HVAC emergency in Chicago? Call Bernie's Heating & A/C Service now! Same-day service available for all heating and cooling emergencies.
Regular AC maintenance prevents 95% of breakdowns, extends equipment life by 5-10 years, and lowers energy bills up to 15%. Don't wait for your AC to fail on the hottest day of summer - Bernie's has been keeping Chicago cool since day one.
Here's the thing about AC maintenance that most homeowners don't realize: it's the most satisfying work we do. When we show up for an emergency repair in August, your house is 90 degrees, you're stressed, and we're racing against the clock. But maintenance? That's different. We get to take our time, do thorough work, and prevent all those emergencies before they happen.
Bernie started this company with a simple philosophy: treat every system like it's in your own home. When our techs do a tune-up, they're not just checking boxes on a clipboard. They're looking at your AC the way they'd look at their mom's AC - finding the small problems before they become big ones, cleaning things that other companies skip, and making sure you're set for another Chicago summer.
We've been doing this long enough to know that the best repair is the one you never need. That dirty capacitor we replace during a tune-up? It would have failed during a heat wave this July. The low refrigerant we catch? That small leak would have killed your compressor by August. The loose wire we tighten? That could have been a no-cooling call on the 4th of July weekend.
This isn't a "check the filter and leave" service. Our techs spend 45-60 minutes on every tune-up, going through every component that matters. Here's exactly what we do:
After every tune-up, we give you a written report on your system's condition. No surprises, no pressure. If we find something that needs attention, we explain what it is, why it matters, and give you options. Many issues we catch can wait - we'll tell you which ones.
We've serviced thousands of AC systems across Chicago. Here's what the data shows us year after year:
Almost all AC failures show warning signs during maintenance that we catch and fix.
Clean coils and proper refrigerant levels mean your AC works less hard to cool your home.
Well-maintained ACs last 15-20 years. Neglected ones fail at 10-12 years.
Annual maintenance keeps your manufacturer warranty valid. We document everything.
We've seen the "tune-ups" other companies do. A 15-minute visit, a filter change, and an invoice. That's not maintenance - that's a waste of your money.
Real AC maintenance takes time. Our techs spend 45-60 minutes on every system because that's what it takes to do the job right. We're not trying to squeeze in 12 calls a day. We're trying to make sure your AC actually works all summer.
A weak capacitor causes 30% of emergency calls. Takes 5 minutes to test, but most skip it.
Dirty coils kill efficiency and strain the compressor. We clean them every visit.
High amp draw means your compressor is struggling. We catch this before it fails.
For customers who want year-round peace of mind, we offer maintenance plans that cover both heating and cooling:
One heating + one cooling tune-up. 15% off all repairs.
Everything above + priority scheduling + no trip charges.
Plans pay for themselves with just one prevented repair or the energy savings alone.
Chicago's weather is tough on air conditioners. We go from 20°F in winter (when your AC sits dormant) to humid 95°F summers (when it runs constantly). That contrast creates unique maintenance needs:
After sitting all winter, contactors corrode, capacitors weaken, and critters may have nested in the outdoor unit. Our spring tune-up catches all of this before your first hot day.
Chicago's cottonwood season clogs condenser coils fast. If your outdoor unit looks fuzzy, it's working 20-30% harder than it should. We clean coils thoroughly.
Chicago summers aren't just hot - they're humid. Your AC works double-duty removing moisture. Low refrigerant or dirty coils can't keep up, leaving you sticky.
Many Chicago bungalows and greystones have AC systems that were retrofitted. We check ductwork, airflow, and sizing - not just the outdoor unit.
We recommend annual AC maintenance, ideally in spring before cooling season starts. If you have pets (hair clogs filters faster), allergies, or run your AC heavily, consider twice-yearly service. The investment pays for itself in prevented repairs.
A single AC tune-up costs $89-$150 depending on system type and access. Our maintenance plans start at $149/year and include both heating and cooling tune-ups, plus 15% off any repairs needed. Most customers find the plan saves money within the first year.
April or May is ideal - before you need your AC daily. This gives us time to order parts if something needs replacement, and scheduling is easier before the summer rush. We get slammed June through August.
That's actually when maintenance matters most. AC problems develop slowly - by the time you notice symptoms, the damage is often done. The $100 capacitor we replace during a tune-up prevents the $1,500 compressor failure that happens when capacitors fail completely.
No. Our techs are paid hourly, not commission. They have no incentive to sell you anything you don't need. If your AC is in good shape, we'll tell you. If it's on its last legs, we'll tell you that too - but the decision is always yours.
Don't wait until your AC breaks down on the hottest day of summer. Schedule maintenance now and stay cool all season long.