Element Service Group provides professional heat pump services services to Durham residents and businesses. Fast response, fair pricing, guaranteed satisfaction.
Real jobs completed by our team in the Durham area
Jeorell, Mario, Travis, Nick & Dexter
September 2026
An apartment in the 27713 area of Durham reported that the compressor was making noise and the unit was not heating properly. On a later visit, the unit would not come on at all, and the heat pump would only run after maintenance bypassed the pressure switch.
Jeorell found that the rooftop compressor sounded rough, as if something was rattling in it, and megohmmeter testing showed all 3 windings to be bad, so a compressor replacement was quoted. On a return visit, Jeorell and Nick checked all 24v and high voltage wiring at the air handler and on the roof and found proper voltage, with the system working at that time, so the board was suspected of intermittently failing. After maintenance replaced the board, Jeorell and Nick found the pressure switch reading OL, meaning it was not passing continuity, and also noted that DF2 had broken off the new board. The pressure switch replacement was approved and the part was ordered.
The system was left off at the time of departure while the replacement pressure switch was on order.
Manny, Aaron & Travis
August 2026
A Durham homeowner in the 27701 area called because the system was low on freon and the unit was not cooling.
Across three visits, Manny, Aaron, and Travis found a shorted thermostat wire and a major indoor coil leak on the Ruud heat pump. Vapor pressure measured 40 PSI (R-410A), which confirmed severe low charge/refrigerant loss, so the unit was shut down to prevent compressor damage. On another unit, the low-pressure switch kept tripping even though low-side (vapor) pressure was normal at 150 PSI, and it was diagnosed as a faulty/stripped low-pressure switch. The fire damper fusible link was also broken with the damper closed, so the link was replaced and the refrigerant charge checked normal. Full heat pump replacement with new thermostat wire was recommended over a minor part repair, and a quote was requested for the customer.
Jeorell
July 2026
Two Durham homeowners came home from vacation to a system that was not cooling. They said that when the thermostat is turned off, the system starts to heat, and it was running but blowing warm air and not responding to the thermostat.
Jeorell found that the relay for the heat strips is bad and needs to be replaced. With the thermostat turned off at the system, it was blowing hot air, so he headed into the crawl space and found the heat strips running. He disconnected the strips and the system stopped running, and an estimate for the repair was to be sent shortly.
The system was cooling at the time of departure.
Dexter & Travis
April 2026
A Durham homeowner in the 27713 area reported that the unit was stuck in heat and not cooling. Several 24v wires had been swapped, and a wire bundle was spliced outside of the conduit.
Dexter found that connections on the outside of the condensing unit were not making a good connection, and that the system was low on 410A refrigerant. He fixed the wires and tested the system, and the service team planned to recharge the unit. On the follow-up visit, Travis fixed damaged burnt wiring in the condensing unit to get the compressor running, and a contactor supplied onsite was installed in the unit.
After the wiring repairs, the unit was cooling again.
Nov 22, 2025 · 14 min read
Planning a heating system replacement in Apex or Cary, NC? Compare gas furnaces, electric furnaces, and heat pumps to find the best option for your home and budget.
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Is your heating and cooling system nearing the end of its life? Discover the six key indicators that replacement is more cost-effective than ongoing repairs.
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Dec 14, 2024 · 10 min read
Making the right choice for your home's heating and cooling system is crucial. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Read articleDurham's diverse housing stock ranges from historic homes to modern builds, each requiring different HVAC approaches and solutions.
The Bull City's hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F demand reliable AC systems with proper maintenance schedules.
Many older Durham homes have ductwork that wasn't designed for central AC, requiring creative solutions and expert retrofitting.
Durham's tree-lined neighborhoods provide shade but also shed debris that can clog outdoor AC units, requiring regular cleaning and maintenance.
More ways we can help in Durham.
Answered by our licensed technicians serving Durham.
Yes, heat pumps work excellently in North Carolina's mild winters. Modern heat pumps operate efficiently down to 25-30°F, which covers most Triangle winter days. For the occasional cold snap, heat pumps include auxiliary heating. Many Apex and Cary homeowners use heat pumps as their primary heating and cooling system year-round.
A furnace burns fuel (gas or oil) to generate heat, while a heat pump transfers heat from outside air into your home using electricity. Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling in one system, are more energy-efficient in mild climates, and have lower operating costs. Furnaces heat faster in extreme cold but cost more to run.
Heat pump installation in the Apex area typically ranges from $4,500 to $12,000, depending on system size, efficiency rating (SEER/HSPF), and installation complexity. While the upfront cost is higher than a furnace alone, a heat pump replaces both your furnace and AC. Many homeowners see 30-50% savings on heating costs.
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