The idea of doing your own HVAC repairs appeals to the homeowner’s spirit of independence and resourcefulness. The dripping faucet, the cracked window pane, the new coat of paint for the bathroom — all of these simple DIY tasks make our house truly our home, not to mention that they save money because we’re not paying someone else to do the work.
Unfortunately, every good idea has limits. Applying the get-it-done, do-it-yourself philosophy to HVAC repairs is almost always a bad idea. Beyond changing the system air filter regularly and routine tasks like making sure thermostat settings are up to date, any other HVAC repairs should be left to professional service technicians. Here are some reasons to not do it yourself:
You’re not qualified.
Certified professional HVAC technicians undergo extensive training and testing to acquire the specific technology and techniques required to diagnose and repair heating and cooling units. Most DIY methods don’t meet industry standards.
It can be dangerous.
Air conditioners and furnaces include the risk of exposure to hazardous elements such as:
- High-voltage components.
- Extreme temperatures.
- Open flames.
- Toxic gases, including carbon monoxide.
- Refrigerant that is required by law to be handled only by certified technicians.
You probably don’t have the right tools.
A certified HVAC technician utilizes an array of specialized tools and technology to diagnose and work on heating and cooling systems. A wrench and a hammer aren’t enough.
It will invalidate the warranty.
Most HVAC-system warranties specify that units must be serviced by certified technicians only. If anything goes wrong as a result of DIY blunders, the warranty coverage may be voided.
Correcting amateur errors makes repairs more expensive.
If a qualified HVAC service tech has to spend time undoing mistakes made by an unqualified do-it-yourselfer in order to diagnose a unit and get it operational again, the cost of HVAC repairs will be higher.
For reliable, professional HVAC repairs, contact the experienced service staff at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area