In this article, we will discuss the mistakes that people make when they are performing HVAC maintenance. There are many different types of mistakes that can be made and it is important to know which ones you should avoid for a number of reasons including safety and cost-efficiency.
Doing a poor job on your air filter
Sometimes people neglect to change their air filter often enough or don’t realize how dirty an old one has become until it’s too late. If your filters aren’t cleaned regularly, the dirt from inside them will enter into the ducts bringing more allergens with them as well as making your home’s air quality worse because it just circulates around in there all day long! So, timing filter changes correctly can save you money in the long run. Also, it is important to make sure you purchase the right replacement filters for your unit.
Not turning off your heating or cooling systems when you leave
Letting your air conditioner or heater run all day wastes a lot of energy and money, no matter how old it is. If you aren’t going to be home for an extended period of time, make sure that you turn off your heating and cooling system so that it doesn’t waste power or oil while it isn’t in use. This will also help your system to run more effectively and efficiently during the times that you do use it.
Not turning on the heat before cold weather hits
If you wait until the temperature starts to drop before you turn on your heating system, then it will take longer for your house to warm up which means more wear and tear on your unit as well as costing you more money! You need to turn on your heating system several days beforehand if possible even if the temperature isn’t too cold yet. This way, your system won’t have to work so hard when the temperature is lower and you will have a warm home when you need it.
Not knowing whether or not you need professional services
Every now and then it is okay to take on HVAC maintenance work yourself but there are some problems that should be addressed by a pro. If your unit isn’t working correctly, if your electricity bills are sky-high, or even if the unit just sounds strange when you run it, then you may need to call in an expert for help! There’s nothing wrong with getting an outside opinion so don’t be afraid to ask for one if necessary. Professionals are here to help you after all.
Sometimes people turn to DIY solutions because they want to save money but sometimes paying the extra cash up front can save them thousands of dollars over time. If you don’t know what you are doing when it comes to HVAC then just buy the tools that are meant for the job. They are worth the investment and can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
For example, “duct cleaning” is a task that requires a professional because a person may damage a furnace or air conditioner if they don’t know what they are doing. If the machinery is damaged then it will have to be fixed or replaced which can cost thousands of dollars. So do yourself a favor and just pay the professionals since they know how to get the job done right without damaging your system.
Testing your equipment before turning it on and off
It is always advisable to test out all of your equipment before starting it up, even if you put new filters in or any other maintenance work has been done recently. You should turn everything on one by one and let them run for a few minutes each so that you can make sure they are working correctly without forcing too much wear and tear onto them at once. This will also help prevent further problems instead of causing them so do this regularly!
While turning off your equipment may seem like common sense, you would be surprised at how many people don’t switch everything off before checking to make sure that they are all working. This can cause further damage because of the pressure release when shutting down units. This is not only costly but also dangerous if carbon monoxide is released into the home, which it can be if the pressure release is not done correctly.
Skipping preventative maintenance altogether
The best thing you can do is get in the habit of doing routine HVAC maintenance every year so that it lasts for even longer! Keep all of your equipment clean and working well by running it regularly, changing air filters when they need to be, and testing everything once in a while just to make sure nothing went wrong without your knowledge. You should also schedule inspections with an expert about twice a year so they can inspect your entire system from top to bottom.
Letting any problems go unfixed because you think it’s too expensive or complicated to fix them yourself
It is a good idea to have a general understanding of how your unit works but even if you don’t, there’s no need to feel intimidated. A wide variety of HVAC problems can be fixed in a quick and easy manner without having to call an expert or even take anything apart from yourself if you don’t know how. Even the slightest problem is worth fixing because left alone, it could become much worse and end up costing you more than just money in repairs.
Not taking the time to get to know your unit
You should read up on your HVAC system every now and then so that you know what’s going on inside of it, especially if you are having any problems or expensive bills. It may even help to ask questions about how it works but not only will this save you money in the long run but it can also help prevent further damage to your system so you don’t have to keep turning to professionals every now and then because you didn’t know what was going on!
HVAC maintenance mistakes can cost you more than just money. You could be unknowingly causing problems with your home’s safety and the health of your family. It is important to know which mistakes to avoid so that you can protect your investment and save on costly repairs in the future.
