SAB Pick:

DIY HVAC: costs and points to consider

Whether you live in a new or an old house, you might be considering a few DIY HVAC projects. Before you even reach for your toolbox, learn what this entails.

  • Do you like this article?

Quality Services

Where do you need services?

Where do you need services?

Featured in

DIY HVAC by Antre on FlickrHeating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are more commonly find in newer homes. Older homes often use gas heat. Whether you live in a new or an old house, you might be considering a few DIY HVAC projects. Before you even reach for your toolbox, you need to know exactly what this entails.

Nix the DIY HVAC approach! Connect with quality contractors today!

If you watch television, you might see ads for local schools and community colleges that offer HVAC technician programs. Unless you have personally gone through one of these programs, you probably shouldn't work on the system yourself.

These men and women spend years learning exactly what to do, how to avoid causing major problems in the house, and how to install air conditioner units and heating devices. Unless you want to make a few simple repairs or do some maintenance on the unit, leave the job to the experts.

While staring at your outdoor air conditioner, you might think that you can easily do the job yourself. Take off the exterior plate, look inside, and see if the job still seems so easy. Even something as simple as installing an air supply line can take hours to complete. Replace the cold air return at the same time, and the project can take up an entire weekend.

By the time you take a look at the system, learn where the parts are, get familiar with the unit, and start removing worn-out pieces, you can spend hours before you actually start working. You might think that DIY HVAC jobs are cheaper than hiring a professional, but that simple job can easily cost a few thousand dollars between time, parts and potential erros.

Did you know that most do-it-yourself air conditioning jobs aren't covered under your warranty? Companies know that the risk of improperly installing components is higher with DIY enthusiasts, which is why your warranty doesn't cover the work you do yourself. You risk damaging or ruining the system, which makes repairing it even more expensive.

As soon as you notice that your AC doesn't meet your home cooling needs, call a contractor. Within an hour, your contractor will give you an HVAC estimate, tell you the cost of repairing the unit, or give you a few air conditioner prices if you decide to replace the unit.

When you hire a contractor, you can sit back and watch the expert work instead of potentially damaging your home with a DIY HVAC project. 

Leave your toolbox where it is, and research contractors in your area at Reply! With a good contractor, you don't need to worry about severely damaging your HVAC system or voiding your warranty. DIY HVAC projects only sound good in theory. Factor in the potential risks and the length of the job, and you'll likely find that working with a contractor is a far better option.

Get your 4 free HVAC estimates!

Photo credit: Antre via Compfight CC.