Totally agree that anyone should be able to DIY anything. I also believe that if you need to call in a professional for something you have DIY'd, you have no grounds to complain about the cost of paying said professional to fix it.
Im a landlord with a lot of AC units, I took the online schooling, studied for and received a 608 license. It gives me better control over the most maint intensive and unpredictable parts of property management. I've probably saved over $100k keeping my old R22 units alive, and I really enjoy the work, and it feels better being legal.
@rv10flyer84 hey dipshit, my day to day job is software architect, which I also taught myself. If I can teach myself a job that pays deep in the six figures, I can also tech myself HVAC maintenance. They love that their well maintained units reliability keep them cool because I take the time and care to keep them in good working order. At the residential level, this shit is not that difficult or complex.
I don't have any issue with it. I also don't want someone telling me I can't do my own mechanic work, plumbing, electrical, carpentry or dental. Slippery slope.
Installing a mini-split system isn't rocket science. As you said, there are some engineer types that are probably really good at this stuff. But the reality is: HVAC contractors installing a mini-split system and quoting $15,000 to do it is like buying an EV car to save on gas mileage; the ROI just isn't there. If I can manage to do it correctly, all I lose is the warranty and at the price of a contractor install, I can warrant it myself by buying another unit 5 times! Even after buying all the tools and equipment required for the installation. The juice isn't worth the squeeze.
I don’t think any different of a person changing their engine, brakes or general maintenance on their vehicles. There is most likely a higher risk of harm doing that. I also agree what you do on your property or with the permission of others property is between them. You get what you pay for and if if is not code complaint bummer.
I've watched enough of you HVAC guys to 1) know I'm interested in the trade, 2) be absolutely certain I can replace a capacitor, contactor, or fan motor and not screw it up (I was running a four foot string of batteries and light bulbs at 4-5, building Science Fair Kits by 8, and was building out of Forrest Mimms III project books by 13 or so), but 3) know I don't have the tools to prepare and evacuate refrigerant lines, or properly weigh in a charge.
I just started my DIY channel a few months ago and you can bet there will be HVAC videos on my new channel along with many other things. I personally could care less what HVAC contractors think. I think if a person has the knowledge and the know how then have it. Even though I haven't been employed doing HVAC work in a very long time, I'm still very able to do the installs, troubleshooting and repairs, and I will be doing some videos on the subject. If a person is completely clueless then yeah call in the pros. I do have my universal EPA 608 certification as well so that makes me completely legal to buy any refrigerant, and the knowledge makes me qualified to service my own equipment as needed. There are no laws in my area against it and last timed I checked this is still a free country, at least for now. Cheers!
DIY people will never affect our business. We will still have plenty of work. I prefer people fix their own stuff, that way if they do call me i make more to fix what they did , then fix the issue. I heat and ac works at my house and thats all i care about
A lot of DIYers are more focused in doing a good job than some contractors. Some have the skills and do the homework to learn what needs to be done. A lot of "pro" techs just want to get out of there and get to the next job.
I am totally fine with it, just don’t expect me to come and fix the kinked line set or the brass water valve that was brazed in to splice two lengths of line set. Also, I can’t get good tech support for Mr Cool like I can for Mitsubishi or Daikin from a local distributor so the customer isn’t going to want to pay the rates for me to sit on hold. That oil trap loop at the outdoor unit also looks horrible
I got a bunch of hand me down tools and guages today from a guy that worked for us 27 years I’m definitely gonna protect his hand tools it meant a lot to me that he wanted me to have his old stuff. I have 5 of everything lol
I’m in Los Angeles and the work I do is better than the professionals, after reading just a couple articles. If pros want to be respected, do better work. Last week I had to seal screws in my roof and install a trap on a condensate line. The last big AC I had installed the guy put a 480v unit on my 240v building. Sigh
I can’t honestly say I like most people that DIY their HVAC, but that’s why we charge by the hour. When it breaks we’ll fix what we can, if it takes a week to find a correct part because it’s some off brand stuff so be it. As far as codes go, all I can say is there is a reason they exist and I’ve seen what happens in places that they aren’t enforced.
I think we should have the right to repair our own things. Too much information available and plenty of competent people. All ya need is the right tools and youtube university can tell you how
Some people work a full time job and would rather not spend their free time researching how to fix their hvac, ordering the wrong parts, burning things up and then having to call the pros and pay another $1,000 to get it fixed.
I work commercial refrigeration so maybe im looking at this the wrong way. But i imagine its time and material to diagnose something, and then leave it to the customer. Who cares if it isn't installed right (because I've seen some stuff done by contractors that ain't much better.) I dont understand you resi guys that wont look sidways at a diy installed system. We all know it aint that hard. I think the real problem is that no one can service mini splits.😂😂
If you DIY, you better have done a professional job or I’m getting back in my van and driving off. That’s one reason I ask every customer to send me a picture of the data plate, because I’m gonna find out if it was a DIY or a professional install if I can. When I’m busy, which is most of the year, I do not accept new customers. And I can count on one finger how many customers that I’ve worked for that have a DIY system installed. Good luck getting work done or Warranty service. And don’t call me to clean your mini split heat pump unless I installed it. Basically, if you can’t work on it and fix it yourself, you might want to pay twice as much and have it done via professional. I do lots of things DIY, so go for it. But you can be sure I’m not calling a professional to come back and troubleshoot or fix my 47,000W off grid solar system.
