We just watched a viral video where a guy turned a $10 welcome mat and $40 of supplies into a $30 welcome mat. Spending a lot of money to slightly improve the function of an object might make sense if that’s your hobby. But what if instead of jazzing up a rug, a person watched a video of someone repairing their HVAC system? Would they be able to repeat those steps? Do they have the tools to do it? Are they aware of the contextual knowledge to diagnose a problem? Do they know enough about the safety risks?
We here at Maertin Heating and Cooling know these questions may be silly if we’re just gluing some fabric to a plastic mat, but they are of extreme safety importance when approaching a highly specialized system involving refrigerants, electricity, and gases. Because HVAC systems are increasingly sophisticated pieces of technology and because they can be dangerous to work with, there are very few incentives for anyone to attempt to “YouTube” their way to HVAC repair.
While one of the joys of the DIY trend is the satisfaction of doing the job yourself, some jobs need much more education and instruction than a few videos can provide. And let’s be honest; does the equipment in the video ever perfectly match what you have in your home? It’s impossible to duplicate the repair when parts are even the slightest bit different than the example.
HVAC technicians have the required training and certifications to safely work with the chemicals, gases and electricity that can pose safety hazards to the inexperienced or unaware. They have the proper skills and tools to diagnose problems and provide optimal solutions. The specialized tools alone can cost more than having an HVAC technician make your repair. Even if you find a video that shows you how to repair your exact same model suffering the same exact problem, being able to replicate the video’s results might cost you a great deal more than you expected.
Obviously, outsourcing your and your home’s safety to the voices on YouTube or TikTok is ill advised. But even if you’ve taken proper safety precautions, watched the video dozens of times and purchased the tools, DYI repairs won’t guarantee you any real savings. HVAC systems play such a central role in our homes, and work best when they work most efficiently. HVAC systems that are well maintained and repaired properly when needed have longer useful lifespans, run more efficiently and keep energy usage and cost lower. Precision machines require precision work to maintain the efficiency that produces real savings over the life of your system. A DIY repair might save you money on the repair, but those saving can be lost with less than perfect repairs.
The truth is most HVAC DIY videos are “hiding” a great deal of expertise and cost, but there are a few things homeowners can do to keep their systems humming efficiently and minimize the need for expert maintenance and repair. It might not feel as psychically satisfying as removing a panel and replacing a part, but changing your HVAC air filter monthly keeps dirt and dust out of your system and puts less stress on the machine over time.
You can also address some home improvements that don’t involve pressurized refrigerants or electricity. Caulking and sealing windows and cracks around doors are DIY tasks that will improve your energy efficiency and won’t involve the risks of electrocution or damaging tens of thousands of dollars of equipment.
Yes, the internet has greatly expanded our access to knowledge of all kinds, turning that knowledge into a practical, effective and safe skill requires more than a smartphone and a can-do attitude. Would-be DYIers need to have access to the things the video is not telling viewers: supplies, safety awareness, experience and context.
When you have questions about any repairs your Maertin HVAC technician recommends, just ask us! We will be happy to explain in detail what we found in your system, what is needed to repair it, and how we will do that safely, responsibly and professionally.
