Hvac problems you can solve by yourself

Hvac problems you can solve by yourself

Hvac problems you can solve by yourself

 

Admittedly, there is great satisfaction to be derived when we encounter a problem, look through our search engines for do-it -yourself instructions and solve the problem. No matter how long it took us to solve the problem, we feel a sense of accomplishment that glares over such details. However, there are a lot of cases where this wonderful feeling should be sacrificed when it comes to fixing problems on your heating ventilation and air-conditioning unit. Examples of such problems include:

  • Annual Maintenance – to avoid the expensive repair costs, routine maintenance at least once a year. Simply put, a lot of mechanical problems are functions of time. That is, their components experience wear and tear with time. After the wear reaches a level, the leakages or faults get wider and advance into bigger problems. Experts can help to notice the root cause of these faults and perform operations – from jobs as cleaning to more complex operations – that will maximize the lifespan of the unit in question.
  • Oil system only starts after reset button is pressed – standing as one of the most deceptive problems in heaters. The circuit breaker indicator is positive but the unit doesn’t turn on until you press the reset button. This problem slowly eats at the effectively of your furnace and you don’t feel its effect until it is too late. That is why a professional should be called to inspect the system for the problem’s source.

Other problems you should call a professional for include:

  • Combustion problems
  • When the air-conditioners won’t start. Etc.

Services that might not require the precision, skill and knowledge base of a professional

Replacing filters: This basic maintenance procedure can save you up to 15% on your utility. Why? This is because all HVAC systems use filters to protect the machinery by trapping dust. However, the accumulation of this dust ends up blocking the channels and distributes dust along with the cool air around the space/ room it is zoned to. Also, it increases the load the energy supply is to carry since more work is done carrying the dust and the designed volume of cool or hot air for regulating the room’s temperature.

Thermostat calibration: One of many parts of heating systems that can be quite fickle is the thermostat. So just before calling in the expert, it might be a better idea to compare the value showing on the display of the system to the actual temperature using a thermometer. If it doesn’t measure up, you can simply reset it using the available instructions from the manufacturers.

Blower lubrication: Another basic problem that can be fixed by more courageous do-it-yourself enthusiasts is to lubricate your furnace blower motor. I must say that this task is easier than it sounds. Steps to follow are to gather your tools, ensure everything is switched off, isolate the blower motor and clean the engine caps. After doing that, lubricate the bearings of the motor (1-3 drops per bearing) carefully reassemble the motor and that is all there is to it!

When you should call an expert?

Generally, calling for experts when there is a malfunction or for maintenance is a better choice than doing it yourself when it comes to HVAC systems. This is because HVAC systems can be dangerous and it is possible that, in doing it yourself, you violate the terms of your unit warranty. That is not to say that there isn’t a lot of services (services like replacing filters, calibrating thermostats and even lubricating bearings for pumps) you can save money by doing yourself.