End Of Winter Checklist For Virginia Homeowners (2026)

Posted on February 23, 2026February 23, 2026 by David Cochran

End Of Winter Checklist For Virginia Homeowners (2026)

Spring is on the way, and now that we are starting to see some warm weather here and there, it’s about time to get your home ready for the next season. There are some tasks you can perform yourself, and some you can hire a professional for, that will make your home more comfortable and safe in the Spring and Summer.

Complete Comfort is an HVAC company that specializes in heating, air conditioning, and backup power as well. We have been working in Southwest Virginia since 2011, and have been helping homeowners prepare for any weather, in any season. Some of these tasks in this article are meant to help your home comfort, while others are going to help you save money.

If you need some immediate help with your HVAC system or generator, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online. Our team can answer any questions you may have, and schedule an appointment for your home.

DIY End Of Winter Tasks

First, we’ll go over some DIY (do-it-yourself) tasks you can complete on your own. Now, if you feel unsure about some of these, either watch a YouTube video or hire a professional to give you a hand.

Change Your Air Filter

Your HVAC system has likely been working hard all winter long. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, lower efficiency, and make your system work harder than it should. Changing it is as simple as removing the old filter, and replacing it with a fresh one.

If you are wondering how to change your air filter, you can consult your HVAC system’s manual, watch a video on YouTube, or ask your technician during a routine maintenance. You can also read this article: How To Change You Air Filter

Most homes should change their air filter every 1-3 months, depending on pets, allergies, and usage. Heading into spring with a fresh filter will keep the air fresh, and help your AC system run smoothly once it’s needed.

Clean Gutters

Winter storms, wind, and fallen debris can clog your gutters. When spring rains arrive, clogged gutters can cause:

Water damage to siding
Foundation issues
Basement moisture problems
Landscape erosion

Take the time to remove leaves and debris, and ensure downspouts are directing water away from your home. This may seem like a simple cliche task, but there’s a reason that it’s important. This can prevent major water damage, and help your home stay dry!

Bonus Tip: Make sure no sticks or debris are in your outdoor HVAC condenser. You can have these cleaned out during a routine maintenance, but this is something you can manage on your own as well!

Seal Windows And Doors

Cold winter temperatures can cause small gaps around windows and doors to expand. Even tiny cracks allow air to escape, making your HVAC system work harder. Go around the house and check your windows and doors. Here are some things you should look out for:

Cracked caulking
Worn weather stripping
Drafts around frames

Sealing these gaps helps maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and improves energy efficiency as we head into warmer weather.

Swapping Storage Items

As winter wraps up, it’s time to store snow shovels, winter hats and gloves, and bring out your spring and summer essentials. Check your outdoor furniture that’s been stored all winter and make sure it’s clean and ready for the warm weather. Bring out your spring/summer clothing and stow away those winter jackets.

Change Ceiling Fans

Many homeowners forget this simple trick: reverse your ceiling fan direction.

In winter, fans typically rotate clockwise to push warm air down.
In spring and summer, they should rotate counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze.

This is a small adjustment, but one that improves home comfort while also taking some of the strain off of your heating and cooling systems.

Professional End Of Winter Tasks

Some tasks are best left to trained professionals. These services can prevent breakdowns, improve safety, and save you money long term.

Schedule HVAC Service

The number one thing we recommend you do to get the most out of your HVAC system is to schedule routine maintenance. Spring is the perfect time to schedule air conditioning maintenance before the heat makes its way in.

Routine HVAC service will:

Improve energy efficiency
Extend your system’s lifespan
Ensure safe operation
Lower energy bills
Validate your HVAC system’s warranty
Help avoid breakdowns and repairs being needed
Improve your comfort

In Southwest Virginia, summers can get hot and humid quickly. Scheduling service before the summer helps prepare you for the heat, rather than reacting to a broken system during the middle of the season. We recommend you have your HVAC system serviced at least once a year, preferably before the summer/winter.

Repair Any Cracks In Your Siding Or Walkways

Winter freeze-and-thaw cycles can cause cracks in siding, sidewalks, and driveways. While small cracks may seem harmless, they can worsen quickly.

If you are handy, this may be something that you can take care of on your own. Otherwise, call in a professional contractor to give you a hand. If you let small cracks get out of control, they can get worse and cause major damage to your property.

Add Insulation To Your Home

If parts of your home feel drafty or uneven in temperature, you may benefit from additional insulation. When your home is properly insulated, it will:

Keeps cool air inside during summer
Keeps warm air inside your home during winter
Reduces strain on your HVAC system
Lowers energy bills
Improves overall comfort

Many homeowners in older Southwest Virginia homes are surprised by how much comfort improves after upgrading attic insulation. Even though this may be an initial investment, it’s going to help you save money in the long run.

Over the course of a year, using your HVAC systems, if there is poor insulation, air is leaking. This causes these systems to work harder and use unnecessary energy to keep the space cool or warm. This reduction in energy consumption leads to lower energy bills, and a longer lifespan for your HVAC system!

Get Ready For Spring With Complete Comfort

We hope this article helps you get ready for the warm weather that’s just around the corner. Performing these tasks now can prevent expensive repairs later and make your home a more comfortable place to live.

At Complete Comfort, we specialize in HVAC systems, generators, and home comfort solutions for homeowners throughout Southwest Virginia. Whether you need seasonal maintenance, repairs, or are considering upgrading your system, our team is ready to help.

Call us today at (276) 690-9222 or contact us online to schedule your spring service appointment. Let’s make sure your home is ready for everything 2026 has in store.

Is Your Old Air Conditioner Saving Or Costing You Money?

Posted on July 24, 2025July 24, 2025 by Nate Kiser

Is Your Old Air Conditioner Saving Or Costing You Money?

Replacing an air conditioner is a big investment, and one that you shouldn’t have to worry about very often. In lots of cases, a homeowner thinks they are saving money when they decide to put off an air conditioner installation. Is that actually true though?

I’ve been replacing air conditioners and heat pumps around Southwest Virginia for 15 years now, and I’ve seen systems in all sorts of different conditions. In some cases, the system is well-maintained and running efficiently. In lots of other instances, we are going to replace an old HVAC system that doesn’t work well, and runs the energy bills through the roof.

In this article, I’ll discuss the cost-effectiveness of an old cooling system versus a new one. If you want to speak to someone about a new cooling system for your home, whether that be an air conditioner or a heat pump, give Complete Comfort a call at (276) 690-9222, or reach out to us online.

How Your Old AC May Be Costing You Money

If you have an old air conditioner, it may be costing you more money than you realize. Your AC should last anywhere between 10-20 years, depending on how well you take care of it. Once it gets above 10 years, you may start to see some problems with your cooling system.

There are a few obvious ways it may be costing you money, and there are also some more subtle ways you may not realize. Here are a few ways your old AC is costing you more money than it should:

High Energy Bills

If your old HVAC system is inefficient, it could be running your energy bills up higher than it should. You may think you are saving money because you are putting off the cost of a new HVAC system, but in reality, you are simply delaying the inevitable, while paying more in energy costs in the meantime.

Older HVAC systems are less energy efficient than newer ones. Also, over the years, the efficiency of the system has likely decreased, and it costs more now to run than ever before. It may not always be obvious if the costs have slowly risen over time. We recommend inspecting your energy bill, and also comparing it to your energy-efficient neighbors. Most energy companies will allow you to look at a comparison to your old energy costs, as well as your neighbors. If you see that your costs are higher than they should be, it may be costing you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars in the long run.

Repairs Needed

If your AC system is older, it may run into breakdowns and repairs being needed. Some of these are cheap and easy, but others can become costly. If you find that your system has needed more than 1 repair in the past 2 years, you may want to start considering a new HVAC system. If you had a car thaat broke down over and over, you wouldn’t want to keep pouring money into it. The same applies to your HVAC system. Instead of putting a band aid on a failing system replacing it will likely end up saving you money in the long run.

Lower SEER Ratings

If you have an older AC, it could have a lower SEER Rating. This means a lower efficiency rating. As of January 2023, SEER rating requirements were updated, meaning that new AC systems had to be built with more energy-efficient ratings. This also means that older systems are likely less efficient.

New AC systems with better SEER ratings are going to lower your energy bills, and likely improve your home comfort as well.

How Replacing Your AC May Save You Money

When you install a new heat pump or air conditioner, it’s going to improve the comfort of your home, and it’s also likely going to help you save money in the long run.

Energy Savings

With a brand new HVAC system, it’s likely to be far more energy efficient than your old system. With this new energy-efficient unit comes energy savings. You should see your utility bills go down, saving you money over the lifespan of your new system.

No Repairs Needed

With a new HVAC system, fewer repairs are going to be needed. If you used to have an older system, it may break down or require some replacement parts. No longer is this a concern, at least for the first few years. With regular maintenance, you should have a smoothly running AC system for years to come.

The Best Way To Make Your System Run Efficiently

The best way to get the most out of your cooling system is to schedule routine maintenance. This is going to help your system maintain energy efficiency and avoid costly breakdowns and repairs. When you schedule AC service, it comes along with a list of benefits:

Improved energy efficiency
Lower energy bills
Longer system lifespan
Better indoor air quality
Better cooling

We recommend you have your cooling system serviced at least once a year. Call us at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online to schedule your AC service!

Using Rebates and Tax Credits To Save Money

Lots of newer, energy-efficient HVAC systems qualify for rebates or tax credits that will help you save money on your new HVAC installation. These are put in place by government programs, HVAC manufacturers, and utility companies. They are aimed at reducing the initial cost of an HVAC system, and reducing the amount of energy we consume. These rebates and tax credits often aim to make our society greener and more eco-friendly, while also helping residents with their costs and comfort!

Installing A New Cooling System In Southwest Virginia

If you think your old air conditioning system is costing you money after reading this article, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online. One of our comfort specialists will be able to inspect your HVAC system, and let you know how it’s running. They can help you either with routine service, or give you a free estimate for a new HVAC system. No matter what your cooling system needs, we have you covered! At Complete Comfort, we care!

Saving Energy With An Upgraded Air Conditioning System

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Don Lafferty Jr.

Saving Energy With An Upgraded AC System

Air conditioning systems are one of the most impactful components of your home energy consumption. They run all summer long, and play a huge role in the cost of your energy bills. Air conditioning systems last for years, and often can become run down, and less energy efficient. Upgrading to a more energy-efficient AC system can save you money, reduce energy consumption, and increase your comfort.

I have been working with air conditioning systems for over a decade, and know how much an upgraded AC with proper energy efficiency can help out a home. Not only will a new air conditioner help to improve the comfort in a home, but it will also promote energy savings. So many people think they are saving money by continuing to use an old AC system, but the truth is, they could be costing themselves more in the long run.

This article explores the signs that indicate a need for a new AC system, the benefits of installing a new one, and the positive environmental impact of choosing energy-efficient HVAC equipment.

Signs You Need A New AC System

Knowing the signs of when it’s time to replace your old air conditioning unit can save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run. Here are a few of the most common signs:

Your Energy Bills Are Too High

If you notice a consistent increase in your energy bills during the months when your AC is in use, it could indicate that your system is losing efficiency. Obviously, when your system is running more often, your bills will increase, but there are instances when it is increasing too much. Older AC units often work harder to produce the same level of cooling as they did in the past, because they are losing energy efficiency. This is a sign your AC may need to be replaced.

Your Home Isn’t Cool Enough

If your home isn’t staying cool it’s a clear sign that your AC system may be failing. You may have rooms or spots in the house that don’t get cool enough. Now this doesn’t definitely mean your AC is failing. You could have duct issues, or airflow problems that could be fixed. There could also be issues with the AC.

We recommend having a professional take a look at your system to determine if you need service, or a replacement air conditioner.

Your System Breaks Down Often

Frequent repairs are a red flag in any appliance, especially air conditioners. If you find yourself calling for repairs more than once a year, it’s time to consider whether replacing your system might be more economical than continuing to repair an old one. Just like sinking money into a car that keeps breaking down, it may be a better idea to replace the old system, because it may save money in the long run.

Installing A New AC System Saves Energy

Newer AC systems tend to be more energy efficient than older models, which translates to lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact. As of 2023, air conditioners are required to have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of at least 14 in the northern states, and 15 in the southern states. Many new models reach a SEER of 20 or more. The higher the SEER ratings, the better energy efficiency and more savings you should expect from your AC.

High Efficiency Air Conditioners Qualify For Rebates

To encourage energy conservation, many utility companies and government programs offer rebates and incentives for homeowners who install high-efficiency air conditioners. These programs can significantly offset the initial cost of a new AC system. Checking with local energy providers or looking for ENERGY STAR certified products is a good way to find out what rebates might be available.

In the Virginia area, there are rebates available through Appalachian Power. We can help you sort out what rebates your new system qualifies for, and make sure you get the best equipment with the best deal possible.

Helping The Environment With Energy Efficient HVAC Equipment

By upgrading to an energy-efficient HVAC system, you are contributing to a larger global effort to reduce energy consumption and minimize environmental impact. The Inflation Reduction Act was created in part to encourage businesses and individuals to make efforts towards energy conservation.

Efficient systems use less energy, which decreases the amount of fossil fuels burned in power plants, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Another big contributor is that many modern air conditioners use refrigerants that are less harmful to the environment. Older AC systems use R-22, which has since stopped production in the United States.

Upgrading Your AC In Bristol, VA

If you are looking to upgrade your AC system in Bristol, VA, look no further! Complete Comfort is the expert when it comes to air conditioner replacement, upgrades, repair and service. We will assess your home comfort situation, and recommend a cooling solution that best fits your home. Give us a call at (276) 690-9222!