HVAC units are becoming more and more prominent throughout the country for comfortable living, and if you have one, you know that they need maintenance. Only 42% of homeowners end up calling a professional when they need air conditioner maintenance, according to Warner Service. While you could look at some YouTube videos and attempt it yourself, here are five reasons why you should hire a professional HVAC contractor instead.

1. They Have the Proper Know-How

When you hire a professional, you're getting a person that's an expert in home heating and cooling. They not only have the training but they're certified with years of education. They know both how to properly diagnose what is wrong with your system and how to repair or replace it.

Technician training for certification can be in the form of a trade school or apprenticeship, with apprenticeships taking approximately three to five years in the field. This hands-on training, whether in school or as an apprentice, means that they are working to learn and understand the parts, problems, and processes of the HVAC unit.

2. They Keep Your Warranty Intact

Did you know that if you start tinkering with your system, you may void that warranty? Some warranties won't be valid after anyone other than a technician works on the system. Hiring a professional contractor will keep that intact. Don't have one? Then you can rest assured knowing that the parts that a professional puts in will be covered by their warranty. Professional technicians can explain specific warranties to you, and give you peace of mind.

3. You'll Avoid a Possible Scam

Many times people will look on the internet and find someone that will come out to repair their HVAC system. Unfortunately, some of these ads are scams. They'll ask for money upfront, or will show you new parts and put in old parts, or any number of different scam operations. This leaves you with less money in your pocket than when you started, and still in need of a proper repair service so that your system will function again. By going straight to a professional contractor, you can avoid these possible scams.

4. They Have Specialized Tools

There are many parts to the HVAC system that require a special tool, one that you may not be able to get quickly from a hardware store. Hiring a pro will ensure that the proper tools are used to repair or replace the parts that aren't working with no downtime. Having the right tools can save time and money on your repair bill.

5. Saves You Time and Money

While we touched briefly on how having the right tools saves you money on your repair job, there are other ways it helps you save as well. Certified repair technicians have the ability to pull out whatever gauges and parts they need. If you buy these parts yourself, you may have to wait on special ordered parts, assuming you're able to get those parts at all. Downtime without an HVAC system can mean uncomfortable conditions for you and your family.

Also, you won't have to waste time endlessly stopping and starting a video or Googling a project that a repairman knows like the back of their hand. With their education and expertise, the job will go quickly and efficiently. That expertise will save you precious time in getting your system back up and running.

These top five reasons as to why you shouldn't DIY an HVAC repair highlight some of the many problems that can arise by not hiring a professional. It can be frustrating going it alone, with several trips to get odd parts and tools, and then the labor-intensive work to get it all back together. Technicians are trained for it, keep up with the latest parts and services for your unit through continuing education, and can make sure that you have years of use out of it when they are done.

While these five reasons aren't the only reasons you should hire a pro, they're some of our favorites. If you need HVAC repair or replacement service or want to talk to someone about what is going on with your unit, give John H. Coleman Co. a call today. We're experts in the field of home heating and cooling pumps and furnaces.