Picture this: the power’s out, the sky’s still rumbling from the storm, and your portable generator is humming away. The lights are on, the fridge is cold, and you’re thinking, We’ve got this covered.
Then you try to turn on the A/C.
Instead of that sweet rush of cool air, you get… nothing. Just warm, sticky air and the slow realization that the next few hours might feel like sitting in a parked car in August.
If you’ve been there, you’re not alone. But the fix is surprisingly simple—when you know what to ask for.
Why Your Generator Won’t Start Your A/C
Your central air conditioner is a bit like a sprinter at the starting line—it takes a huge burst of energy to get moving. This “startup surge” can be 4–6 times higher than the power it uses while running.
That momentary spike is often more than your portable generator can handle. It trips the system, stalls the generator, or just refuses to start the A/C altogether.
You might also be interested in: Portable vs. Standby Generator: Which One Is Right for You?
The Soft Start Solution to Run A/C On Your Generator
A soft start is a small, smart device installed on your A/C’s compressor. Think of it as a personal trainer for your air conditioner—it helps it start up gently instead of demanding a giant surge of power all at once.
With a soft start, that startup load can drop by up to 70%. That’s the difference between your generator saying “no way” and your generator saying “sure, no problem.”
What You’ll Notice Right Away
- Quieter starts – No more loud thunk or dimming lights when the compressor kicks in.
- Less wear and tear – A smoother start means less strain on your A/C and your generator.
- Better comfort during outages – Fans are fine, but full A/C during a summer outage is a game-changer.
A Real-World Win
Not long ago, one of our customers in Riverview had a portable generator for storm season. Every time the power went out, they could run lights, fridge, and TV—but the A/C was dead weight. After their HVAC contractor installed a soft start, and during the very next outage, they messaged us:
“We’re sitting here cool as can be while the neighbors are all sweating it out. Worth every penny.”
The Bryan Hindman Electric Difference
We’ve helped homeowners all over Hillsborough County get more out of their generators—especially when it comes to keeping the essentials running during an outage.
While a licensed HVAC technician will handle the soft start installation itself, our team at Bryan Hindman Electric makes sure your generator system is ready to support it. Bryan, our licensed electrical contractor, ensures every connection, bypass system, and setup is done right—so when the HVAC pro finishes their part, your home is ready for cool, reliable comfort.
Ready Before the Next Outage
Soft starts need to be professionally installed by a licensed HVAC technician. Once it’s in place, you won’t just hope your A/C will run during an outage—you’ll know it will.
Don’t wait until the next storm is in the forecast. Call Bryan Hindman Electric today, and let’s make sure your generator can keep you truly comfortable, no matter what the weather brings.
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