7 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Install Your Own Furnace

Do you need an HVAC installation in Louisville, KY? If so, you might ask, “Can I install my own furnace?” Our experts at A1 Mechanical advise against it.

As tempting as this may be as a do-it-yourself project, heating installation is dangerous without the appropriate skills and equipment. In some cases, installing a system without the proper approvals, experience, or documentation can be illegal. Here are seven reasons why you should avoid doing this kind of project.

1. A Lack of Proper Equipment and Materials

Before deciding to install a new furnace, ask yourself one question: Can I purchase a heating unit and all the necessary equipment?

HVAC manufacturers sometimes sell furnaces to retailers, making them accessible to property owners. Yet most manufacturers don’t; they only sell their products to suppliers and professional HVAC installers. So, getting the equipment you need to upgrade your home or business’s heating system may be difficult, if not impossible, without the help of a qualified HVAC company. 

2. Inexperience

Hooking up a new heating system might seem simple. You may think you just have to unhook and remove the old system before connecting the upgraded system in its place. In reality, HVAC installations are complex and require years of training and industry expertise. 

Let’s consider HVAC sizing. When it comes to furnaces, bigger isn’t always better, and smaller doesn’t automatically translate to energy savings. Not sizing your system correctly according to your property, energy needs, and other crucial factors can lead to system efficiency, premature wear, and uneven heating. 

Professional, factory-trained HVAC technicians spend years learning to size heating and cooling systems accurately. They also know how to assess properties, understand their customers’ needs, and optimize systems for performance and energy efficiency during installations. 

Most property owners lack that important experience. They’re also inexperienced with other aspects of HVAC installations like: 

• Reading electrical wiring diagrams
• Establishing, repairing, or redirecting ventilation systems
• Installing different systems according to their fuel sources
• Mitigating system inefficiencies
• Identifying safety risks

3. Noncompliance with Local Building Codes

Building code compliance is a must when it comes to installing heating systems. The purpose of these codes is to ensure the efficiency of various systems to ensure public safety. Building codes encompass many aspects of HVAC installations, such as:

• The kind of system a building can accommodate
• Equipment size or heating or cooling capacity
• Fuel connections
• The amount of space installers must leave around HVAC equipment

If you were only to consider building code compliance when asking, “Can I install my own furnace?” the answer would still be no. DIY HVAC installation that falls into noncompliance can result in serious consequences like fines and homeowners’ insurance claim denials. 

Professional HVAC service providers are well-versed in local building code requirements. They also know whether the project requires permits and how to obtain approvals. A qualified HVAC company will consider all legalities when overseeing your furnace installation.

4. Safety Hazards

Furnace installation is too dangerous to do without relevant knowledge and expertise. For instance, making a mistake while installing a gas furnace into your home or business could result in a carbon monoxide leak. This odorless, colorless gas can quickly reach high concentrations inside a building, causing serious problems like:

• Poor health
• Explosions
• Death

A lack of experience installing HVAC also increases the risk of fire, electric shock, and burns. With heat pumps, you risk exposure to toxic refrigerant if something goes wrong during the installation process. 

The good news is that HVAC experts know how to evaluate situations to identify and minimize safety risks. They’ll also take steps to avoid damaging your property during the project. So, “Can I install my own furnace?” Have peace of mind knowing your new heater will operate safely and efficiently when you hire professionals. 

5. Warranty Voidance

Manufacturer warranty protection will pay for most or all furnace repairs and parts replacements that meet the guarantee’s guidelines. Unfortunately, do-it-yourself HVAC installations void manufacturer warranties, which means you’ll have to pay full price out-of-pocket for any problems your new heating unit encounters. 

6. Inability to Handle Gas and Electrical Connections

An important thing to remember is that furnaces need gas or electrical connections to work, but that doesn’t mean a property will automatically have them. That’s where professional HVAC crews come in.

They can procure all necessary permits to successfully install a natural gas line with the appropriate connectors and fittings to ensure your safety when using the heater. Experienced technicians even have high-tech tools to detect dangerous gas leaks before you turn on your furnace for the first time. 

Even a gas furnace needs an electrical connection to a dedicated circuit. HVAC technicians can expertly configure all wiring for optimal energy efficiency. 

Doing any of these tasks yourself would be incredibly dangerous. It could also be impossible if local regulations only allow qualified contractors to apply for HVAC installation permits. 

7. Performance Issues

Your ultimate goal is to keep your HVAC efficient after installation. Unfortunately, achieving or maintaining efficiency becomes challenging if you don’t install your furnace correctly. 

Furnaces connect to gas and electrical lines, as well as thermostats, which control the heating unit’s operations and regulate the indoor climate. Sometimes, when people think their heating units are malfunctioning, it’s actually their thermostats causing problems. Making mistakes with the wired connections between your thermostat and HVAC during installation can result in discomfort and poor efficiency.

Schedule Professional Installation for Your New Furnace Today

Though new HVAC increases the value, comfort, and efficiency of your home, the answer to “Can I install my own furnace?” is no. Due to the many improper installation risks and legalities concerning building code compliance, it’s best to leave this project to the professionals. If you need a new HVAC, count on A1 Mechanical in Louisville, Kentucky, to execute the task flawlessly. 

Thanks to our 300-plus years of combined experience, we’re one of the community’s top HVAC service providers. We’ll properly size your new equipment, comply with all regulations, and work diligently so that you can enjoy your new furnace without delay. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee—call A1 Mechanical at (502) 708-2247 today.