Why Use a Hard Start Kit?

You probably know that your air conditioner is going to use the most energy when it is just starting up, as opposed to when it is just running continuously. That is why short cycling, in which the system starts and stops too frequently, is such a problem.

You probably know that your air conditioner is going to use the most energy when it is just starting up, as opposed to when it is just running continuously. That is why short cycling, in which the system starts and stops too frequently, is such a problem. Starting the AC up over and over again not only wastes energy, but it also puts a lot of unnecessary strain on the compressor. This is due to the fact that the AC has to get the everything up and running and the refrigerant moving from a full stop each time it starts up. In fact, your AC may use anywhere from 5-10x as much power when starting up as it does when it is running. Using a hard start kit can greatly benefit your air conditioner in Highland Beach, FL.

How Does a Hard Start Kit Work?

A hard start kit cannot eliminate the power surge that your air conditioner will experience when first starting up. What it can do, though, is greatly cut down on the amount of time that it takes for your compressor to get up and running. Many kits can cut this startup time in half, which really adds up over the course of our long heating season, when your air conditioner is starting up many thousands of times. The kit serves to give the compressor a boost when it is just getting going, powering it through the startup process.

Benefits of Using a Hard Start Kit

Say your car breaks down, and you have to push it off of the road a bit. You are going to need some help to get it going, right? Once you've built up a bit of momentum, though, you'll probably be able to push it along on your own. The hard start kit does much the same thing. Once it provides the extra power necessary to get your air conditioner running, it's job is done. The other components, including the run capacitor, can take it from there. By cutting down on the strain when starting up the system, you cut down not only on energy consumption, but on the level of wear and tear that increases the risk of damages and which may shorten the lifespan of your home cooling system.

Call All-Pro Electrical & Air Conditioning today to schedule service.