Why You Shouldn’t Install Your HVAC Yourself

Heating, Ventilated and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are widely used in homes and offices in the UK. The beauty of these systems is that they keep your body temperature under control regardless of the varying outdoor temperatures.

The mistake of picking an inappropriate HVAC size for your home goes beyond poor performance to short circuit the active life of your unit.

One thing you should always bear in mind when running an HVAC is maintenance. This is key for the smooth and effective operation of the HVAC unit. And a good reason is that your aircon can last for about 15 years if properly maintained. While it is proper to hire a professional HVAC service provider to keep your system efficient 24/7, some people prefer to do it themselves.

Today’s post will explain the drawbacks of installing your HVAC system the DIY way.

• High-risk exposure

People get injured or, worse still, die from an inexperienced AC installation. This is caused by the dangerous combustion fumes and high voltages that come with the process. DIY aircon installation will expose you and your family to danger.

You may even end up damaging the entire unit. This way, your warranty is invalid, and replacement gets more expensive. Those who retail HVAC units or do wholesale don’t always offer AC repair parts or tools for sale. Let’s say you have been lucky to acquire the needed parts, kindly involve a professional for your aircon installation or repair.

• Using excess time and money for less

The illusion of a DIY AC installation is that you’re saving money. Sometimes, you will buy unnecessary parts and put in more time on the task than you should. Many expert AC engineers are affiliated with air conditioning companies and manufacturers which gives them leverage to buy correct parts, AC tools, or a new unit at discounted prices.

Having a professional for your installation project will make you spend less compared to buying these items by yourself.

• HVAC installation regulations

In most cities and local areas, you need to show some license to be permitted to fit or uninstall a central AC. It would take so much time to complete the paperwork and get the permits. This implies that your do-it-yourself AC installation guide may not match this regulation.

But a professional HVAC engineer knows the most recent regulations and can assist you in obtaining the permits much faster and repair your unit. This will take the stress off you.

• Physical work

If you choose to install your aircon yourself, then get prepared to move heavy materials, mix concrete and replace the central thermostat. Bear in mind also that air compressors and their panel have more weight than you think.

Because of rusty fittings like bolts and connectors, it will be difficult to take out old aircon compressors. What this implies is that you need a special toolset to take out an existing unit from your home the right way.

With the tools, you can carefully unhinge the refrigerant lines and compressor in your external condensing unit.

• Refrigerant types

Following how old your aircon is, its refrigerant fluid will be different. Old air conditioning units typically use the R-22 refrigerant, while today’s air conditioning uses the zero pollutant R-410A refrigerant.

You cannot perform a repair on an old air conditioning with R-22 refrigerant. For the best in replacement of refrigerant, get an expert so as to avoid releasing Ozone-Depleting Substance (ODS) into the air.

• Policies protecting the environment

There are legal fulfillments for persons who must install or uninstall a central air conditioning. It is mandatory you pass the test and obtain a certificate from the Environmental Protection Agency. The certification gives you the eligibility for handling refrigerant and Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS).

Though the Environmental Protection Agency evaluation is simple, you still have to pay a fee to earn a place to write the exam.

The best step is that you avoid legal problems that come with a DIY AC installation by hiring a professional HVAC installation team that already have the required license.

• Risky electrical connections

Air conditioning is an electrical device, meaning electric power is needed for it to operate. Bringing in a new AC would demand that you integrate its wiring into your home’s utility panel.

This is where it is advisable that you call an expert. Because if you’re inexperienced with wires and electric power, you stand a risk of being electrocuted or starting an electric fire.

• Manual J-heat gain calculation

Before you even begin an air conditioning installation, you should know how to calculate manual J-heat gain. This is what tells you the appropriate heat-gain rating and what size your AC unit should be.

Granted, your skills may be good however, the right licencing and tools are a necessity if you want to install your HVAC yourself.

• Minimal functionality

Unprofessional air conditioning installation done by yourself can put the performance of the unit on poor efficiency. Again, low-quality repairs or maintenance will not allow your AC to deliver its optimum, and the unit will not last long.

There will also be a rise in your utility bills, hence what you spend monthly becomes higher.

• Inexperienced AC checks

Knowing whether your air conditioning unit is the correct size is not easy if you go the DIY way. It is only a trained expert that can identify a short cycling air conditioning.

If the HVAC comes on and goes off regularly, it is a sign that it is an oversized unit for your home. On the other hand, an undersized unit will have to undergo steady cycles to keep temperature and humidity rating low.

Even the in-house humidity is measured by the AC expert so they can advise you on repairs or replacement of your unit.

Let an expert install it for you

In a saturated market, it can be difficult to choose high-performance HVAC technicians whose services will make a difference. Consider what you are willing to spend as you search for an HVAC expert.

Don’t forget that there is need for a licensed aircon technician in London when it comes to air conditioning for homes; regardless of your DIY skills.

Reach out to us at Thermacool Services today to further information on HVAC fitting.