Professional Emergency AC Repair in Cary, NC

If your AC just stopped working, here's what to do right now before you call anyone: check your thermostat, check your breaker, and check your air filter. These three things solve about 30% of "emergency" AC calls — and they take less than five minutes.

Step 1: Check Your Thermostat

Make sure it's set to "cool," the fan is on "auto," and the setpoint is at least 3-5 degrees below the current room temperature. If the screen is blank, replace the batteries. If you have a smart thermostat, confirm it didn't switch to a schedule or vacation mode on its own.

Step 2: Check the Circuit Breaker

Go to your electrical panel and look for the breaker labeled "AC," "HVAC," or "air handler." If it's tripped (in the middle position), flip it fully off, wait 30 seconds, then flip it back on. Note: most central AC systems have TWO breakers — one for the indoor air handler and one for the outdoor condenser. Check both. If the breaker trips again immediately, do not keep resetting it. That points to an electrical fault and you need a technician.

Step 3: Check the Air Filter

A severely clogged filter can cause the system to freeze up and shut down. Pull the filter and look at it. If it's packed solid, replace it. Then set the system to "fan only" for 2-3 hours to let the evaporator coil thaw before switching back to cooling.

Step 4: Check the Outdoor Unit

Go outside and look at the condenser. Is the fan spinning? Is the unit making any noise at all? If it's completely silent, the issue is likely electrical — a blown capacitor, failed contactor, or tripped breaker. Also check for debris. Leaves, grass clippings, or even a trash bag blown against the unit can block airflow and cause a shutdown.

If none of those steps get your AC running again, it's time to call for help.

When It's a Real Emergency vs. When It Can Wait

Not every AC breakdown needs a midnight service call. Here's how to tell the difference.

Call now — don't wait:
- Indoor temperature is above 85°F and rising, with elderly adults, young children, or pets in the home
- You smell something burning from the vents or the unit
- You see water pouring from the indoor unit (not just condensation — actual flooding)
- The circuit breaker trips repeatedly
- You hear loud banging or screeching from the outdoor unit

It can probably wait until morning:
- The AC stopped working at night and indoor temps are still in the mid-70s
- You have ceiling fans or portable fans to keep air moving
- The outdoor temperature is dropping overnight
- Only one zone stopped working but others are fine

We're not going to push you toward an emergency call if you don't need one. But if you do, Element Service Group runs 24/7 emergency AC service across the Triangle with a 60-minute response time. The $49 diagnostic applies toward your repair, even on nights and weekends.

What to Expect From an Emergency Service Call

Our tech will arrive in a fully stocked truck. Here's the typical process:

1. Quick assessment of the indoor and outdoor units
2. Diagnostic testing — electrical, refrigerant, airflow
3. Explanation of what failed and why
4. Repair quote before any work starts (flat-rate, no hourly surprises)
5. Same-visit repair in most cases

Common emergency fixes include capacitor replacement, contactor replacement, refrigerant recharge, and electrical repairs. These typically take 30-90 minutes. If the issue is a failed compressor or major component, we'll give you options and can usually get parts next-day.

Triangle Heat Is No Joke

The Raleigh-Durham area regularly sees heat index values above 105°F in July and August. When your AC goes down in that kind of heat, indoor temperatures can climb to dangerous levels within a few hours — especially in upstairs rooms or homes with poor insulation.

This is a real health risk for elderly residents and young children. Heat exhaustion can set in faster than most people realize. If your home is above 85°F and climbing, don't wait it out.

Apex and Holly Springs have been among the fastest-growing towns in Wake County, with thousands of new homes built in the last five to ten years. If your system was installed during construction, check your warranty paperwork — many new HVAC installs carry 5-10 year parts warranties. Our techs can help you figure out what's covered before we quote a repair.

We serve Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh, and Durham. Veteran-owned, 700+ five-star reviews, and on the road when you need us.