AC Repair Basics: Could a Hard Start Kit Lower Your Electric Bill?
Does your air conditioner take a long time to start a cooling cycle? Or does it have a very short cooling cycle? Is your electric bill going higher each summer during air conditioning season? If so, you might be in need of a specific type of AC repair. You may want to consider an HVAC hard start kit. Before you can make such a decision, we need to lay out some basic mechanical engineering definitions.
How Air Conditioning Actually Works
Air conditioners do not actually cool the air; they remove the heat from the home and therefore reduce the temperature. Engineers use the principles of thermodynamics and engineered refrigerant: when the refrigerant is compressed in an enclosed space, the temperature rises, but when the pressure is released, the temperature decreases very quickly. Coils of this gas encounter hot air from the home. The cold acts as a heat magnet, and the refrigerant carries the heat outside.
The Compressor: The Heart of Your System
The compressor is the heart of the air conditioner; it is responsible for compressing the refrigerant for the process described above. The compressor is precisely controlled by pressure and temperature sensors. Because starting a motor from a standstill is the largest use of energy in the cooling process, this is often the primary focus of an AC repair evaluation.
The Role of the Capacitor
A capacitor is an electrical component that stores energy locally and discharges it very quickly, directly where it is needed. During a standard AC repair or maintenance check, a technician looks at the capacitor because it:
- Discharges the intense jolt of electricity a compressor needs to start well.
- Makes the startup much more efficient.
- Reduces stress on the air conditioner components.
What is a Hard Start Kit?
Hard start kits are troubleshooting tools used in AC repair to overcome compressor starting problems. It serves as a secondary capacitor for systems that do not have a start capacitor or whose original capacitor is weak and failing.
Do All Air Conditioners Have a Start Capacitor?
Not every unit is built the same, which is why a professional diagnosis is key to effective AC repair.
- Older Systems: Old air conditioner systems and heat pumps were designed with separate start capacitors and run capacitors.
- Modern Systems: Some new systems use a dual run capacitor, which combines both functions into one.
- Value Systems: Some newer systems skip the start capacitor entirely, using only a run capacitor.
While older systems have components that eventually weaken, even a newer system with a dual capacitor can experience a weakened state. Systems with only a run capacitor often benefit from a hard start kit to prevent a future AC repair emergency. A general term for these problems is a “hard-starting compressor.”
What’s a Homeowner to Do?
When a homeowner recognizes these symptoms, the proper response is to call for a professional AC repair technician, like our quality professionals at Doctor Cool. With a thorough investigation and diagnosis, the tech can confirm the stress caused by startup problems. Using manufacturer standards, the technician can recommend and install a hard-start kit to solve the issue, protecting your equipment and your wallet.
Schedule Your Professional AC Repair Diagnostic Today
Don’t let a struggling compressor drive up your energy bills or lead to a costly system failure. Call Doctor Cool at 281-516-8043 today to schedule an AC repair appointment and let our expert technicians perform a comprehensive diagnostic on your unit. We will evaluate your system’s health and discuss whether a hard start kit is the right solution to keep your home cool and efficient all summer long.