What’s Included in a Professional HVAC Tune-Up? A Chicago Technician’s Checklist
Published: October 24, 2025 | Updated: May 23, 2026
Your HVAC system is one of the most important (and expensive) systems in your home. Whether you’re heating your home through a bitter Chicago winter or cooling it down during a muggy summer, your system needs to be in peak condition. That’s where a professional HVAC tune-up comes in.
In this post, our team at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning walks you through exactly what’s included in a professional HVAC tune-up, why it matters for Illinois homeowners specifically, and how two visits a year can save you real money — and a lot of stress.
What Is an HVAC Tune-Up?
A professional HVAC tune-up is a comprehensive inspection, cleaning, and performance check of your heating and cooling system — done once in the spring for your air conditioner and once in the fall for your furnace. It keeps your system running safely, efficiently, and reliably before each season puts it to the test.
Think of it the way you think about oil changes. You wouldn’t skip them on your car and then wonder why the engine seized up — the same logic applies to your HVAC.
Related: 5 Reasons Why Regular HVAC Maintenance Is Essential
What’s Included in a Tune-Up? A Chicago Technician’s Checklist
At Shavitz, our tune-ups go well beyond a quick look-around. Every visit follows a comprehensive checklist designed for the specific demands of Chicago’s climate — where furnaces run hard all winter and AC units battle heat and humidity all summer. Here’s what we check, clean, and verify at every appointment.
1. Air Filter Inspection & Replacement
Your air filter is the first line of defense for your entire system, and a clogged one quietly wrecks efficiency. Dirty, clogged filters reduce airflow and force your system to work harder — and when airflow is blocked long enough, dirt bypasses the filter and packs onto the evaporator coil, which can cause the system to fail prematurely.
We check your filter at every visit and replace it when it’s due. Maintenance plan members get 25% off all filters and humidifier pads/cylinders, which adds up fast if you have pets or a dusty home.
Related: How Often Should You Replace Your HVAC Filter?
2. Thermostat Calibration
A thermostat that reads even a few degrees off will run your system longer than it needs to, and you’ll pay for every extra minute on your energy bill. We test your thermostat’s accuracy and calibrate it so it’s reading your home’s temperature correctly and communicating properly with the system.
If you’re still on an older programmable thermostat, this is also a good time to talk about upgrading — EPA-verified smart thermostats save about 8% on heating and cooling costs annually.
3. Inspect & Clean Evaporator and Condenser Coils
Dirty coils are one of the most common reasons an AC stops cooling properly — and they’re easy to miss until the system is already struggling. The U.S. Department of Energy confirms that even with a clean filter in place, evaporator coils collect dirt over time, reducing their ability to absorb heat. Condenser coils take a beating from outdoor debris, pollen, and — in Chicago summers — cottonwood.
We inspect both coils at every tune-up and offer cleaning solutions to restore proper heat exchange and cooling performance before small buildup becomes a big problem.
Related: Why Is My AC Blowing Hot Air?
4. Check AC or Heat Pump Refrigerant Levels
Low refrigerant doesn’t just mean warm air — it can freeze your coils, damage your compressor, and turn a $200 service call into a much larger repair. We check your refrigerant level against the manufacturer’s spec, inspect for leaks, and recharge the system as needed so it’s cooling efficiently when the heat hits.
If we find a leak, we’ll tell you where it is and what it’ll take to fix — no surprises.
5. Inspect Electrical Components
Loose connections and failing capacitors are among the leading causes of mid-season breakdowns — and they’re almost always detectable before they cause a failure. As part of our digital safety inspection, we check all wiring, connections, relays, and capacitors for proper function and condition.
Catching a $40 capacitor before it takes out a $1,200 compressor is exactly what preventive maintenance is supposed to do.
6. Lubricate Moving Parts
Friction is a slow killer of motors and fan bearings. Over time, unlubricated moving parts wear down, draw more power, run hotter, and eventually fail. We apply lubrication to all the components that need it — reducing wear, cutting noise, and helping your system run smoother for longer.
7. Test Safety Controls — Including Carbon Monoxide Checks
Your furnace has safety controls that are designed to shut the system down before something dangerous happens — and they need to be tested to know they actually work. We run our digital safety inspection and carbon monoxide checks at every heating tune-up to make sure your system shuts off correctly in an emergency and isn’t producing harmful gases inside your home.
For Chicago families, this check before winter isn’t optional — it’s essential.
8. Inspect Ductwork & Airflow
Leaky ducts are one of the most overlooked efficiency problems in Chicago homes. According to ENERGY STAR, about 20 to 30 percent of conditioned air in a typical home is lost through leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts — which means you could be paying to heat or cool air that never reaches your living space.
We check for duct leaks, blockages, and airflow restrictions that reduce efficiency or cause uneven temperatures from room to room.
Related: Why Is My Home So Dusty?
9. Check System Age & Performance
If your system is getting up there in age, we’ll give you an honest picture of where it stands — and what to plan for. According to DOE equipment lifespan data, central air conditioners average about 15 years, heat pumps around 14, and gas furnaces around 18. Chicago’s climate pushes systems hard on both ends of the year, which can pull systems toward the lower end of those ranges.
If your system is showing signs of declining performance, we’ll give you transparent recommendations on whether to repair or start planning a replacement — so you’re never caught off guard in the middle of a heat wave or a cold snap.
What Does an HVAC Tune-Up Cost in Chicago?
A professional tune-up is one of the highest-return maintenance expenses in your home — typically far less than a single repair call, and a fraction of an emergency replacement. At Shavitz, our maintenance plan covers two tune-ups a year (spring and fall), plus member discounts on parts and priority scheduling.
Here’s how the math works in your favor:
| Without Maintenance | With Maintenance Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy bills | Higher (dirty system runs inefficiently) | Lower — a well-maintained system runs closer to rated efficiency |
| Repairs | More frequent, more expensive | Caught early, when they’re cheaper |
| System lifespan | Shorter | Extended — maintained furnaces can last 20+ years vs. 10 for neglected ones |
| Breakdown risk | Higher, especially in extreme weather | Much lower |
Call us at 847-861-5559 to ask about current plan pricing and any active specials.
When Should You Schedule a Tune-Up?
Schedule your AC tune-up in spring (March–May) and your furnace tune-up in fall (September–October) — before each system faces its peak season workload. Contractors get booked out fast once summer heat and winter cold arrive, so scheduling a few weeks ahead is the move.
- Spring: AC maintenance before the first heat wave
- Fall: Furnace tune-up before temperatures drop
If it’s been more than a year since your last maintenance appointment — or you moved into a home and don’t know its service history — now is the right time.
What to Expect During a Shavitz Tune-Up Visit
A Shavitz tune-up typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, and our technician will walk you through their findings before they leave. Here’s how a typical visit goes:
- Arrival — Your tech arrives in a marked Shavitz vehicle, introduces themselves, and does a quick walkthrough of your system.
- Systematic inspection — They work through every point on the checklist, from your filter and thermostat to your electrical components and safety controls.
- Cleaning and adjustment — Any items that need immediate attention (filter swap, lubrication, minor calibration) are handled on the spot.
- Report and recommendations — Before leaving, your tech reviews what they found, what they did, and — if anything needs follow-up — what your options are. No pressure, just information.
You’ll know exactly what’s going on with your system by the time the visit is done.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an HVAC tune-up take?
Most tune-ups take 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the age of your system and how much cleaning is needed. If we find something that needs attention, we’ll let you know before adding any time.
How often do I need a tune-up?
Twice a year — once in spring for your AC and once in fall for your furnace. That schedule lines up with Chicago’s seasons and keeps both systems serviced before they’re put under the most stress.
Can I do an HVAC tune-up myself?
Homeowners can handle basic tasks like filter changes and clearing debris from the outdoor unit. But the electrical checks, refrigerant levels, safety controls, and coil inspections require a licensed technician. DIY on those points creates safety risk and can void your equipment warranty.
What happens if I skip a tune-up?
Skipping maintenance doesn’t mean something fails immediately — but it does mean small issues go undetected until they become expensive ones. Neglecting maintenance is the leading cause of HVAC system inefficiency and failure, and systems without regular service consistently reach the shorter end of their expected lifespan.
Does Shavitz service the whole Chicago area?
Yes. We serve Evanston, Chicago, and the surrounding North Shore suburbs from our location at 8024 St. Louis Ave, Skokie, IL 60076. Check our service area for the full list.
Book Your Tune-Up With Shavitz
At Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning, our certified technicians perform thorough inspections and maintenance tailored to Chicago’s climate — the kind of winters and summers that push your system harder than most. We’ll help you save money, avoid stress, and stay comfortable year-round.
Call us at 847-861-5559, request service online, or visit us at 8024 St. Louis Ave, Skokie, IL 60076. Don’t wait for a breakdown to find out your system needed attention.