What a hard start kit actually does
A hard start kit gives the compressor an extra jolt of torque at the moment it starts, which can help a struggling compressor get moving. It's a legitimate part with a legitimate use — the problem is it gets sold as a blanket upgrade or a "just in case" add-on far more often than it's actually justified.
The one number that decides it: FLA
Full Load Amps (FLA)
Every compressor has a nameplate on the unit listing its FLA rating — the maximum amp draw it's rated to handle during normal operation, including startup. A hard start kit is only justified if the actual measured startup amp draw exceeds that FLA number. If it doesn't, the compressor is starting within its rated limits, and a hard start kit isn't solving a real problem.
What your technician should show you
Before you agree to a hard start kit, ask for two things:
- The FLA rating printed on your unit's nameplate — they should be able to show you exactly where it is and what it says.
- Proof the startup amps exceed it — ideally a video of the amp clamp reading during an actual startup, showing the number going over the FLA rating.
If a technician can't show you both of those, there's no justification for the part yet — and it shouldn't be installed. If it's not over FLA, don't install it.
Why the measurement matters
A hard start kit is a legitimate part — but it's only justified by a measured number, not a feeling. An aging compressor's startup draw can creep up over time, which is exactly why the FLA comparison should be measured, not assumed, on every visit where it comes up. We show you the reading before anything is installed.
Waiting on a diagnosis or a part during a hot stretch? We rent portable A/C units in Salt Lake City, delivered and set up same-day.
We'll show you the numbers, not just tell you
If a hard start kit is genuinely needed, we'll show you the FLA rating and the measured startup amps side by side — before you pay for anything.