re: Ruud vs Carrier AC units

If you’re not getting a variable-speed system it wouldn’t be a bad idea to throw a soft starter on it. In my experience, the soft starter makes the compressor quieter. I’m not sure how the voodoo magic works since it pulls itself out of the circuit after full speed, but my 2 units are crazy quiet, even an old R22 American Standard built in 2003. Love my micro air starters.