From plumbing to painting and simple electrical repairs, when it comes to home improvement, you might be the type of person who prefers tackling jobs around the house on your own. However, before you consider tackling an issue with your HVAC system, it is important to remember that there are several tasks related to your furnace and central air conditioning that are too complicated to handle on your own.
Here are a few common HVAC maintenance tasks that you should always leave to the professionals.
Cleaning and Repairing the Condenser
Your HVAC unit is divided into two main parts: the furnace or air handler inside your home and the condenser outside. The condenser is the large, metal box that is outside your home either on the ground or on the roof. The condenser houses many critical components, including the compressor, coils, refrigerant, and a fan that transfers heat outside of the home.
Because the condenser is outdoors, it is vulnerable to damage caused by the weather, dirt, and other debris, and the condenser can become very dirty. Do not attempt to take apart the condenser to do any cleaning or repairs, including checking for a refrigerant leak or repairing the fan blades. Instead, if your condenser is leaking coolant, the fan blades appear damaged, or there are any strange noises coming from the condenser, contact a professional to determine the issue.
Replacing Your Thermostat
Replacement thermostats are available at your local hardware or home improvement stores and because of this, you probably think that you can easily swap out your old thermostat for a newer model. In reality, even though thermostats are inexpensive, the thermostat is one of the most important components of your HVAC system.
Consult an HVAC technician to help you not only purchase the right thermostat for your home and lifestyle but also to make sure the thermostat is installed correctly. Not all thermostats are compatible with your HVAC system, and in addition, the thermostat must be wired correctly to ensure that the temperature in the room remains consistent with the temperature in the room.
Cleaning and Maintaining Ductwork
Your home's HVAC ductwork allows cool and warm air to circulate throughout your home and keep you and your family comfortable. Unfortunately, your ductwork can become filled with dust and allergens, suffer damage, or, worse, your ductwork can become infested with insects and other pests.
Special equipment and expertise are required to clean ductwork. A professional is also trained to look for damage and to make any necessary repairs to the ductwork.
Performing a Yearly Inspection
Finally, if your HVAC unit has been recently upgraded or you have not had any issues, you might assume that a yearly inspection is not necessary or that you can simply grab a flashlight and take a quick glance at the furnace and condenser to check for any damage. Unfortunately, not only could taking on the task of inspecting the HVAC system yourself keep you from having any minor damage repaired before the damage becomes a major issue, but you could also actually put your family in danger.
One of the biggest dangers posed by a malfunctioning HVAC unit is carbon monoxide. If there is damage to various components inside the furnace, particularly the heat exchanger, carbon monoxide can leak into your home. According to the Mayo Clinic, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause several symptoms in your family, including a headache, weakness, nausea, dizziness, and confusion.
A professional HVAC technician can check all the components inside your system, determine if any repairs are necessary, and ensure that your family is safe and comfortable all year long.
From replacing the thermostat to repairing the condenser, when it comes to your HVAC system, there are a lot of tasks that should be left to the professionals. Contact a company that offers HVAC services to learn more.
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