Having furnace problems is something that many homeowners dread. A faulty furnace can leave you sitting in the cold and fixing it often comes with a hefty repair bill. If you’re a DIY type of person, you may be tempted to try and get your furnace up and running on your own. However, before you do so, you should consider whether working on the furnace yourself is a smart idea.
1 Professionals Are Better at Repairing Furnaces
Even if you consider yourself handy with tools and have some experience with electrical work, it doesn’t mean that you’re qualified for furnace repair Longmont. Home appliances have gotten a lot more complex lately and figuring out the cause of the problem requires professional training and experience.
An HVAC technician has what it takes to quickly find out what is wrong with your furnace and propose the best solution. It’s also a lot more likely that they’ll fix the problem right the very first time, so you won’t have to worry about your furnace failing again after a few days.
2 DIY Repairs Can Compromise Your Homeowners Insurance Coverage
Doing DIY furnace repairs can cause problems with your insurance company. Many insurers don’t cover claims caused by faulty workmanship on a household appliance. If something goes wrong and your home is damaged, this can cost you a considerable amount. For example, if an electrical fire breaks out in your home and the source is found to be your furnace, your insurance company is very likely to reject your claim for household damages. By leaving furnace repairs to trained professionals, you’ll avoid possibly severe complications with your insurers in case your furnace ends up damaging your home.
3 Doing Your Own Repair Work May Void Your Warranty
Even if you’re able to avoid any problems with your insurance company, doing your furnace repairs can still end up being very costly. If your furnace is still under warranty, you should take the time to go through its terms carefully. In the vast majority of cases, manufacturers require that any repair and maintenance work be carried out by properly qualified and authorized technicians.
For your warranty to stay valid, all repairs will need to be done by a professional. Even if you’re able to repair your furnace successfully on your own, you may later run into more pressing issues that require a complete furnace replacement under warranty. Manufacturers will typically ask that you provide documentation of any maintenance or repair work done on your unit. If they find out that you’ve performed any DIY repairs, your warranty will very likely be completely voided. This means that you’ll now have to pay for the entire cost of repairing or replacing your furnace.
4 DIY Furnace Repairs Can Be Dangerous
Besides the financial aspects, another issue that you need to consider is safety. Furnaces may look simple enough, but they have elaborate systems within them that need special care and attention. Using the wrong tools or techniques while working on a furnace can result in serious injury. Even if everything seemed to go well on your DIY furnace repair project, you may have made a mistake that could cause a serious hazard, such as a fire, once the furnace is turned on again.
While fixing your furnace yourself may seem like a good way to save some money, it’s actually quite a bad idea. Trained professionals should do all furnace repair, maintenance, and servicing projects. An experienced HVAC company, like Swan Heating & Air Conditioning, can get your furnace working again quickly and at an affordable price.