HVAC FAQs: Costs, Repairs and Replacement
Straight answers about repairs, replacement, pricing and indoor air quality, from a family-owned team that has served Streamwood since 2008.
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Common questions about our services, our pricing and how we work. If you do not find what you are looking for, just ask.
Why should I choose Pure Comfort?
We have been family owned and operated in Streamwood since 2008, and we are a Lennox dealer with a fully trained crew. What sets us apart is how we bill: by the project rather than the hour, and every repair backed by our Fixed to Perfection promise.
You will always know the price before we start.
How much does it cost to have a technician diagnose my system?
Our diagnostic visit is $75 during regular hours and $99 on evenings, weekends and holidays. That covers the trip to your home, finding the problem, and an upfront, flat-rate repair price before any work starts.
You decide whether to go ahead, with no pressure either way. On larger repairs, usually anything over about $250 to $300, such as a blower motor, circuit board or igniter, we credit the diagnostic fee toward the repair.
Does the diagnostic fee get applied to the repair?
Yes, on larger repairs. If the repair runs more than about $250 to $300, the diagnostic fee comes off your bill. For smaller fixes, the fee covers the visit and diagnosis, and you still get the repair price in writing before we start.
How do you price your work?
We price by the work, not the clock. Your bill does not climb because a technician took longer than expected to find the problem.
For repairs, we diagnose first, explain what we found, and give you one price before anything begins. Replacement estimates are free.
Do you charge extra for nights, weekends or holidays?
Our diagnostic is $75 during regular hours and $99 on evenings, weekends and holidays. After the diagnostic, you get an upfront, flat-rate repair price before any work begins, so there are no surprises.
What happens if the problem comes back?
If a problem returns, it was never really fixed. Our technicians resolve the fault correctly the first time and stand behind the work. That is what we mean by our Fixed to Perfection promise.
Do you offer emergency service?
Emergency HVAC service is available, and we ask that you call for availability rather than using the contact form. Describe what the system is doing and we will tell you what we can do and when.
Call (708) 515-4822. If you smell gas or your carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, leave the building and call 911 first.
What areas do you serve?
We are based in Streamwood and work across the Northwest Suburbs, including Bartlett, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park, Schaumburg, Elgin, Roselle, Bloomingdale, South Elgin and South Barrington. See all service areas.
What happens after I call Pure Comfort?
Here’s what to expect, start to finish:
- A real person answers. Our in-house office staff answers your call, not an AI. If the office is busy, our overflow answering service picks up, so your call always gets answered.
- You get a confirmation. We send a text and email with your technician’s name and a 2-hour arrival window.
- You get a heads-up. You get a text when the technician is on the way, about 15 to 30 minutes before arrival.
- We respect your home. We park on the street, wear shoe covers inside, and lay drop cloths during installations to protect your floors.
- We diagnose and explain. The technician listens to your concerns, diagnoses the problem, and walks you through your repair or replacement options. There’s no high-pressure selling. We explain, answer your questions, and you decide.
- Upfront, flat-rate pricing. You see the price before any work starts. Our trucks are well stocked, so most repairs are finished the same visit.
- Paperwork for your records. After the work, you get a paid invoice with the technician’s notes and the warranties included.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, checks, credit cards, Zelle and financing. You get a copy of your paid invoice for your records, with the work notes and warranties listed on it.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. During Lennox promotions, select systems qualify for 0% APR financing, and longer terms with interest are available on projects over $2,000 for a lower monthly payment. Financing is subject to credit approval.
We can walk you through the options when we quote a replacement, or you can see financing and rebates before we visit.
Should I repair my system or replace it?
Age alone is not the deciding factor. What matters is what failed, what the repair costs, how the rest of the system tests, and how many seasons you would realistically get from the fix.
A capacitor or a control board is a repair. A failed compressor, an older refrigerant, or a leak inside the coil usually shifts the math toward replacement. We give you both numbers and let you decide.
What is the $5,000 rule for repair or replace?
Multiply the age of your system by the repair quote. If the total is more than $5,000, replacing usually makes more sense. If it is under $5,000, repairing is usually the better call.
Example: a 14-year-old furnace with a $400 repair works out to $5,600, so a replacement quote is worth getting. A 6-year-old air conditioner with a $600 repair works out to $3,600, so we would fix it.
It is a rule of thumb, not a verdict. A cracked heat exchanger is a safety problem at any age, and a well-maintained high-efficiency system can be worth repairing past the line. We give you the repair price and the replacement price so you can decide.
How long do furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters last?
With regular maintenance, these are typical lifespans in the Chicago area:
- Gas furnace: 15 to 20 years
- Central air conditioner: 12 to 15 years
- Heat pump: 12 to 15 years
- Tank water heater: 8 to 12 years
- Tankless water heater: about 20 years
Skipped maintenance, a clogged filter or equipment that was sized wrong can cut those numbers short. If your system is near the end of its range and needs a big repair, use the $5,000 rule above and ask us for both prices.
How old is too old for a furnace?
Most gas furnaces last 15 to 20 years. Past 20 years, it is time to start planning a replacement, even if it still runs.
A 30- or 40-year-old furnace is usually only 60% to 80% efficient, compared with 95% or more for a new one, and parts can be hard to find. Older furnaces are also more likely to develop a cracked heat exchanger, which can leak carbon monoxide. If your furnace is that old, have it inspected every fall and keep working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home.
Should I replace my AC and furnace at the same time?
If both are more than 12 to 15 years old, usually yes. A matched furnace and air conditioner work together at their rated efficiency, you get one installation instead of two, and both carry a fresh warranty.
Newer air conditioners also use a different refrigerant, so replacing only the outdoor unit often means replacing the indoor coil anyway. If one unit is still fairly new, it can make sense to replace just the other. We will tell you which way saves you more.
When is the best time of year to replace HVAC?
Spring and fall. Between heating and cooling season, you have more flexibility on install dates and time to compare options instead of making a rushed decision when the system quits on the coldest or hottest day.
Nicor Gas and ComEd rebates run all year, and 0% financing is available on select Lennox systems during Lennox promotions. If your system is aging, getting a replacement price in the off-season is the easiest way to avoid an emergency purchase.
Are there rebates for a new furnace, heat pump or water heater?
Yes. In 2026, Nicor Gas pays $150 for a 95% AFUE furnace and $225 for a 97% AFUE furnace ($200 to $275 when you add a smart thermostat), plus $150 for a qualifying tank or tankless water heater and $350 to $500 for a high-efficiency boiler.
ComEd gives an instant discount of up to $2,000 on a qualifying ducted heat pump, up to $1,000 on a ductless mini-split and up to $750 on a heat pump water heater, plus $75 for a smart thermostat installed with a heat pump. Pure Comfort is a ComEd Heat Pump Trained Contractor, so that discount comes right off your invoice.
See the current amounts on our financing and rebates page, and we will list the rebates you qualify for on your quote.
Is there a tax credit for a new furnace or heat pump in 2026?
No. The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C), which covered high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps, ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025. If your system was installed in 2025, you may still be able to claim it on your 2025 tax return using IRS Form 5695.
Utility rebates are still available in 2026. Nicor Gas offers rebates on high-efficiency furnaces, boilers and water heaters, and ComEd offers instant discounts on heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. Check with your tax professional about your own situation.
How much should I budget for a new heating and cooling system?
It depends on the size of your home, the efficiency level you choose, and whether the ductwork or electrical service needs work. As a starting point, a new furnace and air conditioner for a typical 2,000 sq ft home runs about $9,000 to $12,000 installed, before rebates.
We measure, run the load calculation, and give you an exact written price after the visit. That estimate is free.
How much is a new HVAC system for a 2,000 sq ft house?
For most 2,000 sq ft homes in our area, a new furnace and air conditioner installed runs about $9,000 to $12,000.
The price goes up if you add upgrades like a whole-home humidifier, an air cleaner, modulating or variable-speed equipment, or a smart thermostat. Ductwork, electrical or venting updates can also change it. Rebates from Nicor Gas and ComEd can take money off, and 0% financing is available on select Lennox systems during Lennox promotions. We measure your home and give you a written price on a free in-home estimate.
Will my new furnace work differently than my old one?
Probably, and in a good way. Modern furnaces run longer cycles at lower output instead of blasting on and off. That feels steadier, sounds quieter, and uses less fuel, but it can be surprising if you are used to an older single-stage system.
We walk you through what normal operation should sound and feel like before we leave.
If I replace the outdoor unit, does the indoor unit need replacing too?
In most cases yes. The outdoor condenser and the indoor coil are engineered as a matched pair. Pairing a new condenser with an old coil usually costs you the efficiency you just paid for and can void the manufacturer warranty.
How do you decide what size equipment my home needs?
With a load calculation based on your actual home: square footage, insulation, windows, orientation and ductwork. We do not simply match whatever size is already installed, because the old system may have been wrong from the start.
Oversized equipment short-cycles, controls humidity poorly and wears out faster.
How does an air conditioner work?
It moves heat rather than creating cold. Refrigerant absorbs heat from the air inside your home, carries it outside, and releases it through the outdoor condenser before cycling back in. The process also removes humidity, which is a large part of why a properly sized system feels comfortable.
Why is my AC freezing up?
Almost always restricted airflow or low refrigerant. A clogged filter, blocked return vents, a dirty coil or a leak will drop coil temperature below freezing and ice it over.
Turn the system off and let it thaw before running it again. Running a frozen system can damage the compressor.
Why is my AC running but not cooling the house?
The most common causes are a clogged air filter, a frozen indoor coil, a dirty outdoor coil, a tripped breaker for the outdoor unit, or low refrigerant from a leak.
Check the filter and make sure the outdoor unit is running and its fan is spinning. If you see ice on the refrigerant lines, turn the system off and switch the fan to ON so the coil can thaw, then call us. Running it frozen can damage the compressor.
Can frost, ice or debris affect my outdoor unit?
Yes. The outdoor unit needs clear airflow on all sides. Leaves, grass clippings, cottonwood, snow drifts and stacked storage all restrict it and make the system work harder.
Keep roughly two feet clear around the unit and never pile anything on top of it.
What is two-stage cooling?
A two-stage system runs at reduced capacity most of the time and switches to full capacity only on the hottest days. Longer, gentler cycles hold temperature more evenly, pull out more humidity and use less electricity than a single-stage unit cycling hard.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is an air conditioner that can run in reverse. In summer it moves heat out of your home; in winter it pulls heat from the outdoor air and brings it inside. Because it moves heat instead of burning fuel to create it, it can be very efficient.
Does a heat pump work in Chicagoland winters?
Modern cold-climate heat pumps perform far better in low temperatures than older models did. In our climate they are usually paired with a furnace in what is called a dual-fuel setup: the heat pump handles milder weather, and the furnace takes over when it gets truly cold.
Whether it makes sense for your home depends on your gas rates, electrical service and existing equipment. We will tell you honestly if it is not the right fit.
Should I get a heat pump or a furnace?
Many Chicago-area homes do best with both. In a dual-fuel setup, a heat pump heats the house most of the year and handles all of the cooling, and a gas furnace takes over on the coldest days. That combination usually lowers energy bills and qualifies for ComEd heat pump discounts.
An all-electric cold-climate heat pump can also work, especially in well-insulated homes or homes without gas. We look at your ductwork, insulation, gas and electric rates, and electrical service before recommending one.
Why does my furnace turn on and off constantly?
That is called short-cycling, and it burns energy while wearing out components. Common causes are a dirty filter, a failing flame sensor, blocked airflow, or a system that was oversized for the home when it was installed.
It is worth diagnosing rather than living with.
Why is my furnace blowing cold air?
First, check the thermostat. If the fan is set to ON instead of AUTO, it will blow air between heating cycles even when the burners are off.
Other common causes are a clogged filter that makes the furnace overheat and shut the burners off, a dirty flame sensor, an ignition problem, or a blocked condensate drain on a high-efficiency furnace. Replace the filter and check the thermostat batteries. If it still blows cold, call us, since several of these causes involve gas and electrical parts.
How can I improve my home's indoor air quality?
Start with airflow and filtration, then address humidity and contaminants. We install air purifiers, humidifiers and germicidal UV lights, and we handle duct and dryer vent cleaning.
Which combination helps most depends on what you are actually dealing with. See our indoor air quality services.
How do I know which product is right for my home?
By identifying the problem first. Allergies and dust point toward better filtration or purification. Dry winter air and static point toward a humidifier. Musty smells or mold on the coil point toward UV treatment or a humidity issue.
We would rather diagnose than sell you the largest package.
How often should I change my air filter?
For a standard one-inch filter, every one to three months. Sooner if you have pets, allergies, or ongoing construction nearby. Thicker media filters often run six months to a year.
A clogged filter is the single most common cause of the service calls we take.
How can I lower my energy bills?
The largest gains usually come from things people overlook: sealing leaky ductwork, replacing a clogged filter, and keeping the system maintained so it is not fighting itself. A programmable or smart thermostat helps. Replacing genuinely old equipment helps most of all.
We will tell you which of these applies to your home rather than recommending all four.
What efficiency standards apply here?
Federal minimum efficiency standards for air conditioners and heat pumps are set regionally, and Illinois falls in the northern region. Any equipment we install meets or exceeds the current requirement for our area.
Ask us about the specific rating on the system you are considering; we will show you the numbers.
What is the best thermostat for my system?
The one that matches your equipment. A single-stage furnace does not benefit from a controller built for variable-speed equipment, and a high-end system paired with a basic thermostat loses much of what you paid for.
Compatibility matters more than brand or features.
What are the benefits of a zoning system?
Zoning divides your home into areas with separate temperature control, usually through dampers in the ductwork. It solves the classic problem of a hot upstairs and a cold basement, and it stops you from conditioning rooms nobody is using.
It works best in homes with multiple floors or large additions.
Is a tankless water heater worth it?
For many homes, yes. A tankless water heater gives you endless hot water, takes up far less space, uses less gas because it does not keep a tank hot all day, and typically lasts about 20 years compared with 8 to 12 for a tank. Nicor Gas also offers a $150 rebate on qualifying models.
The trade-off is a higher upfront cost, and some homes need a larger gas line or new venting. It also needs a yearly flush to stay efficient, especially with hard water. We check your gas line, venting and hot water use before recommending one.
How much does a new water heater cost?
A standard 40-gallon tank water heater typically costs $1,600 to $2,000 installed, a 50-gallon $1,700 to $2,200 and a 75-gallon $2,700 to $3,300. Power-vent models run $3,200 to $5,200 depending on size, and tankless water heaters typically cost $4,500 to $6,500. Brand, gas or electric, tank size and shape, venting, gas piping and water line updates set the final price. See the full water heater pricing guide.
Is Trane or Lennox better?
Both are top-tier brands, and both make reliable equipment. We are a Lennox Premier Dealer because Lennox high-efficiency and variable-speed systems perform well through Chicago winters and summers, and we can back them with strong warranties.
The bigger factor is the installation. Correct sizing, airflow and refrigerant charge matter more to how long a system lasts than the name on the box.
What AC brand lasts the longest?
Lifespan depends far more on installation quality and maintenance than on the brand. A properly sized, well-installed system from any major brand typically lasts 12 to 15 years in our area with yearly service.
Be careful with brands that have no local dealer support or local parts supply, since a repair can mean a long wait for parts.
Why is regular maintenance important?
Most of the breakdowns we see were preventable. Maintenance catches worn parts, low refrigerant, restricted airflow and safety issues before they become emergency calls in January.
It also protects efficiency and, on most equipment, is required to keep the manufacturer warranty valid.
How often should my system be serviced?
Twice a year: cooling in the spring, heating in the fall. Each system gets attention before the season it has to work hardest in.
Our maintenance plans schedule both visits so you do not have to remember. See maintenance plans.
How do I find my unit's model and serial number?
Look for the manufacturer data plate. On an outdoor condenser it is usually on the side panel near the refrigerant lines. On a furnace or air handler it is typically inside the front access door.
Having those numbers ready when you call helps us bring the right parts on the first visit.
What should I check before calling for service?
A few quick checks can save you a service call:
- Thermostat: confirm it is set to HEAT or COOL, the set temperature is right and the batteries are good.
- Air filter: replace it if it is dirty.
- Breakers: check the furnace and outdoor unit breakers in your electrical panel.
- Furnace switch: make sure the light-style switch near the furnace is on.
- Outdoor unit: clear away leaves, snow or debris.
If you smell gas, leave the house and call Nicor Gas at 888-642-6748 from outside. For anything else, call us at (708) 515-4822. We answer 24/7.
Licensed, certified and accredited
- Lennox Premier Dealer
- NATE-certified technicians
- EPA Section 608 certified
- BBB Accredited Business
- Licensed business in the Village of Streamwood
- Registered Illinois LLC
- Fully insured