No matter how you look at it, your HVAC unit is one of your household’s most important systems. Aside from providing your family with year-round comfort, the air conditioner, and heating system directly affect healthy indoor air quality. Additionally, a properly-functioning air system keeps a homeowner’s monthly energy costs low. With all those factors in mind, proper care of your HVAC system, especially in a new home, is a crucial responsibility.
When the importance of the home’s HVAC is taken into account, many homeowners are tempted to perform DIY HVAC repairs themselves, rather than call a professional. However, unless that homeowner is also an expert HVAC technician, such an ambitious undertaking can lead to more costly repairs or unit breakdowns. Here, we will look at some of the most important reasons that DIY HVAC repair on your air conditioning unit or furnace isn’t the best idea, as well as the major benefits of professional maintenance.
Knowing Your HVAC Basics
Although the idea of saving money on emergency service may be enticing to many homeowners, an inexperienced person attempting AC repair on their cooling unit or furnace can actually cause more damage. For serious problems with the HVAC unit, it’s best to steer clear of DIY HVAC repairs. However, there are some basic maintenance operations you can, and should, perform with regularity. If you know the differences between the tasks you can do on your own without voiding your HVAC manufacturer’s warranty and the premium HVAC services left to the professionals, you’ll always keep your system safe.
For example, consider your AC unit’s air filters and ductwork. Unless your new home is equipped with a ductless heat pump, both your HVAC and heating system use traditional ventilation and ducts. HVAC repair technicians strongly recommend that you change your air filters every few months, both for your home’s indoor air quality, as well as for the longevity of the units themselves. By changing the air filters, you remove the debris, dust, and allergens that could clog the airflow and lower your air quality. If you have any family members with allergies or asthma, this low price solution for health and wellness is a true necessity. Additionally, when the airflow is strong, the HVAC unit receives less wear and tear, extending the lifespan of the system. If that weren’t enough, this also makes your home more energy efficient, lowering your energy bills.
The Benefits of HVAC Maintenance
Aside from the above-mentioned tasks that you can perform on your own, regular maintenance by a professional technician is one of the best investments you can make. Not only does an expert ensure that your air conditioner and heating system are both running properly, but they perform the needed safety inspection to avoid dangerous gas leaks or wiring issues. As the seasons change, only a technician will also weatherize the systems to prepare them for either the upcoming colder or warmer months. In addition, emergency service of your air conditioning unit, as well as heating repair, is par for the course.
Although you may assume that watching some online videos or conducting your own research can allow you to fix unit breakdowns on your own, your ideal option for long-term system lifespan is a maintenance plan. If cost is a concern, paying a one-time annual fee for guaranteed professional service and repair is the best way to save on potential system replacement. Not only will an AC unit technician remain on-call in the event of an emergency, but their bi-annual safety inspection can lengthen the life of your systems. Additionally, a comprehensive plan will include fuel source and air filter replacement, duct and vent cleaning, and discounts on any necessary repairs or replacement. As a homeowner, such an agreement can even increase your property value in the long run!