Jake explains where homeowner maintenance ends — and where real risk begins
I’m all for DIY maintenance.
Clean filters. Rinse coils. Clear drains. Check thermostats.
But there’s a hard line in HVAC work that homeowners should not cross, no matter how confident, handy, or YouTube-certified they feel.
Most serious HVAC damage I’ve seen wasn’t caused by neglect.
It was caused by good intentions applied to the wrong task.
This guide lays out:
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Which maintenance jobs must be handled by licensed professionals
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Why those tasks are risky without training
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What homeowners can safely check instead
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How to know when DIY turns into liability
This isn’t about gatekeeping.
It’s about safety, system longevity, and avoiding expensive mistakes.
🧠 The One Rule That Covers Everything
Jake’s rule:
If the task affects gas flow, combustion, refrigerant, or electrical load, it’s not DIY.
Those four areas are where:
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Injuries happen
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Systems get damaged
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Warranties disappear
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Insurance claims get denied
Let’s break them down.
🔥 1. Gas Pressure Adjustments & Combustion Tuning (PRO ONLY)
🚫 Why This Is Not DIY
Gas furnaces are engineered systems.
Changing gas pressure without instruments and training can cause:
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Incomplete combustion
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Soot buildup
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Carbon monoxide production
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Heat exchanger damage
Turning a screw without a combustion analyzer is guessing — and guessing with gas is dangerous.
🔍 What Homeowners Can Do Instead
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Observe flame color (steady blue = normal)
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Listen for ignition irregularities
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Check filters and airflow
If anything looks off, stop there.
👉 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CO safety):
https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Carbon-Monoxide-Information-Center
🧪 2. Refrigerant Handling (R-32 Systems Require Certification)
R-32 is efficient, modern, and regulated.
🚫 Why This Is Not DIY
Handling refrigerant without certification can:
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Violate federal law
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Damage compressors
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Create flammable vapor risk
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Cause improper system pressures
Adding or removing refrigerant without measuring superheat/subcooling is system sabotage.
🔍 What Homeowners Can Do Instead
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Clean condenser coils
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Ensure proper airflow
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Watch for icing or oil residue
Refrigerant issues are symptoms — not starting points.
👉 EPA Section 608 refrigerant rules:
https://www.epa.gov/section608
⚡ 3. Electrical Diagnostics & Control Board Work
Modern Goodman systems rely on control boards, sensors, and safety circuits.
🚫 Why This Is Not DIY
Improper electrical work can:
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Damage control boards
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Bypass safety protections
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Cause short circuits
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Create fire risk
Jumping terminals “to see what happens” is how boards get fried.
🔍 What Homeowners Can Do Instead
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Replace thermostat batteries
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Check breakers and disconnects
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Visually inspect wiring for damage
Anything beyond that is professional territory.
👉 ACCA professional HVAC standards:
https://www.acca.org/standards
🔥 4. Heat Exchanger Inspection & Diagnosis
🚫 Why This Is Not DIY
The heat exchanger:
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Separates combustion gases from breathing air
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Requires mirrors, cameras, or pressure testing to inspect
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Cannot be evaluated visually from the outside
Missed cracks can allow carbon monoxide into the home.
🔍 What Homeowners Can Do Instead
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Monitor CO detectors
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Watch for soot, rust flakes, or unusual smells
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Note changes in flame behavior
If safety is in question, don’t guess.
👉 EPA indoor air quality guidance:
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
🧯 5. Venting Modifications & Combustion Air Changes
PVC exhaust and intake pipes are part of a tested system design.
🚫 Why This Is Not DIY
Improper venting can cause:
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Backdrafting
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Condensation damage
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Repeated furnace lockouts
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CO buildup
Changing pipe length, slope, or termination location without calculations is dangerous.
🔍 What Homeowners Can Do Instead
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Keep vents clear of snow, ice, and debris
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Check for sagging or disconnected pipes
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Listen for exhaust gurgling or whistling
If pipes need to be altered — call a pro.
🔌 6. Smart Thermostat Wiring & Advanced Setup
Smart thermostats look simple — but they can cause big problems if miswired.
🚫 Why This Is Sometimes Not DIY
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Incorrect wiring can short control boards
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Wrong system type settings cause short cycling
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Missing C-wire leads to erratic behavior
This is especially risky on multi-stage or combo systems.
🔍 What Homeowners Can Do Instead
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Check compatibility before purchase
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Replace batteries
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Adjust schedules and setpoints
If wiring diagrams are confusing — stop.
👉 DOE thermostat basics:
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/programmable-thermostats
🚨 7. Repeated Lockouts, Error Codes & Safety Trips
🚫 Why This Is Not DIY
Lockouts exist to protect the system and the home.
Repeated resets can:
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Mask serious faults
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Damage components
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Disable safety logic
Resetting more than once without fixing the cause is a red flag.
🔍 What Homeowners Can Do Instead
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Check filters
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Check airflow
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Power cycle once only
If the code returns, the system is asking for help.
🧠 The Difference Between Maintenance and Repair
Maintenance = preservation
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Cleaning
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Inspection
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Observation
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Basic adjustments
Repair = correction
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Gas
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Refrigerant
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Electrical
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Structural components
DIY stops where repair begins.
💰 Why Skipping DIY Sometimes Saves Money
Calling a pro early can:
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Prevent secondary damage
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Reduce repair scope
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Preserve warranties
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Avoid emergency service rates
The most expensive calls usually start with:
“I tried one more thing…”
🛑 Clear Signs You Should Stop and Call a Pro
Stop DIY immediately if you encounter:
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Gas smells
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Electrical burning odors
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CO detector alarms
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Refrigerant icing or oil
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Loud mechanical grinding
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Repeated system shutdowns
No tutorial fixes those safely.
🧠 Jake’s Final Word: Smart Owners Know Their Limits
DIY maintenance makes you a better owner.
DIY repairs can make you a liability.
The goal isn’t to do everything yourself.
The goal is to:
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Maintain what’s safe
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Observe what’s changing
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Call for help before damage spreads
That’s not weakness.
That’s experience.
And your Goodman system will last a lot longer because of it.
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In the next topic we will know more about: How Seasonal Changes Affect Your R-32 Refrigerant Performance
