DIY Vs. Professional HVAC Services
DIY Vs. Professional HVAC Services
05/22/2018
When your HVAC equipment is giving you problems, your first thought may be to do it yourself to save money. However, while there are some small fixes you can handle on your own, other repairs and tuneups should be done by a professional. Saving yourself money now by doing a shoddy job will only serve to give you headaches later when you have to shell out even more money for a professional to fix what you did.
When considering DIY vs. hiring an HVAC contractor, there are many factors that come into play, from the tools you have on hand to your budget.
DIY HVAC Service
If you’re handy around the house, you can handle some of the more basic chores when it comes to your cooling system, such as changing or cleaning your electrostatic air filter every month, says DIY Network. You can also clean out any debris that may have made its way into your outdoor condenser unit, such as dirt, twigs and leaves. Do this in spring and late summer. After checking the base pan for debris, clean the fan blades and coils — after cutting the power of course. Take a look at the surrounding landscape. If there are bushes or any type of vegetation close to the unit, cut them back about two feet. When winter hits, cover your unit to prevent snow and falling branches from getting inside.
Benefits of DIY A/C Service
The obvious benefit to DIY is the money saving factor. With a professional, you will pay a flat rate just for the appointment, plus even more for holidays and weekends, then you’ll get the repair bill which includes parts and labor — often times a blow to the budget because the repair was unexpected. Another benefit to DIY is the time savings because you don’t have to book an appointment, stay home from work, and wait around for the technician. However, if you don’t really know what you’re doing, you could end up wasting far more time than you intended, so keep that in mind!
Professional HVAC Service
On the flip side, you’ll quickly find out why the professionals charge what they do: they know what they’re doing, they’re efficient and fast, and they have the necessary tools and equipment to get the job done. If you do not have the training, skill and resources to tackle a DIY job, you could cause more damage to the unit and cost yourself much more money in the long run to get it fixed. You could also detract from the lifespan of your unit, causing you to have to upgrade sooner than you planned.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional
When you hire a professional HVAC technician, they arrive in vans well-stocked with all the latest equipment, using up-to-date knowledge on industry techniques. You can also lean on your hired technicians for tips, tricks and insider knowledge that you could never get on your own, including how to save on energy bills with the latest smart products. A professional is usually available 24/7 for emergency HVAC services, so when your AC suddenly stops working on the hottest night of the year, you have help readily available.
Speaking of products, when you have to go online or to the store to purchase the parts you need, you’re paying high retail prices. Your HVAC contractor has wholesale connections that give him access to bulk parts at lower prices from trusted suppliers. That’s one connection you just don’t have. In terms of safety, HVAC contractors are trained in the proper safety precautions to keep himself, and your family, safe. For example, let’s say you’re doing some repairs on your heating system. You may not realize it, but you’re putting the household at risk because there are deadly components involved, such as the potential for carbon monoxide leaks. Professionals know these risks and do their part to prevent them.
Now that you’ve got all the facts, you can make the right decision between tackling your HVAC project as a DIY’er or hiring a professional.
Contact Command Service Center
If you decide a pro is the way to go, contact us at Command Service Center. We pride ourselves on our high-quality installations, professional services, competitive pricing and top quality brands.