However, technicians have spent countless hours as students and apprentices to become experts on diagnosing HVAC problems, determining the best solution, and installing equipment. Ask anyone in their first HVAC-related class at technical college and they will wholeheartedly assure you it is not simple or easy. And, unfortunately, the risks non-professionals face when they pick up a wrench and give in to that do-it-yourself mentality can be extreme.
It goes without saying that dealing with electricity, complex equipment, and chemicals can be dangerous, but listen to what Jeff Chapman, an Angie’s List contributor, had to say about refrigerants in a 2016 article.
“Handling [refrigerants] can be deadly if the proper precautions aren’t followed,” Chapman said. “Proper training and safety gear is essential to make sure no one is injured by or exposed to deadly chemicals used in [HVAC] systems. Handling these chemicals also requires certification.”
And, of course, the monetary risks are huge. A non-professional who tampers with an air conditioning unit, for example, automatically voids the manufacturer’s warranty, likely hurting their wallet far more than an hour of a professional’s time would.
A poorly installed thermostat can cause electrical issues that affect an entire home. It can also damage the thermostat itself, so when the do-it-yourself job fails and a technician is called in, a whole new thermostat must be purchased and then installed properly.
Additionally, what may seem like a small, easy-to-fix issue could very well be a symptom of a much larger problem, and the sooner it’s detected the cheaper it will be to fix. Only a true professional has the knowledge required for an accurate diagnosis.
Hiring a professional HVAC company to do the work for you and focusing your DIY efforts elsewhere will save you time, money, stress, and maybe even a finger or two.
Nicole Barhorst 