AC Installation & Repair
Central air systems, ductless mini-splits, and emergency repair when your AC quits during a Chicago heat wave.
Get a quoteNorthstar HVAC & Refrigeration Inc. keeps Evanston homes comfortable year-round, from century-old Victorians near campus to lakefront condos downtown. We are a family-owned team based just up the road in Glenview.
Every technician is fully licensed, bonded, and insured for your protection.
A short hop down green bay road from our glenview base, usually around 15 to 20 minutes — so we get to you fast when it matters.
Locally owned and operated — invested in keeping Evanston families comfortable.
Evanston sits right on Lake Michigan in Cook County, with a housing mix that ranges from vintage masonry homes to modern apartments near Northwestern. That variety means no two heating and cooling jobs look quite the same, and we treat each one on its own terms. Whether you need a furnace tune-up, a boiler repair, or a full AC replacement, we show up ready to do honest work.
Evanston has some of the oldest housing stock in the north suburbs, including century-old Victorians, classic Four-Squares, and sturdy vintage masonry homes alongside the condos and apartments clustered around downtown and the university. These homes were built long before central air was standard, so heating and cooling systems are often a patchwork of original and added equipment. Working on them takes patience and respect for how the house was put together.
Many older Evanston homes still run on steam-boiler and radiator heat, while others were converted to forced air decades ago. Common issues we see include aging boilers that need service, ductwork retrofits squeezed into homes never designed for them, uneven temperatures from floor to floor, and humidity problems in lakefront properties close to the water. Knob-and-tube wiring and tight chases can complicate installs, so we plan carefully before we start.
We are a family-owned company, and we treat Evanston homeowners the way we would want our own neighbors treated: straight answers, clear pricing, and no pressure to buy more than you need. Being based in nearby Glenview means we can get to your home quickly when something goes wrong. When we recommend a repair or replacement, we explain why, so you can make the call with full information.
Schedule a visitFrom furnace tune-ups to complete system replacements, we handle the full range of residential HVAC work for Evanston homeowners — so you only ever have to call one team.
Central air systems, ductless mini-splits, and emergency repair when your AC quits during a Chicago heat wave.
Get a quoteGas and high-efficiency furnaces — installed, tuned up, and back online fast when winter hits hardest.
Get a quoteEnergy-efficient heating and cooling in one system — including cold-climate heat pumps built for Chicago winters.
Get a quoteAir purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers — clean, balanced air for kids, pets, and everyone in between.
Get a quoteDuct inspection, sealing, repair, and replacement — fix uneven temperatures and stop wasting money on lost air.
Get a quoteWi-Fi and smart thermostats installed and configured — lower energy bills, better comfort, easy control from your phone.
We serve homeowners across every part of Evanston, including these areas.
The downtown core is dense with condos, vintage apartment buildings, and mixed-use properties near the Metra and CTA lines. Space is tight and systems are often shared or compact, so we focus on solutions that fit small mechanical rooms and rooftop units. We handle both single-unit work and building-wide tune-ups here.
Homes close to Lake Michigan deal with high humidity that can strain cooling systems and invite mold or musty air. We help lakefront owners with proper dehumidification, AC sizing, and ventilation so the house stays comfortable even on the muggiest summer days. Many of these are larger vintage homes with original heating layouts.
This south-side area is full of classic single-family homes, many with steam boilers and radiators still in service. We keep those older heating systems running and, when owners are ready, plan careful conversions or forced-air retrofits. Zoning upgrades are popular here for homes with hot upper floors and cool basements.
From the first phone call to the final walk-through, here's how we make sure every Evanston job goes smoothly for your family.
Contact us for a free consultation where we'll assess your needs and provide a clear, upfront price — no hidden fees.
Our certified technicians arrive on time with the right tools and parts to complete your project efficiently.
We complete every job to industry standards and make sure you're completely satisfied before we leave.
We know you have choices. Here's why families across Evanston and the rest of Chicagoland keep coming back to us.
Cash, check, credit cards, and financing for qualified customers — comfort shouldn't be a budget battle.
24/7 emergency response, with most urgent calls answered within two hours during the heating and cooling seasons.
Every tech is licensed, insured, and trained on every major HVAC brand on the market today.
No upsells, no scare tactics. Straight answers about what your home actually needs and what it'll cost.
The questions Evanston homeowners ask us most. Don't see yours? Call us at +1 224-398-9199 — we're happy to talk it through.
Ask us anythingYes. A lot of Evanston's older housing still runs on steam-boiler and radiator systems, and we service, repair, and maintain them. If you are weighing whether to keep your boiler or convert to forced air, we will walk you through the honest tradeoffs for your specific home.
Often, yes. Many century-old Evanston homes were never built for ducts, so we look at retrofit ductwork or ductless mini-split systems depending on the layout. We assess your home first and recommend the approach that adds the least disruption while keeping you comfortable.
Homes near Lake Michigan take on extra moisture, and an undersized or aging AC system struggles to pull it out of the air. We can check your equipment, recommend proper dehumidification, and make sure your system is sized right for the humidity loads near the lake.
Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency service and aim to respond within two hours for urgent situations. If your AC dies during a heat wave or your furnace quits in the middle of a cold snap, call +1 224-398-9199 and we'll get a tech rolling.
Yes — free, no-obligation estimates for all installations and major repairs. We'll come to your home, look at the system, and give you a clear, upfront price with no surprise fees later.
We service all major HVAC brands — Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Rheem, Goodman, Bryant, American Standard, and more. When it's time to replace, we'll recommend the best options for your home, family, and budget without pushing a brand.
Based in Glenview, we keep homes comfortable across Evanston and the surrounding Chicagoland suburbs. Explore our other local service areas:
Tell us what's going on and we'll get back to you within the hour during business times — or call now for instant 24/7 emergency dispatch.