If you own a home here in Carriere, MS, you likely already know how vital its HVAC system is. The good news is that you can do a variety of HVAC maintenance tasks yourself. However, not all HVAC maintenance should be attempted on your own. To help you understand the difference, here are the HVAC maintenance tasks you can DIY and which you shouldn’t.

The HVAC Maintenance Tasks You Can Handle Yourself

Generally speaking, the HVAC maintenance tasks you can do on your own have one thing in common. They either require no tools whatsoever or, at most, a screwdriver. Here are all of the regular HVAC maintenance tasks you can DIY and when to do them.

Air Filter Changes

The simplest HVAC maintenance task you can do yourself is the regular changing of your HVAC air filter. On average, your HVAC air filter requires replacement after roughly three months of use. Changing your HVAC air filter helps keep your HVAC’s internal components clean as well as your home’s air. Plus, it helps ensure proper airflow through your HVAC, which is essential to its efficiency and your comfort.

Regular Vent Cleanings

Vents and air registers require periodic cleaning. The good news is that they only need to be deep cleaned about once a year or twice a year if you have allergies or pets. To deep clean your vents, use a screwdriver to remove the grills, and then, clean them with soapy water to remove dust and grime. After thoroughly drying each register, reinstall them, and you’re done. Once you have deep cleaned, simply wipe down the vents and registers each month to keep them dust-free.

Cleaning Around Your Outdoor Unit

To function efficiently, your HVAC’s outdoor unit needs plenty of unobstructed space around it. Periodically, check the outdoor unit to ensure that it has plenty of space. The best time to do this is during the springtime. This is because your HVAC outdoor unit is part of your air conditioning system. Cleaning it before the cooling season begins will help your AC run efficiently all summer.

Inspect Your Thermostat

The final DIY HVAC maintenance task you can do is to inspect and adjust your thermostat from time to time. This can help you reduce energy waste by keeping your thermostat set to the proper temperature. If you have a programmable thermostat, you should review its settings seasonally. After all, your comfort needs in the summer and winter aren’t necessarily the same.

The HVAC Maintenance Tasks You Shouldn’t DIY

Of course, there are multiple HVAC maintenance tasks you should never attempt on your own. In some cases, they require special tools and skills you may simply not have. Others are for your safety or the safety of your HVAC system. Here’s what you need to know.

Cleaning Your Evaporator Coil

One HVAC maintenance task you shouldn’t try doing yourself is cleaning your evaporator coil. It’s inside your HVAC’s indoor unit but isn’t easy to access. For a real deep cleaning, it’s sometimes necessary to remove the coil entirely. This involves your HVAC’s refrigerant system, so you can’t do this yourself. Plus, the evaporator coil is delicate and can even cut you if you’re not used to handling one.

HVAC Electrical Repairs

Another type of AC maintenance you shouldn’t try doing yourself is anything involving your air conditioner’s electrical system. Your HVAC system operates at a high voltage and contains capacitors that can give you a nasty shock. You should leave any adjustments or repairs to those components to a professional.

Refrigerant Recharges and Leak Patching

Finally, you should never try to locate the source of a refrigerant leak in your HVAC system yourself. Nor should you attempt a refrigerant recharge on your own. It requires specialized knowledge, equipment, and skills. Plus, your HVAC requires precise recharging when it runs low on refrigerant. If you don’t add enough, your system may fail to operate properly. If you add too much, you could damage critical components and cause a system failure. On top of that, you need an EPA certification to work on refrigerant systems, which you likely don’t have.

Your Dependable HVAC Maintenance Team

If you need an HVAC company to provide affordable HVAC maintenance for your Carriere home, Campo Heating & Air Conditioning is it. We’re a locally owned and operated HVAC company that’s served homeowners here since 2009. We offer complete HVAC services, including installation, maintenance, and repair. Plus, we even offer financing options on approved credit if you need help paying for a new HVAC system. And we have a long list of glowing customer reviews to let you know what it’s like to work with us. So, if you need HVAC maintenance in Carriere, contact Campo Heating & Air Conditioning today, and we’ll do the rest!

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