What a New Furnace Costs in Northern Virginia This Winter, by House Size
A new gas furnace in Northern Virginia runs $4,285 to $14,040 installed. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
281 articles from the SwiftPro team
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62 articles
Heating: furnaces, boilers and carbon monoxide
What fails in a Northern Virginia furnace or boiler, what to check first, and what the fix costs.
Furnace Lights, Then Shuts Off After a Few Seconds? It’s Probably the Flame Sensor
If your furnace lights, runs a few seconds, shuts off and tries again, it’s almost always the flame sensor.
What a Furnace Tune-Up Actually Checks, and What It Should Cost in Northern Virginia
A furnace tune-up in Northern Virginia is $67 with us for the Heating Check, through December 31, or $229 with the blower wheel pulled and cleaned.
What a Boiler Costs to Replace in Northern Virginia, and How to Keep an Old One Running
A new hot water boiler in Northern Virginia runs $9,900 to $13,690 installed for a cast iron boiler on the chimney. From about $165 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Going Off? What to Do First, and What to Check After
Four quick beeps, a pause, four beeps again: get everyone out of the house now, pets too, and call 911 from outside.
Furnace Smells Like Burning in Northern Virginia? Dust, Plastic or Electrical, and What to Do
A burning smell the first time the heat runs in Northern Virginia is usually summer dust cooking off the furnace, and it clears in half an hour; when it comes back every cycle for days, the common fix is a dust-packed blower wheel pulled and cleaned, $300 to $440 in our published price book.
Why Does My Furnace Keep Turning On and Off? Short Cycling in Northern Virginia Homes
A furnace that turns on and off every few minutes in Northern Virginia is short cycling, and the most common cause is a clogged filter you can change yourself; the paid fixes in our published price book run from $175 to $420 for a backed-up condensate drain to $550 to $1,180 for a control board.
Furnace Making a Loud Noise in Northern Virginia? What a Boom, Squeal, Rattle or Hum Means
A furnace that bangs or booms when it lights in Northern Virginia has gas building up before it catches, so turn it off and call; nearly every other noise is a worn part, from a capacitor behind a loud hum ($240 to $370 in our published price book) to a blower motor behind a squeal ($670 to $2,400).
Why Is One Room Always Colder Than the Rest of My House? Fixing Cold Rooms in Northern Virginia
One room colder than the rest of a Northern Virginia house is usually a blocked register, a dirty filter, or a duct that isn’t delivering its share of the heat, and when it takes a technician to find which, the diagnostic is a flat $99 in our published price book.
Told Your Furnace Has a Cracked Heat Exchanger in Northern Virginia? How to Know It’s Real
A cracked heat exchanger in a Northern Virginia furnace almost always means a new furnace, $4,285 to $14,040 installed in our published price book, so before you agree to one, ask to see the photo of the crack, where it is, and the combustion readings. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Which Furnace Filter Should I Buy in Northern Virginia? MERV 8, 11 or 13, and How Often to Change It
For most Northern Virginia furnaces, a pleated MERV 8 to 11 filter changed every one to three months is the right buy; let it go too long and the dust coats the blower wheel, which is $300 to $440 to pull and clean in our published price book.
Thermostat Not Working in Northern Virginia? Blank Screen, No Heat, or the Wrong Temperature
A blank or unresponsive thermostat in Northern Virginia is usually dead batteries, a furnace switch or a loose furnace door, not the thermostat itself, and when it really is the thermostat, replacing it runs $300 to $640 in our published price book.
Is My Furnace Dying? The Signs a Northern Virginia Furnace Is Near the End
A Northern Virginia furnace is near the end when it’s past 15 years and needs repairs every season, cycles on and off or never warms the house, or has a cracked heat exchanger, and a new gas furnace runs $4,285 to $14,040 installed in our published price book. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Is a Whole-House Humidifier Worth It in Northern Virginia? Dry Winter Air, Static and Cost
A whole-house humidifier is worth it in a Northern Virginia home when a humidity gauge in your living room reads below about 30 percent on a cold day, and it isn’t if it reads 35 or higher.
Power Out in a Northern Virginia Winter Storm? How to Keep the Heat In and the Pipes Safe
When the power goes out in a Northern Virginia winter, almost every heating system stops with it, because even a gas furnace needs electricity for its blower, igniter and controls; turn the thermostat off, write down the indoor temperature every hour, and keep anything that burns fuel outside.
Is It Worth Repairing a 15-Year-Old Furnace in Northern Virginia? The Math, With Real Prices
Repairing a 15-year-old furnace in Northern Virginia is worth it when the repair is small: a flame sensor at $95 to $180 or an igniter at $240 to $410.
What Does a $99 HVAC Diagnostic Include in Northern Virginia, and What Do You Keep If You Say No?
An HVAC diagnostic in Northern Virginia is the visit where a technician finds the actual fault, not the loudest symptom, and prices the repair in writing before any work starts.
Leaving Your Northern Virginia House Empty This Winter? What to Set, Shut Off and Check
Leaving a Northern Virginia house empty for the winter comes down to four things: heat set no lower than 55, the main water shut off, somebody walking through every day or two, and a furnace or heat pump that’s been checked before it runs alone, which in our published price book is a $67 Heating Check per system, through December 31.
Heat Quit in a Snowstorm in Northern Virginia? Check the Heat Pump and the Vent Pipes First
When the heat quits in a Northern Virginia snowstorm, look outside first: a frozen condensate drain, one of the most common no-heat calls in a cold snap, is a $175 to $420 repair in our published price book, and the other two usual suspects, a heat pump buried in snow and a drift over the furnace’s plastic vent pipes, cost nothing but a shovel.
Water on the Floor Around Your Furnace This Winter in Northern Virginia? Find Where It’s Coming From
Water on the floor around a furnace in a Northern Virginia winter usually comes from the furnace itself: a high-efficiency furnace makes water every time it runs, and a clogged hose, trap or pump puts it on the floor.
Is the Air Handler in Your Attic Ready for Winter? What to Check in a Northern Virginia Home
Before winter, an attic air handler in a Northern Virginia heat pump home needs three things checked: the heat strips that carry the coldest nights, the blower, and the drain pan over your ceiling.
House Won’t Reach the Thermostat Setting in Northern Virginia? Why It’s Rarely the Thermostat
When a Northern Virginia house sits several degrees below the thermostat while the heat runs and runs, the thermostat is usually reading right and the system is falling behind, most often on airflow.
Dirty Blower Wheel in Your Furnace? What It Does and What Cleaning It Costs in Northern Virginia
A blower wheel caked with dust moves less air even at full speed, so a Northern Virginia furnace runs longer and the rooms at the end of the ducts lag behind.
What Happens on the Day a New Furnace Goes In? A Northern Virginia Install, Start to Finish
A straightforward furnace replacement in Northern Virginia takes most of one day: the old furnace out in the morning, the new one set, vented, drained and connected, then started up and checked, and most homes have heat back that night.
Furnace Running but Blowing Cold Air in Northern Virginia? Check These Five Things in Order
A Northern Virginia furnace that runs but blows cold air has a working fan and burners that aren’t lit.
Furnace Won’t Turn On at All in Northern Virginia? No Sound, No Fan: What to Check First
A Northern Virginia furnace that won’t turn on at all, no click and no fan, is most often a power problem you can fix: the switch beside it that looks like a light switch, a tripped breaker, or a lower door panel that isn’t pressing its safety switch.
Furnace Clicks but Won’t Light in Northern Virginia? The Igniter, the Gas or the Pressure Switch
A Northern Virginia furnace that clicks and spins its little fan but never lights most often has a cracked hot surface igniter, $240 to $410 to replace.
Furnace Blower Won’t Stop Running in Northern Virginia? The Fan Setting, a Hot Furnace or a Relay
A furnace blower that won’t stop running in Northern Virginia is most often the thermostat fan set to On instead of Auto, a free fix.
Furnace Blinking a Light or Showing a Code in Northern Virginia? Read It Before You Reset It
A blinking light on a Northern Virginia furnace is its control board telling you why it stopped.
Gas Bill Jumped This Winter in Northern Virginia? The Weather, the Furnace or Something Else
A gas bill that jumped this winter in Northern Virginia is usually the weather plus a longer billing period.
Thermostat Says 70 but the Room Feels Colder in Northern Virginia? How to Tell Which One Is Wrong
When the thermostat says 70 and the room feels colder, set a separate thermometer right beside it for 15 minutes.
Carrier Furnace Code 31, 33 or 13 in Northern Virginia? What Each Flash Means and the Fix
On a Carrier furnace, code 31 means the pressure switch didn’t close and 33 means a limit switch opened.
Trane Furnace Showing E3.2, E04 or a Blinking Red Light in Northern Virginia? What It Means
On a Trane furnace, E3.2 means the first-stage pressure switch is open, and Trane’s own manual says that in most cases the switch itself isn’t the problem.
Lennox Furnace Code E223, E250 or a Flashing Red Light in Northern Virginia? What It Means
On a Lennox furnace, E223 means the low pressure switch failed open and E250 means the limit circuit opened.
Goodman Furnace Flashing 3 Times or Showing EE2 in Northern Virginia? Read the Right Chart
On a Goodman furnace, 3 red flashes or EE2 means the pressure switch never closed: a blocked vent or intake pipe, a clogged condensate drain or a weak inducer.
Rheem or Ruud Furnace Code 59, 22 or 33 in Northern Virginia? What the Display Is Telling You
On a Rheem or Ruud furnace, code 59 means a blocked drain, 22 means the main limit opened and 33 means the rollout switch tripped.
American Standard Furnace Blinking or Showing a Code in Northern Virginia? Read It Like a Trane
On an American Standard furnace, E3.2 or 3 blinks points at the venting or the inducer, E04 or 4 blinks at airflow, and E09 at a blocked condensate drain, $175 to $420 to clear in Northern Virginia.
Bryant Evolution Showing 31-16, 32-59 or 18-11 in Northern Virginia? What Your System Is Saying
On a Bryant Evolution system, 18-11 on the thermostat means too little airflow across the indoor coil, and Bryant’s manual names a dirty filter first.
York Furnace Flashing Red 3, 4, 7 or 11 Times in Northern Virginia? What Each Count Means
On a York furnace, 3 red flashes means the pressure switch never closed, 4 means the high limit opened, 7 means it failed to light three times and 11 usually means the blower failed.
Navien Combi-Boiler Showing E777 or E352 in Northern Virginia? Read the Pressure Gauge First
E777 on a Navien combi-boiler means the heating loop is low on water and the low water cutoff has shut the burner off.
Still on the Builder’s Furnace in a 1990s Colonial in Northern Virginia? What Fails at Thirty
A 1990s colonial in Northern Virginia still on the builder’s furnace and air conditioner has run them close to thirty winters or more, and most houses that age have already replaced at least one half.
What Breaks in a Northern Virginia Condo, Garden or High-Rise? The Closet System and Who Pays
In a Northern Virginia condo, the heating and cooling that serves only your unit is usually yours to repair and replace under Virginia’s condo law, unless your declaration says otherwise.
Bought a New-Construction House in Northern Virginia? What to Check in Its First Few Years
A new-construction house in Northern Virginia rarely needs a part in its first few years.
Own a House in a Northern Virginia Historic District? What Breaks, and What Needs Approval to Fix
In a Northern Virginia historic district, a repair inside the house needs nobody’s approval, but a new vent pipe, a moved outdoor unit or a line set run up an outside wall usually goes to a review board first, and each town draws that line in a different place.
Deep Freeze Coming to Northern Virginia? What to Do Before, During and After a Week Below 20
When a Northern Virginia forecast shows a week below 20 degrees, most of the work happens before it arrives: protect the pipes in the crawl space, garage and outside walls, check the furnace’s own drain line, and pick one thermostat setting and leave it.
Renting Out a House or Condo in Northern Virginia? A Landlord’s Winter Checklist for Heat and Water
A Northern Virginia landlord’s winter checklist starts with the heat, because Virginia’s landlord and tenant law makes keeping it in good and safe working order the landlord’s job: a check on each heating system, a plan for the filters, working carbon monoxide alarms, and a tenant who knows where the main water shutoff is.
Honeywell Thermostat Flashing Heat On, Cool On or Wait in Northern Virginia? What Each One Means
A flashing “Heat On” or “Cool On” on a Honeywell Home thermostat in Northern Virginia means compressor protection: the thermostat is holding the heat pump or AC off for up to five minutes.
Nest Thermostat Showing E74, Delayed or No Power to Rh in Northern Virginia? What Each One Means
On a Nest thermostat in Northern Virginia, E74 means “No power to Rh wire detected”: the furnace or air handler has stopped sending power to the heating side of the wiring.
Lennox S30 or S40 Thermostat Saying Service Urgent in Northern Virginia? What the Alert Code Means
On a Lennox S30 or S40 thermostat in Northern Virginia, “Service Urgent” means the system is in a no heat, no cool or not-running state and needs a service call.
Trane or American Standard Thermostat Alert in Northern Virginia? Red Icon, Yellow Icon, Err.126
On a Trane or American Standard thermostat in Northern Virginia (the XL824, XL850 or Link UX360), a red alert is Critical: heating or cooling has stopped, and Trane says a service call is required.
Carrier Infinity or Côr Thermostat Message in Northern Virginia? Flashing Heat, Service Screen, Aux
On a Carrier Côr 5 or Côr 7 thermostat in Northern Virginia, a flashing HEAT or COOL means a timer is holding the system off, usually the 5-minute compressor time guard.
Sensi Thermostat Saying Call for Service or E5 in Northern Virginia? What Each Message Means
On a Sensi thermostat in Northern Virginia, “Call for Service” usually means the heat couldn’t bring the house within 5 degrees of the setting in two hours.
Thermostat Error or the System Behind It in Northern Virginia? How to Tell Which One Is Failing
Most messages on a Northern Virginia thermostat come from the heating system behind it, not from the thermostat.
Weil-McLain Ultra or Evergreen Screen Turned Red in Northern Virginia? What Each Lockout Means
A Weil-McLain Ultra or Evergreen boiler doesn’t show number codes: a red screen means a fault, and the top line of the display names it, like IGNITION FAULT or LOW WTR CUTOFF OPEN.
Burnham Alpine Boiler Showing Lockout 2, 6 or 11 in Northern Virginia? Soft or Hard, and the Fix
On a Burnham Alpine boiler, lockout 2 means a safety limit opened, and Burnham’s causes include a plugged condensate trap and a blocked vent.
Lochinvar Knight Boiler Screen Yellow or Showing BLOCKED in Northern Virginia? What It Means
On a Lochinvar Knight boiler in Northern Virginia, a yellow screen means scheduled maintenance is due, BLOCKED means the boiler has paused the call for heat and will try again on its own, and a lockout like Flame Fail Ign needs the RESET button once the cause is fixed.
Shower Lukewarm but the Sinks Run Hot in Northern Virginia? Check the Valve’s Limit Stop First
If the sinks in your Northern Virginia house run hot and only the shower stays lukewarm, the water heater is fine.
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist for Northern Virginia: 7 Things Before the First Freeze
Seven things a Northern Virginia house needs before the cold.
Should You Close Vents in Unused Rooms in Northern Virginia? Why It Costs More, Not Less
No.
Should You Turn the Furnace Down at Night in Northern Virginia? How Far, and What It Saves
Yes.
Dominion Bill Higher This Winter in Northern Virginia? Read the kWh Line Before You Blame the House
A higher Dominion bill this winter is either the rate or your house, and the kWh line tells you which.
Which HVAC Maintenance Plan in Northern Virginia Gives You the Most Visits for the Money?
The best value maintenance plan in Northern Virginia, counted the plain way, gets you 2.01 service visits for every $100 you pay a year.
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43 articles
Cooling, heat pumps and ductless
Air conditioners, heat pumps and mini splits: what’s normal, what isn’t, and what a repair or a new one costs.
Should I Repair or Replace My AC in Northern Virginia? The $5,000 Rule
Multiply the repair quote by your system’s age in years, and if the answer tops $5,000, replacing usually beats repairing.
Heat Pump Blowing Cold Air in Winter? What’s Normal, What Isn’t, and What It Costs
Heat pump air in a Northern Virginia winter comes out in the mid 80s to low 90s.
How Much Does a New Heat Pump Cost in Northern Virginia? What Moves the Price Up or Down
A new heat pump system in Northern Virginia runs $8,499 to $21,650 installed, from our published price book: the outdoor unit and the air handler inside, replaced together. From about $142 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Is a Heat Pump Cheaper Than a Gas Furnace in Northern Virginia? Install Cost vs Running Cost
In Northern Virginia a heat pump system runs $8,499 to $21,650 installed and a gas furnace with central air runs $8,898 to $23,000, both from our published price book, so the price tag barely separates them. From about $142 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Is a Dual Fuel Heat Pump Worth It in Northern Virginia? When the Gas Furnace Should Take Over
A dual fuel system in Northern Virginia should hand the heat from the heat pump to the gas furnace at about 38 degrees outside if Dominion sends your electric bill, and at about 16 degrees if NOVEC does, at this winter’s rates with a variable-speed heat pump and a 95 percent furnace on Washington Gas.
How Much Does a Ductless Mini Split Cost in Northern Virginia, and When Is It the Right Call?
A ductless mini split in Northern Virginia runs $7,000 to $10,000 installed for one zone, from our published price book: one head on the wall, one outdoor unit, and the line set, wiring and drain between them. From about $117 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Aux Heat or Emergency Heat on a Northern Virginia Heat Pump? What Each One Means and Costs
Aux heat on a Northern Virginia heat pump means the electric backup strips are helping it on a cold day, and that’s normal; emergency heat means the heat pump is switched off and the strips are doing everything.
Why Is My Heat Pump Steaming and Whooshing in Northern Virginia? The Defrost Cycle, Explained
Steam and a whoosh from a heat pump on a cold, damp Northern Virginia day is the defrost cycle, and it’s normal; an outdoor coil that stays a solid block of ice is the fault, most often a defrost board at $450 to $1,150 in our published price book.
What SEER2 Rating Should a New AC or Heat Pump Have in Northern Virginia? How Efficient to Buy
A new air conditioner or heat pump in Northern Virginia has to be at least 14.3 SEER2, and the efficiency you pick above that floor, along with the size of the house, sets where you land in our published price book: $5,942 to $14,450 installed for an air conditioner alone, keeping your furnace. From about $99 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
What Size AC Does My House Need in Northern Virginia, and How Much Does Size Change the Price?
Most Northern Virginia houses need a 2 to 5 ton air conditioner, roughly a ton for every 500 to 600 square feet, and a new central AC runs $5,942 to $14,450 installed in our published price book, by size and efficiency. From about $99 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
How Much Does Heat Pump Repair Cost in Northern Virginia? The Winter Fixes, Priced
Heat pump repair in Northern Virginia runs from $240 to $370 for a run capacitor up to $670 to $2,400 for an indoor blower motor in our published price book, after a flat $99 diagnostic.
When Should You Get an AC Tune-Up in Northern Virginia, and What Should It Actually Include?
A spring AC tune-up in Northern Virginia belongs in April or May, before the first 90 degree day, and the part it most often catches is a weak run capacitor, a $240 to $370 replacement in our published price book.
How Long Do Furnaces, Heat Pumps and AC Units Last in Northern Virginia?
In Northern Virginia, a gas furnace lasts 15 to 20 years, a heat pump about 12 to 15, a central air conditioner about 15 to 18, and a gas water heater 8 to 12.
Is the Free Furnace With a New AC Real in Northern Virginia? What Free Means on the Estimate
Yes, the free furnace with a new AC in Northern Virginia is real: replace your air conditioner and its matching coil, and a basic single-stage gas furnace goes in with it, installed together, with the furnace line on the estimate reading zero.
Does My Outdoor AC Coil Need Cleaning? The Flashlight Test and a Real Cleaning in Northern Virginia
If a flashlight won’t shine through the fins of your outdoor AC or heat pump coil, it needs cleaning, and in a Northern Virginia yard the usual culprits are cottonwood fluff, grass clippings and dryer lint.
Is a Dirty Outdoor Coil Slowing Your Heat Pump This Winter? Why It Matters in Northern Virginia
Yes, it matters.
Should You Add a Wet Switch and a Float Switch to Your Furnace and AC in Northern Virginia?
If your furnace and air conditioner sit over a finished basement or a ceiling, yes: in Northern Virginia a float switch on the condensate drain and a wet switch on the floor are what turn a clog into a dark thermostat instead of a soaked floor.
How Do You Test an AC or Heat Pump Capacitor? What the Reading Means in Northern Virginia
A technician tests an AC or heat pump capacitor with a meter, reading its microfarads against the rating printed on the can.
Ice on the Copper Line at Your AC or Heat Pump in Northern Virginia? What It Means, by Season
Ice on the copper line at your outdoor unit almost always means the coil inside the house has frozen, from a choked filter or low refrigerant.
Outdoor Fan Not Spinning on Your Heat Pump or AC in Northern Virginia? Defrost, Capacitor or Motor
An outdoor fan that won’t spin while the unit hums is usually a failed run capacitor, $240 to $370 in our published price book.
Heat Pump Running Nonstop in a Northern Virginia Cold Snap? When That’s Normal, and When It Isn’t
A heat pump that runs nonstop when it’s in the teens outside is normal in Northern Virginia, as long as the house holds within a few degrees of the setting.
Electric Bill Doubled With a Heat Pump in Northern Virginia? The Ten Minute Test, Then the Culprits
A doubled electric bill with a heat pump is most often the backup electric heat doing the heat pump’s job, and the first check is free: make sure the thermostat isn’t sitting on Em Heat.
Outdoor Unit Humming but Won’t Start in Northern Virginia? Shut It Off, Then Check These Causes
An outdoor unit that hums but won’t start is most often a failed run capacitor, $240 to $370 in our published price book.
Heat Pump Iced Over on One Side in Northern Virginia? What the Ice Pattern Tells You
A heat pump iced over on one side in Northern Virginia is usually getting water from somewhere it shouldn’t, a roof drip or defrost water that can’t drain, and that’s a gutter or a rake, not a repair.
Heat Pump Outdoor Unit Buried in Snow or Leaves in Northern Virginia? What to Clear, What to Leave
A heat pump outdoor unit buried in snow or leaves in Northern Virginia needs a couple of feet cleared on every side and its base raked out, by hand or with a broom, and nothing else.
Mitsubishi Electric Mini Split Blinking in Northern Virginia? Count the Blinks, Then Read This
A blinking light on a Mitsubishi Electric mini split is a fault code: the upper lamp blinks a set number of times, goes dark for 2.5 seconds and repeats, and the count tells you what failed.
Daikin Mini Split Blinking or Showing U4, A5 or E7 in Northern Virginia? What Each Code Means
A Daikin mini split whose OPERATION lamp blinks about every half second is flagging a fault, and the remote’s diagnosis mode finds the code: a long beep marks the right one.
Fujitsu Mini Split Lights Blinking in Northern Virginia? How to Read the Two-Lamp Code
A Fujitsu mini split spells its fault code on two lamps: the green OPERATION lamp flashes the first digit, the orange TIMER lamp flashes the second, and the green ECONOMY lamp flashes fast the whole time.
How Do You Choose a Heat Pump Installer in Northern Virginia? What to Ask Before You Sign
Choose a heat pump installer in Northern Virginia who sizes the system with a real load calculation for a 14 to 20 degree night, quotes a matched system with its heat output at 17 and 5 degrees, sets the charge with gauges at startup, and registers the warranty for you.
ecobee Running Aux Heat or Locking Out the Heat Pump in Northern Virginia? Check These Settings
An ecobee running aux heat on a cold Northern Virginia night is usually obeying one setting: Compressor Min Outdoor Temperature, 35°F by ecobee’s default.
Carrier Heat Pump Flashing an Amber Light Outside in Northern Virginia? What 47, 32 and 84 Mean
On a Carrier Infinity two-stage heat pump in Northern Virginia, the amber light on the outdoor board flashes a two-digit code, and 47 means no 230-volt power reached the unit.
Trane XR Heat Pump Light Flashing Fast in Northern Virginia? Count the Flashes per Second
On a Trane XR heat pump in Northern Virginia, the light on the outdoor defrost control should flash once a second.
Lennox Heat Pump Red or Green Light Flashing Outside in Northern Virginia? Read DS1 and DS2
On a Lennox heat pump’s outdoor defrost board in Northern Virginia, the red light alone means a low pressure fault and the green alone a high pressure fault.
Goodman or Amana Heat Pump Showing L2, A3 or a Yellow Flash Code in Northern Virginia? What It Means
On a Goodman or Amana ComfortBridge heat pump in Northern Virginia, L2 on the outdoor display means the high pressure switch tripped three times in one call.
Rheem or Ruud Heat Pump Showing 29, L29 or a Yellow Flash in Northern Virginia? Check Inside First
On a Rheem or Ruud EcoNet heat pump in Northern Virginia, 29 on the outdoor control means High Refrigerant Pressure, and in heating mode Rheem’s first checks are inside: the indoor blower, the airflow and the indoor coil.
York Heat Pump Showing 02, 04 or d5 on the Outdoor Display in Northern Virginia? What Each One Means
On a York YZT heat pump in Northern Virginia, d5 counting down to d1 on the outdoor display is a normal five-minute start delay.
LG Mini Split Showing CH05, CH61 or CH67 in Northern Virginia? What the Outdoor Unit Is Saying
On an LG Multi F mini split in Northern Virginia, CH05 means the indoor unit isn’t hearing the outdoor unit, CH67 means the outdoor fan isn’t turning, and CH61 means the outdoor coil is running too hot.
Bosch IDS Heat Pump Showing dF, E6, P2 or AtL in Northern Virginia? Which Codes Need a Technician
On a Bosch IDS 2.0 heat pump in Northern Virginia, dF on the outdoor display is a normal defrost and AtL means it’s outside the unit’s temperature range.
What Should You Set a Heat Pump to in Winter in Northern Virginia, Day and Night?
Set a heat pump to the temperature you’re comfortable at, on Heat, fan on Auto, and leave it there.
Washington Gas Bill Up This Winter in Northern Virginia? What a Therm Is and Which Lines Moved
A therm is a measure of the heat in the gas you burned, and it’s the number that tells you whether your Washington Gas bill went up because of the rate or because of the house.
DIY MrCool Mini Split in Northern Virginia? Where a Kit Works and Where It Turns Into a Service Call
A MrCool DIY mini split works well for a garage, a workshop, a sunroom or one bonus room, put in by a handy owner who hires an electrician for the circuit and pulls the permit.
What’s the Best Cold-Climate Heat Pump for a Northern Virginia House? What to Look For and Skip
The best heat pump for a Northern Virginia winter is a variable-speed, cold-climate model that still puts out its full rated heat at 5 degrees.
What’s the Best Smart Thermostat for a Heat Pump in Northern Virginia? Look for Two Settings
The best smart thermostat for a heat pump is one with two outdoor-temperature settings, a compressor lockout and a backup heat lockout, that still work when the internet doesn’t.
70 articles
Plumbing and water heaters
Water heaters, frozen pipes, drains and after-hours emergencies, with what to do first.
How to Keep Pipes From Freezing in a Northern Virginia Winter (and the One That Splits Most)
In a Northern Virginia house, the pipe we see split most in winter is the one behind the outdoor spigot, and keeping it whole costs nothing.
No Hot Water on a Cold Morning? What to Check First, and What a New Water Heater Costs
No hot water on a cold Northern Virginia morning is usually a pilot, a breaker, a reset button or a blinking code, not a dead tank.
Tankless Water Heater Not Getting Hot in Northern Virginia? Scale, Gas or Flow, Before the Unit
Most tankless water heater problems in Northern Virginia come down to scale, gas or flow, not a dead unit, and that’s worth knowing before anyone quotes a new gas tankless at $8,886 to $10,486 installed, the figure in our published price book. From about $148 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
How Often Should You Flush a Water Heater in Northern Virginia? Once a Year, and Here’s Why
Flush a tank water heater once a year in Northern Virginia, on nearly every utility’s water, and the flush is $99 right now (normally $199) in our published price book.
Water Heater Relief Valve Dripping in Northern Virginia? Check the Expansion Tank and the Pressure
A water heater relief valve that drips in Northern Virginia is usually a pressure problem, not a dying tank: the plumbing is a closed system, the expansion tank is dead or missing, or a worn pressure reducing valve is letting the street’s pressure in, and replacing that valve is $500 to $1,000 in our published price book.
How Long Does a Sump Pump Last in Northern Virginia, and What Does Replacing One Cost?
A sump pump lasts about seven to ten years by its maker’s count, and replacing one in Northern Virginia is $697 installed in the pit you already have, from our published price book.
A Pipe Just Burst in Your Northern Virginia House? What to Do Now, and What the Repair Costs
If a pipe just burst, shut the water off at the main first, then call: an after-hours plumbing visit in Northern Virginia is $250 in our published price book, and the same visit during regular hours is $49.
Does Your Northern Virginia House Have Polybutylene Pipe? How to Tell, and When to Repipe
If your Northern Virginia house was built or replumbed between about 1978 and 1995 and the water pipe is grey plastic stamped PB2110, that’s polybutylene, and it’s the clearest case for repiping a house there is.
What Should Water Pressure Be in a Northern Virginia House? The Gauge, the PRV and What It Costs
Normal water pressure in a Northern Virginia house is 40 to 60 psi, anything over 80 is too high, and replacing the pressure reducing valve that keeps it in that range is $500 to $1,000 in our published price book.
Is a Sewer Camera Inspection Worth It in Northern Virginia? When to Get One, and What It Costs
A sewer camera inspection added to a plumbing visit in Northern Virginia is $89 in our published price book, and it’s worth it in a handful of situations: buying a house built before about 1980, the same drain backing up twice in a year, or several fixtures slowing down at once.
Main Water Shutoff Won’t Turn in Your Northern Virginia House? What to Do About a Seized Valve
A main water shutoff that won’t turn in a Northern Virginia house is usually an old valve seized from years of sitting still, and the fix is replacing it on a calm day, not forcing it: the plumbing visit is $49 in our published price book, and the valve is priced in writing at the house because the cost depends on where it sits.
How Long Does a Water Heater Last in Northern Virginia, and When Is a Repair Still Worth It?
Most tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years by the makers’ own count, and when yours is done, a new 50 gallon electric tank in Northern Virginia runs $2,778 to $3,353 installed and a 50 gallon gas tank $3,238 to $3,813, from our published price book with the $500 off already taken. From about $46 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Will Your Water Heater Keep Up With Holiday Guests? Tank Sizes and Prices in Northern Virginia
A 50 gallon water heater covers one to four people, and five or more, or a house with four or more bathrooms, is 75 gallon territory; in our published price book a 75 gallon gas tank runs about $82 a month at 0% APR for 60 months on approved credit, or $4,890 to $5,485 installed, with the $500 off already taken out. From about $82 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Refrigerant Leak in Your AC or Heat Pump in Northern Virginia? What a Real Repair Involves
A real refrigerant leak repair in Northern Virginia means finding the leak, fixing it, replacing the filter drier and weighing the charge back in, not just adding refrigerant.
Rotten Egg Smell in Your Northern Virginia House? Get Out First, Then Who Fixes the Gas Leak
A rotten egg smell in a Northern Virginia house can be natural gas.
Hissing or Bubbling From Your Heat Pump or AC Lines in Northern Virginia? Normal Sound or a Leak
A short whoosh and a sizzle of steam off a heat pump on a cold, damp day is usually the defrost cycle, and it’s normal.
Hot Water Smells Like Rotten Eggs in Northern Virginia? It’s Usually the Anode Rod in the Tank
If only your hot water smells like rotten eggs, it’s usually the anode rod inside the water heater reacting with sulfates in the water, and the fix starts with a $49 plumbing visit.
Water Heater Popping, Rumbling or Hissing in Northern Virginia? What Each Sound Is Telling You
Popping or rumbling from a water heater in Northern Virginia is almost always sediment, water trapped under mineral grit on the tank bottom and boiling through it, and a $99 water heater flush (normally $199) usually quiets it if it’s caught early.
Hot Water Runs Out Fast in Northern Virginia? Try the 10-Minute Crossover Test Before a Bigger Tank
Hot water that runs out fast in Northern Virginia is usually a part (a dip tube or an electric element), sediment, a tank too small for the house, or cold water leaking into the hot lines, and a free ten-minute test rules that last one in or out before you spend a dollar.
Water Heater Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit in Northern Virginia? Lint, the Thermocouple or a Lockout
A gas water heater pilot that won’t stay lit is almost always a worn thermocouple or thermopile, or a safety shutoff choked by lint, dust or fumes, not a dead tank.
Puddle Under the Water Heater in Northern Virginia? Which Drip Is a Repair, Which Means a New Tank
A puddle under a water heater is a repair if the water starts at a fitting, a valve or the relief valve’s pipe, and a new tank if it comes out of the tank itself.
Hot Water Too Hot in Northern Virginia? The Setting, a Stuck Thermostat or a Safety Shutoff
Hot water that’s suddenly too hot is usually a thermostat set too high or one that’s stuck, and on a gas tank, four blinks on the status light means the water already overheated and the control shut itself down.
Electric Water Heater Stopped Heating in Northern Virginia? What the Reset Button Is Telling You
No hot water from an electric water heater is usually a tripped breaker or a tripped high-limit reset, and a reset that trips a second time means a thermostat or an element is failing.
Tankless Water Heater Showing an Error Code in Northern Virginia? Which Ones You Can Clear Yourself
A tankless water heater error code is the unit telling you what it needs: some codes are an owner step (an air filter, the vent outside, the power cord), some are a flush reminder, and some mean leave it off and call.
One Slow Drain or Every Drain Slow in Northern Virginia? Which Pipe It Is, and What Each Costs
One slow drain in a Northern Virginia house is almost always a clog in that fixture’s own branch, usually hair or grease, and clearing one runs $200 to $800.
Drains Gurgling in Your Northern Virginia House? A Blocked Vent, a Partial Clog or the Main Line
A gurgling drain in a Northern Virginia house means air is being pulled through its trap as water runs, usually because of a partial clog further down or a roof vent blocked by leaves or a nest.
Sewer Smell in Your Northern Virginia Basement? Check the Floor Drain, the Pits and the Cleanout
A sewer smell in a Northern Virginia basement is most often a floor drain whose trap has dried out, and a quart of water poured into it is the one-minute test.
Toilet Clogs Every Week in Northern Virginia? What’s Stuck in It, and When It’s the Line Behind It
A toilet in a Northern Virginia house that clogs every week is usually catching paper on something stuck in its trap, a toy, a wipe or a toothbrush cap, or draining into a slow line behind it.
Low Water Pressure at Just One Faucet or the Shower? What to Check in a Northern Virginia House
Low water pressure at one faucet in a Northern Virginia house is usually a clogged aerator, the screen on the end of the spout, and unscrewing it to rinse it is a two-minute check.
Faucet Dripping in Your Northern Virginia House? What Wore Out Inside, and When It’s the Pressure
A faucet that drips after you turn it off in a Northern Virginia house has a worn cartridge, washer or O-ring inside, and on most single-handle faucets it’s the cartridge.
Garbage Disposal Hums but Won’t Spin in Northern Virginia? Free It With the Hex Key, Power Off
A garbage disposal that hums but won’t spin in a Northern Virginia kitchen is jammed, not broken: something hard is wedged between the spinning plate and the wall.
Washing Machine Drain Overflowing in Northern Virginia? The Standpipe, the Lint or the Main Line
A washing machine drain that overflows at the standpipe in a Northern Virginia house usually has lint and soap built up in that standpipe’s trap or the line just past it, and clearing one drain runs $200 to $800.
Outdoor Spigot Leaking After a Freeze in Northern Virginia? Where the Water Shows Up Says Why
An outdoor spigot leaking after a Northern Virginia freeze is either a worn washer dripping at the spout or a pipe that split behind it, inside the wall.
Water Bill Jumped in Northern Virginia? The Meter Test That Finds a Hidden Leak in Two Hours
A water bill that jumps in Northern Virginia with no change in habits usually means a leak, most often a toilet running silently into the bowl or a pipe you can’t see.
Sump Pump Running Nonstop in Northern Virginia? Normal After Rain, a Warning in a Dry Week
A sump pump running nonstop in Northern Virginia is normal during and after days of rain.
Sump Pump Didn’t Turn On in a Northern Virginia Storm? The Outlet, the Float, Then the Pump
When a sump pump doesn’t turn on in a Northern Virginia storm, check its power first: the breaker and the GFCI outlet it plugs into.
Basement Floor Drain Backing Up in Northern Virginia? When It Happens Tells You Whose Pipe It Is
A basement floor drain backing up in Northern Virginia usually means the main sewer line is blocked somewhere past it, because that drain is the lowest opening in the house.
No Water at Any Faucet in Your Northern Virginia House? What to Check, in Order, Before You Call
No water at any faucet in a Northern Virginia house usually comes down to four things: the utility has it off, the main valve is closed, the line froze where it enters the house, or, on a private well, the pump lost power.
Rinnai Tankless Code Came and Went in Northern Virginia? The Controller Keeps the Last Nine
A Rinnai tankless water heater keeps its last nine codes, so a code that flashed and cleared isn’t lost.
Rheem Power Vent Water Heater Flashing in Northern Virginia? One Flash Isn’t Always Normal
On a Rheem power vent water heater, one flash every three seconds means low flame signal, not normal: normal is a short flash every four seconds or a light pulsing bright and dim.
A. O. Smith Hybrid Water Heater Showing HPO, 080 or 081 in Northern Virginia? What Each Means
HPO on an A.
Bradford White Water Heater Flashing in Northern Virginia? The Serial Number Picks the Chart
A Bradford White gas water heater flashes a count on its gas valve, and which chart applies depends on when the tank was built.
Who Is the Best Plumber in Northern Virginia? Six Checks That Separate a Good One
The best plumber in Northern Virginia is the one that passes six checks you can run in ten minutes: a license you look up yourself, a visit price printed before you call, the repair in writing before a tool comes out, their own plumbers, a straight answer about what can wait, and reviews that name the plumber.
How Do You Choose a Water Heater Installer in Northern Virginia? Compare What the Price Covers
A good water heater installer in Northern Virginia prices the whole to-code job, not just the tank: an expansion tank, a new shutoff, the relief valve’s discharge line, a drain pan that drains somewhere, the venting tested, the old tank hauled away, and a warranty that covers labor as well as parts.
What Wears Out in a 1980s Townhouse in Northern Virginia? The Closet Heat Pump, the Tank, the Pipes
In a 1980s townhouse in Northern Virginia, what wears out is mostly in one closet: a heat pump’s air handler, often on its second or third outdoor unit, and a water heater sitting over a pan.
What Breaks in a 2000s Builder Home in Northern Virginia? Twenty-Year Furnaces, R-22 and Sump Pumps
In a 2000s builder home in Northern Virginia, the furnace, the air conditioner, the water heater and the sump pump all went in during the same build, so any one never replaced is around twenty now.
What Should You Do to Your Northern Virginia House in November? The Heating and Plumbing List
In Northern Virginia, November is the month to get the furnace or heat pump checked, put in a fresh filter, test the carbon monoxide alarms and close up the outside water, before the heat starts running six hours a night.
Hosting the Holidays in Northern Virginia? Ready the Heat, Guest Bath and Kitchen Drain First
Getting a Northern Virginia house ready to host for the holidays comes down to four things the week before: a grease can next to the stove, every tap and toilet in the guest bath run, the guest room’s register open, and a two-minute look at the water heater’s vent.
Snowmelt Coming Into the Basement in Northern Virginia? Start at the Downspouts, Then the Sump
When the snow melts in Northern Virginia, basement water usually starts outside: downspouts emptying at the foundation, soil sloping toward the house, and a sump pump discharge still frozen or buried.
Moving Into a Northern Virginia House in Winter? The First-Week Heating and Plumbing Checks
Moving into a Northern Virginia house in winter, do four things the first week: find the main water shutoff and actually turn it, photograph the labels on the furnace, water heater and outdoor unit, put in a fresh filter, and put a working carbon monoxide alarm on every sleeping floor.
Selling a House in Northern Virginia? What the Buyer’s Inspector Checks in Heating and Plumbing
When you sell a house in Northern Virginia, the buyer’s inspector runs the heat on its normal controls, runs every faucet, flushes every toilet, checks the drains and the water heater’s venting and relief valve, and writes down any leak they see.
Buying a House in Northern Virginia? What the Home Inspection Skips: Sewer, Furnace, Water Heater
Before buying a house in Northern Virginia, add three checks a standard home inspection doesn’t cover: a camera down the sewer line to the street, a technician’s look at the furnace’s heat exchanger, and the real age of the water heater.
Navien Tankless Out After a Power Outage in Northern Virginia? Freeze Protection, E515 and the Plug
If a Navien tankless won’t make hot water after a power outage in Northern Virginia, check the power to it first, then whether it froze: Navien’s freeze protection only works while the cord has power.
Noritz Tankless Showing C1, CF, 11 or 90 in Northern Virginia? There Are Two Kinds of Scale Code
A C code on a Noritz tankless water heater means scale in the heat exchanger and a descale due, and in Northern Virginia’s hard water that’s a yearly job.
Takagi Tankless Showing 111, 121 or 991 in Northern Virginia? Write It Down Before the Tap Closes
On a Takagi tankless, 111 is an ignition failure, 121 is a loss of flame and 991 is imperfect combustion.
Rheem Tankless Showing A011, A029 or T111 in Northern Virginia? What the A0 in Front Means
On a Rheem IKONIC tankless, the A0 in front is a prefix: A011 is no ignition and A029 is a blocked condensate line, the same faults Rheem’s other tankless heaters show as 11 and 29.
Toilet Leaking at the Base or Rocking in Northern Virginia? The Wax Ring, the Bolts, the Flange
Water around the base of a toilet in a Northern Virginia house is almost always the wax ring underneath, and a toilet that rocks is how that ring gets broken.
Dishwasher Won’t Drain in Northern Virginia? The Filter, the Knockout Plug, the Air Gap, the Drain
A dishwasher that won’t drain in a Northern Virginia kitchen is usually blocked where it empties: its own filter, the garbage disposal, or the kitchen drain behind both.
Pinhole Leak in a Copper Pipe in Northern Virginia? When It’s One Repair, and When the Run Is Done
One pinhole in a copper pipe in a Northern Virginia house is a repair.
Sewer Cleanout Overflowing in Your Northern Virginia Yard? Where the Clog Is, and Whose Pipe It Is
Sewage coming out of the cleanout in your Northern Virginia yard means the blockage is past that pipe, between it and the public sewer, or in the public sewer itself.
Fridge or Ice Maker Line Leaking in Northern Virginia? Is It the Line, the Valve or the Fridge?
Water under a fridge in a Northern Virginia kitchen is most often the ice maker’s supply line or the valve it’s tapped into.
Hot Water at Some Taps but Not Others in Northern Virginia? The Pipe Run, a Frozen Line or a Valve
When some taps in a Northern Virginia house run hot and others don’t, the water heater is usually fine.
Well Pump Clicking On and Off, or No Water After an Outage, in Northern Virginia? Start at the Tank
A well pump that clicks on and off every few seconds in a Northern Virginia house usually means the pressure tank has lost its air cushion, not that the pump is dying.
What Does a Power Vent Water Heater Cost in Northern Virginia? Why the Fan Adds to the Price
A 50 gallon power vent gas water heater runs $5,595 to $6,170 installed in Northern Virginia, or about $93 a month, against $3,238 to $3,813 ($54 a month) for a regular gas tank on the chimney you already have. From about $54 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
What Does a Tankless Water Heater Install Cost in Northern Virginia? Most of It Isn’t the Unit
A whole-house gas tankless water heater runs $8,886 to $10,486 installed in Northern Virginia, about $148 a month at 0% for 60 months. From about $148 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
What Does a Propane Water Heater Cost in Northern Virginia? Standard Tank or Power Vent
A 50 gallon propane water heater on the flue you already have runs $3,502 to $3,902 installed in Northern Virginia, about $58 a month at 0% for 60 months. From about $58 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Tank or Tankless Water Heater for a Family of Four in Northern Virginia? Which One Wins
For most families of four in Northern Virginia, a 50-gallon gas tank is the better buy.
Gas or Electric Water Heater in Northern Virginia? Which Is Better for Your House
The better water heater is almost always the one that runs on the fuel your house already has.
Is a Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater Worth It in Northern Virginia? Where It Pays and Where It Doesn’t
A hybrid heat pump water heater is worth it in Northern Virginia when it’s replacing an electric tank in a basement or garage with room around it.
What’s the Best Tankless Water Heater for a Northern Virginia House? Navien or Rinnai, and Why
For most Northern Virginia houses, the best tankless water heater is a condensing gas unit around 199,000 BTU, and Navien’s NPE-240A2 and Rinnai’s RX199iN are the two we’d put at the top.
8 articles
Air ducts and dryer vents
What a cleaning covers, what it costs, and how to tell whether yours needs one yet.
Should You Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned Before Winter? What It Costs in Northern Virginia
Whole Home Air Duct Cleaning with us is $598 right now, regularly $798, for one system in a home up to 2,000 square feet.
Dryer Vent Cleaning in Northern Virginia: What It Costs and the Signs Yours Is Clogged
Winter laundry is the heavy stuff: towels, sweatshirts, flannel sheets, all pushing hot, damp, linty air down a dryer vent line most people have never seen the inside of.
What Does Air Duct Cleaning Look Like Before and After? Real Photos From Northern Virginia Homes
Before an air duct cleaning, the inside of a dirty duct in a Northern Virginia house looks grey and furred, with dust stuck to the walls; after, it should be bare metal or clean flex, with no grey film left behind.
What Comes Out of a Clogged Dryer Vent? Lint Plugs, Bird Nests and Torn Hoses in Northern Virginia
What comes out of a clogged dryer vent in a Northern Virginia house is mostly lint, in grey and blue-grey clumps and sometimes a solid plug, plus whatever else found its way into the line: an old bird nest, a piece of torn foil hose, lint packed around a joint that came apart inside the wall.
Weak Airflow From the Vents in Northern Virginia? Filter, Blower Wheel, Ducts, in That Order
Weak airflow from the vents in a Northern Virginia house is most often a clogged filter: pull it and hold it to a light.
Heat Pump Falls Short on Mild Days in Northern Virginia? Why Leaky Ducts Hurt a Heat Pump More
A heat pump that can’t reach the setting on a 40 degree day isn’t up against the weather.
What Breaks First in a 1950s or 60s Rambler in Northern Virginia? The Chimney, the Ducts, the Sewer
In a 1950s or 60s rambler in Northern Virginia, the furnace has usually been replaced once or twice and the chimney, the ducts and the sewer line usually haven’t, and a new gas furnace runs $4,285 to $14,040 installed from our published price book. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Lower Level Always Cold in a 1970s Split-Foyer in Northern Virginia? What That Era Wears Out
A cold lower level in a 1970s split-foyer in Northern Virginia is rarely a weak furnace.
11 articles
Commercial HVAC and rooftop units
Rooftop units, crane days and keeping an office, church or restaurant heated and cooled.
What Happens on Rooftop Unit Replacement Day in Northern Virginia? Crane, Curb Adapter, Startup
Replacing a commercial rooftop unit in Northern Virginia is usually one planned day for a like-for-like swap: the crane lifts the old unit off and the new one on in a few hours, and the rest of the day goes to the curb, the gas, the power and the startup.
Is an Old Rooftop Unit Worth Repairing in Northern Virginia? The Three Findings That End One
An old rooftop unit is usually worth repairing in Northern Virginia, because most rooftop unit repairs are one part.
How Often Should a Commercial Rooftop Unit Be Serviced in Northern Virginia? What Each Visit Checks
Twice a year: spring for cooling, fall for heat.
What Is a Rooftop Unit (RTU)? How the Box on a Northern Virginia Office Roof Heats and Cools
A rooftop unit, or RTU, is a building’s whole heating and cooling system in one cabinet on the roof: the compressor, both coils, the blower and usually a gas heat section, sitting on a curb over the openings into the ductwork.
How Do You Choose a Commercial HVAC Contractor in Northern Virginia? Six Questions to Ask First
Start with the license.
Technician Shut Off Your Church’s Rooftop Unit in Northern Virginia? The Cracked Heat Exchanger
When a technician shuts off a church’s gas rooftop unit and tags it, it’s almost always because the heat exchanger failed.
How Should a Northern Virginia Church Heat a Sanctuary That Sits Empty Six Days a Week?
Set it back during the week, but don’t shut it off.
Restaurant Front Door Hard to Open in Northern Virginia? It’s Usually the Make-Up Air
A restaurant front door that’s hard to pull open, or slams on its own, usually means the kitchen hood is pulling more air out of the building than the make-up air unit is bringing back in.
Boiler, Furnace or Heat Pump in Falls Church? What Each Needs, Inside the City Line or Out
In Falls Church, a new gas furnace runs $4,285 to $14,040 installed and a heat pump system $8,499 to $21,650, from our published price book, the same on both sides of the City line, and which one your house needs depends a lot on the street. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Will the City of Falls Church Help Pay for a Sewer Backflow Valve? Up to Half, and the Catch
Yes.
Air Duct Cleaning in Falls Church: 1950s Sheet Metal, Radiator Houses and Condo Closets
Whole Home Air Duct Cleaning in Falls Church is $598 right now, regularly $798, for one system in a home up to 2,000 square feet.
64 articles
Answers for your town in Northern Virginia
The same questions, answered for the houses in your town.
Sewer Backed Up in Aldie? Loudoun Water, the Village Plant or a Septic Tank Decides Who Fixes It
In Aldie, who fixes a sewer backup depends on where your drain ends: Loudoun Water’s sewer, the old village’s community plant, or a septic tank in your own yard.
Best HVAC Company in Alexandria, VA? First, Find Out Whether You’re in the City or County
A new air conditioner in Alexandria runs $5,942 to $14,450 installed on the furnace you keep, from our published price book, City side or county side, and the first thing a good HVAC company should ask is which side of the city line your street is on. From about $99 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Boiler Pressure Climbing in Alexandria? Why City Rowhouse Boilers Drip, and What It Costs
In Alexandria, a boiler whose pressure climbs with every heat cycle usually needs an expansion tank, not a new boiler, and finding out which starts with a $99 diagnostic from our published price book.
Why Is Ductless So Common in Annandale? What a 1960s House Needs From an HVAC Company
In Annandale, a new furnace and air conditioner run $8,898 to $23,000 installed and a one-zone ductless mini split $7,000 to $10,000, from our published price book, and in a 1960s house the ductwork decides which one you need. From about $117 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Why Does My Annandale Basement Floor Drain Back Up When It Storms? Old Sewer Lines, and the Fix
When an Annandale basement floor drain backs up in a storm and settles down after, rain is getting into the sanitary sewer somewhere, often through old, cracked sewer lines and sump pumps piped into it.
Does My Arlington Dryer Vent Need Cleaning? Basement Hoods, Condo Shafts and the Cost
Dryer vent cleaning in Arlington is $199, normally $298, with a year of Comfort+ membership included, or $199 added to an air duct cleaning, from our published price book.
Radiators Cold in Your Arlington House? What the Boiler Is Telling You, and What a Fix Costs
In Arlington, a boiler repair starts with a $99 diagnostic and a tune-up is $99 per boiler, from our published price book, and most cold radiators turn out to be air or a single part, not a boiler that’s done.
Furnace Repair in Ashburn: Attic Furnaces, Frozen Drain Lines and What the Common Fixes Cost
Most furnace repairs in Ashburn cost between $95 to $180 and $550 to $1,180, and the diagnostic that finds the problem is a flat $99.
Furnace Replacement in Ashburn and Chantilly: The Mid-2000s Builder Furnaces Are Turning Twenty
Replacing a gas furnace in Ashburn or Chantilly runs $4,285 to $14,040 installed when the air conditioner stays. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Air Duct Cleaning in Ashburn: When a Townhouse’s Ducts Need It, and When They Don’t Yet
Whole Home Air Duct Cleaning in Ashburn is $598, regularly $798, for one system in a home up to 2,000 square feet.
Plumbers in Ashburn: Why Loudoun Water Wears Out Toilet Flappers, and What the Common Fixes Cost
A toilet repair in Ashburn runs $250 to $900, clearing a backed-up main sewer line $550 to $1,650, and finding a hidden leak $200 to $500.
Water Heater Repair or Replacement in Ashburn: Read the Tank’s Date Before Anyone Says New
A new water heater in Ashburn runs $2,778 to $3,353 for a 50 gallon electric tank and $3,238 to $3,813 for a 50 gallon gas one, installed, with the $500 off already taken. From about $46 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Is the Water Heater in Your Bristow House Still the Original? Why 2003 to 2006 Tanks Are Due
If the label on the water heater in your Bristow house shows a date from 2003 to 2006, it’s an original from the busiest building years, and most tanks last somewhere between eight and twelve.
Replacing a Heat Pump or AC in Burke Centre: When Does the Conservancy Need to Approve It?
In Burke, a new heat pump system runs $8,499 to $21,650 installed from our published price book, and in Burke Centre a like unit going back on the same pad needs no Conservancy application at all. From about $142 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
What Does a New Water Heater Cost in Burke? Electric Tanks in Burke Centre, Gas Near Lake Braddock
A new 50 gallon electric water heater in Burke runs $2,778 to $3,353 and a 50 gallon gas tank on the flue you have $3,238 to $3,813, installed, from our published price book, with the $500 off already taken. From about $46 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Why Is the Top Floor of My Centreville Townhouse Hot in Summer and the Lower Level Cold?
A hot top floor in a Centreville townhouse usually starts with a $99 diagnostic from our published price book, not a bigger air conditioner, because the usual cause is one system on the lowest level trying to serve three floors.
Why Do My Pipes Bang in Centreville? Usually a 30-Year-Old Pressure Valve, and What It Costs
A new pressure reducing valve in Centreville runs $500 to $1,000 from our published price book, after a plumbing visit of $49 during regular hours, and in a lot of Centreville houses it’s the fix for a sound people blame on old pipes: the thud in the wall when the washer stops filling.
Plumbing Emergency in Chantilly at 2 a.m.? What to Do First, and What an After-Hours Plumber Costs
An after-hours plumbing visit in Chantilly is $250, and the same visit during regular hours is $49.
Who Is the Best HVAC Company and Plumber in Chantilly, VA? 57 and 40 Companies Ranked
If you live in Chantilly, you’ve got more heating, cooling and plumbing companies within a short drive than almost anyone in Northern Virginia, and three of them are based right in town.
Gas, Heat Pump, Propane or Oil in Clifton, VA? Why Your Road Decides, and Who Works on Each
In Clifton, a new heat pump system runs $8,499 to $21,650 installed and a gas or propane furnace $4,285 to $14,040, from our published price book, and which one your house runs on mostly depends on the road it’s on. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Orange Hot Water in Clifton? How to Tell a Rusting Water Heater From Iron in Your Well Water
If only the hot tap runs orange in your Clifton house, the water heater itself is rusting inside, a spent anode or a lining going.
Replacing the Heat Pump in a Dumfries Townhouse? Town Hall or the County, and What It Costs
In a Dumfries townhouse, the heat pump is usually the whole heating system, a new outdoor unit and air handler run $8,499 to $21,650 installed, and whether the paperwork goes to Town Hall or Prince William County depends on a line your mailing address won’t show you. From about $142 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
HVAC Companies in Fairfax and Chantilly, VA: What a Local One Should Know About Your House
A heating or cooling repair in Fairfax or Chantilly should start with a flat diagnostic price, not a meter running.
AC Repair in Fairfax, Chantilly and Ashburn This Fall: Fix It Now or Wait for Spring?
A run capacitor for an air conditioner or heat pump in Northern Virginia costs $240 to $370 to replace, a stuck contactor $290 to $425, and a defrost board $450 to $1,150.
What a New Air Conditioner Costs to Install in Fairfax, and Why Fall Is the Time to Price It
A new central air conditioner in Fairfax runs $5,942 to $14,450 installed when your gas furnace stays. From about $99 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Furnace Repair in Fairfax: What Breaks in a 1960s Basement Furnace vs a 1990s Fair Lakes One
Furnace repair in Fairfax usually lands somewhere between $95 to $180 to clean a flame sensor and $550 to $1,180 for a new control board, with a flat $99 diagnostic to find out which one you need.
Who Is the Best HVAC and Plumbing Company in Fairfax County, VA? Three Ranked Lists
Fairfax County gets three separate rankings in the 2026 Northern Virginia Home Service Report, and the same company is first on all three.
On Septic in Fairfax Station? Where the Sump Pump Can Drain, and What a Plumber Checks First
No: in Fairfax Station a sump pump can’t drain into a septic system.
Built Before or After 2010? What That Means for the AC and Furnace in Your Gainesville House
In Gainesville, a new air conditioner on the gas furnace you keep runs $5,942 to $14,450 installed and a furnace and AC together $8,898 to $23,000, from our published price book, and the year your house was finished tells you which one to price, or whether to price either. From about $99 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Who Fixes a Propane Furnace in Great Falls, VA? Four Fuels, and What Each House Needs
In Great Falls, a heat pump system runs $8,499 to $21,650 installed and a new gas or propane furnace $4,285 to $14,040, per system, from our published price book, and every heating call here starts with one question: what does the house burn? From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Town, Dominion Valley or the Mountain? What a Haymarket House Needs From an HVAC Company
In Haymarket, a new air conditioner on the furnace you keep runs $5,942 to $14,450 installed and a furnace and air conditioner together $8,898 to $23,000, from our published price book, and which job you need depends on which Haymarket you live in. From about $99 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Air Duct Cleaning in Haymarket, VA: Soot on Bull Run Mountain, Two Systems in Dominion Valley
Whole Home Air Duct Cleaning in Haymarket is $598 right now, regularly $798, for one system in a home up to 2,000 square feet.
Hiring an HVAC Company in Herndon? Why Inside the Town Line or Out Changes the Job
In Herndon, a new heat pump system runs $8,499 to $21,650 installed and a gas furnace on its own $4,285 to $14,040, from our published price book, and which of the two your house needs depends a lot on which side of the town line it sits. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Does the Town of Herndon Credit a Water Leak? The 10-Day Rule, and What a Plumber Costs
Leak detection in Herndon runs $200 to $500 from our published price book, after a plumbing visit of $49 during regular hours or $250 after hours, and the repair is priced in writing before any work starts.
Replacing a Furnace or AC in Leesburg? The Historic District, Lansdowne and Who Signs Off
In Leesburg, a gas furnace on its own runs $4,285 to $14,040 installed and a new air conditioner on the furnace you keep $5,942 to $14,450, from our published price book, and downtown the hardest part of either job happens outside the house. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
What Does Water Heater Replacement Cost in Leesburg? Plus the Historic District Rule on Tankless
A new water heater in Leesburg runs $2,778 to $3,353 for a 50 gallon electric tank and $3,238 to $3,813 for a 50 gallon gas tank on the flue you already have, installed, from our published price book, with the $500 off already taken. From about $46 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
How Much Is Dryer Vent Cleaning in Leesburg? Houses, Townhouses and Condos Vent Three Ways
Dryer vent cleaning in Leesburg is $199, normally $298, with a year of Comfort+ membership included, or $199 added to an air duct cleaning, from our published price book.
Electric Water Heater Going Lukewarm in Lorton? Often an Element, and When It’s the Tank
An electric water heater that runs lukewarm in Lorton often has a lower heating element that’s buried in sediment or burned out, and that’s a repair, not a new heater.
Air Duct Cleaning in Lorton, VA: Flex Duct in Laurel Hill, Heat Pump Closets in Newington
Whole Home Air Duct Cleaning in Lorton is $598 right now, regularly $798, for one system in a home up to 2,000 square feet.
Propane Furnace or Heat Pump in Lovettsville? Sizing a New One for 115 Freezing Nights a Year
In Lovettsville, propane heats about 44 owner homes in 100 and electricity about 42, so a dying furnace usually means choosing between another propane furnace, $4,285 to $14,040 installed, and a heat pump sized for a winter colder than Dulles gets. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Electric Water Heater Quit in the City of Manassas? Check for the City’s Load Management Switch
A new 50 gallon electric water heater in the City of Manassas runs $2,778 to $3,353 installed, from our published price book, with the $500 off already taken. From about $46 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Why Does My McLean House Have Two or Three HVAC Systems, and What Does Each One Cost?
In McLean, replacing one furnace and air conditioner pair runs $8,898 to $23,000 installed, per system, from our published price book, and plenty of McLean houses have two of those pairs, some three. From about $148 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Can a New House in McLean Have an Old Sewer Line? Yes, and Here’s What a Plumber Checks
A sewer camera inspection in McLean is $89 added to a plumbing visit, and clearing a blocked main sewer line runs $550 to $1,650, both from our published price book.
Replacing a Heat Pump in Middleburg’s Historic District? What the Town Reviews, and the Price
In Middleburg’s Historic District, a new heat pump the street can see needs the Town’s Certificate of Appropriateness before it goes in, and a heat pump system, the outdoor unit and the air handler, runs $8,499 to $21,650 installed. From about $142 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Well, Septic or a Grinder Pump in Nokesville? Whose Plumbing Is Whose, and What Fails First
Most Nokesville plumbing starts at a private well and ends at a septic tank or a grinder pump on your own land, so the first question on any call here is which one you have.
In Oakton, Why Does the 1990s House Have a Gas Furnace and the 1970s One a Heat Pump?
In Oakton, a new heat pump system runs $8,499 to $21,650 installed and a gas furnace alone $4,285 to $14,040, from our published price book, and which one your house has mostly comes down to the decade it was built. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Who Pays to Fix a Sewer Line in Purcellville? The Town’s Half, Your Half and the Camera Between
In Purcellville, the property line splits your sewer lateral: out to the main is the Town’s, back to the house is yours, and if a camera shows the clog on the Town’s side, the Town’s policy repays what the plumber charged to find it.
Heat Pump or Gas Furnace in Reston? What Your ZIP Code Says About Your HVAC System
In Reston, a new heat pump system runs $8,499 to $21,650 installed and a gas furnace on its own $4,285 to $14,040, from our published price book, and which one your house has mostly depends on its ZIP code. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
What Does a Plumber Cost in Reston? Fix a Running Toilet Before Winter, and Here’s Why
A toilet repair in Reston runs $250 to $900 and drain cleaning for one fixture $200 to $800, from our published price book, and the plumbing visit that starts either one is $49 during regular hours or $250 after hours.
How Much Is Air Duct Cleaning in Reston, and Do Heat Pump Townhouses Need It Sooner?
Whole Home Air Duct Cleaning in Reston is $598 right now, regularly $798, for one system in a home up to 2,000 square feet, straight from our published price book.
Why Is Round Hill’s Water So Hard on Water Heaters? 115 to 317 mg/L, and What to Do About It
Round Hill’s Town water tests 115 to 317 mg/L hard, very hard by the USGS scale, and the Town itself warns that the calcium builds up in water heaters, so a tank here wants a flush every year from its first.
Furnace Keeps Shutting Off in a 1960s Springfield House? Why It’s Often the Ductwork
When a furnace in an older Springfield house keeps shutting off on cold nights, the fix is often a $300 to $440 blower wheel cleaning and a clean filter from our published price book, not a new part, and a $99 diagnostic is how you find out which.
Does My Springfield House Still Have Galvanized Pipe? Weak Water Pressure Is the Usual Clue
A plumbing visit in Springfield is $49 during regular hours, from our published price book, and finding a hidden leak runs $200 to $500, with every repair priced in writing before any work starts.
Is Air Duct Cleaning Worth It in an Older Springfield, VA House? Start at the Floor Registers
Whole Home Air Duct Cleaning in Springfield is $598 right now, regularly $798, for one system in a home up to 2,000 square feet, from our published price book.
Are Sterling Winters Harder on a Heat Pump? What the Cold Out by Dulles Means for You
A heat pump can heat a Sterling house all winter, and the repairs that most often keep one going run from $240 to $370 for a capacitor to $450 to $1,150 for a defrost board in our published price book, but out by Dulles it works through roughly 102 freezing nights a year, against about 60 inside the Beltway.
Why Do Pipes Freeze More in Sterling? About 102 Freezing Nights a Year, and What a Plumber Costs
Finding a hidden leak in Sterling runs $200 to $500 and a new pressure reducing valve $500 to $1,000, from our published price book, after a plumbing visit of $49 during regular hours or $250 after hours.
Triangle Tube Prestige Showing E37 or E1 in Northern Virginia? The Maker Closed, So Read This First
On a Triangle Tube Prestige boiler, E37 means the water pressure fell below 7.2 psi and E1 means the burner failed to light after 5 tries.
Still on the 2004 Builder Furnace and AC in Triangle, VA? When to Fix Them, When to Replace Both
In Triangle, a furnace and air conditioner that came with a 2004 house are near twenty and wearing out side by side, and replacing the pair runs $8,898 to $23,000 installed from our published price book. From about $148 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Vienna, VA Was Built Twice: What a 1950s House and a 2000s Rebuild Need From HVAC
In Vienna, a new air conditioner on the gas furnace you already have runs $5,942 to $14,450 installed, from our published price book, and that’s the usual cooling job in a town where gas heats eight in ten owner homes. From about $99 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Does a New High-Efficiency Furnace Affect My Water Heater in Vienna? Check the Chimney First
A new 50 gallon gas water heater in Vienna runs $3,238 to $3,813 installed on the flue you already have, from our published price book, with the $500 off already taken out. From about $54 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
New Furnace in Warrenton, VA? Inside the Town Line or Out Decides the Gas, the Permit and the Vent
In Warrenton, a new gas or propane furnace runs $4,285 to $14,040 installed, keeping the air conditioner you have, and which side of the town line your house sits on decides the gas company, the permit office and where a new vent can go. From about $71 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Replacing HVAC in Woodbridge? Dale City, Lake Ridge and Leesylvania Wear Out on Different Clocks
In Woodbridge, a new furnace and air conditioner run $8,898 to $23,000 installed and a heat pump system $8,499 to $21,650, from our published price book, and when yours is due depends mostly on which part of Woodbridge you live in. From about $142 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Can a Woodbridge or Lake Ridge House Go Tankless? Prince William County’s Permit List and the Cost
A gas tankless water heater in Woodbridge runs about $148 a month at 0% APR for 60 months on approved credit, or $8,886 to $10,486 installed, from our published price book, with the $500 off already taken. From about $148 a month at 0% APR for 60 months, the whole price financed, on approved credit.
Dryer Vent Cleaning in Woodbridge, VA: Long Lake Ridge Runs, Short Dale City Ones, and the Cost
Dryer vent cleaning in Woodbridge is $199, normally $298, with a year of Comfort+ membership included, or $199 added to an air duct cleaning.
23 articles
About SwiftPro: prices, plans and picking a company
Who we are, how we price, and how to check any company before it sets foot in your house.
See What a New Furnace, Boiler or Water Heater Costs for Your House Before Anyone Comes Out
You can see what a new furnace, heat pump, boiler, water heater, air duct cleaning or sump pump costs for your house before anybody comes out.
How to Pick a Heating, Cooling and Plumbing Company in Northern Virginia (Does the Brand Matter?)
Run any heating, cooling or plumbing company through these seven checks before they set foot in your house.
Is 0% Financing on a New Furnace or Heat Pump a Good Idea in Northern Virginia?
0% financing on a new furnace or heat pump in Northern Virginia is a good deal when the price under it is fair: you pay the installed price, spread out, with no interest on top.
Is an HVAC Maintenance Plan Worth It in Northern Virginia? Comfort+ Against Paying Per Visit
An HVAC maintenance plan in Northern Virginia is worth it when you’d pay for at least one of its visits anyway.
Told You Need a New Furnace or AC in Northern Virginia? How a Free Second Opinion Works
A free second opinion in Northern Virginia means a second licensed technician tests the exact part the first quote says failed, before you sign for a new system.
Reading an HVAC Replacement Quote in Northern Virginia: What Each Line Should Say
A good HVAC replacement quote in Northern Virginia names the system size and how it was figured, the exact model numbers, what happens to the ducts, venting and wiring, the permit, and the labor warranty.
Trane, Lennox or Goodman in Northern Virginia? What the Brand Changes, and Who Files Your Warranty
In Northern Virginia, the brand on a new furnace or air conditioner moves the price less than people think and the warranty more.
What HVAC and Plumbing Deals Are Running in Northern Virginia This Fall? The Best One for Each Job
The best HVAC and plumbing deals running in Northern Virginia this fall, job by job: a free furnace with a new AC, $500 off a new water heater, a $598 Whole Home Air Duct Cleaning, and the $199 membership that includes a dryer vent cleaning.
Who Is SwiftPro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing? The Chantilly, Virginia Company, in Plain Facts
A family-owned heating, cooling and plumbing company at 4230 Lafayette Center Drive in Chantilly, Virginia, owned by Tyler Griffin, working Northern Virginia only.
Which Northern Virginia Towns Does SwiftPro Serve? Six Counties, From Arlington to Warrenton
Six Northern Virginia counties: Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William, Fauquier and Stafford.
What Do SwiftPro’s Reviews Say? What Northern Virginia Homeowners Mention Most
Rated 5.0 stars across 1,138 reviews on Google, Angi, Yelp, the BBB and Facebook, and when you read them, the same things come up again and again: the price in writing before the work, a repair offered before a replacement, and the technician’s first name.
Is SwiftPro Licensed and Insured in Virginia? How to Check the License Yourself
Yes.
What Happens When SwiftPro Comes to Your House in Northern Virginia? A Visit, Step by Step
You book a time, the office confirms it, you hear from us on the day, and the technician finds the problem and puts the price in writing before any work starts.
Does SwiftPro Answer the Phone 24/7 in Northern Virginia? What Happens When You Call at Night
Yes.
Does SwiftPro Have Videos of Its Work? Real Northern Virginia Jobs, Filmed by the Crew
Yes, 234 of them on the videos page at goswiftpro.com, shot by the crews themselves in Northern Virginia attics, basements, mechanical rooms and on rooftops.
What Is SwiftPro’s Comfort+ Membership? Northern Virginia’s Home Plan, in Plain Words
Comfort+ is a home maintenance membership: $199 a year or $20 a month for four visits every year (a heating visit, a cooling visit, a water heater flush with a sewer camera inspection, and a dryer vent cleaning), plus 15% off any repair.
How Do You Choose an Air Duct Cleaning Company in Northern Virginia? Skip the Two-Digit Coupon
To choose an air duct cleaning company in Northern Virginia, ask for three things before you book: photos of the inside of your own ducts, one price for the whole system in writing instead of a price per vent, and a brush run through every line while the vacuum pulls.
How Do You Pick a Dryer Vent Cleaning Company in Northern Virginia? Ask for Photos and Airflow
Pick a dryer vent cleaning company in Northern Virginia that photographs the inside of your line, measures the airflow at the outside hood with the dryer running, and cleans the whole run, back of the dryer to the hood, with a brush and a vacuum working together.
Who Should Work on Your Boiler in Northern Virginia? How to Choose a Boiler Company
Choose a boiler company in Northern Virginia that works on your kind of boiler and says so on the phone, sends someone for both halves of the system, sizes a new boiler to the house instead of the old nameplate, and writes the price at your house before anything is ordered.
Who Should Install a Ductless Mini Split in Northern Virginia? The Installer Sets the Warranty
Pick a ductless mini split installer in Northern Virginia for what they do to your warranty and your sizing: a contractor in the brand’s own installer program can stretch the parts warranty to twelve years, and a good one checks whether a mini split is even the answer before pricing heads on walls.
How Do You Choose a Sewer and Drain Company in Northern Virginia? Camera First, Price Second
Choose a sewer and drain company in Northern Virginia that runs a camera before it quotes anything past a simple clog, gives you a copy of the video with the problem’s distance marked, and can line a pipe as well as dig one, so it isn’t selling the only tool it owns.
What’s the Best Furnace Brand for a Northern Virginia House? What Matters More Than the Name
The best furnace for a Northern Virginia house is a modulating gas furnace with a variable-speed blower, and Trane, Carrier and Rheem each build a good one.
Who Is the Best HVAC and Plumbing Company in Northern Virginia? 71 Companies, 8 Checks
Only one heating, cooling and plumbing company in Northern Virginia passes all 8 checks in the 2026 Northern Virginia Home Service Report, and it’s the company writing this.
Who writes these
Ranked, rated and licensed, with the links to check
SwiftPro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing was named BusinessRate’s Best of 2026, the #1 heating contractor in Fairfax, Virginia, ranked on Google reviews. Every claim below links to the place that checks it, and every award and credential is on one page.
- 5.0stars across 1,138 reviewsHow we count them
- ABBB Accredited, A ratingCheck it on bbb.org
- 2026Voted a Nextdoor Neighborhood Faves winner two years running: 2026 in 30 Northern Virginia neighborhoods, 2025 in Emerald Chase (Herndon) and Hunters Run (Chantilly)See it on Nextdoor
- #1BusinessRate Best of 2026: the top-ranked heating contractor in Fairfax, VirginiaSee our BusinessRate score
- Class AVirginia contractor, license #2705192276Look it up with DPOR
Have a question these don’t answer?
Call the office, or send the form at the top and we’ll call or text you back to set a time.
SwiftPro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
4230 Lafayette Center Dr N, Chantilly, VA 20151
44679 Endicott Dr, Suite 211, Ashburn, VA 20147
SwiftPro Plumber & Water Heaters
4200 Lafayette Center Dr, Suite N, Chantilly, VA 20151
Virginia Class A contractor license #2705192276
SwiftPro Heating, Cooling & Plumbing writes these articles and publishes them on X at @goswiftpro.
