DIY AC Repair Risks Every Resident Should Know

Are you considering repairing an air conditioner yourself in Lancaster, TX? If so, you might want to reconsider before committing to DIY AC repair.

Fixing an AC system on your own may seem like it would save you money, but at what cost? You could face many risks that will make you wish you had hired licensed technicians from a company like Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating to perform AC repair in Lancaster.

Before attempting to repair an air conditioner, consider five risks.

1. You May Struggle To Determine What Is Wrong With Your AC

Before you can begin DIY AC repair, you must determine what is wrong with your system. This is often easier said than done.

For example, suppose your AC system is blowing warm air throughout the house. This situation might be caused by:

• A dirty air filter
• A refrigerant leak
• A broken condenser
• Frozen evaporator coils
• A faulty compressor

Figuring out the culprit can be time consuming, especially if you have little experience working on AC systems. This could very well lead to an incorrect diagnosis and leave you without a functioning AC for much longer than you would like.

With temperatures routinely reaching triple digits during the summer months in Lancaster, TX, most homeowners can’t afford to take chances. Instead of attempting to repair an AC unit, contact cooling professionals for air conditioner maintenance.

2. You Might Cause More Damage and Need Additional AC Repairs in Lancaster, TX

Even if you come up with the correct diagnosis while doing DIY AC repair in Lancaster, TX, you won’t be out of the woods yet. You also must take the proper steps to breathe life back into your home’s AC system.

You might get away with tackling a simple task like replacing an air filter well past its expiration date. However, you may not have any luck when repairing a refrigerant leak or fixing a malfunctioning condenser or compressor.

You might even make critical mistakes when repairing an AC system, putting yourself in an even worse position than when you started. This could cause your AC repair costs to skyrocket.

3. You May Sustain Serious Injuries or Hurt Others

Repairing a residential AC system is dangerous, even for the pros. Those who work on them for a living often encounter electrical hazards that put them at risk. Just last summer, a repairman was electrocuted and killed while fixing an AC in Flower Mound, a city located roughly 40 miles from Lancaster, TX.

Electrical hazards aren’t the only issues you will encounter when doing DIY AC repairs, either. Something as simple as refrigerant mishandling could expose you to harmful chemicals and potentially poison you and others in your home.

4. You Might Start a Fire and Damage Your AC and Other Parts of Your House

According to the National Fire Protection Association, air conditioning units start about 2,800 residential home fires annually. Improperly installed AC systems and AC units with faulty wiring are usually to blame.

Taking the DIY approach to AC repairs may increase your fire risks. You will sleep better at night knowing that licensed technicians have worked on your AC unit and performed repairs correctly, minimizing the chances of a fire breaking out and damaging your AC and other aspects of your home.

5. You May Void the Warranty for Your AC

Many residential air conditioner manufacturers extend generous warranties on their products. They typically provide homeowners with warranties that last five or even ten years.

However, if you rely on your lack of experience and improper tools to perform a DIY AC repair in Lancaster, TX, you may end up with a voided warranty. This is another reason to leave repairs to the AC professionals at Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating.