AC Maintenance: Getting Ready for Chicago Summer

Chicago summers are not what they used to be. The heat waves are longer, the humidity is worse, and your air conditioning system is working harder than ever. If you have not had your AC serviced before summer hits, you are gambling that it will hold up during the worst heat of the year. That is not a gamble I recommend.

I have been repairing and maintaining air conditioning systems on Chicago's South Side for decades. Every summer, I see the same pattern: people who skipped their spring maintenance calling us in July when their AC dies during a 95 degree heat wave. At that point, everyone in Chicago needs service, parts take longer to get, and you are sweating through a wait that could have been avoided.

You can get ahead of it.

Schedule Professional Maintenance in Spring

The best time to service your AC is April or May, before the cooling season starts. A professional tune up catches problems while they are small and cheap to fix, before they turn into expensive breakdowns in July.

Here is what a proper AC maintenance visit from Burris and Sons includes. We inspect and clean the condenser coils, which are the outdoor unit's primary heat exchange component. Dirty coils make your system work harder and cost you more money. We check and adjust refrigerant levels. Low refrigerant means poor cooling and higher energy bills. We inspect the blower motor and fan for wear. We check all electrical connections and tighten them. Loose connections cause intermittent failures that are frustrating to diagnose. We test the thermostat for accuracy. We inspect ductwork for leaks. We replace or clean the air filter. We test the system's overall performance and check for unusual noises or vibrations.

That is a thorough service visit, and it takes about an hour. The cost is reasonable, and it can save you hundreds or thousands in avoided repairs.

Change Your Air Filter

This is the single most important thing you can do for your AC system between professional service visits. A dirty air filter restricts airflow, which forces your system to work harder, increases your energy bills, reduces your cooling capacity, and accelerates wear on the blower motor and other components.

Check your filter monthly during the cooling season. Replace it every one to three months, depending on the type of filter and your home's conditions. If you have pets, smoke, or live near a busy street, replace it monthly. If you are not sure what type of filter your system takes, check the owner's manual or call us and we will tell you.

Keep the Outdoor Unit Clear

Your AC condenser (the outdoor unit) needs clear airflow to work properly. Keep at least two feet of clearance around it. Trim back bushes, vines, and tall grass. Remove leaves and debris from the top and sides. Do not stack anything against it or build a tight enclosure around it. I have seen people put decorative fences right up against their condensers and then wonder why their AC is not cooling well. The unit needs to breathe.

Check Your Ductwork

Leaky ductwork is one of the biggest sources of energy waste in Chicago homes. If your ducts have gaps, cracks, or disconnected sections, you are paying to cool your attic, your crawl space, or the inside of your walls instead of your living areas. Signs of duct problems include rooms that will not cool evenly, excessive dust in the house, and higher than expected energy bills.

Duct sealing is a worthwhile investment. We can inspect your ductwork and seal leaks, which often improves cooling performance noticeably.

Programmable Thermostat

If you are still using an old manual thermostat, upgrading to a programmable model can save you 10% to 15% on your cooling bills. Set it to raise the temperature a few degrees when you are away from home and bring it back down before you return. There is no reason to cool an empty house to 72 degrees all day.

Signs Your AC Needs Professional Attention

Do not wait for a complete breakdown. Call us if you notice any of these warning signs: the system is running but not cooling effectively, unusual noises (grinding, squealing, banging, or hissing), the system cycles on and off frequently (short cycling), ice forming on the refrigerant lines or the indoor coil, water leaking around the indoor unit, strange smells coming from the vents, or your energy bills are spiking without a change in usage.

Any of these symptoms indicate a problem that will get worse without attention. A repair now is almost always cheaper than an emergency replacement later.

How Long Should Your AC Last?

A well maintained central air conditioning system should last 15 to 20 years in Chicago. If your system is approaching that age range and needing frequent repairs, start planning for replacement. Do not wait until it dies on the hottest day of the year.

We install all makes and models and can help you choose the right system for your home's size and layout. We also handle system rezoning for homes where certain rooms are consistently too hot or too cold.

Do Not Wait for the Heat Wave

Every year, the first major heat wave triggers a flood of AC emergency calls. Technicians are booked solid. Parts suppliers are backordered. Wait times stretch to days. Do not be in that position. Get your AC serviced now, while availability is good and the weather is mild.

Call Burris and Sons at 773-375-4123 to schedule your spring AC tune up. We serve South Shore, Hyde Park, Englewood, Chatham, Woodlawn, Auburn Gresham, Roseland, Pullman, and all surrounding areas.