Every time your air conditioner turns on, something happens that most homeowners never think about.

Your compressor has to start.

And getting that compressor from sitting completely still to running requires a lot more electrical current than keeping it running once it's already going.

It's normal. Your air conditioner has been doing it every summer for years.

But what if we could change the way that compressor starts?

That's exactly what a soft starter like EasyStart is designed to do.

So what does an EasyStart actually do? Does every air conditioner need one? Can it help if you have a generator? Does it reduce stress on the compressor?

And probably the biggest question:

Is it actually worth the money?

Let's break it down.

Your AC Uses the Most Starting Current When the Compressor Turns On

Your air conditioner's compressor is basically the heart of the refrigeration system.

Once it's running, it settles into its normal operating current. But getting that compressor started requires a much larger amount of electrical current for a very short period of time.

You've probably seen LRA, or Locked Rotor Amps, listed on the data plate of an outdoor air conditioning unit.

That doesn't mean your air conditioner continuously operates at that amperage. We're talking about the brief starting event.

Depending on your equipment and electrical system, you may even notice when it happens.

Maybe the lights dim slightly when the AC kicks on.

Maybe you hear the compressor hit hard when it starts.

And if you've ever tried running central air conditioning from a generator, you may have discovered something interesting:

The generator may have enough capacity to run the air conditioner once it's going but struggle with the electrical demand required to get the compressor started.

That's one of the problems a soft starter is designed to address.

What Does an EasyStart Actually Do?

At Simmons One Hour, the soft-start technology we're using is the EasyStart Flex from Micro-Air.

Instead of allowing the compressor to experience its normal high starting current, EasyStart electronically manages the startup process.

One of the things I like about this technology is that it learns the starting characteristics of the particular compressor.

After installation, EasyStart goes through a learning process and adapts how it starts that compressor.

According to Micro-Air, EasyStart can reduce compressor starting current by up to 75%.

That's a significant reduction.

The compressor still starts. Your air conditioner still operates normally.

We're simply changing the way the compressor gets from stopped to running.

Think About Starting Your Truck

Here's an easy way to picture it.

Imagine getting in your truck, putting your foot all the way to the floor and then dropping it into drive every single time you wanted to leave.

Now compare that with smoothly applying the accelerator and getting up to speed.

Both methods get you moving.

But they're certainly not the same way of getting there.

That's roughly the idea behind a soft starter.

Instead of that abrupt electrical starting demand, we're controlling the startup process and easing the compressor into operation.

It's not a perfect mechanical comparison, but it helps explain what's happening.

Is an EasyStart the Same as a Hard-Start Kit?

No.

This is where some of the terminology can get confusing.

HVAC technicians have used hard-start kits for many years.

A hard-start kit helps a compressor develop additional starting torque so it can get through the starting process quickly.

A soft starter takes a different approach.

It electronically manages compressor startup with the goal of significantly reducing peak starting current.

Both are related to starting the compressor, but they accomplish different things.

A hard start and a soft start are not the same product.

Why Would I Want Lower Starting Amperage?

There are several reasons a homeowner might want to reduce compressor starting current.

First, you get a smoother compressor start.

Depending on the home and electrical system, that can also help with things like lights dimming when the AC kicks on.

Second, you're reducing that large initial demand on the electrical system every time the compressor starts.

And third, there's one application where this technology gets especially interesting:

Backup power.

Can EasyStart Help Me Run My AC on a Generator?

This may be one of the biggest reasons homeowners are becoming interested in soft starters.

Here in North Carolina, we're no strangers to hurricanes, tropical systems, thunderstorms and power outages.

More homeowners are looking at portable generators, standby generators and other forms of backup power.

Naturally, one of the first questions is:

"Can my generator run my air conditioner?"

The answer depends on the generator, the HVAC equipment and everything else you're trying to operate.

But starting the compressor can be one of the biggest hurdles.

A generator might have enough capacity to keep an air conditioner running but struggle with the large electrical demand required during compressor startup.

If we can substantially reduce that starting current, it can make a big difference.

That does NOT mean installing an EasyStart automatically allows any generator to run any air conditioner.

Generator capacity, HVAC equipment and the home's electrical loads still need to be properly evaluated.

But if running your air conditioner during a power outage is important to you, soft-start technology is absolutely worth discussing.

Does EasyStart Reduce Wear on My Compressor?

This is where I want to be careful about what we promise.

EasyStart reduces the electrical demand associated with compressor startup and gives us a smoother starting process.

The EasyStart Flex also provides additional protection features for conditions such as compressor stalls, overcurrent and short cycling.

Those are real benefits.

What I'm not going to tell you is:

"Install an EasyStart and your compressor will last five more years."

Nobody can responsibly promise that.

Compressors can fail for a lot of reasons.

Refrigerant problems, overheating, contamination, airflow problems, electrical issues, installation problems and operating conditions can all affect compressor life.

What I am comfortable saying is this:

Reducing starting current provides a smoother startup and reduces the electrical stress associated with getting the compressor started.

That's a legitimate benefit.

I just don't want to turn it into a promise that your compressor will never fail.

Will EasyStart Lower My Electric Bill?

I wouldn't buy an EasyStart primarily to lower your monthly power bill.

Remember, we're talking about a starting event that lasts for a very short period of time.

EasyStart isn't magically turning your existing air conditioner into a higher-efficiency system once the compressor is running.

If your goal is reducing your electric bill, I'd rather look at things such as airflow, duct leakage, thermostat settings, equipment condition, maintenance and the overall efficiency of the HVAC system.

EasyStart is primarily about improving startup, not dramatically reducing normal operating energy consumption.

Does Every Air Conditioner Need an EasyStart?

No.

I don't believe every accessory we carry belongs on every house.

There are situations where EasyStart makes a lot more sense than others.

I'd be particularly interested in it if you have a generator or are considering backup power, your lights noticeably dim when your air conditioner starts, you want to reduce compressor starting current, or you're interested in a smoother startup and the additional protection features EasyStart provides.

There are also homes where we may look at the equipment and decide this isn't where I'd spend the homeowner's money first.

That's okay.

Our job isn't to find another product to put on every air conditioner.

Our job is to look at your particular system, explain your options and help you make a good decision.

Is EasyStart the Same as Surge Protection?

No, and this distinction is important.

A whole-home surge protector and an EasyStart solve two different electrical problems.

A surge protective device helps protect your home and equipment against certain transient overvoltage events coming through the electrical system.

EasyStart manages the electrical demand created when your air conditioner's compressor starts.

Here's the easiest way I know to remember it:

Surge protection helps protect against what's coming IN.

EasyStart helps manage what happens when the compressor turns ON.

One doesn't replace the other.

Depending on your home, equipment and needs, one may make sense. Both may make sense. Or there may be other improvements I'd recommend making first.

If you want to understand more about the other side of that equation, I've also written about whether your HVAC system needs whole-home surge protection and what surge protection can and cannot do.

Here's the Takeaway

Every time your air conditioner starts, the compressor requires a significant amount of electrical current for a very short period.

That's normal.

EasyStart changes how that starting event happens.

It learns the starting characteristics of the compressor and electronically manages startup, with Micro-Air reporting reductions in starting current of up to 75%.

For homeowners interested in running their AC from backup power, that can be a major benefit.

For others, the smoother starting process, reduced starting demand and additional protection features may make EasyStart worth considering.

Will I tell you every air conditioner needs one?

No.

Will I tell you it's legitimate technology with real, measurable benefits in the right application?

Absolutely.

If you're curious about how much starting current your air conditioner is pulling or whether an EasyStart makes sense for your particular system, ask your Simmons All-Pro Technician the next time we're at your home.

We'll look at your equipment, explain what we're seeing and help you decide whether it makes sense for you.

No scare tactics. No promises that your compressor will last forever.

​Just good information so you can make the right decision for your home.