How Chicago High-Rise Condos Stay Comfortable Year-Round

High-rise living in Chicago is hard to beat. You can wake up with a cup of coffee and take in incredible views of the city and lake, then head out for a walk along the Magnificent Mile, surrounded by some of the world's best shopping, restaurants, and architecture.

But there's one question many condo owners and buyers don't think about until they are living dozens of floors above the street: How do you heat and cool a condo on the 58th floor when there's no furnace and no outdoor space for a traditional air conditioner?

In many Chicago high-rises, the answer is a building-supplied chilled water system.

How Does a Building-Supplied Chilled Water System Work?

Buildings like Water Tower Place and many other high-rises use large central chillers that circulate cold water throughout the building. Some buildings don't even have their own chiller — they pay for chilled water that is piped through underground piping from other buildings containing large chillers. This water is typically around 45 degrees and is distributed through piping to each condo. Inside the unit, you'll usually find one or more chilled water fan coil units.

What Is a Chilled Water Fan Coil Unit?

A fan coil is fairly simple in concept. It contains a chilled water coil, similar to a car radiator, and a fan that blows indoor air across that coil. As the air passes over the cold coil, it is cooled and dehumidified before being delivered back into the condo. In many units, the fan coil unit is connected to ductwork, allowing cool air to be distributed to the different rooms.

You can think of it a little like a boiler system, but for cooling. Instead of one central boiler sending hot water to radiators throughout a home or building, the high-rise has a central chilled water system sending cold water to fan coils throughout the building.

How Is Heating Handled in a High-Rise Condo?

Heating is often handled inside the same fan coil unit. Many of these systems include built-in electric heating coils. When heat is needed, the coils warm up much like the element inside a kitchen toaster. The fan then blows air across the heated coils and distributes that warm air through the ductwork.

What About Radiant Heating Systems?

Some buildings use other forms of heat as well, including heated floors or even heated ceilings. These radiant heating systems can provide a very comfortable, even warmth without relying solely on forced air.

What to Expect as a Chicago High-Rise Condo Owner

So while high-rise condos may not have the same heating and cooling equipment you'd find in a single-family home, they still have highly effective systems designed specifically for vertical living. The equipment may be tucked away behind panels, ceilings, or mechanical closets, but it plays a major role in keeping Chicago condo owners comfortable through hot summers, cold winters, and everything in between.

If your fan coil unit isn't keeping up or you're not sure what system your building uses, Shavitz can help. We've been serving Chicago-area homeowners since 1904 — contact us today to schedule a service call.