(708) 381-2318
Schedule Service
Book Now

AC Repair

Oak Park AC Repair

Fixing Broken ACs in Oak Park Since 2013

You're looking forward to getting home to your AC after a long day on the town. But, when you open your front door, the air inside is almost as muggy as what's outside. What gives? It looks like you might have a problem with your heat pump or air conditioner.

Summers in Oak Park and River Forest can be brutal. That’s why a home with reliable air conditioning is on the top of many buyer’s shopping lists. When your AC unit stops working, you really appreciate the difference it makes. Instead of suffering through the heat, give Energy Matters a call. Whether you end up needing a simple AC repair or a full AC replacement, our local HVAC experts are here for you.

Ready to get your AC fixed? Call (708) 381-2318 now to request an estimate for AC repair in Oak Park.

How to Tell When It’s Time to Call an AC Expert

You rely on your air conditioner to keep you cool in Illinois's hottest months. Without it, your home will soon be a sticky sauna. Fortunately, your AC unit typically hums along just fine. It pulls and cools air from outside before dispersing overheated air elsewhere. In your little safe haven, it can be easy to forget that it's 90 degrees outside.

But, sometimes, the AC process stops or sputters. Unfortunately, unless it’s a full-on breakdown, most homeowners don’t know when it’s time to call a Oak Park-area HVAC contractor. Here’s a shortlist of circumstances when it's necessary to pick up your phone:

  • The unit hums but refuses to turn on
  • You can’t trigger the AC on from the thermostat
  • You hear strange noises or feel vibrations
  • You see water pooling around your air conditioner
  • The fan runs but the air coming out remains hot
  • The unit abruptly ceases operation

If you notice any of the above problems, don’t panic. Our local HVAC experts can help! Contact us at (708) 381-2318 to schedule an appointment for AC repair in Riverside or Oak Park.

The Most Common Causes of AC Failure

You might be wondering why your air conditioner in Oak Park needs repair. Maybe it’s only a few years old. The summer in Illinois has been really mild. Or, you just had a tune-up done a few weeks ago. This confusion is understandable. But these things may not be connected to your breakdown. Just like with your car, there are dozens of components that can cause your air conditioner to stop cooling. This doesn't even include things like air handlers, thermostats, and your furnace's blower motor.

But, like with most things, there is a tendency toward the 80/20 rule. Most AC issues in Oak Park have similar root causes. And, after 11 years of HVAC experience, we’re easily able to identify them. These typical suspects include:

  • Faulty Electrical Components
  • Refrigerant Leaks
  • Frozen Coils
  • Damaged Fan Blades
  • Bad Compressors
  • Faulty Thermostats
  • Skipped Maintenance Visits
  • Old age and rust

You might be tempted to go to YouTube or Google to try and identify which of the above is to blame for your AC problem, but that isn't a good idea. It can lead to you wasting money on unnecessary parts or even causing a dangerous short in the system. If left unchecked, these errors can be deadly. So, when you need AC repair in Oak Park we suggest reaching out to a professional HVAC contractor in Oak Park instead.

Schedule Service Maintain Your AC Get New AC Quote

AC Repair FAQs

Unfortunately, we cannot give you an AC repair quote without visiting your home. Many air conditioner issues present similarly. This makes accurate remote diagnosis difficult. And, at Energy Matters, the last thing we want to do is give you a wrong estimate. For the average AC repair in River Forest, you can expect to pay between $100 and $600. If the cost is outside your budget, we do offer a number of financing options.

There are four things you should look for when selecting a heating or cooling contractor in Oak Park:

  • They have years of AC repair experience
  • The company is licensed and certified to perform the desired work
  • They have comprehensive insurance coverage
  • They have customer-friendly warranties and guarantees

As you might suspect, Energy Matters checks all of these boxes. Reach out to us at (708) 381-2318 to schedule heat pump or AC repair in Oak Park.

If you keep having to add refrigerant, there's a leak in your system. Air conditioners are closed systems. So, unless there's a problem, the level of liquid within it should remain constant. A continual leaking of refrigerant is bad for the environment. As time goes on, it'll become more difficult to top the system up as well. So, instead of charging the system, we recommend contacting our AC professionals. We'll quickly uncover the source of this leak and make recommendations. If your system is older and uses a refrigerant being phased out, a new AC is typically recommended. The high upfront cost can be offset by efficiency savings, rebates, and peace of mind.

You walk outside to find a your air conditioner encased in ice. What?! While there are a number of possible causes, the typical reason for a system freeze up is an air flow problem or a refrigerant leak. The former can typically be remedied by changing the filter. If that doesn't fix the issue, make sure nothing is blocking your air return. After that, pick up a phone and dial Energy Matters—Oak Park's AC repair experts.

Before you panic over a broken Oak Park air conditioner, take a deep breath. There are a number of problems you can fix on your own. Before calling to schedule AC repair in Oak Park, make sure that:

  • Nothing in the breaker box is flipped
  • Your filter is clean
  • The temperature is set correctly
  • Your thermostat is set to cool
  • The switch on your furnace is on
  • Your thermostat has new batteries
  • Nothing is obstructing the outdoor AC unit

If none of the above works, give us a call at (708) 381-2318. Our HVAC experts will soon set you back on the road to comfort.

There's nothing you can do to completely eliminate the risk of AC breakdown, but there are steps you can take to lessen its likelihood. If prevention is your goal, then regular heating and AC maintenance is your solution. During routine HVAC check-ups, our technician will examine your system for signs of damage and malfunction. By making sure your AC unit is working properly, mid-season breakdowns can be prevented. Call us to learn more about our HVAC maintenance options in Oak Park.

You hear your air conditioner buzzing along, but the number on the thermostat keeps climbing. When you check a nearby vent, you find the air from it is temperate at best. The lack of cold air has three likely causes:

  • Condenser Issues: Condensers in Oak Park are typically located outside the home. They can sometimes get blocked by plants and other debris. Seasonal tree shedding is notorious. Clean it off. Your equipment should also be kept at least three feet from other objects.
  • Dirty Filters: You're meant to change your furnace filter on a monthly basis. This is true even during AC season. Have you been doing that? If not, go check your filter. For anything darker than light grey, replace it with a new one.
  • Evaporator Coil Issues: Filled with refrigerant, your evaporator coil is responsible for pulling the heat out of the air. If you see ice on it, the coil is likely the cause of your HVAC problems. After changing the filter, give the unit time to adjust.

If these changes don't help, give us a call at (708) 381-2318.

Small puddles under the AC unit are to be expected. Your evaporator coil cools the air pulled into it, causing condensation to form on its outside. But if you notice a large puddle or a never-ending drip, your air conditioner likely needs servicing. Excess water can damage sensitive components if left to linger. Potential causes of AC leaks in Oak Park include clogged drain lines or a damaged drain pan.

The air from your AC should typically be between 15 and 20 degrees cooler than the air outside. If you notice your air conditioner in Oak Park blowing warm air, something's typically wrong with the unit. Before making a determination, however, you'll want to have the unit cycling for at least 15 minutes. This gives the equipment time to hit its stride. Potential causes of warm air include dirty filters or evaporator issues.

Modern air conditioners should be relatively quiet. When that changes, you're likely to notice. And, if you do, you should promptly place a call to the AC repair specialists at Energy Matters. Possible causes include broken parts, a bad internal blower, a broken compressor, unbalanced fan blades, or defective controls. Identifying which is to blame requires us examining the problem in person.

You notice a strange odor coming from your outdoor air conditioner. You aren't quite sure what it is or how to describe it. The best way to determine the cause of HVAC odors is to give Energy Matters a call. We're familiar with all brands of air conditioning equipment and will be able to quickly identify the source of the problem. In many cases, a simple AC tune-up in Oak Park is enough to clear away any lingering smell. In most cases, mold and mildew are at the root of the problem.

It's been hours now. Your home seems cool, but your AC unit isn't shutting off on its own. First, make sure the system is set to 'Auto' instead of 'On'. If that's set up correctly—and your unit still short cycles or refuses to shut off—you'll want to reach out to a local HVAC expert. This can be a sign of a dirty filter, but it can also can be a symptom of a poorly installed HVAC system. In many cases, we find that the unit installed in your home is too large for the space it's cooling. This often leads to humidity issues.

There are a handful of things you can do to maximize your air conditioner's efficiency in Oak Park. First, always keep your vents open. Shutting them can actually lead to higher energy costs. Second, you'll want to schedule regular AC maintenance in Oak Park. This will ensure your system stays clean and eco-friendly. Third, make sure you have blackout curtains installed. These can block out light and heat, making it easier for your AC unit to do its job. Lastly, you might want to consider installing a ceiling fan. When temperatures are more temperate in River Forest and Oak Park, simply redistributing the air may be enough to attain comfort.