There is no reason not to carry out repairs on your air conditioning unit if you understand exactly how to undertake such repairs. By doing this, you can save on the cost of hiring an air conditioning repair specialist.
If you're not a professional, however, it is not worth taking the risk to handle some kind of repairs to your air conditioning system. Here are a few of the non-DIY kind of repairs and why they should be left to a professional HVAC contractor.
Defective Ductwork
Central air conditioning units are connected to the ductwork around your residential premises. Over time, these ducts will need to be cleaned or replaced in order for your air conditioning unit to continue functioning efficiently.
Residential air ducts are usually located behind the wall or high up in the ceiling. They are often insulated to curb the possibility of excessive cool or hot air penetrating into your ductwork.
If you choose to handle ductwork without the help of a professional, you could easily damage the kind of insulation present on these ducts, thereby creating the need for even more costly repairs.
Refrigerant Leaks
Another air conditioning problem that you should not attempt to handle on your own is leaking refrigerant. Refrigerant refers to the coolant that air conditioners use to move heat from one point to the next.
After prolonged use (or due to physical damage) the refrigerant in your air conditioner might start to leak, thereby reducing refrigerant levels within the unit. When refrigerant levels get too low, the efficiency of an air conditioner is compromised.
Freon is the most common refrigerant used in residential AC units. You should not handle refrigerant leaks on your own because exposure to leaking Freon from the conditioner can cause serious health problems if the refrigerant is inhaled in large quantities.
Professional repair contractors are trained on how to handle refrigerants when carrying out AC repairs safely. You are more likely to have an incident-free leak repair exercise if you enlist the help of a professional.
Compressor Repairs
Lastly, it is not a good idea to handle AC compressor repairs on your own. This is mainly because you will have to deal with a lot of electrical wiring within the compressor unit, which can be dangerous if you are not sure of exactly what you are doing.
Don't take chances with your air conditioning repairs. Get professional assistance.