Chicago is well known for cold, snow & high winds. My friend and I are rather famous for our brutal winter season weather. However, the conditions are a challenge all year long. When Springtime finally arrives, the snowmelt & rain can cause major concerns with flooding. My friend and I often get hit with thunderstorms that knock out power lines. Last winter season was especially snowy & cold. When the weather warmed up, we still had sizable piles of snow. Losing power due to a large storm was super inconvenient. Without electricity, the sump pump doesn’t run & my basement flooded; Plus, we were separate from running water, lights & a/c. The strong winds knocked down trees & branches & caused disfigurement to my outdoor A/C unit. Even when power was restored, the cooling system wouldn’t start up. The Heating, Ventilation, & A/C supplier I called for repairs checked out the device & told me that it would be less luxurious to replace it. I doubted her honesty & hired another Heating, Ventilation, & A/C supplier for a second opinion. They also suggested investing into a up-to-date cooling system. I wasn’t able to get my homeowners insurance to cover any of the cost because it was considered disfigurement from a natural disaster. The AC’s manufacturer’s warranty was no longer valid. The upgrade project was luxurious. I had expected the cooling unit to last another five to ten years. At least the up-to-date model is more energy efficient, makes less noise & is compatible with a smart temperature control. The Heating, Ventilation, & A/C supplier I dealt with was certainly helpful & handled the upgrade abruptly & smoothly.