Risk DIY Despair - Here's Why You Should Just Leave It to a HVAC Contractor

Anyone who is skilled with their hands likes to think they can tackle just about any type of project around the house themselves. In some cases they’re right. After all, installing a granite top on your kitchen island or track lighting, or wallpaper or tiles in the bathroom are all projects that are well within the abilities of your average do it yourselfer. But the true test of a good DIYer whether in Rapid City, SD, Piedmont, SD or anywhere else isn’t knowing what they can do, but in knowing what they should leave to the professionals, and HVAC work is one of those things. After all, if the bathroom tiles are not square you may have to redo them. But if the furnace or ductwork isn’t installed properly someone could die from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Know When to Call in a Proper HVAC Contractor

While refinishing cabinets and installing a new front door are great DIY projects it’s important to know when to draw the line. In most cases that line comes into play when mistakes could be deadly. Here are a number or reasons to always call in the HVAC technician.

• Carbon Monoxide - While the HVAC system may seem simple the fact is there are potentially deadly gases involved. None more so than carbon monoxide. More than 400 Americans die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning and a further 20,000+ wind up being treated in the hospital. The most common source of all this trouble-causing carbon monoxide? An HVAC system that was either poorly maintained or which a homeowner tried to fix themselves. Leave the HVAC fixes to the people who undergo years of training.
• HVAC Systems Use Dangerous Chemicals - In order to make them as efficient as possible today’s furnaces have been transformed into high tech appliances that would have computer repair persons scratching their heads. Many require high voltages to operate and should a DIYer accidently come in contact with an exposed wire while trying to effect repairs, they could receive an enormous shock. Your HVAC system also uses refrigerants and other chemicals which, if not handled properly could cause serious injury and in some cases, death.
• HVAC Repairs Require the Right Tools - You wouldn’t try to frame a house without the right carpentry tools. You wouldn’t try and do electrical work without the right tools. And the same goes for HVAC work. Many aspects of HVAC repair work require specialized tools and the knowledge and experience to use them the right way. Do you know the right way to use a ratcheting refrigeration wrench? If you don’t have one and don’t know what it’s for you shouldn’t be working on the HVAC system.
• Little DIY Mistakes Can Create Big HVAC Problems - The modern furnace is comprised of hundreds of parts. Each one has to work properly or the whole system suffers. It can take even the most experienced HVAC contractor several hours sometimes to get to the heart of the matter and discover exactly which one of those parts is malfunctioning. DIYers tend to look for the simple answer and often wind up fixing things that weren’t broken. It’s not uncommon for an HVAC contractor to be called to a house where the homeowner has instituted several DIY fixes that did little more than turn a small problem into a great big expensive problem.

The Benefits of Calling in the Pros

There’s no shame in calling someone who has been specially trained to handle tricky repairs. The shame is when people decide they can do things they’re not trained for and then someone gets hurt as a result. Besides safety there are myriad other benefits to be had by calling in the pros for HVAC repairs including:

• The repair will be done quicker - A highly trained HVAC contractor will get to the bottom of most problems quickly and have your system up and running again in no time.
• The HVAC system will last longer - Just as with a car when an HVAC system is properly maintained by professionals it runs more efficiently and lasts longer.
• Your warranty will still be valid - If you read the fine print that came with your furnace it likely states that any warranty will be void if you don’t have repairs done by a properly licensed and certified professional. Doing it yourself then voids the warranty and will wind up costing you more in the long run then you’ll save in the short run.

More Reasons Why You Should Call the Pros

If those aren’t enough reasons to leave HVAC repairs to the professionals here are a few more.

• They have wide ranging product knowledge - If the problem is with even one of the most obscure parts on your system the HVAC contractor will either have it on hand or know where they can get it in a hurry. DIYers often have to settle for similar parts that “might work”.
• You’ll sleep easier - When you have an HVAC pro do the repair work on your system you can rest easy knowing the problem was properly diagnosed and properly fixed. Those who do it themselves always have a nagging suspicion in the back of their mind that they may have missed something
• The repairs will be guaranteed - When a licensed and certified HVAC specialist fixes your system he’ll provide you with a guarantee that covers workmanship and a warranty on any new parts installed. Those who do it themselves have no such guarantees.

Conclusion

Those intent on exercising their home improvement skills need to know when to draw the line and call in the professionals. Few components of the modern house are more in need of professional service than the HVAC system. Don’t take chances with the value of your home and the well-being of your loved ones. Call L&M in Piedmont, SD or Rapid City, SD for all your HVAC installation, repair and maintenance needs.