Cooling

Commercial AC Solutions in Richmond, VA

Full-Scope Commercial Cooling, Backed by 50+ Years in Central Virginia

Howell's Heating & Air has served Central Virginia since 1969, and commercial air conditioning is a significant part of what we do. We hold Class A contractor licensing through the Virginia Board for Contractors, our technicians are NATE-certified, and we carry all required trade certifications for commercial work. That combination of licensing, certification, and five-plus decades of local experience lets us take on complex commercial projects in-house.

We work on offices, restaurants, retail spaces, medical facilities, warehouses, and industrial properties throughout Richmond and Central Virginia. Our equipment coverage includes rooftop package units (RTUs), split systems, ductless mini-splits, and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) configurations. When a cooling failure threatens your operations, our technicians carry common commercial parts and complete most repairs on the first visit. Priority scheduling and 24/7 emergency response keep downtime as short as possible.

What sets us apart is in-house metal fabrication. We design and build custom ductwork ourselves rather than subcontracting that phase. For commercial clients managing new construction or major retrofits, that means one accountable contractor from planning through commissioning. Free estimates and financing options are available.

Call (804) 376-8844 or contact us online to discuss your commercial air conditioning needs with our team.

Comprehensive Commercial Cooling Options

We handle complete commercial cooling work across different system types and project scales:

Commercial AC installation for new equipment in existing buildings, including rooftop units, package systems, and split systems sized correctly for your space
System replacement when aging equipment fails repeatedly or operates so inefficiently that replacement makes better financial sense
Emergency repairs that respond quickly when cooling failures affect business operations and customer comfort

Preventive maintenance that catches problems early, extends equipment life, and reduces unexpected breakdowns during peak season
New construction design-build working with general contractors on commercial HVAC projects from planning through final commissioning
Ductwork installation and repair for commercial ventilation systems, including in-house metal fabrication and custom builds
Building management system (BMS) integration that connects HVAC equipment to centralized controls for multi-zone facilities
Indoor air quality solutions, including commercial-grade filtration, ventilation, and humidity control

How We Structure Commercial Service

Business owners need faster response, flexible scheduling, and minimal disruption to operations. We build those requirements into how we work as baseline expectations for commercial clients, not as add-ons.

Scheduling & Response

Priority scheduling means commercial service calls get an expedited response. We provide same-day or next-day service for most commercial calls, with 24/7 emergency availability. After-hours installation and maintenance keep major work from interfering with your customers or staff, and weekend and evening appointments are available for businesses on standard weekday schedules.

Commercial jobs are staffed with NATE-certified technicians. Commercial work in Virginia requires permit applications, inspection coordination, and compliance with commercial building codes. We handle all of that as standard procedure. We also serve both English- and Spanish-speaking customers.

New Construction & Design-Build

For new construction and design-build projects, we work alongside general contractors from the start. We review architectural plans, specify equipment based on commercial load calculations, coordinate our installation schedule with other trades, and complete final commissioning testing that verifies systems perform to design specifications.

Preventive Maintenance Programs

Preventive maintenance programs are customized by property type and usage. A restaurant with hood systems and extended hours accumulates wear much faster than a standard office building, so we set maintenance schedules based on actual conditions rather than a blanket interval for every account.

Service Agreements & Warranty Coverage

Our commercial service agreements include scheduled maintenance, priority repair response, and discounted rates on parts and labor. For budget planning, that means predictable annual costs instead of surprise repair bills during peak cooling season.

Each scheduled visit covers coil cleaning, refrigerant level checks, electrical component testing, airflow verification, ductwork connection inspection, and written documentation of system performance. That performance record helps us catch developing problems before they cause failures and satisfies the documented maintenance requirements that commercial equipment manufacturers often attach to warranty coverage.

All installation, repair, and service work is backed by our 1-year workmanship warranty from the date of service. Defects in workmanship are corrected at no additional labor cost, and a satisfaction guarantee applies to every job.

Get In Touch

Why Work With Us?

Where Expert Service Meets Quality Craftsmanship

Book Same Day If Available

Skip the wait - we're often available same day!
Licensed & Insured Pros

Our team is fully licensed, insured, and vetted.
Get a 100% Free Estimate

Your project begins with a free estimate.
Financing Options Available

We provide financing to help you plan ahead.
need Emergency Service?

Get immediate help when you need it most.
Available Nights & Weekends

We provide service on your schedule.

Our Reviews

Hear From Your Friends & Neighbors

“Very Professional”
“Will definitely be a future customer and will remember to ask for Mark. He explained everything he did so I could understand. Extremely well mannered.”

- Brenda S.
“Prompt & Professional”
“Mark was great! He was on time, stayed until the job was done right and took the time to explain everything. I have worked with many rva HVAC companies and this is hands down the best!”

- Red V.
“Pleasure to Work With”
“Highly recommend. From scheduling to assessment to repair Howell's Heating & Air was a pleasure to work with. Communication was "just right." They are our go-to for anything that they handle.”

- Chris G.
“Technicians Are Top Notch”
“Excellent customer service and the HVAC technicians are top notch.”

- Audra A.
“Competent and Professional”
“Their techs are always on time, polite, friendly, competent and professional.”

- Wendy H.

View All Reviews

Reliable Commercial AC Throughout Central Virginia

Climate control affects employee productivity, customer comfort, and operating costs. When your commercial air conditioning needs installation, repair, or replacement, you need a contractor who understands the full scope of commercial work and can see the project through without handoffs. Howell's Heating & Air serves businesses of all sizes throughout Richmond and Central Virginia with responsive service, in-house fabrication capability, and quality workmanship on every job.

Ready to get started? Call us at (804) 376-8844 or reach out through our online contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can you respond to commercial AC emergencies?

We typically arrive within 2–4 hours for true emergencies during business hours. After-hours response times vary depending on technician availability and travel distance. When you call, we give you a realistic timeframe and keep you updated if anything changes. Priority service agreements improve response times for enrolled accounts.

What’s involved in a commercial AC replacement project?

Commercial replacements involve load calculations, equipment selection, permit applications, crane or rigging for rooftop installations, electrical service verification, refrigerant line installation, ductwork modifications when needed, control integration, final testing, and inspection approval. Most projects run 1–3 days, depending on equipment complexity and site access. We schedule work to minimize disruption, often completing installations during closed hours or on weekends.

Do you work on all types of commercial cooling systems?

Yes. We service rooftop package units, split systems, ductless mini-splits, chiller systems, VRF configurations, and cooling for server rooms and process applications. We work on all major equipment brands and carry parts for common commercial systems. For less common equipment, we order parts quickly and coordinate scheduling to limit downtime.

How often do commercial systems need maintenance?

It depends on system type and how hard the equipment works. Standard office buildings benefit from quarterly service. Restaurants, retail spaces with extended hours, and facilities with critical cooling requirements often need monthly attention. We assess your property and recommend a schedule based on actual usage rather than a one-size-fits-all interval.

Can you handle new commercial construction HVAC builds?

Yes. We handle commercial construction projects from design through commissioning, including plan review, equipment specification, trade coordination, full system installation, controls integration, and final performance testing. We also fabricate custom ductwork in-house, which keeps design-build projects under a single contract. We work on everything from small renovations to large commercial builds throughout the Greater Richmond Area.