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Bryce Winston, AOR SalesmanHowell’s Heating & Air meets those needs through a full-service HVAC model that brings installation, replacement, repair, maintenance and custom fabrication under one roof. Serving the greater Richmond area, it gives customers access to a single provider throughout the lifecycle of their HVAC systems.
Howell’s tailors its service for residential and commercial customers through dedicated teams. The commercial division works with general contractors and business owners on a wide range of projects, with dedicated project managers supporting installations and a separate service team providing ongoing maintenance and repairs. Residential team focuses on system replacements, maintenance and long-term comfort solutions.
Some homeowners still rely on Howell’s to service systems installed in the 1980s and 90s, while newer customers transition from an installation project to ongoing maintenance and replacements through service programs. Rather than taking a sales-driven approach, the comfort consultants evaluate the property, ask about the homeowner’s concerns and determine what the home requires before recommending a solution.
“We focus on building relationships with customers,” says Bryce Winston, Residential Sales Manager. “We want to make sure they are getting what they really need.”
Humidity presents one of the region’s biggest challenges. Many Virginia homes have crawl spaces that contribute to moisture issues affecting indoor air quality and comfort. Howell’s considers whole-home humidity management alongside heating and cooling needs to improve humidity control and indoor comfort.
The region’s architectural diversity adds another layer of complexity. Richmond is home to many historic properties where modern HVAC systems must be integrated without compromising the character of the building. Howell’s works closely with architects and homeowners to preserve original features while introducing contemporary comfort.
Regular maintenance helps customers stay ahead of problems. Through its Comfort Club program, Howell’s conducts seasonal inspections, checks system performance and addresses minor concerns before they become larger issues. Energy-efficient inverter systems, smart thermostats and connected controls give homeowners greater control over their comfort and provide technicians with insight into system performance. With customer permission, technicians can remotely review the system. Problems are diagnosed faster and customers spend less time waiting for resolution.
An in-house fabrication shop produces custom sheet metal components for all applications. It gives the company greater control over quality and allows it to respond more quickly, with certain custom components turned around in roughly 90 minutes.
Consistency That Customers Count On
While technical expertise is vital, customer trust is built through consistency. Whenever possible, Howell’s assigns the same technician to each customer, allowing them to become familiar with the home’s equipment and maintenance history. Familiarity helps technicians diagnose problems faster and gives customers confidence in the person they welcome into their homes.
Employee retention supports this consistency. Many of Howell’s team members have been with the organization for more than a decade, with some having dedicated over 30 years to the company.
The team continues to develop talent internally and preserve the values that have guided the organization for more than 50 years. It works with technical schools, high schools and adult education programs through summer apprenticeships and hands-on training to give young talent a pathway to gain experience and join the workforce.
As Howell’s continues to grow, it is creating more dedicated space for its residential and commercial operations, strengthening its commercial project management team and expanding its residential sales and field teams.
From a home built in 1780 to a modern commercial facility, Howell’s brings the same thoughtful solutions, skilled workmanship and dependable service that offer lasting comfort.