Internet access and popularity has fostered a do-it-yourself culture for many tasks, from tech repairs to home improvements. This can be beneficial, like learning how to change air filters or put training wheels on children’s bikes.
Still, it’s best to not take DIY practices too far. For example, you shouldn’t rely on do-it-yourself furnace maintenance.
At Cooper’s Plumbing & Air, we provide industry-leading heating services in Tallahassee, FL, including regular maintenance on various heating units. While some may consider our warning an act of job security, it’s actually more for your safety and comfort. Here are several reasons you should avoid DIY-ing certain aspects of furnace care in your home.
Problems With Furnace DIY Projects
A professional furnace inspection can take care of various issues at a reasonable cost. Sometimes, relying on your knowledge and skill without adequate training can put yourself and other household members in danger. Even if you end up physically okay after attempting maintenance, your financial status could take a blow.
Damaged Equipment
Furnaces can last a long time, but they need detailed care to function. Amateur inspections are fine if you’re in training and under expert supervision, but working on your unit alone could lead to serious furnace damage. If you damage it enough, it could stop working long before its lifespan is up.
As you already know, a furnace isn’t a cheap appliance, and it’s especially necessary as temperatures drop. While you mean well, it’s best not to leave your furnace’s maintenance up to chance.
Call an expert to work on it. That way, you can rely on our expertise and receive dependable assistance in an emergency.
Increased Fire Hazards
Most people know electrical connections require an expert electrician to handle issues. After all, it only takes a single shock to seriously injure an unsuspecting and untrained homeowner. The same principle works for furnaces.
These units produce heat via combustion or electrical processes. Mishandling parts can increase fire risks or cause an explosion, especially if your system uses gas. Licensed and trained professionals can handle electric and other furnace components with significantly reduced risks to their health.
No On-Time Resolution
Furnace specialists usually have a personal and detailed maintenance checklist they follow to ensure your furnace works as intended by the time they leave. They also want to make sure you don’t need to call back soon after they finish service.
When attempting a solo DIY job, there’s no telling if you’ll find a furnace issue before you need to use the unit. If you can’t, your furnace may be out of commission when you need it most. Instead, you can receive emergency services from a specialist so you and your household aren’t chilled to the bone in your own home.
Furnace Warranty Failure
Most furnaces have a service warranty that reduces or eliminates certain costs when servicing your unit for a while. However, do-it-yourself furnace maintenance invalidates most warranties.
If you don’t do maintenance correctly, you may have additional problems. First, despite the time, money, and energy you spent on the project, you have to call a professional to do it anyway. Second, you’ve added on additional expenses — including potential repairs — that could’ve been covered under warranty had you called an expert first.
Try relying on a professional from the start so you don’t have to come out of pocket for covered expenses.
Homeowner’s Insurance Woes
Your homeowner’s policy, like a warranty, can cover unexpected damage to your furnace and other parts of your property. However, many homeowner’s insurance policies require that a professional services your furnace whenever you need maintenance or have a serious technical problem.
Do-it-yourself damages rarely receive the same treatment as when an expert works on your system. If you don’t call a professional, the insurer could void your policy for failure to comply with your side of the contract.
Real estate Market Complications
While you may not intend to sell your home, circumstances can change later. When the time comes to sell, prospective buyers will usually call inspectors to do a thorough look-through on the property. During a professional furnace inspection, their inspector may catch signs of your personal furnace project.
Most buyers tend to feel wary about DIY additions or upkeep, making your property hard to sell. Worse still, if the systems fail to meet local codes, you could face fines or orders to pay for professional maintenance before you can sell your property.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risks
A malfunctioning furnace can release high amounts of carbon monoxide (CO), which can become deadly in high concentrations. The odorless, colorless gas can cause confusion, nausea, and suffocation. Depending on the situation, you could start working on a leaking system in an enclosed space without noticing.
Calling our professionals can help you avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. We have tools to detect carbon monoxide and training to safely secure the premises and resolve gas leaks before they worsen.
Furnace Maintenance You Can Do Yourself
Make no mistake, we’re not against self-sufficiency! You can maintain certain aspects of your furnace without professional help, just not in the circumstances mentioned above. Feel free to rely on do-it-yourself furnace maintenance for these duties in and around your unit:
- Change air filters
- Seal leaky air ducts
- Clean flame sensors
- Inspect burner flames
- Change thermostat batteries
- Clean burner and blower sections
If you don’t know how to do any of these, don’t worry! You can either call us or check our blog for instructional posts.
Furnace Care You Can Count On
Do-it-yourself furnace maintenance isn’t worth the accidents and issues they can cause. Instead, Call Cooper’s Plumbing & Air for to address any furnace problem or maintenance woe. We can help if, for example, your furnace is blowing cold air or won’t turn on.
For over 20 years, we’ve provided HVAC services in and around Tallahassee, FL, and nearby cities. You can reach out to Cooper’s Plumbing & Air for 24/7 emergency furnace repairs or regular maintenance services. Visit our contact page to schedule your free consultation today!