Stop Paying to Heat the Great Outdoors!

November 11, 2026

Keep the Cold Outside and Your Heating Costs Under Control


When winter arrives in the Chicago area, keeping your retail store or commercial property warm can become an expensive challenge. Between freezing temperatures, strong winds, and unpredictable weather, your HVAC system already has plenty of work to do. The last thing you want is to pay to heat the outdoors because warm air is escaping through poorly sealed doors, windows, and other openings.


Air leaks and inadequate weatherstripping can allow heated indoor air to escape while letting cold outdoor air enter. The result? Your heating system has to work harder and run longer to maintain comfortable temperatures, potentially increasing energy costs and putting additional strain on your equipment.


A few simple building inspections and maintenance steps can make a meaningful difference.


Where Should You Look for Air Leaks?


Commercial buildings have several areas where outside air can find its way inside. Pay particular attention to:


  • Exterior Doors and Entrances: Frequent customer, employee, and delivery traffic can make entrances a major source of heat loss. Check door closers, weatherstripping, thresholds, and seals to ensure doors close properly.
  • Loading Docks and Delivery Areas: Large overhead doors can allow significant amounts of cold air inside, especially when damaged seals or gaps are present. Keep doors closed when not in use and inspect perimeter seals regularly.
  • Windows and Frames: Look for cracked caulking, deteriorated seals, and noticeable drafts around window frames. Repairing these areas can help prevent unwanted heat loss.
  • Service Entrances and Utility Openings: Employee entrances, maintenance access doors, and openings around pipes, wiring, and other building penetrations can create opportunities for cold air infiltration.
  • Vestibules and Entrance Areas: For retail stores, restaurants, and other customer-facing businesses, entrance areas deserve special attention. Make sure interior and exterior doors are functioning properly and that vestibule areas are not allowing excessive cold air into occupied spaces.


Five Ways to Keep the Heat Inside


Here are a few practical steps business owners and facility managers can take to reduce unnecessary heat loss:


  1. Inspect Weatherstripping Regularly. Replace worn, cracked, or missing weatherstripping around doors and windows. Even small gaps can allow cold air to enter.
  2. Check Door Closers. Make sure exterior doors close completely after customers, employees, and delivery personnel pass through. A door left slightly open can quickly become an expensive invitation for winter weather.
  3. Maintain Loading Dock Seals. Inspect dock doors, perimeter seals, and dock levelers for damage or gaps. These areas are particularly vulnerable during windy winter conditions.
  4. Address Drafts Promptly. If employees or customers regularly complain about cold spots near entrances or windows, investigate the source rather than simply turning up the thermostat.
  5. Maintain Your HVAC System. Properly maintained heating equipment, clean filters, functioning controls, and balanced airflow help your system operate more efficiently and maintain consistent indoor temperatures.


Don't Overlook Your HVAC System!


While sealing air leaks is important, your heating system also needs regular attention to perform efficiently throughout the winter. A properly maintained HVAC system helps maintain comfortable temperatures, improves operating efficiency, and reduces the risk of unexpected equipment problems during the coldest days of the year.


Carey's Heating and Air Conditioning provides commercial HVAC maintenance, repair, and replacement services to businesses and commercial properties throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Since 1992, our team has helped commercial customers maintain dependable heating and cooling systems.


Our technicians are members of Chicago Pipefitters Local 597, Sheet Metal Workers SMART 265, or IBEW Local 134. Their training, experience, and commitment to quality workmanship help ensure your commercial HVAC equipment receives the professional attention it deserves.


Whether you manage a retail store, restaurant, office building, industrial facility, or multi-location commercial property, Carey’s can help keep your building comfortable and your HVAC equipment operating reliably.


Keep Your Customers Comfortable. Keep Your Energy Dollars Inside.


Chicago winters are expensive enough without heating the parking lot, sidewalk, or loading dock!

Take a few minutes to inspect your building for drafts, repair worn seals, and make sure your heating equipment is ready for the season.


Carey’s Heating and Air Conditioning — Your customers are welcome. The winter wind is not!



Call Carey’s at 708-532-2449 to discuss your commercial HVAC maintenance needs.





November 4, 2026
One employee is freezing, another is opening a window, and someone else keeps adjusting the thermostat. Sound familiar? Establish reasonable temperature settings and operating schedules based on occupancy, comfort, and building needs and always follow your Company’s guidelines for approved thermostat settings. Our technicians can check thermostat programming, controls and HVAC operation to ensure your system follows the correct schedule for business hours, nights, and weekends and is operating at peak efficiency. Carey’s tip: Your thermostat should manage your climate—not become your business’s most controversial employee. Call Carey’s at 708-532-2449 to schedule your commercial HVAC service.
Close-up of a pink floor with a folded dark mesh mat and a metal bar along the edge
November 2, 2026
Keeping your business comfortable for employees and customers is essential to daily operations. But one often-overlooked maintenance item can affect indoor comfort, energy costs, and HVAC equipment performance: a dirty air filter. When filters become clogged with dust, dirt, and airborne particles, airflow can become restricted, forcing your heating and cooling equipment to work harder. That can mean reduced efficiency, unnecessary strain on equipment, and potentially higher energy bills. Not exactly a winning business strategy! For retail stores, restaurants, offices, and multi-location businesses, high foot traffic and everyday operations can cause filters to collect debris faster than expected. The good news? A few simple maintenance steps can help keep your HVAC system breathing easier. Four Simple Steps to Keep Your Air Filters in Check 1. Put filter inspections on your calendar. Establish a regular inspection schedule based on your equipment manufacturer's recommendations, building conditions, and system usage. Check more frequently during periods of heavy occupancy or increased dust. Don't wait for an airflow problem to remind you! 2. Know when it's time for a change. Schedule routine preventative maintenance and filter changes as a part of your ongoing HVAC maintenance and have your filters replaced on a regular basis. A filter can look reasonably clean and still need attention, so appearance alone shouldn't determine your schedule. 3. Pay attention to warning signs. Uneven temperatures, reduced airflow from supply vents, longer equipment run times, or unexpected increases in energy use may indicate a filter problem—or another HVAC issue. Have a qualified technician investigate persistent problems rather than assuming the filter is always the culprit. 4. Make filter maintenance part of your preventive maintenance plan. Keep a record of inspection dates, filter sizes, replacements, and recurring problems at each location. For businesses managing multiple stores or facilities, a consistent tracking system helps prevent missed service and makes it easier to spot recurring issues. Always use the filter type and specifications approved for your equipment. Don't Let Your HVAC System Become an Overworked Employee! At Carey's Heating and Air Conditioning , our highly trained union technicians help commercial customers maintain their HVAC systems, identify potential problems, and keep their facilities comfortable throughout the year. Whether you manage a single retail store, an office building, or multiple commercial locations throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, a proactive maintenance plan can help you stay ahead of avoidable HVAC problems. Carey's Tip: Your HVAC system needs to breathe, too! Have your filters replaced by qualified technician regularly, and don't make your equipment work overtime because someone forgot a simple maintenance task. After all, your employees shouldn't have to work harder because your HVAC system can't catch its breath! Ready to get your commercial HVAC maintenance on track? Call Carey's Heating and Air Conditioning at 708-532-2449 to discuss a preventive maintenance plan for your business.
October 19, 2026
When your heating system fails during a Chicago cold snap, everyone notices. Routine preventive maintenance helps identify worn components, electrical issues, airflow restrictions, and other developing problems before they turn into expensive disruptions. Carey’s Heating and Air Conditioning helps commercial customers keep their equipment operating reliably throughout the heating season. Carey’s tip: A little maintenance now can save a lot of shivering later. Keep Your Business Comfortable All Season Long! From retail stores and offices to multi-location commercial properties throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs and Northwest Indiana, Carey’s Heating and Air Conditioning helps keep your HVAC systems ready for the season ahead. Our highly trained union technicians are committed to dependable service, professional workmanship, and keeping your employees and customers comfortable. Call Carey’s at 708-532-2449 to schedule your commercial HVAC service.