Does your air conditioning unit need repairing, and are you considering repairing it yourself? AC repairs can be costly, so it’s no wonder that many people consider saving some money and carrying out the repairs themselves. But should you do this?
Today, our brief guide will explain the dangers of repairing your air conditioning unit yourself and why you should hire a professional.
Can I Fix My AC Myself?
Generally, no, you should not try to fix your AC yourself. Air conditioning repairs involve dealing with electrical equipment, which can be dangerous, especially if you do not have the appropriate training and safety protection.
Air conditioning units often feature hundreds of moving parts that can be tricky to identify, making troubleshooting and repairing the issue time-consuming. You might damage these small parts, making the problem worse and leaving you with even more costly repairs.
Although repairing an AC can seem expensive, you can often find payment plans to spread the cost and claim for the repairs on your home insurance policy.
What Are The Dangers Of Repairing My Air Conditioning Unit Myself?
Several dangers are associated with repairing the air conditioning unit yourself, including the expensive cost and health and safety concerns. We have outlined these dangers below.
It Takes Time
Air conditioning units feature hundreds of mechanisms and moving parts. Troubleshooting these parts can take time and experience, and it can take professionals hours to determine the issue.
After the problem has been identified, fixing it can take even longer. Doing so without the experience can take far longer than the professionals, leaving you without a working air conditioning unit for longer.
Repairs Are Expensive
While many people think carrying out air conditioning repairs can make it more affordable, they can cost more. You will likely need to buy additional tools and parts to repair your unit.
These can be expensive, especially if you need to purchase extra components. You can spend more than if you had hired a professional to complete the work.
Repairs Are Complex
Air conditioning repair units are more complex than they appear. It can take several months to understand their operations and components, even though they might seem self-explanatory.
One wrong adjustment can impact the entire system, leaving you with more damage than you began with. You could easily twist the wrong knob and overwork your AC or make it less efficient.
While blogs and videos make adjustments seem easy, repairs to air conditioning units are very complex, and you can often do more damage than good when repairing them yourself.
Health And Safety Concerns
You can put yourself and your family at risk when conducting air conditioning repairs yourself. You could electrocute yourself or cause a refrigerant leak.
Refrigerant is used to cool the air before it enters your home. While it is tasteless and odourless, it can also be deadly. You could accidentally puncture a tube, causing gas to leak, poisoning your lungs and causing death.
DIY air conditioning repairs can also reduce the air quality in your home, allowing allergens and contaminants to spread and potentially making you and your family sick. It is not a risk worth taking, so leave the repairs to the experts.
They Impact Your Warranty
Air conditioning units tend to come with extended warranty periods. You can nullify the warranty by attempting to repair the unit yourself, leaving you responsible for any future costly repairs the unit might need.
When your air conditioning unit is under warranty, it is best to contact the manufacturer directly to have them repair the unit under warranty. Not only does this save you time and money, but it also reduces the chance of worsening the issue on your air conditioning unit.
When you purchase your air conditioning unit, you can extend your warranty to cover you for longer. There is a charge for this, but it can be cheaper than paying for repairs or trying to do them yourself. Contact your manufacturer directly to see if you can extend your warranty.
Final Thoughts
While it might seem cheaper, quicker, and easier to repair your air conditioning unit, it is not. Repairing your AC without proper experience and training is dangerous, can cost you more, and could cause more damage.
It is best to let the professionals do their job and safely repair your air conditioner for you. You can contact your manufacturer for repairs or seek help from an independent contractor where needed.
