The one thing I've noticed since we had a new AC system installed is that when the system starts up nearly everything electrical on in the house dims or slows down to a MUCH greater degree than with the old system (had a Lenox 2 stage system for over 20 years). The new system is a Trane XR17 - 4 ton - 16 SEER, 2-Stage AC system (with the aluminum coil). The old Lennox system was about 11 SEER and was 4.5 or 5 ton.

I'd have to pull the old records out to see what the amp draw was on the Lennox, but it's hard to believe that this new, more efficient system should be dimming the electrical system like this more than the old one did.

Would it make sense, and is it doable, to install a larger Start/Run capacitor on the compressor unit to reduce this start-up draw load (listed as being up to 45 amps, with about 28 amps running)? And, if so, would it really make any difference?