HVAC Maintenance in Glenview, IL

When to schedule HVAC maintenance

The U.S. Department of Energy says air conditioners should be inspected in the spring and furnaces checked in the fall (Department of Energy heating and cooling guide). That timing matters in the Chicago area, where the furnace runs for months and the AC gets hit with a few very hot weeks.

• Furnace: September to November. Before you rely on the heat every day, so anything worn out gets fixed on your schedule instead of on the coldest night of the year.
• Air conditioner: April to May. Before the first hot week, when everyone calls at once.
• Heat pump: twice a year. It heats and cools, so it runs almost year-round and gets both visits.

If it has been two years or more since anyone looked at your system, do not wait for the season. Book the next visit you can get.

Furnace tune-up: what we check

1. Burners and flame. Clean the burners and confirm the flame burns steady and blue.
2. Heat exchanger and carbon monoxide. Inspect the heat exchanger for cracks and measure carbon monoxide levels.
3. Ignition and safety controls. Test the igniter, flame sensor, limit switch and pressure switch.
4. Motors and wiring. Check the blower and inducer motors and tighten electrical connections.
5. Venting, filter and thermostat. Check the flue for blockages, inspect or replace the filter, and run the furnace through a full heating cycle.

AC tune-up: what we check

1. Outdoor coil. Rinse the condenser coil and clear leaves, cottonwood and debris from around the unit.
2. Refrigerant. Check pressures and temperatures to confirm the charge is right, and look for signs of a leak.
3. Electrical parts. Test the capacitor and contactor and tighten connections. A weak capacitor is one of the most common reasons an AC will not start on a hot day.
4. Indoor coil and drain. Check the evaporator coil and clear the condensate drain so it does not back up into the basement.
5. Airflow and thermostat. Check the filter and blower, measure the temperature drop across the coil, and confirm the thermostat is reading correctly.

Is a tune-up worth it?

The Department of Energy says a regular maintenance schedule can cut heating and cooling costs by 10% or more and helps the equipment last longer. The bigger reason for the furnace visit is safety: the heat exchanger and carbon monoxide checks are not something you can do yourself.

A tune-up will not make a failing system young again. If the technician finds a part near the end of its life, or a furnace that is past 15 years and needs an expensive repair, you get a written estimate and an honest answer on whether it is worth fixing. See furnace repair and AC repair.

Between visits

The filter is the one part you should check yourself. The Department of Energy recommends cleaning or replacing it monthly during peak heating and cooling season. Our guide to how often to change a furnace filter covers which filters need it most, and the seasonal HVAC maintenance guide lists the other quick checks worth doing each season.

HVAC maintenance near Glenview

Our Glenview office at 1975 N Lake Terrace handles furnace and AC tune-ups in Glenview and nearby towns, including Northbrook, Northfield, Wilmette, Skokie, Morton Grove, Niles, Park Ridge, Des Plaines and Deerfield. For everything else we do on furnaces and air conditioners, see heating and cooling services.

HVAC maintenance FAQ

Ready to book? Call 847-565-7990 or book online.