HVAC Before & After in Chicago, IL
We have been in Chicago homes since 2018, and we have learned that showing the work beats talking about it. These projects represent what we see on a typical week across the city, from lakefront high-rises to bungalow belt neighborhoods. Every job here was completed by our uniformed, background-checked technicians and backed by our 90-Day Done Right Promise.
Recent Transformations
Failed Compressor in a Bucktown Bungalow - Full AC Replacement
The homeowner on North Honore Street had a 22-year-old Carrier system that finally quit during the July 2019 heat wave. The compressor had seized, and the system still ran on R-22 refrigerant, which was getting expensive to recharge. We removed the old condenser and coil, installed a new 16 SEER Carrier system, and ran new refrigerant lines because the old ones were contaminated with metal shavings. The new system dropped their summer electric bill by about a third, and they have not called us back for anything except their annual tune-up.
Cracked Heat Exchanger in Portage Park - Furnace Replacement
A family on West Berteau Avenue called us out for what they thought was a noisy blower. Our technician found a crack in the heat exchanger of their 19-year-old Goodman furnace, which meant carbon monoxide was leaking into the return air. We red-tagged the unit, explained the situation in plain terms, and installed a new 96% efficient Goodman two-stage furnace the next morning. Their home heats more evenly now, and the carbon monoxide detector has stayed quiet.
Back-Bedroom Icebox in Rogers Park - Ductless Mini-Split Installation
A couple on North Sheridan Road had a third-floor bedroom that was unusable in summer because their 1920s building had no ductwork to that corner of the house. Window units were too loud and blocked the lake view. We mounted a Daikin single-zone mini-split on the exterior wall, ran refrigerant lines through a discrete chase down to the basement, and had the room at 72 degrees by dinner. They use that bedroom year-round now, and the system barely hums.
Whole-House Humidity Problem in Hyde Park - Dehumidifier & Ventilation Upgrade
A homeowner on East 55th Street was watching the original 1890s trim in their greystone warp from summer humidity that stayed above 65% even with the AC running. We installed a whole-house dehumidifier on the return side of their existing duct system and upgraded the bathroom exhaust fans to continuous-flow models. The humidity now stays at 50% in July, the woodwork has stabilized, and the house smells different in a way they did not realize was possible.
No-Heat Emergency in Bridgeport - Blower Motor & Control Board Replacement
We got the call at 11 p.m. on a night when it was four degrees outside. A family on South Halsted Street had a Trane furnace that was blowing cold air, and they had a newborn at home. Our technician found a failed blower motor that had taken the control board with it. We had both parts on the truck, made the repair by 1 a.m., and stayed until the house was back to 68 degrees. The baby slept through the whole thing, and the parents did not have to choose between a hotel bill and a cold night.
Commercial Rooftop Package Unit in West Loop - Full Replacement
A creative agency on West Lake Street had a 20-year-old York rooftop unit that was costing them $800 a month in repair calls and still could not keep the south-facing conference room comfortable. We craned out the old unit, set a new 10-ton York with a VFD blower and economizer, and balanced the ductwork to fix the original 1990s design. Their repair calls stopped, their summer electric bill dropped 28%, and they stopped getting complaints from the corner office.
Want Results Like These?
Every project you see here started with a phone call to (833) 983-1671. We answer live, 24 hours a day, including holidays. We offer free second opinions on any written estimate, $50 off repairs over $250, and our 90-Day Done Right Promise on every job. Call us or ask about our $89 seasonal tune-up when you reach out.
Written by Terry Kowalski, Owner at Fireside Heating & Air Co. of Chicago, serving Chicago since 2018.