Hard Start Kits Expand Appliance Life and Save Energy
If you have an appliance with a compressor, like a refrigerator, freezer, ice machine, or air conditioner, you may be able to extend their life and reduce energy cost by installing a hard start kit.
Appliances like refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners must continually measure and maintain temperatures throughout the day. To do this, they automatically turn off when the temperature gets too hot or cool. Not only does this prevent the unit from overheating, it also allows them to maintain a desired temperature.
Once the compressor switch is “off,” the unit lets surrounding air increase (or decrease) the temperature. Once the air gets a little warmer (or cooler), the compressor unit switches back on to regulate the temperature.
Constantly Restarting a Compressor Wears Down the Unit and Eats Up Energy
Since the refrigerator, freezer, or air conditioner is working to maintain a very narrow range of temperatures, the units are turning off and on all day long. Over time, this constant on/off cycle wears out the compressor and puts more pressure on the system each time it must restart.
When the unit needs the compressor to start cooling, it begins an energy-intensive process. In fact, starting up a compressor requires four to eight times more electric current than running it continuously!
Over time, these constant starts and stops are one of the most wearing functions for a compressor. To compound this, as a compressor ages, it takes more and more time for the motor to reach the ideal operating speed, Consequently, it must increase the duration of the motor’s amp current draw, which means that the motor uses even more energy as it ages. If the duration gets too long, it can cause a system overload, which may cause the circuit breakers to trip.
How Can a Hard-Start Reduce Energy Needs and Increase Durability for a Commercial Refrigerator, Freezer, or Air Conditioner?
The hard-start kit operates on the premise that if you can reduce the inrush currents duration, you’ll make it easier and more energy efficient to restart the compressor. By giving the compressor a boost, the hard-start kit’s built-in start capacitor is able to reduce the inrush current’s duration to a time period the circuit breaker can safely handle.
Hard start kits also extend the life of your compressor and components. The quick energy boost reduces the wear and tear experienced during start and stops. It does this by connecting and disconnecting the electrolytic motor's starting capacitor into the motor’s start-winding circuit. The relay is also able to disconnect the start capacitor when the motor reaches two-thirds its operating speed, saving considerable on wear and energy needed.
When you install a relatively inexpensive hard start kit, you’re giving the compressor of the refrigerator, freezer, or air conditioner an added power boost when it turns on. This boost of energy is much shorter than the traditional start up time for a compressor. Importantly, a hard-start can reduce the amount of power needed so dramatically that it may increase the energy efficiency of the unit by up to 98%.
Check out McCombs Supply Co., Inc. today to find the Robertshaw hard start kits you need. If you can’t track down the parts you need, let us know and we’ll locate them for you.
