Creating that delicate balance between heating elements, cooling fans, advanced equipment, optimum airflow, and motor mechanics takes more than a DIY video from YouTube.  You may be able to change your own oil, paint a bedroom, or install a ceiling fan, but that doesn’t mean you’re qualified to take on a DIY HVAC repair or replacement. Attempting to save a little money at first can end up in costly consequences later.

Professional experience and training play a major key in safely and successfully installing and repairing your HVAC equipment. Because the equipment is more involved, advanced, and complicated than ever before, HVAC installation and repairs should always be left to the professionals. If you have a system that needs fixing, connect with a local contractor today. 

Don't Do-It-Yourself! - DIY HVAC Repairs in Louisville, KY

Licensed HVAC Contractors: Qualifications and Skills

Becoming an expert in residential central air systems often takes years of training. In many locations, HVAC contractors must pass a professional licensing exam and complete specific requirements in order to become certified to work as an HVAC contractor.

Once they are certified, contractors must continue to receive additional training as new products and technologies are introduced. Because they are constantly learning and participating in training, this allows them to keep up with new technology and techniques. Using a qualified professional means that they show up ready to solve problems in more ways than one.

No YouTube video can give you the years of expertise it takes to diagnose current problems, predict future ones, and look for the hidden issues that are less than obvious.

What is HVAC?

Even if you understand basic concepts, HVAC is more complicated than it seems. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning is just the beginning of what HVAC actually entails.

Your HVAC system affects the health of your entire environment. It also affects your utility bills, temperature, and humidity, which makes a difference to your interior furnishings like paintings, instruments, furniture, and flooring.

  •     Heating-In addition to heating your home, warm air affects humidity, vapor pressure, building material durability, and emission rates. What if you have too much heat? Or not enough? Can you alter the design of your system to get the right heat in the right spaces?
  •     Ventilation-Ventilation keeps the air fresh, but also conditions and filters the air between indoor and outdoor air. Do you live near common air pollutants? Do you know how to deal with them? What about radon? Are you prepared to manage that as well?
  •     Air Conditioning-We all know that the AC keeps us cool, but it also decontaminates, deodorizes, dehumidifies, and changes the condition of the air itself. Do you need dehumidification? Do you know how much or what kind? What about electrostatic charges?

My Trusted Contractor is proud to work with local contractors all throughout the states of Indiana and Kentucky, including the cities of Indianapolis, IN, Fort Wayne, IN, Jeffersonville, IN, Louisville, KY, and Lexington, KY. Find a local contractor for your next HVAC project!

Routine HVAC Maintenance: What You Can Do

There are a few things you can, and should, be doing to take care of your own system. Being a responsible homeowner doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself, but there are a few items you can put on your own to-do list.

  1.    Air Filters: This is the easiest things on the list. Check the filter periodically, about once a month, and change it as necessary. If you have pets, or excessive dust, or open windows often, you may have to check and change it more often as well.
  2.    Clean Ducts and Registers: Keeping your system clean and tidy will help it run as smooth as possible. Cleaning your air ducts reduces the amount of dust in your home, and helps your home and the air inside stay cleaner. A regular vacuum or Shop Vac can remove a lot of this gunk without the need for professional equipment.
  3.    Check Drains: Check the drains around your system to ensure they aren’t clogged by algae and mold. You can pour a mixture of water and bleach into your drain once a year if you have issues with algae and mold growth.
  4.    Find a Break: In between seasons of extreme temperatures, find ways to give your system a break. Use a fan or put on a sweater to stay comfortable, and let your system take a break at the same time.

Sometimes, it’s what you don’t pay for that will end up costing you more in the long run. A DIY HVAC repair job may feel more beneficial for your wallet, but only for the short term. Over time, every DIY attempt can add discomfort and stress to your life. Even if you find a temporary fix while trying to replace or repair something, it can cause more significant problems down the road. When it comes to your HVAC system, leave it to the experts. Chances are, it’s less expensive than you think, and it’s always going to be worth it.

If you have more questions about the do’s and don’ts of HVAC, talk to a local licensed HVAC technician today.