’ll discuss what they are, who should consider them, and go over their cost. By the end of this video, you’ll know whether or not a hard start kit is worth adding to your HVAC system.
0:00 Introduction
0:57 What is a hard start kit?
2:39 Who should consider a hard start kit?
3:14 How much does a hard start kit cost?
3:34 Why isn't a hard start kit included on all units?
3:55 What are the next steps?
We hope by the end of this video you'll have a better understanding of what a hard start kit is and why they play an important role in prolonging the life of an air conditioner or heat pump. If you’d like more information on hard starts kits or other heating and cooling needs visit the link in the description below. If you found this video helpful, feel free to subscribe and give us a like. Thank you for watching and we look forward to making your day better.
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Fire & Ice Heating and Air Conditioning proudly serves Columbus, Ohio and the surrounding areas. Our service area includes Bexley, Blacklick, Canal Winchester, Columbus, Delaware, Dublin, Gahanna, Galena, Galloway, Grandview, Grove City, Hilliard, Lewis Center, New Albany, Obetz, Pataskala, Pickerington, Powell, Reynoldsburg, Sunbury, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Whitehall, and Worthington. - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
As a HVAC tec, I approve this video. We’ll done on this video. This is a very accurate explanation of what these are used for.
Thanks for the video. Just had a hard start ("kick start") kit installed on my less than 2 year old system at the recommendation of my service tech. Your explanation of the rationale for this device makes me glad I got it.
How is your unit running with the hard start? I’m still on the fence on installing a hard on a normally working unit. It seems that the HVAC technicians are in disagreement on whether it is beneficial or not worth the risks that it could ruin an otherwise working compressor that does not have problems starting.
@jamestran3768 I haven't had any problems with it. I wasn't aware of the debate over it among technicians. I went with the advice of my serviceman, in addition to having a UV light unstalled.
great information, to the point, no non sense and easy to understand ..well done
I’m learning on a 2005 Goodman purchased with the house I bought
Thanks for the tip
Do your research on hard vs soft start. Hard starts really only apply where you have an older unit with a compressor that is having starting problems. Soft start while more expensive offer more benefits. Several very good video from the HVAC School channel do a deep dive into the positives & negatives of both devices.
Ye i have a new unit and I consider a soft start...i got confused for a sec
I saw the HVAC school video and got scared to install a hard start kit.
I've been in this HVAC how-to mode lately and watched lots and lots of HVAC videos from lots of people who seem to know what they're doing, I've learned alot, but the best thing I've learned so far is that the HVAC School videos should be the very first reference source for all this HVAC stuff. Always, for everything HVAC related.
Unless it's the OEM kit sold by the manuf. for newish, still in warranty units or it's a last-resort thing to get the unit working again.@@PrincessAlexisfuntime
Excellent explanation! Thanks!
My grandmas air conditioner has a hard start kit on its compressor, it was installed in may of 2004, it is now 2023 and it is still working. We are replacing it next week due to other issues. Old amana packaged heat pump. Unit was installed in 1978.
I’m replacing my York “table top” heat pump circa 1980. What did you end up replacing with
@@darylcuster4417 replaced it with a goodman 3.5 heat pump
Most walk in refrigeration systems with pump down must have hard start kit since the pressures in suction line and liquid line are different which needs high torque to start
I will be getting one installed as I'm going to an off grid solar setup.
Thanks for the great explanation 👍💪
Thanks for the sharing
Thanks for explaining this issue in a simple way that we could easily understand.
The hard start kit worked for my 15 year old unit. Compressor would not kick on, but after installing the hard start kit. Works like before! Hopefully get one year out of it? Thanks for your help!
Great. Most of the time you can get that or more.
@fireiceheatingandaircondit4363 that's good news!
Thank you.
thanks for info I'm inquiring about starting a career in HVAC wish me luck
good information
Do I need a 3-1 hard start kit? What is best HS kit for standard residential AC?
My 25+ y o Lennox 4t unit has always had a funny start. Initially it started with a significant bang for a few years then settled down for several years and for the last five or so years it seems to have a pregnant pause combined with a vibration. The time period is about 1-2 nanoseconds maybe three. Can you give me a guess? on wtf I can do to get it resettled down. Otherwise it works as expected short of needing about a half pound of refrigerant every couple years or so. Holds pressure for 24 hours. Thanks
My blower fan “hits” hard when it is cycled on. (Think; every time the AC cycles on at night, it wakes me up) Can a hard start kit be installed on the blower fan capacitor to help soften the startup ?
Could this bring back a seemingly failed compressor? If so, how can I find a Trane (American Standard) manufacturer specified 521 kit for 2.5 ton unit?
Thank yout
Is the wiring the same when installing on a package unit vs a split unit? I put one on a package unit and it works great. I put one on the condenser unit outside and it smoked the hard start capacitor. I wired it as instructed. Actually I put kits on two package unit with all working fine. I put a kit on two split units and smoke both times. I feel certain I wired it correctly. Thanks
We don’t have package units in Columbus Ohio, so I can’t answer your question as we don’t know unequivocally.
thanks.
Thanks for watching
Great video. My question is a friend of mine bought 13,000 gas n gasoline generator along with a 10 circuit transfer switch which I installed for him. I bought a micro air easy start kit for his 4 ton a/c unit. But it has a solid state relay hard start capacitor. Do I need the soft start kit or can I by pass the hard start capacitor or stay with the hard start capacitor!!
No idea
So I can run a small generator (like a portable Westinghouse 2200 invertor generator) to power my Furion 15K RV roof AC, what is the difference between a Hard Start kit, a Soft Start kit, and an EZ start, for my 15K RV roof AC unit. On my last RV, the manufacture (Dometic) they just sent me an additional capacitor and they told me to never install an EZ start kit.
It would be great if you could explain the differences, and applications, for Hard Start versus Soft Start kits, and especially make note of benefits for homes considering a generator for backup.
A hard start cap has a relay that turns off the additional cap within a second. It's use if brief, it's a boost, only to get the compressor moving. Test your existing cap with a meter. If marginal, replace it but make sure the replacement cap is correct on volts, mf and size/shape.
@@Barryd57 Thanks for the info, but the request was for a comparison of hard start versus soft start, and the relation to generator use.
I would like to know the difference between hard start and soft when using a portable generator. Not sure what I need and or why
@@aquazilla645 they both address the initial start spike. generators have a surge allowance that can allow a smaller generator to be used. i prefer soft start.
That is a sick name for an hvac company
Tx for watching
Great video. I have an older RV. The AC was "clicking" and I swapped out the three compactors. Everything works fine, but since it's an early 90's RV AC, I was wondering if I should install a hardstart kit. Thoughts? Thanks and subbed.
I would not hazard a guess on mobile homes as we do not have experience with them.
@@fireiceheatingandaircondit4363 OK. Thanks for the insight.
Do a video with Micro-Air Easy Start and compare it to a Hard Start kit and whIch do you reccomend.
We only use hard start kits. We don’t do videos on other products
Could adding a hard start kit void the warranty on the condenser?
I don’t think so. Some manufacturers have already add it to their units when you buy new units
How do I know if my system has a variable speed? Is there a way to verify a serial number to obtain result?
Your blower motor has 4-6 wires of different colors, or it has 20 white ones. All white = variable speed
I installed one on my variable speed heat pump. I noticed you don't recommend a hard start kit for a variable speed system. Should I unintall the hard start kit or just leave it because there is some benefit still?
Uninstall it
@@fireiceheatingandaircondit4363 thank you
Can you use hard start on scroll compressor?
Yes
I have a 3-unit Carrier system that is 10 years old - 2 units for the 1st floor and a smaller unit for the upstairs home theater. My question is - is it worth it to install 3 hard-start kits on a system of this age? I like in Texas so we get brutally hot summers.
Hard start kits exist to lengthen lifespan
I have a Lennox 2 stage 1 seer 5 ton unit, the lights dim when it fires on, do I need a hard start kit? Can I even put one in on a 2 stage unit ?
It can take one, but it may not help that problem, depends on size of circuit needed and what you have, as well as power available to the house at the time
If you live out in the country and you line to your home is more than 250 feet away, you may have a substantial voltage drop. I'm sure a hard start kit will help and make sure line can carry current for all your home needs like water pumps, etc.
I'am an electrician but not an HVAC guy!! Would reall appreciate some feed back from you or any other qualify HVAC person. Thank You>>
Feedback on?
should i add a soft start to my new ac unit over the hard start?
Not if your unit is running ok
Yes don’t listen to them. Soft start will definitely increase the lifespan of your compressor. It’s an upgrade, so even though not necessary, a great choice
@1:48: You stated that the hard-start capacitor stores a charge for the next start, but at the time stamp, you can clearly see a bleed resistor. So, it appears to me as if that hard-start capacitor is acting as a current buffer at start and shut-off, not as a boost upon start-up. Am I misinterpreting what's shown at the time stamp?
No, you are just reading the videographer may have cut the film a little wrong. These are General videos for people looking for some knowledge, not those who already have it. Thank you for watching so closely
ELI the ICE man. Voltage leads(by 90 degrees) current in an inductor. Current leads (by 90deg) Voltage in a capacitor. For every volt of potential stored in a capacitor there is a coulomb of charge stored a well. 1 coulomb of charge is equal to 1 amp. So if your start cap is charged to 240VAC there is 240amps of current availible to be discharged to the compressor. If you dont bleed that cap with a resistance you have welding level current available. Dont believe it? Charge a 1 Farad cap up to 24VDC and place a insulated screwdrver across the terminals. You will get a nice blue arc and a nice chunk of metal instantly vaporized for your screwdriver🤣
Would you install a hard start kit on a air conditioner that is blowing one fuse periodically or change out the compressor under warranty? Thanks
If unit is under warranty, then I would get it fixed. If that means the compressor, so be it.
whats the best hard start kit for a Ameristar 2 Ton a/c split system
Any of them should work
Does 5 2 1 kit works for a 2 1/2 tons system with not variable speed?
5 2 1 ?
Yes. Make sure it’s for the correct tonnage.
My 2.5 ton 6 yr. old unit is working normal until around 2 pm and the temp went up from 77 to 83-85 daily until about midnight then the temp would return to normal and cool overnight. I had 2 tech's say the compressor needed to be replaced and one (1) said I needed Freon in the coils. He's going to order the necessary part and also suggested using a hard start kit. I really can't decide if I should let him install it. PLEASE HELP!!!
I’m sorry, without knowing the pressures and temperatures and airflow the unit is getting, I don’t have enough info to fathom a guess. Usually if a compressor is bad there is a reason or problem that caused that to happen. I would ask them why did the compressor go bad. If the unit is overheating and locking up the compressor, the hard start kit will not solve the problem. If it does need Freon, that means it’s leaking somewhere so that is an additional problem.
@@fireiceheatingandaircondit4363 Thank you so much for responding. I'm going to have him install the kit because we have a lot of storms here and a lot of power outages. I was told this can cause a compressor to go bad. (BTW) he added some Freon to the unit to hold me until the part comes and the AC is working normal so in my opinion this Tech knows what he's doing more than the other 2. Thanks to your video I'm going to let him install the Kit. 🙏🏻
after install original 5-2-1 hard start kit, seem the AC when turn on sound like it kick in louder harder than before, pls help why
It does kick in harder
@@fireiceheatingandaircondit4363 hope it ok not hurting my compressor
@@fireiceheatingandaircondit4363 the kick sound seem like from the fan start, i replaced new cap OEM and new 521
Will it void warranties on brand new equipment?
In 20 years, it never has for us
@@fireiceheatingandaircondit4363 Awesome, thanks.
Video never bothers to show an AC with and without the kit starting. Is it quieter? "Hard Start" seems to be a bad name for this kit. I just bought a soft start and will install it myself for $300. Seems like I made the right choice as the soft start is very quiet on my RV AC. The capacitors in these AC units are designed to die at ten years so they can sell you a new AC unit. A surge protector can make them last longer, but a surge protector costs about the same as a new capacitor that will last another ten years.
Kit makes 0 noise
Will a hard start kit protect against a power surge?
No
After the power would flicker here in south Florida during a storm, my new unit would take up to 4 hours to restart. By then it could be 90 degrees in the house. After I added the 5-2-1 hard start kit, it takes 5 minutes to start every time. That was 10 years ago and it still runs like new. So no it doesn’t protect it but it gets it going quickly.
Just had someone try and charge $500 to replace a hard start kit. What does the part cost, $20? Crazy
These kits are a band-aid for compressors with start issues. That's the reason manufacturers don't design compressors with them.
I have two 2 ton compressors going strong 21 years. I did try one kit and it did in fact reduced LRA and light dimming at start-up. However it added another point of failure which it did fain within in a year.
Haven't looked back since... There is no better mousetrap and snake oil is for fools money.
No, not for fools at all. The soft-starts work well to prevent light dimming and to prevent the compressor "hammer" at start-up. Especially if that condensor is right outside your bedroom... I'll take the chance of a failure rather than being woken up every time the compressor starts..
The start capacitor doesn't STORE the energy, it allows more current to flow the 90 degree run circuit that then gives more torque to start the compressor. The run circuit only uses a couple of amps in normal running. The startup circuit adds a few more amps while starting
Your 2nd & 3rd sentence are very correct
I found the problem. Not wiring but a dislodged plastic piece that should have opened the circuit to the hard start capacitor. Shoddy parts I would say.
I’m glad you were able to solve your issue
Seems like the “hard start kits” just a faster acting cap.
It stays in the system for just one second or two; only during system start-up!
$350? I was just quoted over $625 to install one
Sorry to hear that.
Get another quote. The part is only around $50.
That's for a life-time warranty for an installed hard start kit. lol.
My company quoted me $700. I knew the cost of the part, so I told them to forget it.
Why would anyone pay $300-$500 to install a $30 part?? Any homeowner can diy it pretty easy
Ya I was thinking that too as long as you can get the right part.
$300 - $350? A good hard-start kit costs $40-$70 retail and is simple to install.
The cost to run a business, hire and train technicians, put them in a van, stock that van, insure that van, and build this video so we can have this conversation are just a few of hundreds of items that have to be calculated into every single repair a service company has.
@@fireiceheatingandaircondit4363 Very well stated, it's very easy to condemn the high cost but it is expensive to run a quality business. That van also has to get to and from the service location, that costs money. The reality is if the customer could do it, they wouldn't be calling out a technician. Thank you for the quality videos.
I had a new capicitor and hard start kit installed 212 bucks all in. You have to shop around, there are plenty of Heat and Air outfits around
@@fireiceheatingandaircondit4363 A restaurant ALSO costs a lot to run and has lots of overhead, but bacon and eggs won't usually set you back $100.00
@@tripjet999Apples and oranges analogy.
Thank you.
Thanks for watching