Is DIY Air Conditioner Installation Worth It? | Scottsdale, AZ
Several situations can prompt you to start thinking about air conditioning installation. For instance, if you are building a new house in Scottsdale, AZ, or have just bought a new home without an efficient air conditioning system, you might need to install a new air conditioner. Similarly, if your air conditioner is too old or it has developed issues that have become too expensive to fix, you may have to start thinking about the need to get a new air conditioner installed to replace the dilapidated one. But should you buy and install your air conditioning system on your own or hire a professional HVAC company to help you? Is DIY AC installation worth it?
Although there are some DIY air conditioner installation guides you can find on the Internet, you should not be tempted to install your air conditioner on your own. Instead, you need to hire a professional HVAC contractor to help you with ensuring your new air conditioning system is installed accurately. But why exactly is DIY air conditioner installation discouraged? Below is a rundown of the reasons we believe DIY AC installation in Scottsdale, AZ, is not worth it.
You Could Get Hurt
Handling air conditioners can be quite dangerous. Therefore, if you decide to install your air conditioner on your own, you could put yourself and your family at risk of serious physical injuries. This can be explained in several ways. For instance, air conditioners contain refrigerant, which is usually a highly toxic chemical that could seriously harm you and your family. For instance, exposure to Freon can cause a condition known as refrigerant poisoning, which causes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, seizures, and even fainting. In extreme cases, refrigerant poisoning can be fatal. Besides, installing an air conditioner will involve dealing with high-voltage electricity, which might expose you to the risk of electrical shocks or electrocution. To avoid such serious injuries, you need to leave your air conditioner installation job to professional HVAC contractors. Experts have the necessary skills, training, and safety gear to get the job done without hurting themselves or other people. In any case, they are adequately uninsured, and even if they get hurt in the course of installing your air conditioning system, you will not be held financially liable since their insurance will cover them.
You Might Void Your Warranty
Air conditioners are extremely expensive appliances. Indeed, the price of a centralized air conditioning system can range between $3,500 to $8,500. Therefore, when you are shopping for an air conditioning system, you will certainly need a quality guarantee. This explains why air conditioning appliances usually come with warranties. With a warranty, you might be entitled to free repairs and maintenance for a given period. However, you need to remember that your air conditioning system is not without some limitations. For instance, the validity of your warranty might be dependent on some conditions. For instance, you might be required to ensure that your air conditioner installation is done by a licensed professional. In such a situation, you might void your warranty if you resort to DIY AC installation. Therefore, for you to continue benefiting from the privileges your warranty affords you, you need to respect the terms of your warranty and ensure your air conditioning system is installed by a professional HVAC contractor.
You Might Damage the Appliance
Although modern air conditioning systems are quite reliable, they have some delicate and brittle components that can easily get damaged if handled improperly. Therefore, unless you are a professional HVAC contractor, you might end up damaging your air conditioning system if you decide to install it on your own. This means that a DIY air conditioner installation might force you to start seeking expensive air conditioner repairs when your air conditioning equipment is still new. On the other hand, by hiring a professional air conditioner installation expert, you can protect your HVAC system from getting damaged during the installation process. This is because professionals know the ins and outs of air conditioning systems, and they understand how each AC component needs to be handled safely. In any case, professionals are insured and bonded, meaning that even if they accidentally cause significant damage to your air conditioning equipment during installation, they will fix it without charging you anything extra, since their insurance and bond should take care of such costs.
Improper Installation Can be Costly
Your air conditioner is one of the most expensive appliances to run. This is because it consumes a significant amount of electricity to keep your home cool, especially in summer. However, if the installation of your air conditioning system is not done correctly, your air conditioner might cost you much more than what is bearable. For instance, if you do not get the size right, you might end up paying exorbitantly high energy bills, but struggle to achieve your desired comfort level. Unfortunately, unless you are a professional HVAC contractor, you can expect such a possibility if you decide to try DIY air conditioner installation. On the other hand, by working with a professional from the word go, you can avoid mistakes that can end up having costly consequences. This is because professionals have the necessary skills and experience to help you choose the right air conditioning system for your house and ensure it is installed correctly.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, although nothing stops you from trying a DIY air conditioner installation, we do not recommend it. Indeed, DIY AC installation can expose you to serious injuries and lead to other costly consequences. Therefore, if you are planning to get a new air conditioning system for your home, it is important to hire a professional from the word go. If you are looking for a dependable HVAC contractor licensed to offer air conditioner installation services in Scottsdale, AZ, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Phoenix is the answer. Call us today to learn more about our company and services.
