1. The Big Chill(er) Check
The building’s cooling backbone is often a pair of industrial chillers; massive machines in the sub-basement or rooftop mechanical rooms that create cold air via a network of pipes, ductwork, and air handlers. These aren’t something you can turn on with a flick of a switch. In early spring, we begin our seasonal maintenance: flushing the system, inspecting for scale buildup, testing water chemistry, maintaining condensing/evaporating coils, and replacing worn valves. Some systems will require removing hot boiler water from the heating season before cooling can be started up.
Think of it like a tune-up for a classic car. If we don’t get this right, your A/C won’t stand a chance when it’s 95°F in the shade.
2. Fan Coil Units: The Unsung Heroes
The most common way of cooling is tucked behind access panels and closets. Fan coil units (FCU) deliver that sweet, sweet cool air. These need love too. Dust, debris, or clogged condensate drains can turn your cooling system into a glorified paperweight.
Each spring, we remind residents to allow our maintenance teams into their units to clean filters, treat condensate drain pans, and inspect coils. Trust us, your summer self will thank you.
3. Rooftop Realities
Rooftop HVAC units and cooling towers bear the brunt of the elements all year long. Before the summer heat hits, we’re up there checking belt tensions, fan operation, topping off fluids, cleaning condensing coils, and ensuring the water pumps are circulating properly. A failure up there can mean a domino effect throughout the building.
We also inspect for bird nests. Yes, seriously. Those feathered freeloaders love our cooling towers.
4. Smart Building Tech: Cool with Control
Modern buildings rely on building automation systems (BAS) to monitor and adjust temperatures, pressures, and airflow 24/7. We spend the off-season updating software, refining system algorithms, and improving sensor accuracy.
If you’ve ever wondered how your hallway is always exactly 72°F, it’s not magic; it’s programming and a lot of maintenance work behind the scenes.
5. Resident Tips to Keep Your Cool
While we handle the heavy lifting, there are a few simple things that homeowners and residents can do to stay comfortable and help the system run efficiently:
• Keep vents clear. Don’t block fan coil unit vents with furniture or curtains.
• Close blinds during peak sunlight. Especially in south and west facing units.
• Report issues early. A strange noise or a warm room isn’t going to fix itself.
• Don’t overload the system. In buildings where there is a shared cooling system, every little bit counts. On extreme heat days consider putting your thermostat up a few degrees, so that you and all your neighbors have access to cooling.
6. City Of Chicago’s Cooling Ordinance
The City of Chicago has been requiring a cooling room in high rises and senior housing since 2022. Most buildings require at least one common meeting area in the building to have proper air conditioning and dehumidification. In some instances all areas must have A/C.
Stay cool in your building’s party room with your friends and neighbors.
THE HEAT IS COMING – AND WE’RE READY
The truth is that summer prep is one of the most demanding times of the year for any building engineer. We wouldn’t trade it for anything. There’s a deep satisfaction in walking through a cool, quiet lobby on a sweltering July afternoon, knowing that hundreds of people are living comfortably because of the work that our maintenance staffs perform all year.
So this summer, while you sip your iced latte and lounge in climate-controlled bliss just know we’ve got you covered, from basement chillers to rooftop towers. If you ever see the maintenance team members around the building in their work shirts and tool belts, give us a nod. We’ll take it as a thank-you for keeping your cool.
16 | COMMON INTEREST®
• Summer 2025 • A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter
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