Durham homes range from historic districts to modern subdivisions, each with different heating needs. Element Service Group evaluates your specific home to recommend the right system, whether it's a gas furnace, heat pump, or dual-fuel upgrade.
Choose the right heating service for your needs.
Expert furnace installation with proper sizing, efficiency matching, ductwork evaluation, and manufacturer-backed warranties.
Expert boiler repair, maintenance, and installation for steam and hot water systems. Keep your home safely heated all winter.
Learn moreYear-round comfort from a single efficient system. We install, repair, and maintain all heat pump types including ductless models.
Get your heating system winter-ready with a thorough inspection, cleaning, and calibration that prevents breakdowns and lowers bills.
Learn moreHeating emergency? Our technicians are available 24/7 for same-day furnace and heat pump repairs when you need warmth fast.
Learn moreEven, draft-free warmth from in-floor and radiant panel systems. Energy-efficient heating with no ductwork or blowing air required.
Learn moreReal jobs completed by our team in the Durham area
Mario
September 2026
A tenant at a home in the 27703 area of Durham reported that the unit was still blowing cold air even though they wanted heating.
Mario found the attic furnace out on a four-flash fault code indicating an open high limit, and no voltage was being sent out from the control board. After he inspected the board for a bit, it started outputting voltage again, which points to an intermittent voltage concern with the IFC board. Mario tested the operation of the unit and checked furnace temperatures and zoning operations. Because the supply house was closed for the weekend, the office will send an estimate for the replacement board on Monday morning.
The unit ran without any further issues during testing, furnace temperatures were not approaching the 210°F high limit threshold, and all zoning operations were working properly.
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.
Couldn't be happier! I just moved into a new house and wasn't even unpacked yet when the A/C started bogging down and then flooded the downstairs bathroom. Of course it had to happen on a Sunday but Element sent someone out right away and Travis was positive, friendly, and knowledgeable! Fixed the issue despite the heat with a smile and about the best attitude I've ever seen. I will be sticking with this company and this tech for all of my future HVAC maintenance from now on! :) Thanks, guys!!
fixapony
Verified Google Review
Had my AC, blower, and furnace replaced. The team showed up on time, prepped the house to avoid tracking in dirt and make it easy to clean up when done. I work from home and they were very respectful of that. The were very efficient in the work, completing the whole job with clean up in about 8 hours. Very thorough with ensuring everything was functioning as expected before leaving. Definitely recommend!
Brian Schilling
Verified Google ReviewClayton
Great honest service! Fair price and the Technician was highly competent. I will use them for any additional service or heat pump purchases. In fact I asked for estimates on our two aging units!
Richard Tidwell
Verified Google ReviewPittsboro
Bernard came to do maintenance on my heat pump and was very courteous and professional.
Becky Bowen
Verified Google ReviewAngier
A very thorough review and assessment of our boiler needs. Great folks to work with.
Bruno Toffolo
Verified Google ReviewRaleigh
Phenomenal service from Jeorell. Couldn't have asked for a better experience when handling our issue not having heat in our apartment. Felt like a family member coming by and helping out.
Jonathan Gibson
Verified Google Review
Mar 9, 2026 · 9 min read
Heat pump installations are surging in Chatham County. Modern systems handle Pittsboro winters easily, cost less to operate than gas, and qualify for up to $2,400 in tax credits and rebates. Here is why 2026 is the best year to switch.
Read article
Apr 8, 2026 · 4 min read
Element Service Group launches AWARE Training Initiative this Autism Awareness Month, equipping all technicians with skills to better serve Triangle families with autism and sensory sensitivities through adapted communication, noise reduction, and patient-centered service approaches.
Read article
Jun 9, 2026 · 4 min read
Element Service Group has been named the Best of 2026 HVAC Contractor in Apex by BusinessRate! Learn what sets us apart as the Triangle's top choice for heating, cooling, plumbing, and indoor air quality services.
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.
Durham's older areas (Hope Valley, Forest Hills, Duke Park) often have gas furnaces, while newer suburbs rely on heat pumps. Each system type has distinct maintenance and replacement needs.
Gas furnaces in Durham's pre-1990 homes are 30+ years old in some cases, with declining efficiency and potential safety concerns from aging heat exchangers.
Leaky ductwork in Durham's older homes wastes 25-40% of heated air, making the heating system work much harder and driving up Duke Energy costs during winter months.
Durham homes with older heating systems often experience excessively dry air in winter, causing discomfort, static electricity, and damage to hardwood floors and furniture.
More ways we can help in Durham.
Answered by our licensed technicians serving Durham.
It varies by neighborhood age. Pre-1990 Durham homes often have gas furnaces, especially in areas with established gas infrastructure. Homes built after 2000 predominantly use heat pumps. Durham's housing diversity means we work with all heating system types daily.
Gas furnaces over 20 years old should be inspected annually for cracked heat exchangers and proper combustion. We use specialized diagnostic equipment to check for carbon monoxide leaks. If your Durham home has a gas furnace built before 2000, we recommend scheduling a safety inspection.
Modern heat pumps can be more cost-effective than gas in Durham's mild winter climate, but the answer depends on your gas rates, electricity rates, and home insulation levels. We provide a cost comparison analysis specific to your Durham home so you can make an informed decision.
For Durham homes with uneven heating, solutions include zone control systems, duct sealing and balancing, or supplemental ductless mini-splits for problem areas. We evaluate your specific situation. Older Durham homes often get the biggest improvement from duct sealing alone.
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