man fixing an air conditioner unit
May 18, 2023

The depths of the dreary winter can make one feel like summer might never arrive, but now that the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing each morning, summer is really just around the corner!

Here are a few ways to prepare your HVAC for the cooling season to keep your family happy and comfortable throughout the summer in your Hampton Roads-area home.

Pre-Summer HVAC Maintenance

First thing’s first when it comes to preparing your HVAC for summer: a little maintenance goes a long way. Your cooling system has been sitting on the sidelines all winter and could likely use a tune-up before you start to depend on it daily to keep your home cool. Plus, your heating system has taken on some wear and tear over the heating season, and could really use a check-up before it hibernates for the summer. 

Professional furnace and air conditioner maintenance provide the following benefits when scheduled in between heating and cooling seasons:

Reduced risk of an AC breakdown

When a professional AC technician from Russell’s inspects your air conditioner, they will be looking for any problematic AC parts that could cause an expensive mid-heatwave breakdown. Replacing these parts before they break will also improve efficiency while giving you peace of mind your home will remain comfortable. 

Healthier air

Replacing or cleaning the air filters of your mini split heat pump or air conditioner is one of the most important HVAC maintenance tasks, as it can directly affect the health of you and your family.

Air filters should be replaced every 30 to 90 days, according to the manufacturer's specifications. A clogged air filter will force your furnace or central AC to work harder than it needs to, and it will lose its ability to remove particles and contaminants from your air. 

Improved efficiency

Professional maintenance for your heating and cooling system leaves every moving part lubricated, worn part replaced, screws and bolts tightened, air filters replaced, and more. All of this adds up to an air conditioner that runs at peak performance, reducing your cooling costs through the summer. 

Home Efficiency Tips

There is another way to ensure your home is cool, dry, and comfortable during the cooling season and beyond. In addition to maintaining the efficiency of your air conditioner, upgrading the overall efficiency of your home will reduce your reliance on your cooling equipment, saving you on heating and cooling costs year-round and extending the life of your HVAC equipment. 

The attic is a common place for heat loss in the winter, and heat gain in the summer. As the sun beats down on your roof, that heat will begin to infiltrate your home. Insulation prevents this transfer of heat, protecting your home from the outside temperatures. As a result, improved attic insulation will increase the overall effectiveness of your cooling system, while also reducing your energy costs. 

Enjoy Summer Comfort with Russell’s

Scheduling regular maintenance for your heating and cooling system is essential to preventing your HVAC from breaking down in summer. Russell’s has made it easy to schedule your annual maintenance ahead of time. With our maintenance plans, you can get some added perks, too! Such as: 

  • 15% discount on all repairs
  • 3-year warranty on repairs included with continuous enrollment
  • Priority scheduling
  • Regular maintenance - No overtime charges
  • Service reminders
  • Award-winning service
  • 21-point inspection
  • Savings on diagnostic fees
  • Precision Tune-up

What's better than saving on your cooling costs? Not even having to think about it. Get on a yearly HVAC maintenance plan and leave your home comfort to Russell’s. Call 757-819-4770 or get in touch here.

Looking to reduce your cooling costs this year?

Schedule AC maintenance before summer

(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