DIY projects are popular after being cooped up in the house for so long. For the DIY person in you, it would be tempting to evaluate, install, or fix a malfunctioning furnace or air conditioner.
Unfortunately HVAC isn’t one of the house parts that you should fiddle with without detailed knowledge or HVAC training.
While you can certainly find sections of the HVAC system that you can evaluate for effectiveness, it is best to leave the installation and repair of air conditioners and heating systems to your local Redwood City HVAC professional. And here are a few reasons for that:
DIY on your AC or furnace could end up costing you more
HVAC systems may seem straightforward, but they are in fact, technically complex.
HVAC licensed contractors undergo training to evaluate, install, analyze, troubleshoot, and repair air conditioners, heaters, and air filtration systems in your house.
While it may be appealing to repair or install these systems yourself to save a few dollars, in the long run, it could end up costing you more.
In the worst-case scenario, you are endangering yourself with possible electrocution as well.
You may not have all the tools
Having the right tools is important for completing any project successfully. Heating & air conditioners are no different. HVAC appliances require the use of specific tools to repair an air conditioner or heating system. These tools are expensive and very specific to these jobs. These aren’t your regular screwdrivers.
If you have never taken apart an HVAC system, we’d highly recommend that you hire a professional qualified HVAC contractor for this work.
HVAC repairs aren’t for claustrophobes or arachnophobes!
AC and furnaces may be installed in very tight spaces which are accessible only by crawling inside. These spaces under the attic or under the house can be very small and constricting.
If your unit is installed in a similar tight space and you have a fear of closed spaces, call your HVAC technician to help you with it.
Attics and crawl spaces are also spaces that are enjoyed by rodents. If you have a fear of these animals, you may not want to tackle A/C or furnace repair yourself.
Since these areas aren’t frequently visited, they generally have a lot of spider webs. If you don’t like spiders and don’t like getting caught in webs, leave any furnace/AC repairs to the professional HVAC technician.
Warranty nullifies when you repair your HVAC yourself
If you tinker with your HVAC system, you could nullify the warranty that it came with. You don’t have to spoil the installation to void the warranty. The fact that you, a lay person, tinkered with the HVAC system could be enough to invalidate the warranty of the product or the installation.
This should be enough to convince you to leave HVAC work to a professional!
HVAC work may require permits
Since HVAC installation and repair work are highly technical, they may require a permit. Permit work requires that you hire a licensed contractor who has worker’s compensation and liability insurance. In case there’s an accident, the worker’s compensation would kick in, protecting you from a possible lawsuit.
HVAC work can also have EPA regulations governing them. These have to be adhered to for the whole process to be legal. If you are a weekend DIYer, you better know what you are doing.
If you aren’t aware of all the new regulations on HVAC, it is best that you call your local HVAC technician.
If you wish to give a cursory evaluation to your HVAC system before calling your HVAC technician, here are few articles that can help you with doing basic troubleshooting of your furnace or air conditioner:
Learn to read the signs that your HVAC is broken.
This article will help you troubleshoot your AC issues.
Is your furnace leaking water? Troubleshoot with this article.
If you suspect a leaky duct, read this article to see if you can diagnose the problem.
Why is my AC leaking condensation?
Does your furnace blow harder in some rooms? Read this blog post to diagnose this pesky issue.
Is your AC making noises? Use this article to diagnose the problem.
If you need to talk to Sal, our expert HVAC technician, to come out and evaluate your HVAC system, call Redwood City’s best HVAC contractor, RC Mechanical, at (650) 575-3915.