5 Risks To Do-It-Yourself HVAC Repairs vs. Professional

You may be tempted to try to repair your HVAC system yourself if it starts to break down. You could be looking for a quick way to get your heating or cooling system back up and running without spending a lot of money. However, pause for a moment. Air conditioner and furnace repairs are never as easy or inexpensive as they appear on YouTube. There are significant risks and expenses to consider.

Continue reading to learn about the risks of doing your own HVAC repair, as well as a few things you can do to improve the system’s performance.

WHY ISN’T IT WORTH IT TO DO HVAC REPAIR YOURSELF?

DIY heating and cooling repairs may jeopardize your health, your wallet, and the effective operation of your equipment. Here are the top five risks:

Mistakes that Jeopardize Your Safety

Residential HVAC, as relaxing and inviting as it is for you and your family, comes with a slew of potential “behind-the-scenes” risks in the hands of an inexperienced technician. These are some of them:

• Touching the incorrect electrical components can cause electric shock or electrocution, which can be deadly.
• Mishandling natural gas can result in a fire or an explosion.
• Inhaling carbon monoxide or gas emissions from an inadequately vented HVAC system can cause poisoning.

Errors that Affect Equipment Performance

Even if your repair hack gets the heating or cooling system back up and running, it may not be at optimum efficiency. It’s easy to make errors with important tasks like properly setting the thermostat or ensuring optimal airflow and drainage unless you’re a trained, experienced professional.

Inadequate Tools and Parts

You won’t be able to do it with only a screwdriver and a hammer. HVAC repair involves a variety of specialized tools and replacement components, which must be updated on a regular basis as new HVAC technology develops.

The expense of purchasing this equipment, as well as the training required to utilize it, is out of reach for the typical individual. It is really more cost-effective to hire specialists to service your HVAC than to do it yourself.

Warranty is No Longer Valid

Have you read the tiny print on the warranties for your furnace and air conditioner? They very certainly include a provision saying that they are only valid as long as the system is serviced and maintained by a professional. Trying to save a little money with DIY might wind up costing you a lot more than you expect.

Longer Repair Time

HVAC repair should ideally be performed as fast (and as thoroughly) as possible. Nobody wants to be without air conditioning during the summer, or without a working furnace when it’s freezing outdoors.

Heating and air conditioning experts have the knowledge and experience to evaluate your concern, recommend the best solution, and complete the repair in the quickest period possible. If you tried the same thing, troubleshooting, assembling your tools, dismantling the system, and so on would most certainly take considerably longer periods of time.

THINGS YOU CAN DO

You’ll be happy to learn that there are numerous things you can — and should — do to keep your HVAC system in perfect condition. These are more of a kind of preventative maintenance than a repair.

Clean Your Outdoor Air Conditioning Unit

Because your air conditioner’s condenser is outside, dirt, twigs, leaves, and other debris from your yard may easily clog it up. Cleaning the unit yourself is okay. Pruning back foliage around the unit will provide further protection, and so will ensuring that HVAC technicians have access once they service your unit.

Replace Air Filters

It’s important to have enough ventilation to keep your system functioning effectively. Change a disposable filter or clean a permanent one if it seems grey and full of dirt once a month. Air filters should be replaced every 90 days at the absolute least.

Install Or Replace Insulation

Your HVAC system will benefit from increased performance and energy savings if your insulation is in good shape. What are you waiting for if you haven’t insulated your home yet? If you already have insulation, make sure it is replaced if it is dusty or broken.

Looking for an HVAC company to help you solve all your central heating and air conditioning problems. From maintenance, repairs, to installation, you can trust Calvey Heating and Air to do the job for you. Call us if you have any questions.