WHICH HVAC PROJECTS SHOULD I NEVER TRY MYSELF?

September 17, 2021
 | By 
Queen Plumbing Charlotte

Your home's HVAC system is a complex, interconnected mechanism. Its heating, cooling, and ventilating components all rely upon one another to deal with your house's air correctly. When something goes wrong with a single aspect of this machine, it affects the entire system… and you. Obviously, we understand why you'd want to attempt and fix any problems you notice yourself right away!

Unfortunately, that's often ill-advised. Just because your HVAC system is so uncontrollable, it tends to be especially dangerous for non-professionals to operate on. While trying to fix 1 thing, you could end up breaking something even worse… or hurting yourself. While there are a number of minor HVAC projects (such as cleaning vents and ac units) you are able to do yourself, you need to leave the majority of the bigger problems to the pros. Listed below are three HVAC jobs you should never try yourself, and why:

Air Conditioner Repair

When it comes to AC repair, what you do not know can harm you. An air conditioning unit has lots of delicate moving parts to keep tabs on. Should you accidentally damage, bulge, or dislocate some of those parts, you might end up maintaining your AC from running in any way.

The last thing you need to do is to turn into a little AC problem to a big AC problem, and chances are, that's exactly what you are going to wind up doing in the event that you attempt to fix a minor AC problem yourself. The worse the AC problem, the longer it will take to fix. The longer it takes to fix, the longer you go without air conditioning. It's not worth the possible risk (for your AC, your checkbook, or your health) to try to fix your AC yourself. Going with the pros will always end up being faster, safer, and likely less expensive, to boot!

Asbestos Removal

Before you consider beginning any HVAC project, you need to find out whether or not your vents include asbestos. Asbestos was frequently used in the construction of ventilation systems prior to the 1980s. If you think you might have asbestos, do not enter your vents yourself. If you do, then you run the risk of kicking up asbestos into the atmosphere, where it could circulate throughout your house. Any sum of airborne asbestos exposure is very dangerous.

Asbestos removal is frequently part of incorporating new ventilation and duct work as part of an HVAC update. If you think you've got asbestos, then you have to get it removed before you do any other duct work. Leave the asbestos removal to the experts: they possess the safety equipment and expertise needed to remove asbestos without exposing it. Take asbestos vulnerability quite seriously--don't put yourself in danger.

Replacing a Hot Water Tank

Unfortunately, Installing a fresh hot water tank is not as simple as removing the older one and screwing the new one back on. In fact, installing a brand new hot water tank will expect a great deal of expert assistance. You'll have licenses to obtain , codes to assess, and safety regulations to follow. If you are not already intimately acquainted with all these particulars, installing a brand new hot tank tank can become very challenging.

It can also be dangerous. Many hot water tanks are always connected to gas lines. Installing a tank into a gas line wrongly could lead to a gas flow or carbon dioxide emissions. If your hot water tank is not heated using gas, then it's warmed by electricity. Attempting electrical workout is nearly as dangerous as working with gasoline --and it is even more complex. Without the ideal tools and knowledge, working with electricity or gas is a very bad idea. Leave this particular installation to the pros.

We understand that completing DIY projects can be satisfying… especially right now, when everybody's trying to find something to do. Nevertheless, remember that there's a limit to what anyone should do on their own. It's not about intellect, skill, or even know how--it is about security and certification.

If you need assistance with any of those HVAC projects mentioned previously or any HVAC project we did not cover, give Queen Charlotte Plumbing Charlotte a call. Our certified technicians in Charlotte take every precaution to keep you safe and get the work done right.

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