Spring Into the Season with an HVAC Checkup with A-1 American!

Kimberly Bradley • March 26, 2024

Call Before March 31st, Purchase and AC Unit, and Receive a FREE Heating or Water Heater Maintenance Package!

Don't wait for the Summer Hampton Roads heat to chek your AC/HVAC unit! We all know how it goes in the Tidewater region in the Spring and Summer months. Cool one day and sweltering 90's the next. THIS is when your AC or HVAC unit is going to go. At the least inopportune time. Because its never a good time for the AC to go out! A-1 American Service's General Manager, Meg Savell, had the opportunity to sit down with Chris from the Hampton Roads Show and give some pointers in what to look for as SPRING comes into full swing!

You can see the full 5 minute episode here. https://www.wavy.com/hr-show/spring-into-a-hvac-checkup/

There are a few things you can do to ensure your unit is up to speed for the Summer temps!

Check Your AC Unit Twice Yearly

Some people may ask why twice a year? Isn't once a enough? And the answer is no, it's not. Each season come with its own challenges.

A-1 American recommends doing this in the Spring and in the Fall. The changing seasons are a good reminder for the maintenence needed to ensure you have enough refrigerant. If it's low, then the best thing to do is not just refill it-that's a temporary fix, you will also want to check for leaks. Otherwise you will be stuck in the middle of Summer when the hottest temps are running and most AC technicians are slammed.

For instance in Spring, you will want to also make sure

Change Air Filters Every 3 Months

This is the easiest ting you can do for the health of, not only your family, but your HVAC system and extending the life. Depending on your individual home, kids, pets, allergies, geography, etc., you may want to do it more fequently. Changing the air filter every three months is the recommended time frame.

Doing this alone can help extend the life of your HVAC system and SAVE you lots of money! Your air filter filters the air from the pollen, pet dander, dust, smoke all which can clog your ac unit over time. Changing the air filter every three months will go a long way towards your family - and unit's health!

Run Through Your Cycle to Make Sure It's Working Properly

Running through the cycle includes checking to make sure that the air handler blower is working. Withought that piece of the puzzle, you won't find any relief! When an A-1 technician runs through your system, they will check to make sure both the capacitor and blower are working. This saves everyone time because if the capacitor was NOT working correctly, then it could have also friend your blower.

Electrical Smell

Never a good sign, this also goes hand in hand with the above check about the AC blower. If you or someone in your family detects and electrical smell, turn off the unit immediately and call a licensed professional!!

Wet Spots on the Ceiling

We spots on the ceiling could indicate a leak from your HVAC system OR your Hot Water Heater depending on where the systems are placed. It doesn't have to be said that having a water leak in your ceiling needs to be fixed immediately.

Don't forget A-1 American Services is a full service Plumbing , Heating, and Air Conditioning Company. We are open 24/7 in both Hampton and Newport News as well as Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk.

Call 757-425-2400 for any questions or concerns!

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Happy Labor Day weekend graphic with tools and American flag.

Happy Labor Day from A-1 American Services!

September 1, 2025

First, a little background on Labor Day and how it came to play into American history. Labor Day is celebrated to honor the contributions and achievements of American workers and the labor movement. It recognizes the role of workers in building the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country. The Holiday began in the late 19th century, during a time when working conditions were often harsh—long hours, unsafe workplaces, and little time off were common. Labor unions pushed for better conditions, fair wages, and reasonable workdays. The first Labor Day parade took place in New York City in 1882, organized by the Central Labor Union. In 1894, after years of growing support and following major labor strikes, Congress officially made Labor Day a federal holiday. It’s observed on the first Monday in September, serving both as a tribute to workers and as a symbolic “end of summer” celebration. Not to be confused with International Workers’ Day which is celebrated May 1st worldwide and focuses more on activism and workers’ rights, Labor Day focuses more as a tribute to workers with family time, picnics, parades, and community events like our concer series at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Hampton Roads -- which encompasses the Penninsula (Williamsburg, Newport News, and Hampton) AND South Side (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Suffolk) has always been a working community, from the shipbuilders at Newport News Shipbuilding, to the longshoremen at the Port of Virginia, to the military and civil service workers who keep our bases running. Labor Day really ties into that history because it’s a reminder of how much the region’s workforce has shaped the local economy and even national security. For many families here, Labor Day is also (for the lucky) the last long weekend before school starts, so you’ll see people heading to the beach at Virginia Beach, picnicking at local parks, or attending community events. It’s both a recognition of hard work and a chance for people in Hampton Roads to pause, recharge, and enjoy the fruits of their labor before the busy fall season kicks in. From the A-1 American Services family to yours... Please have a safe and happy Labor Day!! And if you find you need help with any clogs, water heater leaks, HVAC hiccups, clooged toilets our guys are standing by ready to help you and your family at a moments notice!