Why You Should Never DIY Furnace Maintenance

A malfunctioning furnace during South Carolina's cold winter months can be a frustrating experience. To avoid this, homeowners hire HVAC technicians to perform routine maintenance on their heating systems. However, some contemplate whether they should skip calling the pros and attempt DIY furnace maintenance. 

While you can perform several maintenance steps without professional help, it's best to leave most furnace tune-ups to the experts. At Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling, we know the importance of regular heating maintenance in Boiling Springs and why it's a professional task rather than a DIY project. 

Below, we discuss which maintenance steps you can do independently and why you should leave the rest to technicians.

What Can Homeowners DIY?

 Keeping your furnace fully functional throughout the year requires some effort on your part. For example, changing the air filters, cleaning burners, replacing thermostat batteries, and sealing leaking air ducts are all easy tasks you can do yourself that help extends the life of your system. 

Why You Should Avoid DIY Furnace Maintenance

Aside from the tasks mentioned above, you should leave furnace maintenance to the professionals for several reasons.

Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy Likely Requires It

If you own your home, chances are you have a homeowner's insurance policy. Having home insurance is vital for protecting your investment in case of unexpected damage. However, insurance companies can deny claims or revoke coverage if you fail to follow certain guidelines. 

For example, malfunctioning furnaces can cause damage or even fires in homes. If your home receives damage due to a faulty furnace, the policy may only pay out if you invested in the required professional maintenance or inspections. 

Every policy is different, so check yours to see what specific guidelines it has regarding coverage and inspections. 

DIYs Can Increase Fire Risks

Furnaces are complex systems with gas or electrical components that require professional knowledge and tools to avoid fire risks. Experienced and trained technicians know how to safely and effectively repair the combustion chamber, heat exchangers, and other delicate parts while ensuring your home's safety.

Amateur Repairs Can Reduce Your Home's Market Value

When purchasing a home, potential buyers are extremely careful about how they spend their money. That's why they hire professionals to inspect properties and houses before committing to a sale. 

If you can show buyers that you have taken care of your home with routine inspections and professional services, you are more likely to get better offers. However, most buyers are not impressed and even wary of homes with DIY furnace repairs. 

You Could Damage Your Furnace

One of the most apparent reasons to avoid DIY furnace maintenance is the potential to damage your home's heating system. Although replacing the furnace filter and cleaning the blower compartment requires only a few simple steps, servicing other parts of the system requires a careful eye and a skilled hand. 

If you are unfamiliar with furnaces, you risk causing damage while attempting routine maintenance. As a result, you could end up calling a professional for repairs. 

Instead of risking wasted time and money, call a technician from the start. 

You Can Risk Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Malfunctioning furnaces can release dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) into your home. As a colorless and odorless gas, it can be difficult to detect CO, especially when you are inexperienced in heating system maintenance. 

Working on a furnace that is releasing too much CO without your knowledge means risking carbon monoxide poisoning. Instead of potentially jeopardizing your health, let a professional handle furnace maintenance. They can detect high levels of carbon monoxide before they cause serious problems, protecting you, your home, and your family.

Call the Pros for Expert and Efficient Furnace Maintenance in Boiling Springs

Without furnace maintenance, you could face unexpected cold nights, diminished indoor air quality, and higher utility bills. Professional furnace maintenance services not only help avoid these problems but also extend your system's life, saving you money in the long run. 

Our Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling technicians know that it can be tempting to perform DIY furnace maintenance to save a few bucks. However, we also know that non-professional services come with risks that could end up costing you more. 

Instead of risking a shotty maintenance job, let our experts provide reliable and affordable maintenance service. We know how furnaces work and guarantee complete satisfaction. 

Whether you hear knocking sounds coming from your furnace or want to guarantee a successful maintenance job, call our team at Smooth Sailing Heating & Cooling at 864-804-6400.