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It might be tempting to try to fix your HVAC unit when it starts behaving weird, but these appliances are a lot more complex than other ordinary house items. Unless you’re trained to do so, you shouldn’t try to repair your heating system.
It can be dangerous to repair these units without the proper knowledge. They operate with high voltages and harmful chemicals, so you probably don’t even have the right tools for the job. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you might create a bigger problem, or even worse, void the warranty altogether. Learn about the repairs you shouldn’t try on your own and precautions to have in mind.
Don’t Open the HVAC Unit Without the Right Tools
It’s important to remember that your DIY kit might be great to fix the toaster or the vacuum cleaner, but it’s not enough to fix an HVAC unit. These devices are complex and need to be handled with specialized tools that accurately identify the issues and fix the delicate parts.
You Shouldn’t Try to Guess What the Problem Is
Most of the time it’s hard to figure out the real cause of the problem is with these units. You might think a short circuit is an electrical problem, when in fact, it could be a refrigerant leak, a blocked air filter, or a malfunctioning thermostat. It’s impossible to know unless you’re a trained professional.
Refrigerants Should Only Be Handled by Professionals
Did you know that only licensed technicians can handle refrigerant? The reason is that it’s extremely harmful and needs to be disposed of properly.
If you attempt to handle refrigerant, not only will you be breaking the law, but you will also be putting yourself in a potentially dangerous situation.
You Can Unintentionally Invalidate the Warranty
The last thing you want is to try to fix your HVAC unit only to find out you invalidated the warranty. Many warranties specifically state the unit must be maintained by a professional at least once a year, so when you try to do it yourself, you’re effectively voiding it.
Stay Away From Any Electrical Repairs
HVAC units operate using high voltages and currents and, if not handled properly, can cause powerful electric shocks, even fatal ones. An electrical fault can also cause a fire.
Instead of putting your family at risk, you’re better off hiring a trained professional to fix the problem for you.
Your Mistakes Might Create a Bigger Problem
Sometimes you might attempt to repair your HVAC unit. But instead of fixing the issue you end up breaking the appliance and creating an even bigger problem. Suddenly your cheap DIY solution becomes an expensive maintenance bill.
At the end of the day, it’s easy to understand why people try to fix their heating and cooling systems; they just think it’s like any other appliance. However, repairing the unit on your own might bring all sorts of headaches that can be potentially dangerous. If you have an issue, call a professional and let them deal with it for you.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
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