Business Details
45 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Expert HVAC & Plumbing Services in Richmond, VA
Universal HVAC Plumbing has served the Richmond area for over 40 years as a family-owned business dedicated to excellence in heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services. Our team maintains 15 years of continuous employment, demonstrating both company stability and personalized service. We hold an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, employ licensed Master and Journeyman technicians, and maintain Virginia Class A licensing for HVAC and plumbing operations. As industry leaders, we participate in professional organizations like the Air Conditioning Contractors of America and provide ongoing training to ensure technical expertise.Our community involvement includes Habitat for Humanity partnerships and support for local charities, reflecting our commitment to both industry leadership and neighborhood impact. Through honest assessments, transparent pricing, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, we build lasting relationships with residential and commercial clients across central Virginia.
Services
HVAC Repair
Plumbing Services
Maintenance Agreements
Emergency Repairs
System Installations
Water Heater Replacement
Gas Line Services
Ductless Mini-Split Systems
Boiler Repairs
AC Tune-Ups
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- 40+ years of HVAC and plumbing expertise serving central Virginia
- 24/7 emergency service with certified technicians available year-round
- A+ Better Business Bureau rating with advisory board participation
- Financing options available for qualified home improvement projects
- 10% discounts for seniors, military personnel, and first responders
Associations and certifications
- Better Business Bureau
- Air Conditioning Contractors of America
What people say
Prompt emergency response
Professional technicians
Honest estimates
Reliable installations
10-year warranty
Services
HVAC Repair
Emergency and scheduled HVAC repairs address system failures for furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioning units. Our certified technicians diagnose and resolve issues maintaining manufacturer warranties. Service includes parts replacement, system diagnostics, and performance testing to restore optimal comfort levels.
Plumbing Services
Full-service plumbing solutions cover emergency leak repairs, water heater replacements, and pipe system maintenance. Master Plumbers handle residential and commercial projects with licensed gas fitting and drain clearing capabilities. Services include fixture installation and complete bathroom/kitchen plumbing renovations.
Maintenance Agreements
Bi-annual HVAC tune-ups extend equipment lifespan while improving energy efficiency. Our VIP Club members receive priority service scheduling, repair discounts, and system performance guarantees through comprehensive maintenance checklists performed by factory-trained technicians.
Emergency Repairs
Around-the-clock emergency response handles critical HVAC and plumbing failures with immediate technician dispatch. Our rapid response team maintains full equipment inventory for same-day repairs of heating system failures, water leaks, and AC emergencies.
System Installations
Professional installation of heating, cooling, and plumbing systems includes equipment selection, permits, and code-compliant setup. We offer 10-year manufacturer warranties on new installations with energy-efficient models that reduce long-term operating costs for residential and commercial properties.
People
Laura Meade
CEO
As founder of Richmond's leading HVAC company, Laura Meade established Universal HVAC's reputation for integrity and quality service over three decades ago, pioneering women-led contracting excellence in Virginia.
Steffen Meade
President
Steffen Meade combines hands-on technical expertise with operational leadership, managing daily operations while maintaining direct client relationships through his field experience and HVAC industry certifications.
Chip Barden
Master Plumber
With 25+ years of plumbing expertise, Chip Barden specializes in complex residential plumbing systems, ensuring code compliance and durability in all installations and emergency repair solutions.
John D
Lead HVAC Tech
John D brings advanced diagnostic capabilities to complex HVAC system repairs, maintaining Universal HVAC's technical leadership through continuous manufacturer certification programs and field experience.
Jacob B
HVAC Technician
Jacob B provides expert service on heating and cooling systems, trained in the latest HVAC technologies while maintaining Universal HVAC's commitment to customer education and transparent communication.
Questions
Do you offer emergency HVAC services?
Yes, we provide 24/7 emergency HVAC repair services with immediate response for urgent heating, cooling, and plumbing issues.
What areas do you service?
We serve Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, Powhatan, Goochland, and Hanover counties in central Virginia.
Are financing options available?
Yes, qualified homeowners can access financing options for HVAC system replacements and major plumbing projects.
What maintenance plans do you offer?
Our VIP Club provides bi-annual tune-ups, repair discounts, and priority service with guaranteed system efficiency improvements.
Do you offer customer discounts?
We provide 10% discounts for seniors, active military personnel, and first responders on all services.
What certifications do your technicians hold?
Our team includes Master Plumbers, refrigerant-certified technicians, and licensed HVAC professionals with Virginia Class A credentials.
Reviews (7)
Chris Kain
Nov 29, 2021
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Chip and his helper did a great job replacing a wax ring and valve. Will be using them for more plumbing needs.
Robin Gordon
May 12, 2021
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If you only want your unit put in and not serviced thereafter this company is ok. However if you want your unit serviced this is not the company for you. I called in the winter for a service call. They made me wait two weeks. I asked to schedule maintenance contracts and they said to wait for a post card in the spring. I never got a post card. So I called on April 21 to ask if they could do a maintenance and was told they were completely booked the first three weeks in May and could not help me. I asked about July and Kim told me "I don't like your tone and we can't help you". I guess they are busy and don't care of keeping customers.
Jonathan Murray
Apr 17, 2021
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Decided to get a 2nd opinion on an issue on my old HVAC system prior to pulling the trigger on full replacement. Best decision I've made in a long time. These guys very quickly and practically identified the problem and got me back and running saving me the expense of replacement for another day. Will definitely call back when I do need replacement.
Justin Walker
Nov 25, 2020
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I just wanted to give a shout out to these guys. We got a new system from them in May of 2019. It's unique, I had some special requirements, and they gave us a great job at a great price. We ended up having one relatively minor issue over the last few weeks, mostly due to the unique nature of this system. We're out of the official warranty period, and they came back out without any questions at all and helped us through it. With this kind of money, it's really nice to be able to trust someone to care about doing good work. Highly recommend if you need HVAC work done.
Elly & Richard
May 21, 2020
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We have been using Universal Heating and Plumbing for 7 years. We have been very happy with their prices and service. Heat Pumps and Split Units.
Alison Wagner
Jan 24, 2019
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I had problems since I moved in with low flow of air to the upstairs of my house, resulting in sweltering upstairs and freezing basement during summer. Another HVAC company told me numerous times it was just because of how the house was set up and wouldn't look any further. Universal comes out and takes five minutes to realize that someone had broken the damper handles off of two main lines and covered the holes with sheet metal (side note: other company saw the holes too and just shrugged).
The dampers were still inside the lines and mostly closed, blocking the airflow to over half of my house. He was able to fix the handles and solve my airflow problems in under an hour- I was absolutely delighted! Seems like a very practical, smart, and overall excellent company and I'll be calling them for all my future HVAC needs for sure.
The dampers were still inside the lines and mostly closed, blocking the airflow to over half of my house. He was able to fix the handles and solve my airflow problems in under an hour- I was absolutely delighted! Seems like a very practical, smart, and overall excellent company and I'll be calling them for all my future HVAC needs for sure.
Philip Wise
Nov 23, 2018
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We have been dealing with universal for 18 years and they consistently deliver honest dependable and thorough service. I could not be happier with universal and I could not recommend anyone better in the whole city of Richmond