Heat Pump Services in Northern Virginia & Maryland

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.