It’s tempting to think you can fix anything with a YouTube video and a screwdriver. And sure, we encourage homeowners to stay engaged with their systems. But there’s a line you don’t want to cross—because doing the wrong thing (or doing the right thing the wrong way) can cost you big time.

At Simmons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ve seen it all over our 72 years in the business. Here’s the honest breakdown of what you can handle yourself—and what absolutely needs professional attention.

✅ DIY: What You Can (and Should) Handle Yourself

1. Changing Your Air Filter

If you only do one thing for your HVAC system, make it this.

A dirty filter chokes airflow, makes your system work harder, reduces efficiency, and increases the risk of breakdown. It can even lead to your system freezing up in the summer. We recommend changing standard 1” filters every 30 days—more often if you have pets, allergies, or a high-traffic home.

A clean filter is cheap insurance and one of the best things you can do to protect your comfort and your wallet.

In fact, we make it easy — get them delivered straight to your front door. Just head to SimmonsOneHour.com.

2. Inspecting Insulation on Refrigerant Lines

Those copper pipes running between your outdoor unit and the house? They should be wrapped in insulation—especially the thicker suction line. If that insulation is frayed, cracked, or missing, it’s time to call for a repair. Poor insulation here means refrigerant isn’t staying cold, which can lead to poor cooling and higher energy bills.

You can visually inspect it, but don’t try to replace it yourself—it needs the right material, thickness, and installation to work properly.

3. Clearing Debris from the Outdoor Unit

You don’t want grass clippings, leaves, or mulch crowding your AC or heat pump. Keep at least 2 feet of clear space around the unit. You can carefully hose off the exterior fins (gently, from the side, not top-down), but that’s it. Deeper cleaning is professional territory.

🚫 What You Should Leave to the Experts

1. Cleaning Indoor & Outdoor Coils

Dust, pollen, and even pet hair can build up on both your indoor evaporator coil and outdoor condenser coil. That buildup makes your system work harder, reducing efficiency and cooling power.

But here’s the catch: these coils are delicate. Trying to scrub or pressure wash them without training can bend the fins, damage refrigerant lines, or make the problem worse. We use specific coil cleaners and soft tools designed to clean without damage. Leave this one to us.

2. Cleaning and Flushing the Condensate Drain Line

Your system pulls moisture out of the air, and it has to go somewhere—usually down a drain line to the outside or a pump. Over time, algae and gunk build up and clog that line. When it does, you could be facing water damage or even mold.

We flush the line with specialized equipment and can even add treatments to help prevent future clogs. It's not just cleaning—it’s prevention.

3. Lubricating Motors and Moving Parts

Some systems—especially older ones—have motors or bearings that require periodic lubrication. It seems simple, but the wrong product, wrong amount, or wrong technique can do more harm than good.

We inspect and lubricate these parts as part of your routine maintenance to keep things running smoothly.

4. Recharging Refrigerant

If your system is low on refrigerant, you’ve got a leak. Period. And adding refrigerant without fixing the leak is like topping off a flat tire—it won’t last.

Not only is handling refrigerant dangerous (it can cause burns and is tightly regulated), but doing it wrong can damage your compressor and void your warranty. Our licensed techs follow EPA guidelines and use proper leak detection tools, so the job is done right and legally.

5. Checking Electrical Components & System Safety

HVAC systems are full of electrical components—capacitors, relays, contactors, circuit boards—and it only takes one faulty part to shut everything down. We check voltage readings, amperage draws, and test each part safely with specialized equipment.

Trying to troubleshoot this without experience? You’re risking injury or serious system damage.

Why DIY Doesn’t Always Save You Money

A lot of folks think DIY saves money. But here’s the truth: a missed issue or bad repair can cost you hundreds—sometimes thousands—more down the road.

We've seen homeowners unknowingly cause:

Blown compressors from low refrigerant

Flooded ceilings from clogged drains

Melted wires from improper capacitor swaps

Complete system failure from skipping maintenance

The smart move? Let experts handle what we’re trained for. That’s how you get peace of mind—and long-term savings.

Why Homeowners Trust Simmons One Hour

At Simmons, we’ve been serving homeowners like you across Fayetteville, Pinehurst, Sanford, Laurinburg, and the surrounding areas for over 72 years. We’ve earned that trust through honest advice, fast service, and work that’s done right the first time.

Whether it’s a seasonal tune-up or a full system repair, our team is here to keep your family comfortable and safe—without surprises.

Need Help? We’re Just a Call Away.

Don’t wait until it breaks. Schedule your professional maintenance today and keep your system running strong all season long.

​📞 910-534-4462 🌐 www.SimmonsOneHour.com