At first glance, you might think DIY AC maintenance can save you time and money while leaving you with a sense of accomplishment. However, when you don’t have professional AC experience, your repair efforts will likely do more harm than good.
Rather than struggling through DIY AC maintenance, just call Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing for quick AC repair in Tulsa, OK. Here’s why you shouldn’t waste the effort to try to fix your AC yourself.
You’ll Waste Valuable Hours
Though you’ll have to wait for an appointment when hiring professional air conditioner services, that doesn’t mean that DIY AC maintenance is quicker. In fact, the time it takes you to hunt down all the necessary tools and parts is better spent waiting for those who already have these things and know how to use them properly.
DIY AC maintenance also requires hours of researching a unit’s issues, finding potential causes, and learning how to repair them. Meanwhile, professional teams can use their experience to solve those issues quickly.
Additionally, DIY AC maintenance is often a test of patience. Most people wait until they detect issues with their air conditioner to perform maintenance, which often means working on a malfunctioning unit in blistering heat. There’s no reason to put yourself through that when a team of experts can perform maintenance for you in much less time and save you the trouble.
DIY AC Maintenance is Dangerous
HVAC systems operate using electricity, sharp metal objects, and refrigerant in the evaporator coil, which is toxic if inhaled. While a professional air conditioner technician will know how to handle those elements safely, someone without experience could severely injure themselves during DIY AC maintenance.
Additionally, you could let dust and debris into your HVAC system if you don’t know how to secure the system properly during maintenance. This could lower your home’s air quality the next time you use your AC. Not only will professional maintenance services protect you from danger, but they will also ensure no allergens sneak into the system and pollute your air quality.
You Might Miss a Manufacturer’s Warranty
Costs are the most significant reason people choose DIY AC maintenance over professional services. However, many AC systems come with manufacturer warranties that guarantee free fixes in certain situations. However, the second you try fixing an issue yourself, you’ll void that free repair guarantee.
Meanwhile, professional repair teams can determine which services your warranty covers, even if you no longer have your unit’s manual or warranty card. Without that information or professional help, you risk paying for.parts to fix your system yourself when you could have had professionals fix it for free.
In a worst-case scenario, you might attempt DIY AC maintenance, fail to fix the broken parts properly, and now owe for repairs that your warranty covered before your efforts. However, even if you do manage to fix the issues, doing so while voiding the warranty will only cost you time, effort, and money.
DIY AC Maintenance Can Be More Expensive
Believe it or not, most DIY AC maintenance efforts often cost more through several small purchases than the one-time lump sum payment of professional maintenance.
For example, most people will have to purchase the specialized tools required for DIY maintenance, which can cost hundreds of dollars. Additionally, even if you have all the right equipment, you’ll need to acquire replacement parts for your AC’s worn-down or broken pieces.
Meanwhile, most AC repair teams have replacement parts ready immediately, and all have the right tools for the job. Not having to buy those pieces can save you money, but it can also save time if you otherwise have to order online and have to wait for shipping costs.
Your Fixes Won’t Be As Effective
Even after diagnosing an issue and researching how to fix it, completing the procedure won’t be an easy feat. Repairing an AC system requires patience, precision, and extensive knowledge of identifying worn-down parts. Without those skills, your fixes won’t be as effective as someone with years on the job.
Professional maintenance teams have years of training and practice analyzing broken air conditioners and fixing their parts. These experts have gone through rigorous training to learn how to conquer issues in everything from the drain pipe to the air handlers. Meanwhile, an inexperienced DIYer will likely have no idea how to handle the tools or the system components, and so may not fully address their issue.
What Professional AC Maintenance Can Provide
Apart from time and stress savings and a functioning air conditioner, professional maintenance services offer several benefits that DIY AC maintenance cannot.
Lower Energy Bills
When an air conditioner has worn-down parts or a clogged air filter, it will have to work harder and for longer to cool your home. Unfortunately, that extra effort shows up in your energy bills, and your DIY AC maintenance attempts might not be enough to offset it.
However, professional repair teams will restore your AC to its cleanest and its fullest strength with one maintenance appointment, ensuring it can run smoothly and keep your energy costs low.
Longer Lasting Equipment
Strained, overworked air conditioners have more adverse effects than higher energy bills. When an AC has to fight through grime and broken parts, the entire machine will wear down quicker than average, leaving you with a completely broken HVAC if you can’t properly maintain it.
On the other hand, professional teams that offer reliable fixes can keep your AC system healthy and negate the need for unexpected repairs or replacements. Not only will that save you future service costs, but it will also prevent losing your AC when needed.
Professional AC Maintenance From Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
Repair services from Quality Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing are quicker and cheaper than DIY AC maintenance and more effective than our professional competitors. We’ll use a soft brush to thoroughly clean your AC and apply our unbeatable expertise to repair any lingering issues in a flash.
Call Quality Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today at 918-212-0122 to schedule an appointment or learn more about AC efficiency ratings.
Cassie Pound is the Vice President of Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric with locations in Tulsa, Glenpool, and Bartlesville, Oklahoma.