If you’re handy and have the correct tools for the job, there are many small jobs you can do around your home or business yourself to save the cost of hiring a professional. This includes things like swapping out a light fixture for a new one, replacing a fixture in the kitchen or bathroom, and fixing a running toilet. One thing you should never attempt is DIY work on your HVAC system. You may be able to find the correct replacement part for your system in a store or online. However, trying to perform any repairs yourself is something you should avoid.
The Risk of Improper Diagnosis
Modern HVAC systems are complex. It’s necessary to have a professional with years of education, training, and on-the-job experience to diagnose potential issues. Let’s say that your furnace shuts off before completing a full cycle. This can happen because of a malfunctioning thermostat, an issue with the control board, a dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor, or an electrical problem. Without the knowledge to properly diagnose the problem, you run the risk of wasting your money and time trying to fix something only to find that it wasn’t the actual issue.
Causing Further Damage
Even if you’re able to properly diagnose the root cause of whatever problem you’re dealing with, there’s a risk of making things worse when trying to fix it. This is especially the case when trying to replace any electrical component. This includes a blower motor, igniter, flame sensor, limit switch, control board, or capacitor.
If you damage any wiring or don’t properly tighten an electrical connection, it can lead to a short circuit. Short circuits exist when electricity flows unrestricted, resulting in a major surge in the current. The voltage can spike so much that it damages many of the other electrical components. In this case, you’ll have to pay more to repair the additional damage compared to if you’d just hired a professional in the first place. If the short circuit burns out the compressor in your AC or heat pump, you’ll have to pay well over $1,000 to have it replaced. In some cases, the cost of replacing a burnt-out compressor can be close to the cost of a new AC or heat pump. This is due to how difficult and time-consuming the process is.
Sudden Breakdown
Many common HVAC problems only affect the system’s performance and efficiency and won’t result in a total breakdown. However, doing further damage while trying to repair the system yourself can easily lead to the system no longer turning on until the issues are fixed. This is especially a concern if your heating stops working due to how cold the winters in Canada can get. If your heating equipment were to break down, you’d then need to pay for an emergency service call. If you don’t have heating for even a few hours when it’s below freezing outside, there’s the risk of your house becoming cold enough that your plumbing freezes. Frozen pipes are an extremely serious issue, as they will often end up bursting due to the ice inside them expanding.
Safety Hazards
An even bigger risk is that a short circuit may lead to a fire because of wiring sparking or overheating and melting. Your homeowner’s insurance would normally cover the cost of fire damage in this type of situation. However, almost every policy has an exclusion clause. This clause states that damage that results from DIY work or work performed by anyone who isn’t properly licensed or certified for the job isn’t covered. Your claim will be automatically denied if the insurance adjuster finds out that your DIY repair led to the fire. In that case, you will have to cover the cost of the damage yourself. If anyone were to be injured or killed by the fire, you could also be held liable and face civil and/or criminal charges.
There is also the risk of personal injury when performing any DIY work. Even if you flip the breaker to switch off power to your HVAC system, you can still get shocked if you touch a capacitor without first discharging the stored power.
Voided Warranty
Yet another concern with repairing or servicing your HVAC system yourself is that it can void your warranty. HVAC warranties cover defective components. A manufacturer-approved HVAC company can determine if a system has any defective components or any issues that arose because of a defect. Then, the manufacturer will provide the replacement parts for free. You will have to pay the labor fees for the work in most cases.
When filing a warranty claim, you are often required to provide records showing that a certified technician serviced the system regularly. Retain records showing any previous repairs you have made. When you file a claim, the technician who inspects the system determines if the repair is covered under warranty. They will usually be able to tell if any components were replaced. Since you won’t have a record showing that a professional replaced the component, the manufacturer will void the warranty.
How to Know When Professional HVAC Repairs Are Necessary
Catching problems with your HVAC system early and having a heating or cooling repair technician repair them immediately can save you money by avoiding additional issues. This also prevents your energy bills from increasing due to equipment strain.
Some of the main things to watch for are your HVAC system shutting off before the thermostat shows your house is at the right temperature, uneven heating/cooling, increasingly long heating/cooling cycles, and unusual noises. Some of these issues are minor at first but can lead to bigger problems if left unchecked for too long.
For instance, a squealing or screeching sound indicates that the bearings in one of the motors are wearing out. Having a technician replace the bearings usually only costs a few hundred dollars at most. This is much less than replacing the entire motor. If you prolong having it done, you can be certain that the motor itself will need to be replaced because of it overheating and burning out.
Humming or buzzing noises are often a sign of an electrical issue. In this case, waiting to get the problem fixed could result in a total system failure that costs you thousands of dollars.
Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas is the company to turn to for dependable heating and cooling solutions in Nanaimo, BC. Our professional technicians work on all brands and can properly take care of any issue you’re facing with your furnace, heat pump, AC, boiler, or ductless mini-split. When diagnosing the issue, our team can also determine if your HVAC system is near the end of its life. If so, replacing it may be the better way to go. By scheduling seasonal maintenance or signing up for our Comfort Club Plan, you can also avoid many common problems. You’ll also be able to enjoy energy-efficient, effective heating and cooling throughout the year.
To schedule service for your home or business, contact us at Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas in Nanaimo today.
