DIY guideAC and heat pump

Look over the AC line-set insulation and outdoor disconnect

Look at the foam on the copper lines, where they go into the house, and the disconnect box beside the unit. Look only: touch nothing.

7 steps

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Follow the two copper pipes from the outdoor unit to where they go into the wall.
The bigger pipe wears black foam. Look for foam that's torn, crumbled or missing.
Ice on the pipes in summer, or an oily stain on them or below, means trouble inside.
Where the pipes go into the house, the hole should be sealed, with no gap for water or mice.
The disconnect box on the wall should be shut, firm and free of rust, its lid in place.
Look only: don't open a rusty or damaged box.
The flexible cable from the box to the unit should be whole and held at both ends.
Torn foam, a rusty or open box, a cracked cable or an oily stain: leave it and ask Handyman for a heating and cooling tech.

Handyman says: Damaged? I'll find an HVAC tech.

Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.