Call (773) 900-6248 to confirm current emergency service availability in your area and estimated technician arrival time.
AC repair & diagnostics identifies the root cause of cooling problems and restores your system to proper operation.
We've been doing AC diagnostics. We don't throw parts at your system until something works—we test methodically, find the actual problem, and quote you a price before fixing it.
AC repair begins with the symptom: not cooling, freezing up, unusual noise or failure to start. Electrical, refrigerant, compressor, airflow and control faults can produce similar symptoms, so testing comes before a component recommendation.
Most AC problems in Chicago homes fall into five categories: electrical failures (capacitors, contactors), refrigerant leaks, airflow restrictions (dirty coils, blocked condensate drains), compressor failure, or thermostat/control board issues.
The repair process starts with a diagnostic whose charge is confirmed when you book. It tests electrical components, measures refrigerant levels, checks airflow, and evaluates compressor performance. Once the problem is identified, you get a written estimate before any work begins.
A packed or incorrectly installed filter can restrict airflow, reduce cooling, and contribute to a frozen indoor coil.
AC running but not cooling? Check the air filter first. A packed filter can choke airflow, reduce cooling, and contribute to a frozen indoor coil. Confirm the thermostat is set to cool, the filter is clean and installed correctly, and the outdoor AC unit is running. Still blowing warm air? Bernie’s is ready to diagnose it. Call 773-900-6248.
A recharge alone may not address why the charge is low. Ask what was found, whether leak testing is needed and what the proposed work includes.
A low refrigerant reading needs interpretation alongside airflow and operating conditions.
Ask whether the system has a leak or a previous charging problem.
Ask which tests support the diagnosis and what work is recommended.
Discuss the repair scope, refrigerant required and follow-up if the problem returns.
Why the cause matters:
Refrigerant circulates in a closed system rather than being consumed during normal operation. Low charge can involve a leak or an earlier charging issue; the diagnosis determines the appropriate work.
Check operating conditions and refrigerant charge to assess the problem.
Use leak testing when the diagnosis calls for it and explain the findings.
Discuss the repair location, parts, refrigerant and price before approving the work.
Where a repair is appropriate, address the confirmed leak, evacuate and recharge the system as required, then check operation. Future performance depends on the equipment's condition.
Work to discuss before approval:
Real talk: Review the confirmed fault, repair scope and cost before deciding. A repeated recharge may leave an unresolved leak; discuss suitable repair or replacement options.
Serving Chicago. Tell us about any previous recharge or repair and how long the cooling problem has been present. That history helps guide the inspection.
Not "throw parts at it until it works." Instead, we follow a systematic process that finds the actual problem.
We test capacitors, contactors, and breakers before touching refrigerant.
Electrical readings help determine whether the fault is in a capacitor, contactor, power supply or another control.
Dirty filters, restricted coils and blower problems can reduce airflow and cooling. The inspection determines which condition is involved.
Tell us whether weak airflow affects one room or the whole home. Ductwork services require a specialist; Bernie's does not perform duct cleaning, repair, sealing, insulation or installation.
If it's low, we find the leak before recharging. Electronic leak detection, UV dye if needed.
The readings and any leak findings help determine the work and refrigerant needed.
Compressor assessment can include electrical readings and operating pressures. The findings help distinguish a compressor fault from another cooling problem.
System age is one factor alongside condition, repair history, parts availability, warranty and proposed cost.
You see the price and decide.
Ask what the quote includes: parts, labor, refrigerant, any follow-up visit and applicable warranty terms.
Electrical problems can involve capacitors and contactors. Testing helps identify which component needs attention before a repair or replacement is recommended.
These are possible causes rather than a diagnosis or a ranking of likelihood. Describe what happens and when, including any recent service or change in airflow.
Could be:
Could be:
Could be:
Could be:
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Review the confirmed fault, system condition, prior repairs, parts availability, applicable warranty and proposed cost. Compare a specific repair quote with replacement options where needed.
Confirmed fault and system condition • Repair cost, parts and warranty • Compare the available options
An Isolated Component Fault
A repair may be practical when the fault is limited and the rest of the system is in serviceable condition.
Discuss the proposed work and cost; a repair does not establish the system's remaining lifespan.
An Expensive or Repeated Repair
Review earlier repairs, current condition and the availability of suitable parts.
Ask for the scope and cost of each option so you can compare them.
Several System Problems
If major components are deteriorating or suitable parts are unavailable, replacement may be worth considering.
Discuss installation needs, equipment sizing and the total proposed work.
Choose based on the findings rather than age alone.
Review the condition of the whole system as well as the failed component.
Compare the approved repair scope and price with replacement options when the diagnosis warrants it.
Ask whether parts availability or applicable equipment coverage affects the options.
Ask for an explanation of the options. The recommendation should connect to your equipment, the confirmed fault and the work required.
Repair timing depends on the diagnosis and parts availability. Ask about parts and any follow-up visit when booking service.
For specialty parts or major components (compressors, coils):Repair timing depends on the diagnosis and parts availability. Ask about parts and any follow-up visit when booking service.
Warm air, ice, weak airflow or an AC that will not start can have several causes. Bernie's diagnoses the system and explains the repair options before you approve work.
Humidity adds to a home's cooling load. Longer operation or poor dehumidification can involve airflow, equipment condition, controls or sizing; testing helps distinguish the causes.
Describe whether the system cools adequately, controls humidity and cycles normally. A seasonal pattern alone does not identify a failed capacitor or motor.
Chicago homes can have different cooling loads because of sun exposure, insulation, layout and local conditions. A diagnosis considers the equipment and the home rather than assuming a fault from the neighborhood.
Tell us whether the cooling problem changes with outdoor conditions or affects particular rooms. These observations can help guide the inspection.
Chicago bungalows were built for cross-ventilation, not central air. Unfortunately, a lot of them have 2-ton units trying to cool 1,800-2,000 sq ft. Those units run continuously on hot days and fail younger than they should.
Long runtimes and poor cooling can involve the system's condition, airflow, controls or capacity. Ask about the diagnosis before deciding whether replacement or a sizing assessment is needed.
Greystones and two-flats can have different cooling equipment and access arrangements. Tell us which system serves the affected unit and where it is located. If a ductwork concern needs service, ask about a specialist referral.
If you've got a central air system that "never quite cools the third floor," it's probably a ductwork issue, not the AC itself. We'll tell you if it's fixable or if you need ductless mini-splits for those rooms instead.
We quote the price before starting any work.
AC blowing warm air can be caused by a refrigerant leak, a compressor problem, a reversing-valve issue, or an outdoor unit that is not running. A technician can test the system and explain the source before recommending a repair.
Refrigerant is not consumed during normal operation in a closed system. If the charge is low, leak testing or review of previous charging work may be needed. Ask what the diagnosis shows before approving a recharge.
Repair time depends on the diagnosis, the parts needed, and the condition of the system. After diagnosing the issue, we explain the expected scope and next steps before work begins.
Diagnostic pricing is confirmed when you schedule your visit. Before any repair work begins, we explain the diagnosis and provide a written estimate.
Choose the symptom or component that best matches your cooling problem.
Describe the cooling problem and discuss the diagnostic charge, repair options and current availability before booking. Bernie's explains the findings and repair price before work begins.
Ask about diagnostic charges, repair timing, and any fee waiver before booking.