The Worst Problems That Come from DIY HVAC Maintenance

DIY home improvement projects can help you feel productive, kill time, and save money. However, when it comes to your HVAC system, it's best to not take matters into your own hands. Here are some of the dangers that come with DIY HVAC projects.

Safety Issues

You can get injured while attempting DIY HVAC maintenance. HVAC systems require plenty of voltage to run. If you're not careful, this voltage can seriously harm you. Mishandling a gas furnace during maintenance can lead to gas leaks, which can cause explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Air conditioners contain refrigerants, which pose health risks. You should never recharge refrigerant on your own, because doing so is extremely dangerous. What's more, only licensed professionals can legally handle systems with refrigerants. Therefore, AC maintenance checks are best left to professionals. During annual maintenance, your HVAC contractor will check the refrigerant and recharge your system if necessary.

A Waste of Money

HVAC repairs require special tools and knowledge. When trying to fix your HVAC system yourself, you could easily cause more damage. As a result, you may have to replace more parts, leading to costlier repairs. Even worse, you could lose the entire system and require premature replacement. Also, if you get hurt while doing DIY HVAC maintenance, you may end up with a mountain of medical bills.

Conducting a DIY HVAC project in a bid to try to save a bit of money could end up with your bank account taking a severe hit. It's safer and more affordable to use professional help.

Loss of Warranty

HVAC manufacturers usually require professional repairs and maintenance to keep their warranties in effect. DIY HVAC maintenance and repairs can lead to the loss of warranty. And don't forget that every fault that a potential buyerfinds in your house will lower the price.

Opting to hire a professional HVAC technician rather than carrying out DIY HVAC maintenance is vital to both your family's and your HVAC system's well-being. If you need quality HVAC services and equipment from an award-winning company in the Broken Arrow area, contact us at Air Assurance.

What Warranty Terms Should You Look for When Buying HVAC Equipment?

HVAC warranty terms vary, so you shouldn't take them for granted when making HVAC purchase decisions. You'll only get the peace of mind that a warranty should provide if the applicable terms and coverage details are a good value for you. Here's a quick primer on the warranty terms you should look for when replacing your heating and cooling equipment.

Equipment Warranty

Generally, HVAC warranties can be classified into equipment and labor warranties. Equipment warranties are provided by the manufacturers and cover failures or malfunctions related to faulty parts.

HVAC equipment manufacturers offer standard and base equipment warranties. You'll get a standard warranty if you register your new equipment within the required time (typically within 60 to 90 days of installation). The base warranty comes into effect if you fail to register your system. It's much shorter than the standard coverage.

When buying an HVAC system, make sure you'll get at least a 10-year warranty once you register the system with the manufacturer.

Labor Warranty

A labor warranty is provided by the HVAC contractor that installs your new equipment. It's greatly important because HVAC performance depends heavily on whether the equipment was installed correctly. Generally, contractors offer labor warranties and extend them if you sign up for their service agreement.

Labor-warranty terms vary widely from one contractor to another. Competent companies that offer high-quality installations offer better labor warranties than those that aren't confident in their services. An honest company with certified technicians shouldn't have a problem providing you a labor warranty that lasts up to 10 years, especially if you enroll in a maintenance agreement.

While labor HVAC warranty terms are usually the greatest source of headaches, equipment warranties can also be nerve-racking, as they can be voided if a system isn't installed according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Therefore, work with a local contractor who has a proven track record of HVAC installations and offers an excellent labor warranty. If you need HVAC installation, repair, or maintenance from the top-rated company in the Broken Arrow area, contact Air Assurance. We offer Planned Maintenance that comes with a lifetime warranty on most repairs and extended labor warranties.