While you may consider yourself fairly handy when it comes to do-it-yourself projects around the house, fixing your broken air conditioner isn’t a job you should try on your own – unless you are a trained heating and cooling professional, of course!
Regardless of how many weekend projects you’ve completed over the years, fixing an air conditioner isn’t as easy (or safe) as you may think.
The problem isn’t always obvious.
It may seem obvious that if your home doesn’t feel cool with the air conditioner running, it has to be a problem caused by the cooling system itself. However, there are a variety of problems that could result in a hot, uncomfortable home, such as a blockage in your ductwork or a malfunctioning thermostat.
A cooling professional will thoroughly inspect all aspects of your system to determine exactly what the problem may be. If it’s not a direct result of an issue with your AC, he or she will be able to get the problem taken care of so your family doesn’t have to suffer in a hot home.
“Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.” – Murphy’s Law
Most people are familiar with this saying, and the statement holds true for fixing your broken air conditioner. You may think that you’ve diagnosed the problem and know precisely what replacement part you need. Then, something doesn’t go according to plan – the store doesn’t have the replacement part in stock, you don’t have the tools you need to properly fix the system, you don’t have the time to get the work finished, etc. So many things can go wrong when trying to fix your AC by yourself.
When you work with a cooling expert, their sole purpose while in your home is to get your air conditioner fixed. They may have the required part(s) in their work vehicle to get the job finished. These professionals have the required tools to diagnose and fix air conditioner problems quickly and efficiently.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could get hurt.
While safety is of great importance when doing any type of job around the house, it’s critical when working with an air conditioner. If you aren’t familiar with all the working components and wiring within an air conditioning system, you might get seriously injured or even killed.
Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to remove heat and humidity from the air inside your home. Did you know that if this potentially hazardous material comes in contact with your skin, eyes, or lungs, it could cause serious problems? If you inhale refrigerant, it could cause asphyxiation, cardiac arrhythmia, confusion, and loss of coordination. If refrigerant comes in contact with your skin or eyes, it could cause frostbite or severe skin reactions.
Additionally, your air conditioner is very likely to be powered by electricity. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you may accidentally come in contact with a wire that could cause electrocution or death, depending on how much voltage is running to your unit at that time.
This is just another reason why it’s so important to leave your broken air conditioner work to the professionals who know how to safely complete necessary repairs.
Professionals are trained and insured.
In the unfortunate and unlikely situation that something goes wrong during a repair job by a professional, they should be properly insured. The company the individual works for will be able to handle any liabilities that may result.
Also, the cooling professional in your home has likely undergone years of training so they can properly and accurately identify problems with your air conditioner. Before choosing a cooling expert for the job, check to see if they are NATE certified. “NATE” stands for North American Technician Excellence, and it’s an organization that provides testing and certification for trained, skilled heating and cooling professionals.