Tag: furnace repair

When to Say No to DIY HVAC

HVAC system maintenance is vital to ensuring comfortable home environments, extending lifespans of equipment, and reducing energy consumption. But DIYers need to know when to say no to a do-it-yourself project and call in a professional instead.

HVAC work requires a variety of tools and skills that most homeowners lack. Mistakes made during DIY projects can result in injury and damage to the equipment. Find out more by reading this article.

Invest in the Right Tools

Having the right tools makes HVAC jobs easier and contributes to the longevity and performance of systems. From measuring instruments to refrigerant recovery tools, there are many must-have HVAC tools that can help ensure quality work and safety in the field.

A basic set of must-have HVAC tools includes a variety of wrenches, small and large screwdrivers, pliers, and a hammer. A tool kit should also include a variety of sizes of wire cutters and a tubing cutter. Additionally, a pair of industrial-strength eye goggles is an important investment to protect against dust and debris.

A good HVAC tool should also feature a manometer gauge for reading and troubleshooting airflow calculations. Commercial HVAC specialist Matt from the YouTube channel HVAC Tool Review recommends the Fluke 87-V, which provides both microamps and milliamps in one meter. Lastly, a pitot tube with duct traverse is useful for taking accurate airflow measurements. These HVAC tools will allow you to make accurate and precise measurements, resulting in better installations and repairs.

Take Time to Educate Yourself

Taking on DIY projects can provide homeowners with a sense of self-empowerment and increased knowledge of their home’s systems. However, it’s important to know which HVAC tasks you should tackle and which require a professional. Major repairs, yearly tune-ups, and system installations should always be left to licensed professionals.

Without the right equipment or experience, HVAC installation projects can be dangerous. For example, improper sizing or placement of an HVAC system can lead to inefficiencies and higher energy bills, while mistakes handling refrigerants or electrical components can pose serious safety risks.

In addition, most HVAC manufacturer warranties stipulate that only a licensed technician can perform maintenance on the system. As such, trying to save money on professional services by doing it yourself could actually cost you more in the long run.

Regularly Check Your Air Filter

The air filter is one of the most important elements to keeping your system running efficiently. Dirty filters restrict airflow, forcing the system to work harder and consuming more energy. This can result in high energy bills and cause premature wear and tear on critical components like the blower motor.

Regularly checking your air filter is an easy DIY job. Locate your filter (it’s usually located where the return is on the wall or ceiling with a grille covering it) and pull it out. Look at the old filter; if it’s dirty and clogged, it’s time for a new one! Take a photo of the filter to record the size, then find and purchase replacements. It’s a good idea to get several, so you can rotate them throughout the year.

Be sure to discard the old filter properly in an outdoor trash container. Throwing it away indoors may lead to dust and debris leaking into your home’s ductwork and causing additional problems.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

HVAC professionals offer a wide range of services, from system inspections to repairs and replacements. They can help ensure that your home’s air quality is optimal, and they can identify potential problems before they escalate, saving you money in the long run.

Pro: Professionals can perform a thorough, accurate inspection of your system and ensure that any issues are resolved quickly and efficiently. They can also provide warranty coverage and ensure compliance with regulations.

Con: Professionals can cost more upfront, but they can save you money in the long run by preventing unnecessary damage and minimizing downtime. They can also provide you with a range of other benefits, including peace of mind and increased energy efficiency.

DIY HVAC may be possible for some simple tasks, but it’s important to recognize when it’s time to call in the professionals. Attempting to repair or replace an HVAC system without proper training can cause significant damage that will cost you more in the long run.

The Benefits of Duct Cleaning

Dirty ducts often harbor harmful contaminants like pet dander, mildew, mold spores and other particles that aggravate respiratory problems. Regular duct cleaning will reduce these pollutants and keep them from recirculating throughout the home.

Some signs that it’s time for duct cleaning include unexplained illnesses, indoor allergies and an overall dusty house. Be sure to find a reputable NADCA contractor who follows best practices for duct cleaning. Find out more at duct cleaning Coquitlam.

Allergens

Allergens like dust, mold and pet dander are often trapped in dirty air ducts. They get circulated around the house whenever the HVAC system runs, aggravating allergy warning signs such as itchy eyes and a runny nose.

When these allergens accumulate, it can cause a variety of health issues including asthma attacks, sinusitis and bronchitis. They can also trigger headaches and fatigue.

During the cleaning process, contractors use high-powered vacuums, brushes and compressed air tools to remove accumulated dust and debris from inside the vents and ductwork. They may also apply sanitizing agents to kill any lingering microorganisms in the ductwork. Before hiring a company, ask them about the chemicals they plan to use and read their labels for EPA-registered uses and any health risks. Some sanitizers contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that release noxious fumes that can irritate the lungs. These include formaldehydes, benzene and toluene. These can aggravate asthma and allergies, particularly in children and the elderly.

Dust

Dust is a common home allergen and can cause a variety of ailments, including headaches, allergic reactions and respiratory problems. It also can irritate the skin.

Insufficient cleaning of ducts can result in an excessive buildup of dust, especially around vent openings and registers. This can block air flow, making your HVAC system work harder to keep your home comfortable and may damage your system over time.

A good duct-cleaning company will make sure that your vents are properly covered to prevent the spread of dust during the cleaning process. Then, they’ll use a long vacuum hose with specialized attachments to suck up the dust that accumulates inside your ductwork. They’ll also clean supply and return registers, which can be quite dirty and cluttered with dust. Before starting to clean, you should turn off your heating and cooling system and set the thermostat to the “FAN ON” setting (but leave both the COOL and HEAT mode off). Tap gently on your ductwork with the handle of your brush to loosen any clumps of dust that adhere to the walls.

Dirt

Dirty ducts can create dangerous airborne particles that circulate throughout your home. These particles can affect your health by causing irritation to the nose, eyes, and throat, or by contributing to respiratory problems.

A dirty duct system also provides a great breeding ground for vermin and insects. These pests can carry germs that can spread throughout your house, leading to more frequent illnesses among family members.

A dirty supply or return vent cover is a clear sign that your ducts need to be cleaned. The grime that builds up on these covers is from dust and dirt that was pushed into living spaces by your HVAC system, which then circulates this contaminated air. It’s best to have these signs looked into as soon as possible. This can help prevent more serious issues down the road. This is particularly true if anyone in the home suffers from allergies or asthma.

Mold

The spores of mold that grow in ductwork can cause respiratory problems for anyone, but especially sensitive individuals, children and elderly adults. Mold growth is usually indicated by a musty or rotten smell. Unexplained illnesses that worsen with the heating or cooling system running may also be a sign of mold in your air ducts.

Blackish, soot-like spots in air vents can be a sign of toxic Stachybotrys chartarum mold in your HVAC system. This mold grows in warm, humid places and often occurs along ducts. Symptoms of Stachybotrys mold include burning and congestion, nasal irritation, chest tightness and coughing. Although a number of substances can be black in color, only an expert can tell whether a particular stain or substance is toxic mold. A professional can find the source of the mold, kill it and prevent its return by addressing issues that promote moisture. The best way to keep the mold spores from spreading is to get your ducts cleaned regularly.