Air Conditioning - Time delay thermostat?

I recently had my HVAC system serviced by a pro, he recommended I exchange my basic digital thermostat for one which has a time delay, to hold the A/C compressor off for 5 min. before switching back on in event of a brief power failure, to give the refrigerant time to equalize so as not to over stress the motor. Or I could install a device mounted in the compressor unit to do the same thing, so as not to replace the thermostat. So, what's the best thing? Replace present thermostat with time-delay type, or put a time delay gizmo in the compressor unit, or do nothing?:confused: http://forum.doityourself.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

To do a proper analysis gather the following information and post answers.
1. How old is your current system that needs the time delay?
2. Replacement cost for ruined compressor on existing unit?
3. Do you plan on staying at this location for a few years?
4. How much is the quote for a time delay for the compressor mounted inside the unit?
5. How much is the quote for the new thermostat with the built in delay?
6. Do you have lots of disposable income and a huge emergency fund banked up?
7. Are you married and will failure to take prudent action on a known problem cause marital strife and dissagreement? here let me answer this one dang right it will
Post answers back for evaluation by all your AC advisers!!!!!!!!

Either one will do a fine job. The stat will be easier if you're going to do the work.

If the compressor is a scroll, don't worry about it. If it is a recip, I agree with Mattison. You can get good, inexpensive, digital thermostats at any home center. I do not suggest Lux or Hunter. Stick with Honeywell or White-Rodgers, a bit more up front but last a lot longer.

To do a proper analysis gather the following information and post answers.
1. How old is your current system that needs the time delay?
2. Replacement cost for ruined compressor on existing unit?
3. Do you plan on staying at this location for a few years?
4. How much is the quote for a time delay for the compressor mounted inside the unit?
5. How much is the quote for the new thermostat with the built in delay?
6. Do you have lots of disposable income and a huge emergency fund banked up?
7. Are you married and will failure to take prudent action on a known problem cause marital strife and dissagreement? here let me answer this one dang right it will
Post answers back for evaluation by all your AC advisers!!!!!!!!

1. 3 years old. 2. a few hundred? 3. Yep. 4. $90. 5. No. 6. Widowed.
But guess what? The tech was wrong - thermostat is Honeywell T8000C, I looked it up at Honeywell's Web site, downloaded the manual, it does have the 5 minute delay. He also tried to sell me a permanent filter for $182, and an EZ trap for the condensate line (maybe not a bad idea, but $114?). Finally, he left without replacing the filter with the AC running. I won't be buying their annual maintenance agreement!
I went out and got a 3 pack of NaturalAire #8 pleated filters for $8 (20X25X1). I measured the fan current draw with the original (clean) fiberglas filter, then with the pleated filter, the pleated one actually had less current draw. I still need to get some PuraClean or Filter Coat, none of the stores had any.
Thanks for the advice. I hope none of you guys just look at a thermostat and tell people it doesn't do what it does. Cheers. Dale.
Oh, yeah, forgot, he wanted to sell me a digital thermostat for $150.