7 HVAC repairs you can do yourself — and 5 you should never try

When your HVAC starts acting up, it’s tempting to see what you can fix yourself before calling a professional. Sometimes, you’re right, and all you need to do is fix a filter issue or reset the thermostat. But not every issue is an easy fix. Some problems are not DIY-friendly. Anything involving electrical repairs, refrigerant, drainage or gas can be a safety risk and you might make the issue worse. That is especially true when your system is already struggling in extreme weather. “If a customer is calling with a need and they’re in distress because their system is broken — and let’s say that it’s 105 degrees outside — they need somebody there right now,” says Josh Conder, division operations manager for American Residential Services (ARS) Central Division. “We can’t say, ‘All right, we’ll