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You\u2019ve probably experienced a car that has trouble getting started on a chilly winter day. The engine grinds, but it takes a few times before it turns over. This is an example of \u201chard starting.\u201d It can happen to any type of machinery that uses motors, no matter if it\u2019s powered by natural gas, petroleum, or electricity.<\/p>\n
Hard starting is a problem you might encounter with your air conditioning system. Although a hard-starting AC can continue to work at providing cool air to a house, it\u2019s not good for the system, it drains excess power, and it can eventually deal a fatal blow to the air conditioner. A hard-starting AC will make noises at startup and have trouble at how fast it can cool down the house.<\/p>\n
An air conditioner doesn\u2019t work the same way as a car, but if it can be said to have an equivalent to a car\u2019s engine, it\u2019s the compressor. The compressor is the component in the outdoor cabinet that puts refrigerant under high pressure so that it circulates through the indoor and outdoor coils to move heat out of the house. The motor running the compressor is the most powerful in an AC system\u2014it makes a familiar hum whenever the AC enters its cooling cycle.<\/p>\n
An air conditioner is hard starting when the compressor struggles to come on and stay on. There are different reasons this can happen. The capacitors that send voltage to the compressor\u2019s motor may be failing or the compressor might have lost lubrication. Sometimes it\u2019s a sign the air conditioner is worn down and ready to retire.<\/p>\n
Regardless of the source, you want expert technicians to look into hard starting as soon as possible. Hard starting puts enormous strain on the compressor, which will raise electrical bills and can lead to the compressor burning out. A burnt-out compressor usually spells the end of the entire AC system.<\/p>\n
A licensed technician can find out the reason for the hard-starting system, and from there determine the best way to remedy it. You can\u2019t do anything on your own about hard starting\u2014always call professionals.<\/p>\n
The most common solution to hard starting is for the technician to attach a hard start kit<\/strong> to the AC. This is a device that\u2019s designed to give the compressor an extra \u201ckick\u201d of voltage to overcome the resistance that\u2019s making it hard start. Technicians will usually do this if they believe the air conditioner still has a few good years of life in it. If they find the problem is failing capacitors, the technicians can replace them.<\/p>\n If the air conditioner is more than 15 years old, hard starting is a sign to have it replaced. Most air conditioners can last around 15 years but not much longer. It\u2019s more cost effective to have a new AC in place.<\/p>\n To take care of your air conditioning in Park Ridge, IL<\/a>, rely on ServiceMax. We\u2019re experts at diagnosing and solving all types of cooling system trouble.<\/p>\n