“As much as possible we want to save cost in our home maintenance especially on things that we think we can do on our own. This is usually true when it comes to home repairs and other maintenance services that we’d rather do instead of hiring a professional. However, we need to bear in mind that there are certain aspects that are better left with professionals. ”
Your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is an important part of a functional home structure. Keeping your current HVAC system in good working order is a combination of regularly replacing filters and having it inspected and serviced once a year. Upgrading your current system or checking for inadequacies (like air leaks or a broken thermometer) is important as there are long-term benefits to a more efficient system such as reduced monthly energy costs. You might even realize that a better HVAC system helps to create a healthier home environment as well – important for family member suffering from allergies. Choosing whether to take on such repairs, upgrades or replacements yourself or to hire a professional can be confusing.
Consider factors such as your confidence in the task at hand, your budget, and your access to the appropriate tools and knowledge. If you crave a good project and don’t have a lot of money in your budget, you may be eager to tackle the latest HVAC project in your home on your own. You’ll certainly save some cash on not having to pay the labor for a contractor to perform the job. However, you may not truly have the skills, patience, time or even special equipment to do the job on your own properly. So how do you decide which route to take?
What you can handle yourself
There are some basic chores you can do to ensure proper operation of your cooling system:
- Change or clean your electrostatic air filter every month or per manufacturer’s recommendations
- Check thermostat and make sure it’s set at the most optimal seasonal setting
- Lubricate moving parts
- Remove debris, dirt, twigs, and leaves that may have fallen onto or into your outdoor condenser unit
- Check plugs or blockages in the condensation drain
- A monthly cleanliness check, especially during spring, late summer, and early fall will prevent heavy accumulations
- Clean the fan blades and coils of your cooling unit, but always make sure the power is off first
- Check the base pan for any debris
See more: http://porch.com/advice/diy-hire-professional-hvac-project/