Heating and air conditioning repair in Richmond
Our guide to heating and air conditioning repair covers how the job works. Below: the Richmond numbers a HVAC contractor looks at, with sources.
What the housing in Richmond tells a provider
1959 is the median construction year for homes in Richmond (Census ACS). Of the 56 other cities in this network, 41 have newer housing by median year built. Age of the house is a clue to duct leaks and insulation, which change the right system size.
Source: Census ACS
Source: Census ACS
Roughly 44 in every 100 occupied homes in Richmond are owner-occupied. That is 45,407 of 104,321 households. Of the 56 other cities in this network, 14 have a lower share of owner-occupied homes. If you rent, your lease likely puts heating and cooling repairs on the owner.
Source: Census ACS
Source: Census ACS
The leading home heating fuel in Richmond is electricity, at about 60% of occupied homes. Other fuels: utility gas 34%, fuel oil or kerosene 3%, bottled or tank gas 1%. Homes on that fuel need a contractor licensed and equipped for it.
Source: Census ACS
Source: Census ACS
Heating and cooling load in Richmond
By the NOAA 1991-2020 normals, summers in Richmond add up to about 1,560 cooling degree days. Measured at the Richmond Intl Ap (VA) station. Of the 56 other cities in this network, 28 have a lower cooling load. Cooling demand at that level is why the outdoor unit's size and condition matter here.
Source: NOAA normals
Source: NOAA normals
Richmond averages about 3,736 heating degree days a year, the NOAA measure of winter heating load. Measured at the Richmond Intl Ap (VA) station. The heating load here is higher than in 26 of the 56 other cities we cover. Heating load like that decides whether a heat pump alone is enough or a furnace backup makes sense.
Source: NOAA normals
Source: NOAA normals
A normal year brings about 74 nights at or below freezing near Richmond (NOAA normals). The number of freezing days here is higher than in 26 of the 52 other cities we cover.
Source: NOAA normals
Source: NOAA normals
Expect around 45 days a year at 90 F or above in Richmond, going by NOAA normals. Of the 54 other cities in this network, 27 have a lower number of 90 F days.
Source: NOAA normals
Source: NOAA normals
Seasons and risk in Richmond
On heat wave risk, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Richmond city, VA at relatively moderate. 13 of the 55 other cities we cover sit in counties with the same heat wave rating. Extended heat is hard on compressors that are already weak.
Source: FEMA risk index
Source: FEMA risk index
FEMA's National Risk Index lists Richmond city, VA as relatively low for cold wave risk. The same cold wave rating applies in 5 of the 53 other cities in this network. A cold wave also stresses pipes and venting near the furnace, worth a look during a tune-up.
Source: FEMA risk index
Source: FEMA risk index
In Virginia, HVAC contractors are licensed by the Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR); status can be checked on the agency's official lookup page.
Source: Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) (Virginia) · Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) license information
Source: Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) (Virginia) · Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) license information
Sources, checked October 2026
Local offices and rules in Richmond
Richmond's permit guide tells homeowners to hire only licensed contractors and to check licenses with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR); permits may be applied for by the owner, a registered design professional or the contractor.
Source: www.rva.gov. Checked October 2026.
Source: www.rva.gov. Checked October 2026.
Richmond inspectors check electrical, mechanical and plumbing materials before they are concealed and inspect insulation and other energy conservation materials before concealment, followed by a final inspection; inspections are booked through the Online Permit Portal.
Source: www.rva.gov. Checked October 2026.
Source: www.rva.gov. Checked October 2026.
Virginia's building code exempts from permits the replacement of mechanical appliances that are not fueled by gas or oil; gas- or oil-fired equipment replacements in Richmond do not fall under that exemption.
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov. Checked October 2026.
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov. Checked October 2026.
Dominion Energy Virginia's Income & Age Qualifying Energy Savings Program offers no-cost heat pump and AC tune-ups, attic and floor insulation, air and duct sealing and heat pump water heaters to qualifying households, though Dominion notes it may not run in every area each year.
Source: www.dominionenergy.com. Checked October 2026.
Source: www.dominionenergy.com. Checked October 2026.
Natural gas in Richmond is supplied by the City's own Department of Public Utilities, which bills gas customers monthly.
Source: www.rva.gov. Checked October 2026.
Source: www.rva.gov. Checked October 2026.
If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility from outside. Keep a working carbon monoxide alarm near the bedrooms, and do not open a furnace cabinet that is running.
Common jobs
