Compressor broken - only 5 years old?! (Phoenix, Mesa: rentals, townhome, contractors)

[Home Addict]

My townhome in Mesa was built 2007, so the AC/compressor is only 5 years old.

I am surprised to find that the compressor is already near end-of-life, according to the AC company who inspected it. And they want to replace the compressor which cost $1500. Apparently, there is a band-aid fix on the "kickstart" - and that costs about $180.

Could someone with a bit more knowledge provide some advice, on whether it is common to have this problem only after 5 years? Does the cost sound right? And can the band-aid fix work long term (is it all it needs)?

Appreciate any input.

[BabsJohnson]

Get another opinion. The hard start or soft starts seems to be good money makers for the ac contractors in these troublesome economic times. Putting something not authorized by the manufacturer could void the warranty if you still have one. Were you having trouble with the ac? Don't do annual servicing and give them a chance to find all the things that need an expensive repair. I bought an extended warranty for my unit and found out that refrigerant is not considered to be parts. The installing dealer wanted $40 or $50 a pound. The electrician and ac guy that does my rentals charged me $14 a pound.

[LBTRS]

Yes, get another opinion. I had a compressor that was acting up (was only two years old) and had a company come and look at it and they insisted it needed a "hard start" kit added to the compressor and more coolant which I paid for and they installed. It kept acting up and I had another company come and check it out and he said the problem was that it was over charged with coolant and took the hard start off. He said the original issue I was having was due to it being over pressurized when installed (since the second unit that had not been serviced was over pressurized also) and likely the company that looked at it charged me for coolant they didn't add and charged me for the "hard start" kit.

[S. Chris Webb]

Concurred, get another opinion. Although there are honest HVAC contractors out there, and the one you had might be one of them, the Valley is rife with dishonest ones. If you want the name of the company we've used and trusted for years, PM me.

[Pink Jazz]

Which company did you use? If I would recommend a particular company, I would choose Chas Roberts, however, that is just my preference.

[S. Chris Webb]

We use Anthony James AC. They have been nothing but honest and fair with us in the past, and their prices are reasonable. We've used them pretty extensively. They are a family company, so you know you are dealing with the same techs each time.

[Home Addict]

Thank you all for your suggestions and recommendations.

[Zippyman]

Fwiw, most new systems have at least a 10 yr warranty on the compressor , some have a lifetime warranty, so compressor failures aren't usually an issue at that age. I actually like the hard-start kits. Every compressor has a starting capacitor, and a "hard-start" kit is just s bigger, better one. I don't see you needing one in December in Phoenix.. the time you need one is in July, when the temps are higher, and the head pressure climbs in the system.