Basic HVAC Skills for Homeowner / Handyman?

[oldschoolcraft]

I don't know much about HVAC. I do like expanding my skillset because it allows me to justify buying more tools. I knew nothing about hot water heaters but was recently called upon by a lady friend to take a look at hers, and I spent several hours watching YouTube videos and using the tools I already had (bummer, I know), I was able to learn to troubleshoot thermostats and how to replace heating elements and drain the tank.

I don't know much about HVAC and summer is coming, so I'm thinking of learning some basic stuff, and hopefully I can justify buying some HVAC-specific tools! But only after I learn how to use them.

What should a residential handyman / homeowner be able to know how to do with HVAC systems for troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance? And what tools, if any, should I pick up that might be specialized that I might not already have? Already have some VDE insulated tools and a few multimeters.

I don't like going on roofs, is there any safety equipment for that I might consider? I asked a friend who laughed at me and told me to grow a pair. I just remember Artie Lange on Howard Stern talking about his dad, a cable installer, falling off a roof and becoming paralyzed.

 

[ratflinger]

You are in Cali - probably knowing the phone number of a good, trustworthy HVAC person would be your best tool. There are Federal laws about handling refrigerant and Federal certs (which you can get). There is high voltage as well as possibly dangerous refrigerant temps to deal with. Piddling with your own unit is one thing, but pretending to being able to work on someone else's is not something you'd want to do. There are books that teach the basics, that's what the apprentices have after all, but you can't get the practical knowledge. Changing out the startup cap is one thing, replacing your condenser is something else completely.

 

[ddurrett896]

I will touch any trade except HVAC.

 

[Blueshound_GJ]

As a former auto mechanic, I am naturally overconfident in my skills. Therefore I have done some residential HVAC work on my own systems. I haven't messed with refrigerant (yet), but I will attempt most anything else. There are a few common parts that fail and can be easily replaced if you are careful and methodical (thermostat, contactor, capacitor etc.) I keep replacements on hand.

No ladders.
No chainsaws.

 

[OccupantRJ]

As a former auto mechanic, I am naturally overconfident in my skills. Therefore I have done some residential HVAC work on my own systems. I haven't messed with refrigerant (yet), but I will attempt most anything else. There are a few common parts that fail and can be easily replaced if you are careful and methodical (thermostat, contactor, capacitor etc.) I keep replacements on hand.

No ladders.
No chainsaws.

In my opinion this is where the average DIY guy needs to concentrate. With all the involvement and tools required, skills, and the various types of refrigerant, it is a good self limiting point at which you can save yourself some money and get to know your system and maintain it so that Sunday breakdown does not leave you feeling so helpless.

 

[toyotadriver]

Check with any local trade schools and colleges. They will have classes on HVAC.

You can do anything you want to. HVAC isn’t hard but knowing the principles of how it works is important. Get some books. Get some training. Watch some YouTube videos and jump in and do it!!



Nothing in this post should be misunderstood, interpreted, misinterpreted, or construed to be of a political nature.

 

[ALinCarolina]

I started out learning how to service auto a/c so studied up and got my EPA 608. Go ahead and get the universal. Invested in the required tools for that. I recommend getting Rob Siegel's (The hack mechanic) book on that.
Then studied enough to install mini-splits in some of my rental properties. So I have all the manifolds, leak testers, flare tools, torque wrenches, scales, etc. After a few of those I needed to replace a broken one (originally installed by a pro) so I invested in a recovery machine and tanks. Craig's Youtube channel, A/C Service Tech is a great source of info. I then had the R410A to add to a new install elsewhere that needed an extended line set.
So at this point I can do much of the repair and maintenance. If I had to replace a large unit I might hire a pro I know since I would have problems managing the physical hauling and setup by myself. And I don't want to mess with any ductwork fab.

 

[fitter30]

Hvac especially service have to be a electrician that can read a wiring diagram, understand ohms law, controls, plumber, tinner ( sheetmetal), understand vacuum, refrigerants and knows how much training goes into it. The trade runs from working on a drinking fountain to a chiller for comfort to process cooling to extreme low temp to grocery store refrigeration and there isn't much crossover between specialities. Continuing education on equipment, tools, osha, safety and licenses.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I don't know much about HVAC and summer is coming, so I'm thinking of learning some basic stuff, and hopefully I can justify buying some HVAC-specific tools! But only after I learn how to use them.

Anything related to A/C will require special tools and decent ones are NOT CHEAP ! IMHO, stick with the "known" brands. Old fashioned dial gauges work fine.

What should a residential handyman / homeowner be able to know how to do with HVAC systems for troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance?

The very high efficiency furnaces can be tricky ! Had a fiasco last year. Tech insisted on remove the igniter to "inspect" it. Broke when he re-installed it. Then the replacement igniter was not installed correctly. It took 2 more return trips and 5 more days without heat in Midwest Autumn, (last by the senior technician) to realize what was going on.

The most common failures are the igniter and the draft blower/inducer or the pressure sensors that indicate the draft blower is working. Blink codes usually will take you right to the problem. Basic hand tools.

 

[theoldwizard1]

... understand ohms law, ...
Amazing how many technicians (in various fields) do NOT understand Ohm's Law in all of its variations !

 

[nadogail]

I took an Adult Regional Occupational Education Program offered by my County Education Office, when we completed our raining we were "Certified Dangerous" in HVAC.

 

[dogdog]

electrical is easy to troubleshoot. refrigerant don't touch it. know when to stop and call in the service guys.

 

[jshillin]

I can do about everything, but don't get into HVAC too much. Thermostat replacement, ductwork and capacitor's the easy things. I replaced the circuit board on my heat pump a few years ago too. You can figure out a lot with a good clamp meter.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll give an example, in my apartment, my ceiling intake air vent was leaking water. I'm no HVAC guy, I don't know how it works beyond there being some kind of compressor and refrigerant and needing electricity. But the act of troubleshooting I learn about the condenser drip pan, and the concept of cleaning it and maintenance. I used a shop vac to **** out the water, added some bleach, let it sit, and the problem stopped.

I have too much pride to call the apartment maintenance team without me at least understanding the problem and deciding "screw that I dont want to get my hands dirty"... for another adult man to come over and do some basic stuff while I sit back mystified makes me feel like a loser.

Also I date women who own houses and when I can do some basic repair stuff, they are grateful

Of course, I dont want to overstep my bounds and cause catastrophic failure, resulting in a more expensive repair than if they paid a pro up front. But if it's something I can learn about and do in a few minutes, saving a $200 service call fee, and get it done immediately instead of suffering in heat for a week in the middle of summer, then that's something I want to learn.

So that's where I'm coming from, what's the basic stuff where the risk of damage or injury is low that I should learn about so I can try the basic stuff. I don't want to say HVAC IS DEAD, BETTER CALL THE EXPERT without me even doing some basic troubleshooting first. Especially since I already have several hundred dollars worth of VDE tools and multimeters and I learned Ohm's Law in middle school science class

 

[housewolf]

I don't know much about HVAC. .

Start with maintenance it’s not hard and if done regularly you may find you’ll have less need to do repairs. Cleaning (condensor & evaporator) coils, fan blades, drain pans, patching insulation and duct leaks etc… can have a huge impact on the performance of a system.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Refrigerant is where the DIY line crosses over to "call a pro" territory, but there are many things you can do with tools you already have or a few additional purchases.

Start with cleaning your A/C coils and straightening any badly bent fins - a can of coil cleaner and a fin comb are a couple cheap things to buy.

Diagnosing a bad contactor or capacitor is well within the DIY range with a multimeter and some hand tools.

Most of the HVAC work I do outside of my actual job is gas and propane furnaces, mostly high-efficiency. Things that come in handy there are a manometer, static pressure probes, jumper leads (for testing), 12v test lights, combustible gas detector, a couple good magnetic work lights, maybe a multimeter that can test micro amps (flame rods), continuity tester (or meter), a clamp meter (which will have tons of other uses), a vane anemometer, an inspection camera (boroscope), hose clamp pliers, and various ways to remove 1/4" and 5/16" nuts and screws. I have a set of Klein long hollow-shaft magnetic nut drivers that are fantastic for stuff like this, but also a 1/4" and 5/16" ratcheting wrench in my tool bag for tight spots.

Of course, any of the tools is really only useful IF you know how to use them in the correct scenarios.

A DIY'er is certainly capable of changing a limit switch, flame rod, cleaning out a trap, replacing a condensate pump, etc. Furnace codes will point you in the right direction, but they will not tell you the exact problem. People will get a limit switch code, replace the limit switch, and they be confused as to why the furnace still doesn't work.

Don't let people laugh at you for looking out for your own safety. Other than single story ranch houses and garages, I don't do any roof work. If you do and you need a harness or other gear, buy it. Wear safety glasses, wear earplugs if necessary, wear a mask if you're in the attic. Take care of yourself - let people laugh if they want.

 

[DGersic]

I'm no HVAC guy, I don't know how it works beyond there being some kind of compressor and refrigerant and needing electricity.

At a basic level, A/C is pretty easy to understand. Go get a can of computer “duster“ spray from Walmart. Flip it upside down and spray it. Note how the liquid comes out, flashes to a gas, and gets really cold. That’s how your A/C works.

You have a loop system. Start at the compressor. This compresses the gas (refrigerant) to liquid form. The liquid travels to the evaporator coil, where it expands to a gas. As it expands it absorbs heat, and makes the evaporator cold. The gas then travels back to the compressor. (Over simplified.) The fan then blows air across the evaporator to cool it and blows cooled air in to the house.

There are, of course, more details than this.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

Last HVAC guy I knew would be over the moon to have a customer who at least changed the filter a few times a year and kept the weeds cut back from the compressor unit.