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Whether your AC isn’t cooling your home as well as it used to, you’ve noticed a strange noise coming from your outdoor unit, or you’ve noticed an increased amount of dust in your home, you wonder what’s wrong with your HVAC system and if you need to hire a professional to fix it.
While there are a few minor maintenance tasks you can perform yourself, there are very few repairs or replacements you should take on yourself.
An HVAC unit is a complicated electrical and mechanical system. Licensed technicians must endure years of difficult schooling followed by experience in the field to become certified HVAC technicians.
Choosing to fix your HVAC system yourself can result in not only damaging the system but injuring yourself as well.
As a trusted San Antonio HVAC service company since 1979, Wright Home Services has helped thousands of homeowners repair and replace their HVAC systems, no matter the issue.
We’re here to educate you and answer all your questions regarding your HVAC system, including simple DIY fixes, tips and tricks, and finding the right company to work with.
However, the last thing we want you to do is to take on an HVAC repair when a professional is needed and then end up hurting yourself or creating a bigger problem.
This article will provide you with some HVAC repair and maintenance tasks you can do yourself, what repairs warrant hiring a professional, and the dangers of not using a professional when you should.
Then, you can avoid damaging your HVAC, your home, and yourself and find a trustworthy company to provide you with the right solution.
3 Simple HVAC Maintenance Repairs You Can Do Yourself
The truth is, there aren’t many HVAC repairs you can (or should) do yourself. Because an HVAC unit is made of complicated wiring and mechanical components, it’s easy to mess something up.
But, you can perform a few preventative maintenance repairs to keep your HVAC system working properly and avoid future problems.
Let’s look at three easy HVAC maintenance tips you can perform that don’t require a professional.
1. Replace your air filters regularly
One of the easiest maintenance tasks to help make your HVAC system function smoother is replacing your air filters regularly.
The filters in your HVAC receivers help to catch dust and debris inside your home and trap it so it does not recirculate throughout your home. When the filters have excess buildup, it makes your HVAC system work twice as hard for the same output and also allows for more dust to stick on your surfaces.
By checking and replacing your air filters about every three months, you improve airflow, reduce dust and allergens in your home, and increase the longevity of your HVAC system.
This is a simple maintenance task that only costs around $30-70 and a few minutes of your time.
2. Clean your exterior unit
Another easy maintenance tip to keep your HVAC system running smoothly is regularly cleaning off dirt, debris, and grass clippings from your exterior unit.
This is especially important in the spring and summertime when the pollen count is high and you and your neighbors are typically cutting your grass more often.
Hosing off the exterior unit of your HVAC system allows it to breathe better when circulating the air in your home. This will help cool your home more efficiently and keep your system functioning as well as it should.
3. Flush the drain line
The third and final maintenance repair you can perform yourself is cleaning the drain line on your exterior unit.
The drain line functions to help drain any condensation that has accumulated from the evaporator coil. If the drain line is clogged or not draining properly, the moisture will build up and allow for microbial growth to occur.
Blockages in drain lines are common when dust, debris, and even leaves build up and clog the drain line. This can cause water to accumulate underneath your system, your system to suddenly shut off, or make your home feel humid and muggy.
Cleaning your drain line is simple. First, locate the drain line on your interior and exterior unit. On the interior unit, it is typically a T-shaped or curved vertical PVC or copper line with a cap on it.
Before flushing the drain line, you must turn off your HVAC system and the thermostat.
If you do not see an obvious blockage in the drain line, you can flush the drain line with some warm water and white vinegar, but only about half a cup at a time. The acidity of the white vinegar helps dissolve a blockage in the line.
Ensuring your drain line is clog-free will keep your HVAC system running properly and prevent leaks around your unit.
When You Need To Hire A Professional HVAC Technician
Now that you know three simple HVAC maintenance repairs you can perform yourself, you must understand when you need to hire a professional.
If you’re experiencing any problems with your HVAC unit, the best thing you can do is have a professional come out and assess your unit.
Even if you think you know what the problem is, the last thing you want to do is open up your unit, poke around, and make things worse than they were before.
If you attempt to replace a part on your HVAC unit or fix what you think is broken, you risk
- Burning, electrocuting, or cutting yourself
- Damaging your unit further
- Short-circuiting the wiring, causing a fire
- Falling through your roof when working in the attic
- Getting refrigerant burns
Attempting to fix your HVAC problems yourself is not worth risking your life. Electrocution is the largest risk if you decide to open up your unit and tamper with the insides.
It’s best to hire a professional to properly assess your problem and provide you with the right solution, even if it is more costly.
How To Find The Right HVAC Company For You
After learning more about three simple maintenance repairs you can perform and the dangers of repairing your HVAC unit yourself, you know how to take care of your HVAC system to keep it functioning properly and when to hire a professional.
If you’ve noticed a strange noise coming from your HVAC unit, your home isn’t cooling as well as it used to, or your energy bills have gone up gradually over the years, there may be a hidden problem that may not be obvious.
Before diagnosing what’s harming your HVAC system, consult a trustworthy, professional HVAC repair company.
While hiring a professional is more expensive than inspecting your system yourself, it is crucial to ensure your problem is properly identified and solved.
The only HVAC maintenance repairs you should take on yourself are
- Replacing your air filters
- Cleaning the exterior unit
- Flushing and cleaning out drain lines
If you attempt to open up your unit and make changes you aren’t 100% sure how to resolve, you risk damaging your unit, creating a fire hazard, and possibly electrocution.
Finding a trustworthy HVAC company in your area is the best solution to fixing your unit, whether a small repair or part replacement or requires a full system replacement.
However, we understand finding the right company to work with can be difficult.
With so many options on the market, how do you know who to trust? Which will meet your needs and take care of your home? Luckily, we have the perfect resource for you.
Check out this article that outlines 12 things to look for to find a high-quality HVAC company, including how long they have been in business, their reviews, online presence, and more.
Are you looking for an expert San Antonio HVAC company? Schedule your appointment with Wright Home Services for all your HVAC repair and replacement needs – we treat you Wright!
