Keeping DuPage County Homes Comfortable for Over 25 Years
When the Chicago-area summer turns hot and humid, your air conditioner isn't just cooling your home—it's also working to remove moisture from the air. And on the hottest days of the year, a system that hasn't been properly maintained can quickly go from "working fine" to an expensive emergency service call.
This month, The Shiny Bubble sat down with Mike Reynolds of Quality Comfort Heating & Cooling, a HVAC contractor with more than 25 years of residential and light-commercial heating and cooling experience, to get his advice on keeping your home comfortable during a DuPage County summer.
Q: Mike, what's the biggest mistake homeowners make when it comes to their air conditioning?
Mike: Waiting until it stops working.
Your air conditioner usually gives you warning signs before it completely fails. Maybe it's running longer, certain rooms aren't cooling properly, the house feels more humid, or your electric bill suddenly increases.
Unfortunately, a lot of people ignore those signs as long as cold air is still coming out of the vents. Then the first 90-degree weekend arrives and the system quits completely.
Preventative maintenance is almost always easier and less expensive than an emergency repair during a heat wave.
Q: What's something homeowners think they need…but actually don't?
Mike: A bigger air conditioner.
People assume that if their house isn't comfortable, they need a larger AC unit. That's not necessarily true—and an oversized system can actually create its own problems.
An air conditioner needs to run long enough to cool the house and remove humidity. If the equipment is oversized, it can cool the house too quickly and shut off before enough moisture is removed.
The result can be a house that's technically 72 degrees but still feels warm and clammy.
Q: What's a small HVAC issue that can turn into a big, expensive problem?
Mike: A dirty air filter.
It's probably the least expensive component in your HVAC system, but homeowners forget about it all the time.
A badly clogged filter restricts airflow and forces the system to work harder. That can reduce efficiency, affect comfort, and put unnecessary stress on the equipment.
I tell homeowners: don't wait until the filter looks like a carpet before changing it.
Q: How often should homeowners realistically maintain their HVAC system?
Mike: At minimum, have the air-conditioning system inspected before cooling season and the furnace inspected before heating season.
Filters need to be checked more frequently. Depending on the filter, your home, pets, allergies, and how much the system operates, that could mean every month or every few months.
The important thing is consistency. HVAC equipment lasts much longer when it's maintained instead of simply repaired whenever something breaks.
Q: What's one quick thing a homeowner can do themselves to help their AC system?
Mike: Go outside and look at your condenser.
The outdoor AC unit needs airflow. If it's surrounded by weeds, landscaping, leaves, grass clippings, cottonwood debris, or other buildup, the system can't reject heat as efficiently.
Give the equipment room to breathe. Keep vegetation trimmed back and don't stack furniture, garden equipment, or other items against it.
Q: What are the early warning signs homeowners should watch for?
Mike: Your house will usually tell you.
Watch for:
• The AC running much longer than normal
• Certain rooms becoming noticeably warmer than others
• Weak airflow from vents
• Unusual noises when the system starts
• Water around the furnace or indoor equipment
• The house feeling unusually humid
• Rapid cycling on and off
• Unexpected increases in electricity usage
If something suddenly changes, there's usually a reason.
Q: What types of homes require extra attention?
Mike: Older DuPage County homes can be challenging because the HVAC system is only one part of the equation.
You may have older windows, insufficient insulation, air leaks, additions that changed the original floor plan, or ductwork that wasn't designed for today's equipment.
Large homes can have similar problems. More square footage, multiple floors, vaulted ceilings, and large windows can create significant temperature differences throughout the house.
That's why we look at the entire home, not just the air conditioner.
Q: What's changed in HVAC over the last few years that homeowners should know about?
Mike: Efficiency and technology have changed tremendously.
Variable-speed equipment, heat pumps, smart thermostats, zoning systems, improved filtration, and humidity controls give homeowners much more control over comfort than they had twenty years ago.
But technology doesn't replace proper installation. The best equipment available won't perform correctly if it's improperly sized or installed.
Q: It's hot and humid outside. If you could give homeowners one "do this today" tip, what would it be?
Mike: Check your air filter today.
Then walk outside and look at your AC condenser.
Make sure the area around it is clear and look at the coil. If it's covered with cottonwood, grass clippings, dirt, or organic debris, airflow may be restricted.
Those two five-minute inspections can tell you a lot about how hard your system is working.
Q: When do homeowners typically call you too late?
Mike: When the air conditioner has been struggling for weeks and then finally quits during the hottest day of the summer.
If the house isn't cooling like it used to, don't keep lowering the thermostat hoping that will fix it. If the thermostat says 68 but the house can't get below 78, something needs attention.
Catching the problem early gives you more options. Waiting until the system completely fails usually means you're making decisions when you're hot, uncomfortable, and in a hurry.
Q: What's one tip you'd like to leave with Shiny Bubble readers?
Mike: Think of your HVAC system the same way you think about maintaining your car or the exterior of your home.
You don't have to understand everything happening inside the equipment. You just need to take care of the basic maintenance and pay attention when something changes.
Change your filters, keep the outdoor equipment clear and clean, schedule preventative maintenance, and don't ignore small warning signs.
The goal isn't just to keep your air conditioner running—it's to keep your home comfortable when you need it most.
The Shiny Bubble Takeaway
Your HVAC system rarely fails without warning. Longer run times, uneven cooling, rising humidity, weak airflow, or unusual noises can all signal a problem before it becomes an expensive emergency. Simple habits, changing your filter regularly, keeping the outdoor condenser clear, scheduling seasonal maintenance, and paying attention to changes in performance can go a long way toward keeping your home comfortable and your system running efficiently.
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