A Bad A/C Installation - 1st Entry In "The Wall Of Shame"

 Interested in upgrading your central air conditioning system? It's difficult to compare estimates, and to make sure you are comparing apples to apples with different manufacturer's equipment and models. But that's only half of the equation. How do you compare  installation quality, performance, efficiency and follow up service? You can't until it's too late - if you choose the wrong HVAC contractor.

The picture to the right is of a melted air conditioning evaporator coil that was improperly installed. The newer coils have plastic drain pans which are great for eliminating rusting, but they must be installed several inches above the heat exchanger with proper airflow resulting from correctly sized duct work.

Installing heating and air conditioning equipment (especially high efficiency models) is a complex procedure and there are many factors that effect the performance, energy efficiency and longevity of the new equipment. No two systems are alike, and only highly trained technicians and installers can readily identify and correct problems with preexisting system components during an installation or service call.


Call Perri-Aire for fast, quality HVAC service and installations in Chicago-land at 773-777-4888.

Air Conditioning Repair Scams

 Shopping for a cheap air conditioning "Tune Up" for your home or business?

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Beware of low price specials, $39 - $49 A/C clean and checks, and companies that charge by flat rate pricing. An honest, qualified HVAC company pays their skilled service technicians a good hourly wage that necessitates charging a competitive price which allows the company to make money and stay in business without having to resort to high pressure sales, or bait and switch tactics.

Call Perri-Aire for Honest, Fast, Quality HVAC service in Chicago-land at 773-777-4888.

Testament To Maintenance

 A 60 year old Bell & Gossett series 100 circulator pump, that lasted until yesterday. The series 100 was the workhorse of residential hot water boiler circulators from about the 1950's well into the '80s and beyond. Although re-manufactured versions are still available, newer design wet rotor types are the norm - available from many manufacturers like B&G, Taco, and Grundfoss. Wilo energy saving smart pumps take technology a few giant leaps further, automatically adjusting to suit demand on various applications.

Call Perri-Aire for fast, expert boiler service in Chicago-land at 773-777-4888.

R-22 Air Conditioner Condensing Units from $839.00

ONE DAY ONLY SALE!!! Wednesday May 4th, from 9:00am - 4:00pm.
Aire-Flo (a division of Lennox) R-22 "dry charge" condensing units compatible with older R-22 central air conditioning systems. 1.5 - 5 ton units available while limited supply lasts. 1.5 ton units from $839.00 plus installation.

Call for an estimate for installation cost - tax not included in sale price.

Call Perri-Aire for fast, quality HVAC service in Chicago-land at 773-777-4888.

To Fix It Or Replace It - That Is The Question

We see many residential and commercial heating and air conditioning systems that have reached, or are well past, their life expectancy that are in need of serious repairs. Many HVAC companies' first inclination is to recommend replacement of the unit, and in many cases that is the most cost effective solution in the long term. However, especially in this economy, it is not possible for many businesses and home owners to shell out several thousand dollars for a new heating and/or cooling system.

We always provide our customers with an option to repair or rebuild the system as well as an estimate for replacement, and provide as many options as possible. We have repaired many systems that were considered "beyond repair" by our competitors, and we've rebuilt large commercial rooftop units that original equipment manufacturers' parts were no longer available for, by retrofitting with universal replacement parts.

Some repairs are just beyond the capability of some companies and service technicians. Call an expert and know all of your options upfront.

Call Perri-Aire for fast, quality commercial and residential HVAC service in Chicago-land at 773-777-4888.

Principles of Refrigeration

Call Perri-Aire for fast, quality HVAC service in Chicago-land at 773-777-4888.

Don't Starve Your A/C

Many problems we find on air conditioning service calls are related to lack of air flow through the indoor evaporator coil. Unfortunately we see a lot of undersized duct work installed in newer homes and condos. Closing supply registers to try and adjust temperatures from room to room or between floors can cause the air flow to become low enough that the evaporator coil begins to "ice up". As the ice builds, air flow is reduced further and eventually the coil becomes a solid block of ice.

Many systems with inadequate air flow might not ice up to the point where the homeowner will notice it. The evaporator might only be frosting and melting in the off cycles. While this usually doesn't result in an immediately noticeable lack of cooling, it causes excessive wear and tear on the compressor and reduced capacity, and in many cases compressor failure. This is one of the many seemingly small problems we check for when performing our thorough 20 point maintenance procedure.

Try and keep your registers and air intake grills clear especially in air conditioning season when your furnace blower runs at a higher speed than heating mode. We can solve imbalance and poorly designed duct work systems in most homes and businesses. Have your system professionally cleaned and checked this spring and avoid higher than necessary energy bills, and increase the performance and longevity of your central air conditioning system.


Call Perri-Aire for fast, quality HVAC service in Chicago-land at 773-777-4888.