DIY hacks are all the rage, especially for homeowners; however, when it comes to HVAC systems, you may want to forgo the challenge for a few important reasons. Not only is HVAC repair best left to technicians who have had extensive training to become qualified and/or certified, but they also have to keep up with current HVAC technology through mandatory ongoing training. If that’s not reason enough for you to avoid testing the HVAC repair waters yourself, read on.
Reason #1: You Need the Right Tools.
First, and this may be the most logical reason not to DIY HVAC repair: you need the right tools to do the job and those tools are expensive. Both HVAC diagnosis and repair require very specific types of tools and gauges that you most likely don’t just have lying around your home. And, if you were to go out and purchase tools for the job, it would end up costing you more money than simply hiring an experienced HVAC professional to do it for you.
Reason #2: HVAC is Complicated.
Even if you do have all the tools to accomplish a given HVAC repair task, HVAC systems are far more complicated than one might initially suspect. There are many DIY HVAC articles and videos available online, but the thing to keep in mind is that not every system is the same; in fact, it’s more likely that yours is completely different than the one starring in the how-to video. Heating, Air, and Ventilation systems are comprised of multiple complex components and parts that are not often located in one spot. Depending on the brand, make, and model, each part of an HVAC system can not only look different from one system to the next, but also may be located in different places within the units. So, play it safe and call a pro.
Reason #3: High Voltage Electricity is dangerous.
Do you really want to mess around with high voltage electricity?! Trying to save a few bucks on calling an HVAC professional could cost you your life, which is obviously not worth the small amount of savings you may be going after. If you’re not entirely familiar with these concepts, then steer clear of high voltage DIY projects: current, current return, voltage, resistance, capacitance, inductance, ground, Kirchoff’s voltage law, and both short and open circuits. If these all sound foreign to you, then seriously think twice about DIY HVAC repair.
Reason #4: DIY could end in disaster.
If the reasons above aren’t enough to dissuade you, then think about the possibility of your DIY repair not going as planned. Even if you don’t end up harmed, you can end up harming the unit that you are working on, which could end up costing you even more money in repairs—or it could cost you a complete replacement. A couple of easy ways to really mess up your HVAC equipment is to install an incorrect part and trigger the unit’s compressor to fail, which is not only the main component in your unit, but also very expensive to replace.
All in all, we suggest avoiding any DIY hacks to your own system, and instead calling in a pro. Luckily, that’s what we’re here for. Give us a call today if your HVAC system needs repair or even a tune-up: (818) 348-4768
