Heat Pump Hard Start Kit Installation Cost in Vancouver

Published: July 22, 2026 — BC Wide Home Services Ltd, doing business as BC Wide Heating & Air Conditioning — Greater Vancouver, BC

What a Hard Start Kit Does

A hard start kit (start capacitor + relay) provides extra starting torque to the compressor. It helps a hard-starting compressor overcome resistance and start spinning. It is commonly needed on older compressors, systems with long line sets, or units experiencing voltage drop during startup.

Signs You Need a Hard Start Kit

The compressor hums loudly but does not start, the lights dim noticeably when the compressor tries to start, the compressor takes longer to start than it used to, or the compressor sometimes starts and sometimes does not. A hard start kit can extend the life of a marginal compressor.

Installation Cost

Hard start kit installation costs $200-350 including the kit ($40-100) and labour ($100-200). Installation takes about 30 minutes. This is a cost-effective solution that can delay expensive compressor replacement by 1-3 years.

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Safety Reminder

If you smell gas, suspect carbon monoxide or believe there is an immediate danger, leave the property and contact emergency services or the appropriate gas emergency authority. Do not remain inside — exit the building immediately and call for help from outside.