HVAC Installation: DIY or Hire a Pro?

Trying to beat the heat? 

With recent heatwaves, you need an HVAC installation to keep things comfortable. It’s tempting to do it on your own. When you need to save time, money, and trouble, a DIY approach is great when it’s only simple HVAC projects. 

But if you’re trying to do a project that’s beyond your set of expertise, you’ll do better with a professional’s help. It’s always better to get a pro to help you get it done in a safe and efficient environment. It’s especially needed when you don’t have any technical expertise to DIY it.

Otherwise, it will have costly consequences since HVAC equipment isn’t cheap.

Which projects can you do on your own? Which jobs require professionals? Read on and find out more today.

DIY HVAC Projects

If you’re the type of person who enjoys doing home improvement projects, there are some HVAC installation or repair services you can do without professional help. Here are some things you can do without worrying about safety:

1. Changing the Air Filter

If you want to extend the lifespan of your air conditioner or heater, this activity is one of the best ways. It also ensures that you’ll have the best possible indoor air quality, no matter how old your HVAC system is. The general rule is that you should change your air filter once per month.

But if you’re in an area where it’s liable to get clogged or dirty due to pollution or other factors, you’ll need to change the filters more. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a mildew problem at the least.

2. Keeping the HVAC Components Clean

To make your HVAC system run without problems all-year-round, you can do this project on your own. If you do it regularly, you’ll maintain your system’s efficiency, saving some money on the utility costs. To start this project, make sure that your outdoor condenser unit has no dirt or debris.

Another activity you need to do is to trim your yard, especially near the outdoor condenser unit. That means you need to ensure that no vegetation or plants should grow within two feet around the unit.

3. Insulate Your Home

If you want to maintain your home’s efficiency, your home needs enough insulation. This will affect the lifespan of your HVAC unit and your future energy bills. A good way to start doing this is to read guides made by Energy Star since they help you do DIY sealing and insulating.

The Verdict

DIY HVAC projects can help you save funds in the long run. But to do this, you’ll need to ensure that you’re completing all your projects correctly. If you don’t, you’ll end up damaging your HVAC system, making it costlier since you’ll need to call in experts to fix it for you.

You can ask your HVAC technicians to show you how to do these DIY tasks. It’s an important activity when you’re unsure how to maintain your air conditioning unit. You can also start studying if you’re keen on doing future HVAC projects without professional help.

Don’t know who to call? You can turn to Americare Heat & Air for fast, reliable service. They can show you how to do these tasks on your own and they can help when it’s time to call for their expertise.

Not sure what projects need a professional touch? Let’s run these down below:

Professional HVAC Installation Projects

Most HVAC projects need expert help since a single wrong move can result in a costly disaster. If you want to avoid paying more for an amateur bungled up job, you need to get professionals to work on it. Here are some projects where a trained HVAC technician should finish the job:

1. New HVAC System Installation

When you’re replacing or installing a new HVAC unit, you’re better off calling in the experts. HVAC technicians have the expertise and experience to calculate the right unit size for your home. This will ensure that your HVAC system meets your comfort needs.

With a professional installation, you can expect your system to run with efficiency. You don’t have to rely on chance and risk damaging your system. You won’t have to worry whether it will function on the get-go. 

2. Air Conditioning and Heating Repairs

If you have some knowledge of HVAC systems, you can handle repairs on your own, as long as it doesn’t involve complicated machinery. But if you aren’t confident with your capabilities, you’ll need to get an HVAC technician to complete the repairs on your behalf.

Always remember that a single misstep can lead you to do more damage to your system. Unless you can handle the fine components of your HVAC system, you’re better off calling professionals. You might find parts online, like on eBay, but there’s no guarantee you’re getting the right parts.

3. Annual Tune-Ups

As said before, you can do some cleaning tasks to help your unit remain functional. But this isn’t enough if you want to extend your air conditioner’s lifespan for as long as possible. To do this, you’ll need a trained HVAC technician to do a tune-up at least once a year.

Aside from assuring a clean system, these pros will check other aspects of your system. They take a holistic approach and make sure that your system isn’t in need of other repairs.

Get Professional Help Today!

There is overwhelming evidence that you need professional help when doing an HVAC installation project. It’s safer and less pricey since you’re sure that they’re doing the job properly. These professionals often have insurance, meaning they’ll have the means of compensating you if anything goes wrong.

Also, you’ll have a warranty that lets you contact them if anything goes wrong within its duration. All in all, this will save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run.

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