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Do-It-Yourself No-No: Heater Repair

Posted on April 1, 2022 by

Why Not DIY: Why DIY Heater Repair Can Turn into a Costly Nightmare

Spring is in the air, and the heater only needs to last for another week or two. Then something goes wrong. A homeowner may look at their furnace and feel confident about what the problem is and their own ability to save money by simply buying the part and installing it themselves. This is where the trouble begins. 

Whether or not a person has experience with heaters or heating repair, they may not have the precise experience needed to do the job correctly. This leaves them open to injury, property damage, and further expense. This is why it is always best to call a professional heating technician.

Correcting the Wrong Problem

One of the biggest mistakes a DIYer can make is to replace the wrong part or mistake one problem for another. This misdiagnosis can be catastrophic for a home heating system. HVAC professionals have a rigorous certification and licensing process that requires them to know all the details of the appliances with which they work and the proper tools to use when performing heater repair. 

Some of the requirements for legally engaging in work as an HVAC contractor include the following:

  • Five years experience as a technician
  • Liability Insurance
  • License from the State of Ohio
  • EPA certification

The Extra Expense of Time tools

Another factor that makes DIY heater maintenance and repairs more expensive than calling a professional is time. An inexperienced person may be able to get the job done, but they use a much larger chunk of time than a professional would have. 

A certified HVAC technician will come in with the needed tools to repair. Why it’s less time expensive to call an HVAC contractor:

  • The Phone Call: This takes less than fifteen minutes on a typical call and takes only a little effort from the homeowner.
  • Other Tasks: A homeowner can finish all the other tasks required of them instead of worrying about furnace repair. These things would pile up for the DIYer.
  • Risk: Homeowners also need to consider injuring themselves when they do not have the proper training to work with a large piece of equipment.

insuranceHome Insurance and the Terrors of DIY

Speaking of risk, what if an injury or property damage comes out on that do-it-yourself repair or DIY maintenance? The homeowner has just proverbially shot themselves in the foot. Home insurance is unlikely to help with the cost of repairs. On the other hand, HVAC professionals are required to have liability insurance. 

Technicians are also equipped with their tools and proper safety equipment. If some sort of freak accident happens when they are doing repair or maintenance, they are completely covered by their business’s insurance, and so the cost of the damage to property or person is taken care of. 

When a client calls the professionals, the job will get done as it should, even if something negative happens. If a person tries on their own, they may end up in a much worse place than when they started.

About Beltz Home Service Company

Veteran-owned and operated out of Findlay, OH, Beltz Home Service Company has served its community with excellence since 2001. Call today for any HVAC maintenance or repair and ask about the membership plan.

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