The HVAC guy is here doing the annual inspection of our heating and A/C and he’s suggesting installing a hard-start capacitor on our fairly-new system. It’s an added charge (200sh dollars for the part and labor). Anyone know anything about what the benefit is, and whether this is likely to be a ripoff?
Why is he recommending it? I’m not an HVAC guy but I do work in industrial electronics, a hard-start capacitor, to my knowledge, is there to provide more starting torque on a single-phase motor. In other words, you would need it if the compressor is starting under heavy load. If your evaporator coil has a TXV (thermostatic expansion valve) you may need one.
I am not an HVAC guy but a quick search seems to indicate they are not strictly necessary but are called for in some situations.
Read these:
http://www.alpinehomeair.com/viewcategory.cfm?categoryID=138
Hard start kit.Do i need it? (particularly the second post and the last post)
Thanks folks! We do indeed have a TXV valve. The rationale was that it can give the compressor a bit of extra power upon startup, as opposed to drawing all the power it needs just then from the household current. Supposedly it’ll reduce some wear and tear on the compressor and increase the compressor’s lifespan somewhat.
I had found those same links and though they weren’t strongly for or against, they gave me the idea that it at least wasn’t unreasonable, and might help a bit.