Homeowners in Macon, Georgia, are often tempted to tackle HVAC repairs themselves to save money. While there are plenty of HVAC maintenance tasks you can do yourself, most are better left to the professionals. Here’s how to tell the difference.
What You Can Do
Air conditioners, furnaces, and heat pumps are more complicated than you might expect, so the list of DIY-approved tasks is short. However, keeping up with these recurring tasks, as trivial as they might seem, will pay off in the long run:
Change your HVAC filter regularly. How often you need to change yours will depend on how dirty it gets, but the typical range is every one to three months.
Clear any debris off your outside unit. Make a habit of checking it after storms, high winds, snowfall, and in the fall — anything that could clutter your system with leaves, sticks, and other debris.
Replace the batteries in your thermostat as needed.
If there are other tasks you think you could handle yourself, we encourage you to speak to a professional first. What looks like a simple repair job could be more complex than it seems.
What You Should Not Do
Anytime you notice a problem with your heating or air conditioning system, it’s best to schedule an appointment with an HVAC technician. These problems could include uneven cooling, a non-functioning fan, a unit that runs constantly, frozen lines, a broken thermostat, and strange noises or smells. If your HVAC system is behaving oddly, there is likely an internal problem that requires professional diagnosis and repair.
Even if your system seems to be running fine, scheduling an annual tune-up is important. Neglecting preventive maintenance or attempting the repairs yourself can easily end up costing more than it saves you. A Customer Care Plan, on the other hand, often pays for itself by helping your system last longer and run more efficiently.
Whether you DIY for fun or to cut costs, there are some HVAC maintenance tasks you shouldn’t do yourself. When you run into one of those, give the professionals at Pruett Air Conditioning a call: 478-953-4986.
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