In this world of online DIY video tutorials, it is easy to think that you can complete almost any home project without the help of a professional. While there are jobs that you can safely do on your own, air conditioning installation is not one of them. This is a project that calls for the expertise of professionals. Here are several reasons why.
High Voltage
Probably the most important reason not to install your own AC unit is the high voltage involved. The entire system relies on electricity to operate, and if you are not qualified to work with 220-volt connections, then you can create a real danger to yourself, your family, and your home.
Installing such a powerful electrical system may require you to work inside your home’s breaker box, which is dangerous. Improperly installed electrical equipment isn’t just dangerous while you’re handling the wires, it can also cause deadly house fires months or years later.
Refrigerant Dangers
Air conditioners use pressurized refrigerant to create the cold air needed to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home. This refrigerant must be handled with care to ensure that none of it is released into the atmosphere. Refrigerant lost to leaks from poor handling must be replaced, and this can run up the cost of your installation.
Furthermore, any refrigerant leaks can cause serious freeze injuries to your hands, eyes, and face. Qualified HVAC technicians know how to handle this material properly, so it’s much better to leave this dangerous work to trained workers.
Product Warranties
When you purchase new components of an air conditioner, the manufacturer offers a warranty that could easily save you thousands of dollars in the event of a problem years down the road. To protect your investment, it’s important to avoid any actions that could void that warranty.
DIY installation is one of the most likely ways to violate the terms of a warranty. If something goes wrong with your air conditioner later on and you attempt to get a part replaced, the manufacturer will not honor the warranty if you have installed the parts yourself. The money you saved by installing it yourself could be lost with the first repair.
System Selection
Every house is different. Its layout, insulation, size, and exposure to the elements are just a few of the factors that help an expert determine what size unit is needed to cool the house effectively. If the system is too small, it will run constantly and fail to cool the home adequately despite the huge electrical bills it runs up. If the system is too big, you’ll spend more than you need to and find that the system runs so briefly that moisture can become a problem.
It takes proper training and a lot of experience to avoid this problem, and homeowners simply aren’t qualified to size an air conditioner based on a little bit of online research or conversations with friends. It’s much better to leave this work to a pro.
Calibration & Programming
The effectiveness of an air conditioner is built on its proper calibration. The system itself must be properly adjusted for its intended use, and the thermostat that commands its actions must also be set up correctly. Homeowners do not know enough about this fine-tuning to get the system optimized for both performance and energy efficiency.
Specialized Tools
Handy homeowners typically have a variety of tools available, but it takes more than that to install air conditioning systems. In addition to standard equipment like sockets and screwdrivers, AC installation requires pressure gauges, electrical meters, and other specialized tools. Sure, you could invest in some of these tools, but you may never need them again. This extra outlay means the DIY installation isn’t quite the bargain you expected.
Let a Professional Handle AC Installation!
Installing a new air conditioning system is a major home project, no matter what a DIY influencer might tell you. There’s no reason to endanger your safety, your checkbook, or your home by trying to do the job yourself. Let SoBellas Home Services talk to you about how our affordable, professional installation work is a much better option than the headache and hazards of doing the job yourself. Give us a call today to get started and ask us about our maintenance solutions, too! We offer professional heating and cooling services to El Paso, TX residents.
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