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HVAC Experts - Looking for Advice
Posted on 3/6/25 at 10:09 am
Posted on 3/6/25 at 10:09 am
So my HVAC tech came to the house yesterday for our semi-annual cleaning and check. He proposed 2 items for me, but I don't know if they are necessary or if he's just trying to sell me crap I don't need, so I'm looking for advice.
First, he said he said he saw what looked like mold or mildew in or ducts and proposed installing an Air Scrubber by Aerus at the cost of $1,200. Is this something I need and is that price reasonable?
Second, he said my outside compressor is pulling too many amps on start up an recommended installing a soft start kit at a cost of $1,000. Again, is this something I really need and, if so, is the cost reasonable?
Thanks for any input you can provide.
First, he said he said he saw what looked like mold or mildew in or ducts and proposed installing an Air Scrubber by Aerus at the cost of $1,200. Is this something I need and is that price reasonable?
Second, he said my outside compressor is pulling too many amps on start up an recommended installing a soft start kit at a cost of $1,000. Again, is this something I really need and, if so, is the cost reasonable?
Thanks for any input you can provide.
9
Posted on 3/6/25 at 10:24 am to jfw3535
I would absolutely put a soft start kit on your compressor. However, it costs $380 and took me about 20 minutes to install.
ETA yes it sounds like he's trying to sell you something.
ETA yes it sounds like he's trying to sell you something.
This post was edited on 3/6/25 at 10:25 am
Posted on 3/6/25 at 10:45 am to TheBoo
quote:
I would absolutely put a soft start kit on your compressor
Yep and you can install it yourself as stated. I recommend the Easy Start from MicroAir because my Rheem/Rudd wiring did not match any of their wiring diagrams, so I sent a tech support question with photos of the wiring via email on a Sat. Low and behold received a reply that evening. Installed it 2 years ago and it's been working fine.
This post was edited on 3/6/25 at 10:47 am
Posted on 3/6/25 at 10:55 am to jfw3535
quote:
Second, he said my outside compressor is pulling too many amps
You should witness this. Look up what your starting amps are for your unit, and watch him test it with his amp meter. He shouldn't have any problem with this.
If it is drawing too many amps, this is indicative of a possibly larger underlying problem that a soft start will not fix, only mask. He should at least attempt to find the cause, such as a weak or failing start capacitor, failing run capacitor, hard start issue, low voltage supply, compressor high resistance/locked rotor, dirty coils, faulty contactor, over/under charge, etc.
That said, technicians at too many companies are incentivized to sell things.
Posted on 3/6/25 at 11:28 am to jfw3535
Flat rate company selling things you don’t need. Change your air filter and hose your condenser coil every April and August. Keep your money for other senseless things.
Posted on 3/6/25 at 4:14 pm to jfw3535
A soft start kit on Amazon is $30 and you can watch a YouTube video on installing it. Pretty easy to do if you are handy, takes about 15 minutes.
Posted on 3/6/25 at 6:12 pm to Skippy1013
A hard start kit is $30, a soft start is $380. Soft starts are nice to have but not really needed unless you want to run it off a generator. I wouldn't pay $1,000 for it. A hard start kit is really just a band aid.
If you have mold in your ducts, it's most likely from an air leak. I wouldn't put a $1,200 scrubber in unless you were specifically looking to do it for allergies or something.
If you have mold in your ducts, it's most likely from an air leak. I wouldn't put a $1,200 scrubber in unless you were specifically looking to do it for allergies or something.
Posted on 3/6/25 at 7:44 pm to jfw3535
He didn’t look into ducts on a annual
Posted on 3/7/25 at 2:38 am to jfw3535
Once, I thought it would be a good idea to get my duct work cleaned. The company came and cleaned them. I watched the whole process and they got a shitload of dirt and mold out of the ducts. However, I saw no discernable improvement in the air quality in my house afterwards. As a result I would not pay to have that done again.
Posted on 3/7/25 at 7:02 am to jfw3535
Get a new HVAC company.
This one is trying to screw you.
This one is trying to screw you.
Posted on 3/7/25 at 7:54 pm to jfw3535
Put a soft start on for the cost of the part, $75.00. Had it checked over by an HVAC friend. Big reduction in Amp draw on startup. Will help the unit in the long run. Those prices are gouging you. Same with the mold issue.
Posted on 3/8/25 at 7:00 am to jfw3535
purchase a stand alone air purifier if youre worried about air quality. buy a soft start off amazon and make sure to pull disconnect to kill power to condenser before installing... you can do it
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