Is $1,000 to install two hard start kits for AC units a fair price?
Project Details
I have a yearly subscription to a company for periodic maintenance of our AC units, water heaters, plumbing system, and electric system. The AC people came out last week and said that the amps at start are too high and that we need two hard starts for $1000 total. Our lights do flicker a tiny bit when the AC comes on, and I hear a click on the Carrier outside when it turns on. This is all new to me, and I'm just relaying what the tech said and what was in his pictures. I also have capacitor readings if they're useful. I'm wondering if I should get the hard start kits and if this is a good deal. It's my first house, and I enrolled in this 'family plan' with a major HVAC company, but now I'm stuck with it for another 9 months. I bought the house a few months ago, and it came with the units. I didn't realize the company paid their HVAC techs on commission until it was too late. I'm just now learning about soft start kits due to this discussion. For context, they previously quoted me $10,500 to upgrade electrical things (which I didn't do) and $400 to flush the drainage tube on the indoor AC unit (which I also didn't do).
Quote Details
The quote is for the installation of two hard start kits for the home's AC units. The technician indicated that the amps at start were too high for both units, leading to flickering lights and a clicking sound. - First AC Unit: 3.5 ton 2017 Trane - Trane LRA: 109 Amps (reading 109.5 at start) - Second AC Unit: 5 ton 2023 Carrier - Carrier LRA: 150 Amps (reading 153.4 at start)
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More Details
Category
HVAC
Price
$1,000
Quote Date
July 8, 2025
Location
Texas
Home Size
3,400 sq ft
Brand/model
2017 Trane, 2023 Carrier
BTU tonnage
3.5 Ton, 5 Ton
Fuel type
Electric
System type
Air conditioner
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