Tempted to Repair Your Own HVAC System? Avoid These Common Repair Mistakes

The most important appliances in our homes have a sneaky talent for breaking down or acting up when we need them most. If your AC or furnace starts to misbehave, you may feel inspired to pull out your toolbox and take on the problem yourself. But it's essential that you call a licensed HVAC expert instead of handling major repairs yourself. 

In between expert visits, be sure to avoid common mistakes when running your HVAC. Caring for these crucial systems comes down to knowing when to take a look yourself and when to leave repairs to the pros. If you're tempted to open up your vents, AC, furnace, heat pump, or thermostat, pump the brakes—the following common HVAC repair mistakes are potentially dangerous and costly.

1. Ignoring the Warning Signs

While you should leave most HVAC repairs to the pros, you can—and should be—the eyes and ears for catching issues before they get worse. Common signs of HVAC trouble include:

• Sudden temperatures changes in your home

• Strange smells coming from vents or radiators

• New sounds when the system is running

• High heating or electric bills

• Unresponsive thermostat

• Pooled water around your ducts, furnace, or AC unit

Many homeowners commit this repair mistake by failing to act on these warning signs as soon as they detect it. If you wait too long to call a pro, the issue will likely get worse. 

2. Skipping Basic Troubleshooting

As a homeowner, troubleshooting is the best way to help your local HVAC team determine the problem. When you call your local AC or heating experts, they may advise you to check a few common issues before making an appointment. For example, your system may not pop on if you've lost power to your home or if you have a tripped breaker. 

Some indoor and outdoor AC units also have individual power switches for safety purposes. Your HVAC team can walk you through how to safely investigate the power sources if this is the case. 

Lastly, there's also a chance that your thermostat needs a reset or a new fuse, or perhaps a newly purchased thermostat doesn't mesh with your old equipment. To avoid hiring a repair team to fix a simple issue that you could’ve resolved yourself, run through basic troubleshooting steps before calling in the big guns.

3. Improvising Temporary Fixes

Ah, the almighty power of duct tape. When you detect a leak in your HVAC vents, AC, or furnace, you may feel inspired to reach for the mythical fix-all tool. But it is not safe to use duct tape—or any other improvised materials for that matter—to patch up something as powerful as your HVAC system.

If you detect a leak—from leaked air from your ducts to water from your furnace—call an HVAC professional immediately.

4. Ignoring the Condenser Coils

Outdoor air conditioner coils experience a buildup of grime, dust, and fur just as much as the ones on your refrigerator. Cleaning your HVAC condenser coils is a delicate process, which you should approach with care. 

To avoid complications, depend on heating and cooling experts for coiling cleanings. The experts understand how to delicately remove these coils during routine maintenance and dissolve grime with a specialized detergent. Taking the DIY approach can break down the coils over time, causing long-term damage to your system.

An annual AC tune-up costs between $70 and $100, and your specialist will take care of dirty coils during their visit if necessary.

5. Cleaning Your Own Ducts

Allergy sufferers are all too aware of the importance of keeping a dust and pollen-free home. If you're hoping to save a bit of money on repair costs, it's very tempting to grab the vacuum and attempt to clean your ductwork yourself. However, we recommend sticking to only cleaning the registers on your own to avoid damage.

Leave cleaning ductwork to professionals with specialized equipment to move through your whole system. You also may not need this service as often as you think—typically only every three to five years. 

6. Attempting DIY Refrigerant Replacement

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, handling any type of refrigerant is legally a job for a licensed professional. There's a common misconception that an AC unit uses refrigerant over time and will work better if you simply add more. But if your machine is suddenly running low on refrigerant, it’s likely the warning sign of a leak. Always call a professional AC expert if you detect low refrigerant.

7. Hiring a "Discount" HVAC Company

As the saying often goes, you get what you pay for. “Bargain” HVAC companies love to bombard customers with low-ball offers below the market rate. But if the price seems too good to be true, the company may be making up for lost money in lower-quality HVAC parts. 

Rushed installation or poor materials means that you'll need more HVAC repairs or even a full replacement in less time. To avoid HVAC scams, always research the company thoroughly before signing a contract or allowing a new repair person into your home. Asking your HVAC installer questions, like if you can see their license, will help weed out any people who aren’t right for the job.