Common Homeowner Mistakes To Avoid

Posted by Service Champions

Air Conditioning Blog Heating Blog

Taking the handyman approach and doing-it-yourself, or attempting to save money can certainly be a good idea from time to time, but when it comes to your home heating, cooling and ventilation system, take note of these common mistakes. You’ll avoid more costly fixes in the future.

Mistakes To Avoid

Purchasing a unit too large for your home. Of all mistakes a homeowner can make, this is the most common and often most costly. Choosing to purchase a unit from your local home improvement store, or insisting on a larger unit (assuming bigger must be better) can result in wasting a significant amount of energy, and that can cost dearly over the long term.
Installing a heating or cooling unit on your own. If you are unsure of your ability to properly install a new unit in your home, it’s best to rely on the experience of an expert. Certified HVAC technicians understand how to properly calibrate and balance each element of the unit so it works correctly and efficiently.
Bargain shopping for repairs. While it can pay off to shop around for the best price on other areas of home service repair, when it comes to repairs on your HVAC, it’s best to go with a company you can trust. If the job isn’t done correctly the first time, you end up spending more to fix the mistakes of the cheaper company.
Not having your HVAC system professionally maintained. Neglecting to maintain your system can lead to costly repairs and inefficient performance. Regular professional maintenance will prolong the life of your system and help it remain reliable when you need it most.
Risking repair over a needed replacement. To save money, many homeowners will choose to repair their heating or cooling unit when it should be replaced. In the long run, this short-term savings can end up costing you more with additional repairs and more frequent service. With today’s federal tax incentives and energy efficient standards, it can be more economically beneficial to replace your system rather than spending more to keep it running.
Not having your air ducts professionally sealed. Enlisting a professionally trained person to seal your air ducts helps to assure good air quality inside your home. If not sealed properly, your air ducts can contribute to an unhealthy environment, especially for persons with allergies or asthma.
Not exhausting bathroom, kitchen or dryer vents to the outside of your home. Be sure your vents are not exhausted into your attic or crawl space. Doing so can lead to serious moisture problems that contribute to mold and mildew. Dryer vents exhausted inside the attic or crawl space can contribute to lint build-up, which can be a very dangerous fire hazard.
Masking odors with air fresheners and/or open windows. If you have an odor inside your home that won’t disappear, don’t try to hide it by masking it. If you notice unusual odors, or the air seems stuffy and stale, it could be your air quality. Installing an air filtration system such as a Bioguard Powered Filter or Biocide Chamber can help your HVAC system deliver fresher, cleaner air.
Not changing your air filter. It is important to change your system’s air filter regularly – every month for standard filters, and every three months for the HEPA variety. Clean air filters not only help keep your indoor air quality at a healthy level, they contribute to your HVAC system’s smooth operation.
Regularly turning your thermostat up or down to overcompensate for temperature imbalances. If you find you are constantly adjusting the thermostat to make up for one room or area of your home always being too hot or too cold, you are likely wasting a great deal of money. Zoning your home might be a better solution, so you’re only controlling the comfort in the areas that matter to you most.

While it’s great to take on regular maintenance and repairs by fixing things yourself when you can, it can sometimes become more costly and complicated if not done correctly.

Do you have a need for repair? Do you have questions about your home HVAC system? Contact the pros at Service Champions or schedule a repair online today.