Technician providing HVAC maintenance
June 23, 2022

As the cooling season kicks off in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, many homeowners wonder how to prevent their HVAC from breaking down this summer, and seek out maintenance tips for their HVAC. Russell’s team of experts is here to help, whether you have ductless mini splits, heat pumps, a geothermal HVAC system, or another type of system. 

By keeping up with routine maintenance, you’ll be able to avoid emergency breakdowns and enjoy efficient HVAC system operation for years. But how do you know if your HVAC needs maintenance, and can you manage any maintenance tasks yourself?

Russell’s has 3 key summer maintenance tips to help you keep your home and your loved ones comfortable this cooling season, and even year-round:

1. Clean Your Air Filter(s)

A dirty filter can wreak havoc on your HVAC system for a number of reasons. Manufacturers often recommend replacing your filters every 30 to 60 days depending on what kind of system you have. Just because a dirty filter can create excessive pressure Within your ductwork, air handler, Etc, resulting in Restricted airflow and strain on your system.

It's also important to replace your filters to maintain healthy home indoor air quality. If you have pets, or if people with allergies live in your home, it's recommended to change your air filters more regularly to ensure that the air quality stays fresh for your whole family.

2. Confirm Your Settings

Another easy step for your HVAC maintenance checklist that can help ensure that your HVAC system is operating as expected, is to confirm your settings and check them regularly. At Russell's, we’ve received calls in the past about seemingly broken cooling systems, only to arrive on site and learn that the cooling system was accidentally disconnected, or even switched to heat mode by a child or a pet. 

Additionally, if you can automate your home’s comfort settings, make sure that they still align with your lifestyle and schedule. If you've been working from home full-time for a couple of years but have recently returned to the office, make sure you’re not wasting money and energy, or overburdening your HVAC system, by cooling an empty house all day.

3. Invest in Maintenance Magic From Russell’s

The best way to ensure that your system is working properly and with optimal efficiency is to have a professional HVAC technician check over your entire system once a year. With Maintenance Plans from Russell’s, you can rest assured that your systems will be kept in great shape. During each service, our experts will complete a 21-point inspection and our famous Precision Tune-up to keep you and your home comfortable year-round.

Thanks to service reminders and priority scheduling included with Maintenance Plans, we will help you maintain your home cooling system by scheduling in the spring (before the official start of cooling season) and even catch any repairs you need to avoid any breakdowns during the dog days of summer.

What Makes Routine Maintenance From Russell’s Worth It?

During each maintenance call, Russell’s professional technicians will inspect the many components of your system to ensure they are functioning well and show no signs of wear. Plan members can enjoy a 15% discount on HVAC service with 3-year warranty on repairs included with continuous enrollment, and savings on diagnostic fees—plan members pay only $32!

Our techs will manage each of the following to help you maintain your system:

  • Clean indoor coils with specialty cleaner

  • Clean outdoor condenser coils with specialty cleaner

  • Flush drain lines

  • Test and monitor refrigerant levels

  • Install drain tablet to reduce the buildup of algae

  • Test and monitor capacitors

  • Test and monitor starting capabilities

  • Check out and tighten electrical connections

  • Test defrost cycle on heat pumps

  • Check safeties

  • Inspect fuel pipe

  • Measure amp draw

  • Measure electrical current

  • Test backup electrical heat

  • Check blower wheel

  • Lubricate moving parts

Leave your HVAC care to the experts! Enroll in Russell’s HVAC Maintenance Plan. Call 757-819-4770 or contact us online today.

How can you maintain your HVAC this summer?

Russell's has ideas!

(VA) 757-995-2807 / (NC) 252-489-4431

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Maintenance Plans

Russell's HVAC, HVAC service technician, VA

Regular annual maintenance keeps your system operating at peak efficiency. Experience has shown that a system that runs well keeps your utility costs in line — in fact, independent 3rd party research shows that you can save over $30 per month on utility bills.

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What Our Customers Are Saying

  • I can't complement your team enough on the wonderful job done with regard to the installation of the new system in our home. More specifically, we want to recognize the outstanding efforts of: Roberto-- the initial visit and diagnosis of the problem.

    Dan & Connie, Virginia Beach

  • I recently had your team install a new gas package unit including all new duct work at my house in Chesapeake. I had a split system that had undersized ducting which was removed by your installers.

    Mike & Sandi, Chesapeake, VA

  • We purchased a one time service for $79. They came out on time, checked out the geothermal system...they were very professional and kind.

    Nicholas H., Chesapeake, VA

  • We would like to thank your company for an excellent job. We are very pleased with the new (Mitsubishi ductless mini split) system that was installed last week. It works wonderfully at heating our home.

    Danny and Teresa S., Chesapeake, VA

  • Not one single idea for improvement. Keep doing what you do. OUTSTANDING!

    Charles J., Norfolk, VA

  • Great job!...World class employees!

    Colleen & Jim C., Suffolk, VA

  • Everything went great! This is the second big project we've had done through Russell's and we couldn't be more happy! We had the most dedicated, polite, and respectful crew! The team consisted of Elliot, Chase and Sean. Sean was here for the removal process on day one, and did awesome!

    J. Luhan, VA Beach

  • Hi Nate, please pass along our appreciation for you, Elliot and Steve. We are very happy with you being able to arrange our ( Lennox ) replacement system so quickly!

    T. Johnson, VA Beach

  • Thank you for running a top notch company and sending over to us two excellent folks Terry and Shawn. They did an awesome job putting in our new furnace system. Also thank you for Donald and Nate who did a superb job as well. Please reward these guys with some sort of commendations or rewards....

  • ...folks need to know how wonderful working with Russell's Heating & Air Conditioning is. They were very professional all the way thru the process of getting our unit installed down to the payment plan. I have been telling our neighbors and my co-workers about the experience.

    Pamela F., Chesapeake, VA

  • Every moment from the time an appointment was set up until the day the work was completed was a pleasure. Every employee was a delight to work with. The proof that the product was great came when the electric bills started coming in the airconditioning season.

    Douglas P., VA Beach

  • I am extremely satisfied with both the Lennox unit I purchased and the employees of Russell's. Even with poor window and door quality in this overly tired house, I am actually cooled off sufficiently enough to call it chilly.

    Robin W., Chesapeake, VA

  • Over the years I have gained the utmost trust in my service technician Corey Lesko's knowledge and work ethic while servicing my system.

  • I am writing this letter to commend your company on a great job! We were very pleased with how the company performed in every area...the installers did an impeccable job. They were very knowledgeable, efficient, and hard workers—staying focused to the task in the extreme heat.

    Pastor Larry E. O'Brien, Churchland Assembly of God

  • A year ago, I contracted with Russell's to tune up and clean the heating and cooling system. How impressively your specialist cleaned my system...he also found a defective automatic (programmable) thermostat. Quite quickly, he replaced my automatic thermostat. The results?

    R. Snider, Norfolk, VA

  • You recently installed a new Trane unit for us. We want you to know we are completely satisfied. The outside unit is now a hum versus the roar of the old one...we also want to recognize the installer...we cannot overstate what we think of his workmanship.

    K. Hawkins, Portsmouth, VA

  • Great and prompt service – as usual. Everything from ordering the a/c unit to installation went smoothly. Thanks for everything.

    B. Fenstermaker, VA Beach

  • Everyone was very nice. I felt well informed about my purchase. Your staff is great! I don't usually return opinion forms, but you need to know you have a staff you can be proud of!

    V. Horn, Chesapeake, VA

  • You have a new customer for life and I will definitely tell all my friends about your prompt, courteous service, your knowledgeable technicians, and your very reasonable prices. Thank you very much Russell's. You warmed much more than just my heart!

    G. Knoop, Chesapeake, VA

  • Your company was very responsive to my needs. The quality of your work was extremely high.

    Ms. Bright, Chesapeake, VA

  • Your workers actually made this total replacement project an enjoyable learning experience...they were always willing to stop and answer any questions. Their pleasant and cooperative attitudes cannot be praised enough!

    J. Wellons, Portsmouth, VA

  • Very pleased with both the price and service. The installation went off without a hitch and everything exceeded our expectations. When finished, the work areas, including the attic, were so clean you couldn't tell anything had been done.

    T. Marsh, VA Beach

  • Great expertise and timely service.

    H. Turbeville, Chesapeake, VA