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Heat Pump Services in Northern Virginia & Maryland
A heat pump is the only system in your home that both heats and cools, and it needs a heat pump company that understands both jobs. AVS Heating and Air Conditioning has provided heat pump services across Northern Virginia and Maryland since 1991. One call covers heat pump repair, replacement, and year-round maintenance: $90 site visit, written price before we start, no overtime charges evenings, weekends, or holidays.
Request service online and we call you back fast. If you have no cooling or no heat, call us directly.
Heat Pump Repair, Installation, or Maintenance — Pick Your Path
Not sure which page you need? Start here:
- Heat pump repair: if your system is acting up or not keeping you comfortable, our heat pump repair page covers same-day diagnostics and the $90 visit.
- Heat pump installation & replacement: if your system is aging out or your energy bills are climbing, see heat pump installation for free written estimates and 0% APR financing up to 18 months on select units through Wells Fargo.
- Heat pump maintenance & tune-ups: heat pumps run all year, so they need twice-yearly care. See heat pump maintenance for the checklist and our VIP Maintenance Plan.
One company and one phone number for all three services.
How a Heat Pump Heats and Cools Your Home
A heat pump doesn’t create heat the way a furnace does — it moves it. In winter, it pulls warmth from the outside air (yes, even cold air holds heat energy) and pushes it indoors. In summer, it reverses the process and works like a standard air conditioner. That reversing valve is the key part: one switch in a valve lets the same refrigerant cycle handle both seasons, which is why heat pumps are so efficient.
One side effect worth knowing: if your heat pump blows cold air for a few minutes mid-winter, it’s usually defrost mode, not a breakdown. Read what to do when your heat pump blows cold air.
Heat Pumps in Northern Virginia Winters
A common question: does a heat pump actually work in a Virginia winter? The short answer is yes — with backup for the coldest nights.
Defrost mode. Ice forms on the outdoor coil in freezing, damp weather. Your heat pump periodically reverses itself for a few minutes to melt that ice. You’ll hear a change in sound, see steam rise, and feel cooler air inside. That’s normal.
Auxiliary heat. When it gets cold enough that the heat pump can’t keep up on its own (your home’s balance point), backup heat kicks in to help: electric heat strips or, in a dual-fuel system, a gas furnace. On your thermostat this shows as “aux.” Emergency heat is different: it is a setting you choose that runs only the backup heat. Modern cold-climate heat pumps handle far colder temperatures than older models, but a working backup stage still matters on the coldest January nights.
What matters most here: a heat pump sized right for your home, with a clean defrost system and tested auxiliary heat, handles Fairfax County and Montgomery County winters just fine. That’s what a heat pump tune-up checks, twice a year, before each season.
How Long Do Heat Pumps Last?
A heat pump typically lasts about 10–15 years, longer with regular maintenance. Heat pumps run far more hours than a furnace — 12 months a year instead of 4–5 — so twice-yearly maintenance makes a real difference in lifespan. For the full breakdown, see what is the average life expectancy of a heat pump?
If your system is approaching that age, rising repair bills are the signal to start talking replacement instead of repair. Our free installation estimates include a written recommendation, and 0% APR up to 18 months on select units through Wells Fargo if you decide to replace. See heat pump installation costs.
Why AVS for Heat Pump Services?
- One team since 1991. Family-owned; the same company that does the install also answers your 2 a.m. repair call. Anil Sareen of AVS has been featured on ABC7 News.
- All brands serviced. Trane, Carrier, Lennox, Rheem, Bryant, York, Goodman, Amana, Mitsubishi, American Standard, and Ameristar — we service what you own.
- Licensed where you live. VA HVAC 2705039269A · MD HVAC 520714137895 · MD Home Improvement 4192876.
- No overtime fees. Evenings, weekends, holidays: same pricing, 24/7.
- 4.8★ from 354 Google reviews across our Fairfax, Falls Church and Bethesda offices.
Brands we service: Carrier · Trane · Lennox · Bryant · Goodman · Rheem · York · American Standard · Amana · Mitsubishi.
Commercial Heat Pump Service
AVS also services heating and cooling equipment for shops, offices and other commercial buildings across Northern Virginia and Maryland, including rooftop units. See commercial HVAC installation, repair and replacement.
Heat Pump Service Offers & Ways to Pay
Get a safety inspection from AVS Service Company today for only $69.
CLAIM THE $69 INSPECTIONWays to pay
Major credit cards, Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, or Wells Fargo financing.
Wells Fargo financing
Zero-down payment plans, including 0% APR for up to 18 months on select units, subject to lender approval.
VIP Maintenance Plan
Two maintenance and safety inspections a year, priority service and discounts on repairs. Join the VIP plan →
All current AVS offers
Offers as listed on avsheatingandair.com/hvac-coupons. Mention the offer when you call.
What Customers Say About AVS Heat Pump Service
“AVS is the best in the area. Highly skilled and qualified staff. Senior Technical Anil Diagnosed the heat pump issue in seconds. Fixed the problem in very reasonable price.I will highly recommend AVS.”
“I called Saturday morning and they came that afternoon to fix my heating. They were very polite and they got the job done quickly! They also tuned my fan to not be as loud and did some preventative maintenance for free.”
Heat Pump Service Near You in Northern Virginia & Maryland
With offices in Fairfax, Falls Church and Bethesda, AVS technicians work across the region every day. Choose your city:
Heat Pump Service FAQs
Can one contractor really do my heat pump repair, installation, and maintenance?
Yes. AVS handles heat pump repair, installation and maintenance, so your service history stays with one company. VIP Maintenance Plan members also get repair discounts.
What's the "20-degree rule" for heat pumps?
It’s a rule of thumb. In cooling, it means a system can usually keep your home about 20°F cooler than outside. For heating, what matters is your home’s balance point: the outdoor temperature where the heat pump needs backup heat. Modern cold-climate heat pumps heat well below 20°F. A fall tune-up tests the backup heat before you need it.
Should I repair or replace my old heat pump?
A common rule of thumb: if a repair costs more than half of a new system — or your unit is past 12–15 years with rising bills — replacement usually wins. You get a written price for the repair first, then a comparison with a free replacement estimate.
Do heat pumps really work in Maryland winters?
Yes. Heat pumps extract heat from outdoor air even at low temperatures, and auxiliary heat covers the coldest nights. Homes in Montgomery County run heat pumps successfully through winter — the key is proper sizing, clean coils, and tested defrost and backup systems, all checked in twice-yearly maintenance.
Do you service ductless mini-split heat pumps?
Yes. Many ductless systems are heat pumps (they heat and cool). See our ductless mini-split services for repair, installation, and maintenance of ductless systems.
Need Heat Pump Service? Call AVS Now
A family-owned team since 1991, a $90 site visit, the price before work starts, and no extra charge for evenings, weekends or holidays.
Virginia HVAC 2705039269A · Maryland HVAC 520714137895 · Maryland Home Improvement 4192876
