Jandiel
HVAC technician
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
FREE diagnosis first
AC Hard Start and Soft Start Kits in Tampa Bay
Home Therapist Cooling, Heating, and Plumbing installs hard start kits and soft starters on air conditioners and heat pumps across Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. A hard start kit is $279 and gives a struggling compressor extra push to start. A Micro-Air EasyStart 368 soft starter is $999 and lowers the power the AC pulls at startup, so it can run on a generator and the lights stop dimming. We test the compressor for FREE first, so you only pay for the one that fixes the problem.
- HVAC license CAC1819196
- 4.8 stars from 1,300+ reviews
- Background-checked, drug-tested techs
- Hablamos español
At a glance
- Hard start kit
- $279 installed
- Soft starter
- Micro-Air EasyStart 368, $999 installed
- Soft starter sizes
- Compressors up to 6 tons (72,000 BTU)
- Diagnosis
- FREE, at any hour, with no after-hours fee
- Related repair
- Capacitor replacement, $279
- Coverage
- Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties
Hard start or soft start: which one do you need?
They both help the compressor start, but they solve different problems.
Hard start kit, $279
Adds a start capacitor and relay that give the compressor a stronger kick. For an older compressor that hums, struggles or trips the breaker when it tries to start.
Soft starter, $999
The EasyStart 368 ramps the compressor up gently instead of all at once. For running the AC on a generator, and for lights that dim every time the AC kicks on.
Diagnosis first
A start kit is not a fix for a failing compressor or a bad capacitor. We test the compressor and the capacitor for FREE and tell you what the problem really is.
Recent start and capacitor work
Real photos from Home Therapist AC repairs around Tampa Bay. Starting problems often turn out to be a capacitor.
What our customers say
Recent reviews from Tampa Bay homeowners, refreshed every day from Google. See all our reviews.
★★★★★ 4.8 (1,398 verified reviews)
Verified4.8★ · 1,398 reviews🛡 FL Licensed: CAC1819196 · CFC1431159💼 $1M General Liability + Workers’ Comp🏠 Family-owned since 2017⚡ Same-day service
My outside unit stopped working over the weekend. I called Home Therapist on a Sunday and was able to book an appointment for the next day;not needing to leave a message and…
The guys are very professional and very reliable.
MaintenanceThey were quick and available, when my AC was completely out they were able to come out within 24 hours and quickly found the issue and resolved it same day. Their preventative…
Very professional and easy to work with. Showed up on time, provided details with different options and was able to make the repairs same day. Great job & thank you!
Water heaterI have use Home Therapist for heat pump replacement, dishwasher repair and most recently hot water heater replacement. They have been exceptional for each job! Highly recommend
Water heaterI had a great experience with Home Therapist Cooling, Heating, and Plumbing. We were getting our house ready to sell and the home inspection identified several plumbing issues that needed to be…
AC installI was in need of air conditioning for my detached garage. My AI search for the most trustworthy mini-split AC installer led me to Home Therapist; my expectations were exceeded. Scheduling a…
AC installExcellent service from Richard! He was professional, courteous, and very knowledgeable. He fixed my A/C problem quickly and explained everything clearly. I highly recommend Richard for anyone needing A/C service. had a…
AC repairI had a great experience with Home Therapist AC Repair. Alejandro arrived on time to diagnose why my AC wasn't cooling and quickly found the problem that the previous company had missed.…
Latest review: October 2026 · auto-refreshed daily
What hard start and soft start kits cost in Tampa Bay
These prices come from our price book. The diagnosis is FREE, and you approve the price before any work starts.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis, any hour | FREE |
| Hard start kit, installed or replaced | $279 |
| Micro-Air EasyStart 368 soft starter, installed | $999 |
| Capacitor replacement (details) | $279 |
The EasyStart 368 supports compressors up to 72,000 BTU (6 tons), works with 115 and 230 volt motors, and comes in a water-resistant, UV-protected enclosure. If the compressor itself is failing, we will tell you, and see our compressor replacement cost guide.
How it works
- FREE diagnosisWe watch the compressor start and test the capacitor, the contactor and the compressor windings.
- Straight answerWe tell you whether a start kit will help, or whether the real fix is a capacitor or something else.
- InstallThe kit is wired in at the outdoor unit and the system is started and checked.
- TestWe confirm the compressor starts cleanly and the system cools.
When a start kit makes sense in Tampa Bay
Our ACs start and stop many times a day for most of the year, and every start is the hardest moment for the compressor.
- Older compressorsAn aging compressor that struggles to start can get a few more seasons with a hard start kit, as long as the compressor tests healthy.
- Generators and hurricane seasonA portable generator often cannot handle the AC starting at full power. A soft starter lowers that startup demand, so the AC can run on a smaller generator.
- Lights that dimIf the lights blink every time the AC kicks on, a soft starter makes the start gentler on the whole house.
- Not a cure-allA start kit will not fix a failing compressor, a bad capacitor or a refrigerant problem. That is why we diagnose first.
More on this: our article on hard start kits for AC and our hurricane prep guide.
AC humming but not starting?
Call or text, day or night. The diagnosis is FREE, and you approve the price before we fix anything.
Your Tampa Bay AC techs
Our HVAC work is done under Richard Morales’s Florida Class B Air Conditioning Contractor license, CAC1819196. Every tech is background-checked and drug-tested, factory-trained, and trains with us every week. Meet the whole team.
R
Roberto
HVAC technician
Alejandro
HVAC and plumbing technician
Related services
AC surge protectors$469, and the second one is FREE.
Capacitor replacementThe most common reason an AC will not start.
Compressor replacementWhat it costs and when it is worth it.
AC short cyclingWhy an AC turns on and off too often.
AC repairFREE diagnosis at any hour, with no after-hours fee.
Air conditioning servicesAll of our AC repair, install and maintenance services.
Where we install start kits
We serve the three counties of Tampa Bay from our shop at 1408 W Linebaugh Ave in Tampa.
Hillsborough County
Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Carrollwood, Town ‘n’ Country, Plant City, Ruskin, Sun City Center, Apollo Beach, Valrico, Lutz, Seffner
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Tarpon Springs, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach
Pasco County
Wesley Chapel, Land O Lakes, New Port Richey, Holiday, Hudson, Trinity, Zephyrhills, Dade City
Hard start and soft start questions
How much does a hard start kit cost?
A hard start kit installed on your outdoor unit is $279. The diagnosis before it is FREE, at any hour.
How much does a soft start for an AC cost?
We install the Micro-Air EasyStart 368 soft starter for $999. It supports compressors up to 72,000 BTU (6 tons).
What is the difference between a hard start kit and a soft starter?
A hard start kit gives the compressor a stronger kick so it starts. A soft starter does the opposite: it ramps the compressor up gently so it pulls less power at startup. Hard start kits help struggling compressors; soft starters help generators and lights that dim.
Can I run my AC on a generator with a soft starter?
That is the main reason people buy one. The EasyStart 368 lowers the startup demand, so many ACs can run on a smaller generator than they would need without it. We check your AC and your generator before recommending it.
Will a hard start kit fix my AC?
Only if the compressor is healthy and just needs help starting. If the real problem is a bad capacitor, a failing compressor or low refrigerant, a start kit will not fix it. We test first and tell you.
Is a start kit bad for the compressor?
A correctly sized start kit is a normal part used on many systems. What hurts a compressor is struggling to start over and over, which is what the kit is meant to prevent.
Help your AC start the easy way
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week. The diagnosis and the estimate are FREE, and you approve the price before any work starts.
Hablamos español. Llámenos o envíenos un texto al (813) 343-2212.
Recent work in Tampa
Real visits our licensed technicians completed in Tampa. Every job starts with a FREE estimate and FREE diagnosis.
- Why the 150 mph Tie-Down Mattered: AC Installation in Tampa, FL 33618 August 26, 2026
- Warm Air Pointed to One Worn Capacitor: AC Repair in Tampa, FL 33618 August 26, 2026
- A Small PVC Cut Prevented a Bigger Drain Issue: PVC Drain Line Repair in Tampa, FL 33614 August 26, 2026
- Cracked Primary Pan After a Drain Flush: AC Repair in Tampa, FL 33624 August 25, 2026
★★★★★ 4.8 (1,398 verified reviews)
Verified4.8★ · 1,398 reviews🛡 FL Licensed: CAC1819196 · CFC1431159💼 $1M General Liability + Workers’ Comp🏠 Family-owned since 2017⚡ Same-day service
My outside unit stopped working over the weekend. I called Home Therapist on a Sunday and was able to book an appointment for the next day;not needing to leave a message and…
The guys are very professional and very reliable.
MaintenanceThey were quick and available, when my AC was completely out they were able to come out within 24 hours and quickly found the issue and resolved it same day. Their preventative…
Very professional and easy to work with. Showed up on time, provided details with different options and was able to make the repairs same day. Great job & thank you!
Water heaterI have use Home Therapist for heat pump replacement, dishwasher repair and most recently hot water heater replacement. They have been exceptional for each job! Highly recommend
Water heaterI had a great experience with Home Therapist Cooling, Heating, and Plumbing. We were getting our house ready to sell and the home inspection identified several plumbing issues that needed to be…
AC installI was in need of air conditioning for my detached garage. My AI search for the most trustworthy mini-split AC installer led me to Home Therapist; my expectations were exceeded. Scheduling a…
AC installExcellent service from Richard! He was professional, courteous, and very knowledgeable. He fixed my A/C problem quickly and explained everything clearly. I highly recommend Richard for anyone needing A/C service. had a…
AC repairI had a great experience with Home Therapist AC Repair. Alejandro arrived on time to diagnose why my AC wasn't cooling and quickly found the problem that the previous company had missed.…
Latest review: October 2026 · auto-refreshed daily