Most of us dread the prospect of our furnaces going on the fritz. Not only is this likely to happen at the worst possible time, leaving us sitting in the cold, but there is also the potential for a costly repair bill. If you have some basic DIY skills, there may be a temptation to attempt the repairs, but is this a smart idea? While the answer to this does depend, it is probably not, and here we’ll explore why.
A Pro Can Offer Quick Repairs
While you may be handy with a hammer or screwdriver, this doesn’t mean that you have the skills or expertise to repair your furnace. Even if you have some skills with electrical work, you’re not likely to have the experience to detect the underlying problem. A professional HVAC technician has the expertise to quickly determine the source of the repair issue to offer the quickest solution. So, instead of sitting for days surrounded by components while your family is freezing upstairs, call in a pro to get your system working again quickly.
Compromising Your Insurance Coverage
Another critical consideration for DIY furnace repairs is that you could be compromising your insurance coverage. Most insurers will deny a claim related to faulty workmanship, and if you’ve installed your own furnace or performed some repairs if something goes wrong, it could end up costing you a fortune. Imagine if there is an electrical fire in your home and the source is traced back to your furnace. Once the insurer finds out that you performed DIY repairs, your entire claim for household damage is likely to be rejected. So, do you want to incur this possibly financially devastating loss just because you wanted to avoid paying out a couple of hundred dollars on a professional service?
Voiding Your Warranty
Even if you are fortunate enough to avoid any insurance issues, you may still end up being caught out financially. Most manufacturers stipulate that servicing, maintenance, and repairs are carried out by an authorized technician. This means that if you want to keep your warranty valid, you need to leave any repairs to an insured professional. This detailing is usually printed in your owner’s manual, so there will be no excuse if the manufacturer refuses to honor your warranty if you have any need in the future. You’re likely to void your warranty if you are unable to provide the documentation of any repairs or maintenance, so DIY repairs could end up causing more harm than good.
Safety
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you need to consider safety. DIY repairs not only put yourself at risk of injury, but you could also put your family and home at risk. Furnaces may appear straightforward, but they are actually part of a sophisticated heating system, so attempting any repairs means that you could end up with a serious injury.
While it may be tempting to try and save a few dollars, remember that DIY furnace repairs are never a good idea and any maintenance, servicing or repairs should be left to the professionals. If you have any furnace issues, be sure to call in a professional and experienced HVAC technician for prompt, safe and effective repairs.