Rated 3.53 / 5 from 19 reviews
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CL Carter C.L. Carter Heating & Air Conditioning Inc is a trustworthy family business that knows how important reliability and comfort are to you. Calvin and Ellen Carter founded the company in 1968. They started their business from their garage in Virginia Beach, and then moved to a small shop off Pennsylvania Avenue in Virginia Beach where they stayed until 1987.

After years of growth, they built a new office, warehouse, and sheet metal shop in the Greenbrier area of Chesapeake, where they are currently located. Their daughter, Laurie Carter Bleh, joined the business soon after and currently serves as Vice President.
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Commercial
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Our goal is to design systems that provide our clients significant energy savings and the most comfortable environment possible. We begin with a professional analysis and good understanding of your requirements. By keeping that in mind, we'll engineer a system adapted to your business that will deliver superior efficiency and durability at a competitive price.
Residential
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Our service department is prompt and highly experienced. We are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - even on holidays. Our team works hard to respond to your service needs on the same day whenever possible. If you have an emergency, we'll get to you as quickly as we can. Please give us a call today at (757) 547-0111 if we can be of assistance.
Reviews (19)
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Randy Pomeroy
May 03, 2021
Excellent job and workmanship. Mr. Carter has a fine group of people working for him.
JonCos
Feb 15, 2021
GO ELSEWHERE FOR WORK! Called and left a msg with Linda, regarding a quote for a water heater install. Was advised that Mr. Carter was out and he would call back. He called back and I gave him the details of requested work. I told him I was getting estimates since it was a lot of money. He flat out told me "it won't make a difference, go with the other estimates", and he hung up on me.

I called back thinking we got disconnected, but we didn't. Explained what happened to the receptionist and she was very apologetic on his behalf. He could've been having a bad day, but we all do. Sorry sir, I was trying to support small local businesses. Good luck, to your company!
Diane Berry
Nov 18, 2019
C L Carter installed and has serviced my heating air system for 33 years. I have found them prompt and efficient. I highly recommend their services.
Joseph Umstead
Nov 17, 2019
Our go to HVAC company. The are reliable, professional, and friendly. Make them your choice for all of your heating and cooling needs.
Becca Brown
Oct 03, 2019
This company consists of some of the hardest working people I know. They are honest, dependable and trustworthy. Don't believe the negative reviews from customers who did not want to pay what the actual Costs of repair are and pay to maintain their systems. I have only had positive experiences with this company. Would highly recommend!
Rob Thompson
Sep 06, 2019
Great experience with replacement of our entire ac two zone system. Additionally, they rigged up my house for gas and installed a new gas stove. Price was fair and within all quotes I received, their service was excellent.
David Sullivan
Jul 02, 2019
Just upgraded our Trane gas pack with a new unit. Couldn't be happier with the price, service and professionalism of everyone at C L Carter. I highly recommend them.
Denise Brooks
May 31, 2019
Excellent customer service! I know my heating and cooling is well cared for. I recommend them highly!
Jeannie Jean LeFrancois
Jan 01, 2019
As I purhased a foreclosure as a new widow in Dec 2012, I had no idea who to have repair a non working Heat Pump, for a closing of Jan 4, 2013. Temps are in 20-30s in North Eastern NC, just south of Chesapeake, VA 7 miles. Mr Carter himself came & inspected the HVAC with his senior sales person. He at 62 was up in my attic. I thought at his age he could be trusted for a fair bid & work ethic as his company is quite large.

He came down and said he would get back to me the following week as the system was not working at all and I had to remain in a hotel, while repairs were being done. (I was prior military dependant & was relatively new as my husband came with me and within 6 weeks was gone as we discovered Cancer that had metz to the brain) Mr Carter gave me a bid of $2100 for compressor repair still under warrenty.

For all necessary work which he never would be specific on problems, and stated I had a fire hazard in attic also. Repairs were going to be > $22,000. I said he could do initial work to get heat generated in house to move in, but I had no money for even that. My girl friends helped me get in. I had 2 other bids and they confirmed there was an electrical problem and other issues that mounted to >18,000 to 21,000.

My heart just sank. It was waiting on a little insurance money $11,000 but still was going to be still short. Hime Depot contracter was one of the other two. Over next 6-7 months I talked to people in my new area as to who to call. I met a contractor in Home Depot in VA who recommended a new business in NC - a prior employee. I found a reputable owner in NC who told me exactly what was wrong in several areas but mostly mice ate holes through 18 flex duct lines.

The heat strips inadequate for house size and a gauge of wire was under rated for current heat strips and was $4,600 with an improved digital thermostat - preferred but not needed. The repairs on this 8.5 yr old system was welcomed. Electric bill came down. Now after 14 y heat pump gave up, & replacing with split system Central AC and gas furnace as R 410a will not work as you approach 37 degrees F. (Note: 3 1/2 y after becoming a widow I met a widower who was an electrician 40+ years and HVAC service& installation tech - & a owner for 7 yrs of his own company in PA. I found out many unethical things about the HVAC industry in this area. Not just Mr Carter. but he was the highest bid.)
Mikan S.
Nov 03, 2018
These guys are really expensive with their "diagnostic fee" of $149 not applying to the repair costs. I'll NEVER use these guys again. I feel like anyone else would be cheaper and better. It's HVAC, not rocket science.
Mzmoeni
May 30, 2018
I recently bought a home in Virginia Beach. When I got the home inspected, the HVAC was not responding. The seller had a company come out to service it and was told it had a leak. The seller didn't have the money to fix it at that time and asked if I would pay for it up front and receive a credit it at closing. I suggested that the seller ask the HVAC company to agree to fix it and get paid at closing, which the company did not agree to.

Then the seller called a different company out, CL Carter Heating & Air and told them the unit had a leak. CL Carter's technician submitted a report which showed no leak on July 13th and serviced the unit good enough to pass my final walk through and I thought it was fixed and had the receipt from them showing the work done. After I closed on the home and was the new owner, I was at the home for hours and noticed it never cooled off.

I looked at the unit outside and it was not running! I called CL Carter on August 10th to come back out and check the unit. On August 11th, CL Carter came back out at charge, and all of a sudden, they find the leak, which I was quoted would cost $1700 at the least, to fix the leaky coil, all the way up to $4800 for a new unit. I feel totally taken advantage of because CL Carter's technicians should've found this leak, which was already diagnosed, before I bought the home instead of doing patch work and trying to charge me for what they should've charged the seller for. I'd NEVER do business with this shady company and you shouldn't either!
Madren
Dec 25, 2017
When my wife and I made the decision to replace our existing heating and air conditioning equipment, I phoned different HVAC companies in the area for information I wanted prior to meeting with someone. You made the time to speak with me directly on the phone where others were only interested in making an appointment.
Trent Conelias
Nov 18, 2017
They installed a new unit at my business. I have had nothing but trouble with the units. They are extremely rude when I call them. the units are less than 3 yeas old and are in need of constant repair. They do not stand by their product
M. & J. Lewis
Apr 14, 2017
We have certainly been enjoying the wonderful air conditioning system that you installed for us this summer. We were most impressed with how you figured out some of our more challenging areas of the house that many other companies were stumped by.
R. Goetz
Feb 25, 2017
Not enough can be said about the work ethics, due diligence, or professional knowledge they exhibited. They completed the installation in a timely manner and went out of their way to please me in every way. You should be proud to have these gentlemen in your employment as they can only bring accolades in the way of customer satisfaction.
T. Taylor
Feb 10, 2017
I want to sincerely thank you for your prompt and courteous service. You have impressed us beyond measure. My husband and I are in the midst of serious renovations and have had contractors in and out of our home for the past five months. Never in that time have we dealt with your caliber of professionalism.
B. Ifko
Jun 09, 2015
Your company replaced my entire heating and air conditioning system (including all new duct work) last month. Your team was every customer's dream. Every one of them was courteous, clean, mannerly and just all around nice guys. It was very pleasant to have them in my home.
Jon Grammes
Jan 19, 2015
Absolutely the most classless and unprofessional business organization I have had the displeasure of being involved with. The service that was rendered was acceptable, but I have never witnessed a more childish, disrespectful character than that displayed by the owner. A simple request for an itemized bill was too much for this owner to oblige. He was disrespectful to my wife, hung up on us several times, and refused to call us back on more than several occasions despite leaving requests.

He offered no credible explanation for his actions. Running a business involves more than just providing a tangible service; customer service is just as important. With so many other options out there, I would never recommend this business establishment to anyone. People like this have to be made accountable for their actions.
Jon Grammes
Oct 05, 2014
Absolutely the most classless and unprofessional business organization I have had the displeasure of being involved with. The service that was rendered was acceptable, but I have never witnessed a more childish, disrespectful character than that displayed by the owner.