HVAC
Book an independent local Pro for AC and heating repair or installation, seasonal tune-ups, ductwork, thermostats and indoor air.
Subcategories
HVAC Maintenance
Seasonal maintenance for heating and cooling systems, to catch problems early. Book an independent local Pro and compare profiles online.
AC & Cooling
Troubleshoot, repair or replace home air conditioning. Book an independent local Pro, compare profiles and availability, and book online.
Heating
Repair or install furnaces, heat pumps and other home heating systems. Book an independent local Pro and compare profiles online.
Ductwork
Inspect, repair or install accessible ductwork for your home's heating and cooling system. Book an independent local Pro online.
Thermostats & Indoor Air
Install or service thermostats, dehumidifiers and other indoor air equipment. Book an independent local Pro and compare profiles online.
What HVAC covers
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning: the equipment that heats and cools your home and moves air through it.
- A cooling check before summer and a heating check before winter: HVAC maintenance and tune-ups
- Vents blowing warm air, ice on the refrigerant lines, or water pooling around the indoor unit: AC repair and installation
- A furnace that won't start, or a heat pump that can't keep up in a cold snap: furnace and heating repair
- One room that never warms up, or a duct that has come loose in the attic: ductwork repair and installation
- A thermostat that misreads the room, or a basement that stays damp all summer: thermostats and indoor air
Does an HVAC technician need a license in Virginia?
Yes, for paid work. HVAC work done "for the general public for compensation" needs a DPOR tradesman license, at journeyman or master level, or supervision by someone who holds one, and gas fitters need a license of their own (Va. Code §§ 54.1-1128 and 54.1-1129, as of September 2026). Replacing a gas furnace or boiler needs a permit in Fairfax and Prince William counties, even like for like (Fairfax's permit page). Look the Pro up for free on DPOR's License Lookup. On One Stop Pros, that check is the customer's to make.
When to book in Northern Virginia
On average, the first fall freeze comes around October 24 at Dulles and November 18 at Reagan National (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). The Dulles side, which covers western Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William, freezes three to four weeks before Arlington and Alexandria. Book the heating check before the first cold week where you live, and the cooling check in spring.
How to prepare
- Note the make, model and age of the system, from the labels on the outdoor unit and the furnace or air handler.
- Know your filter size, and have a spare if you can.
- Clear the space around the indoor equipment and the outdoor unit.
- Write down the symptoms: when they started, which rooms, any noises or smells, and what the thermostat reads.
- If you smell gas, don't wait for a visit. Leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 from outside.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A Pro who adds HVAC work to their profile confirms they will take on only work they are legally authorized to do, and One Stop Pros records that statement without checking or certifying the license. Look the Pro up on DPOR's License Lookup, and ask for proof of insurance, before you book.
Follow the schedule in your system's manual, and check your warranty, since some require regular maintenance. If the manual doesn't say, a cooling check in spring and a heating check in fall means each part is looked at before the season it works hardest.
Make sure the thermostat is set to heat or cool, its batteries aren't dead, and the setting is above or below the room temperature. Check that the filter isn't clogged and the system's breaker hasn't tripped, but don't open the furnace or touch any gas parts.
Mainly whether it's a repair or a replacement, the type and size of the system, the parts, how easy the equipment is to reach, and whether a permit is needed. Ask the Pro how they price the job before work starts.