HVAC Maintenance Tasks You Shouldn’t Try Yourself

Regular HVAC maintenance plays a critical role in keeping your Dunwoody, GA, home comfortable throughout the year. Some maintenance tasks are DIY, such as changing air filters and cleaning the condensate pan. Others, however, are more complex or even dangerous and are best left to heating and cooling professionals. Here are three maintenance tasks that you should never try yourself.

Changing or Adding Refrigerant

Handling refrigerant should always be left to heating and cooling professionals. Refrigerant is the chemical responsible for cooling the air in your home. It is safe to use in your heat pump or air conditioner, but mishandling it can be potentially dangerous. Symptoms from exposure range from dizziness and headache to rapid heartbeat and loss of consciousness. Refrigerant is also hazardous to the environment. The risks are serious enough that the Environmental Protection Agency requires a certification for those handling refrigerants.

Anything Involving Electricity

HVAC equipment uses large amounts of voltage. When you start messing around with wires, capacitors, contactors, or anything electrical, you run the risk of damaging your system. Even worse, you could get shocked or start a house fire. Heating and cooling professionals have the expertise and equipment to safely troubleshoot and maintain the electrical components of your HVAC system.

Anything That Might Void Your Warranty

Neglecting HVAC maintenance is a sure-fire way to cancel your warranty, but you also have to take care not to void it inadvertently through DIY maintenance. Using replacement parts from another company, incorrectly installing the part, or incorrectly performing a maintenance task can also nullify your warranty.

HVAC maintenance reduces the chance of unexpected repairs and keeps your AC unit, furnace, and heat pump running smoothly and efficiently. To learn more about our comprehensive service agreements, check out the HVAC maintenance services we offer at Ful-Bro Heating and Air Conditioning or call (678) 369-0500.