The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances. In addition to being a contributing editor for Forbes, Corinne is a dynamic digital professional specializing in copywriting, copy editing and content strategy. With over eight years of experience at Bed Bath and Beyond, she has gained invaluable knowledge and expertise on everything related to the home. In her current role as SEO Editor, Corinne oversees the SEO content strategy for sites such as Bed Bath and Beyond, Bed Bath and Beyond Canada, buybuy BABY and Harmon Face Values. Use a stiff-bristle brush and a mild detergent to clean the entire evaporator unit. If you decide to repair your air conditioner yourself, you could spend between $5 and $2,000 on materials alone, not including the necessary tools to get the job done. Change your air conditioner filters once every one to two months depending on how warm it is and if you have pets. Kristin is a deputy editor at Forbes Home and has nearly a decade of professional experience as a writer and editor. She's previously worked at sites like Talking Points Memo, Insider, Delish, Angi and HomeAdvisor. She has a passion for lifestyle topics and has extensive experience researching and reporting on topics that will help make your house a home. Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. Our professionals can help you determine whether it would be better to repair or replace your AC. Longevity can vary substantially depending on the unit's maintenance history and building-related factors that determine how often the system runs. Homeowners can extend the life of their HVAC equipment by scheduling annual maintenance, replacing filters monthly, and using recommended thermostat settings. The norm among AC repair companies is to provide free estimates in which a professional assesses the problem, recommends solutions and gives you a quote. AC repair costs$150 to $650on average, depending on the issue and the AC unit's warranty status. Large or complex air conditioner repairs cost$650 to $2,500+to fix if the unit is out of warranty. AC technicians charge$75 to $150 per hourfor labor alone to fix a central AC. Aircor is a full-service HVAC company that serves homeowners and small businesses in Chicago and the surrounding areas. It specializes in providing air conditioning system sales, tune-up, repair, installation, and maintenance services based on the available schedules of clients. In some cases the air conditioner could be working properly, but you notice that the home is cooler in some areas than it is in others. This uneven cooling is generally the result of closed or clogged vents. By ensuring the airways throughout the home ventilation system are clean and clear, you should be able to correct the distribution system imbalance. The family-owned and family-operated business has over 10 years of experience, completing more than 2,600 projects. Verify the provider has experience repairing your type of AC system. HVAC pros work with several types of heating and cooling equipment, but some specialize in certain types of systems. Ask if the company has experience repairing your type of AC system. HVAC pros work with various kinds of heating and cooling equipment, but some focus their expertise on certain types of systems. Air conditioner repairs may seem like a simple troubleshooting project followed by a few twists and turns from a screwdriver and some new parts. We scored Chicago AC Repair Services on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best. Read comments from past customers to gain insight into their experience with the company, and keep an eye out for consistently bad reviews or a recent increase in negative feedback. Technicians who handle refrigerants must pass a test and receive a certification through the Environmental Protection Agency . When browsing reviews, watch out for consistently bad feedback. Read primarily current reviews, as the company's work quality could have changed over the years.