Professional AC Repair in Raleigh, NC

If your AC is running but not cooling, the most common culprits are a dirty air filter, low refrigerant, or a failing compressor. In most cases, it's something a technician can diagnose in under an hour — and fix the same day.

Let's walk through what's likely going on.

Dirty or Clogged Air Filter

This is the number-one reason we see ACs underperform. A clogged filter restricts airflow across the evaporator coil, which causes the coil to freeze up. The system runs constantly but barely cools. If you haven't changed your filter in 60+ days, start there. Pull it out, hold it up to the light — if you can't see through it, replace it and give the system a few hours to recover.

Low Refrigerant (Freon Leak)

Your AC doesn't "use up" refrigerant. If it's low, there's a leak somewhere in the line set, evaporator coil, or condenser. Low refrigerant means the system can't absorb enough heat from your indoor air, so it blows lukewarm. You'll often notice ice forming on the copper lines near your outdoor unit. This isn't a DIY fix — refrigerant handling requires EPA certification and specialized equipment.

Failing Capacitor or Compressor

The capacitor gives your compressor the jolt it needs to start. When it weakens, the compressor struggles to kick on or shuts off early. You might hear a clicking or humming sound from the outdoor unit. Capacitors are inexpensive to replace. A failing compressor is a bigger deal — depending on the age of your system, it may make more sense to replace the unit than to sink $1,500+ into a compressor swap.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

Low airflow (from that dirty filter) or low refrigerant causes the evaporator coil to ice over. When it's frozen, it can't absorb heat. Turn the system to "fan only" for a few hours to let it thaw, then call for service. Running the AC with a frozen coil can damage the compressor.

Thermostat Issues

Sometimes the problem isn't the AC at all. A miscalibrated thermostat, dead batteries, or a thermostat placed in direct sunlight can send the wrong signals to your system. Check that it's set to "cool" (not "auto" or "heat"), the temperature is set below the current room temp, and the fan is set to "auto."

Symptoms That Mean You Need a Pro

- Warm air blowing from vents even after replacing the filter
- Ice on the refrigerant lines or outdoor unit
- The outdoor unit isn't spinning or makes unusual noises
- Circuit breaker trips repeatedly when the AC runs
- Musty or burning smell from the vents
- System short-cycles (turns on and off every few minutes)

If you're seeing any of these, it's time for a diagnostic. Our techs arrive with fully stocked trucks and can handle most repairs in a single visit. Element Service Group offers a $49 diagnostic that gets applied toward your repair — so if we fix it, the diagnostic is essentially free.

What a Technician Actually Checks

A proper AC diagnostic isn't just "look at the unit and give a quote." Our process includes checking refrigerant levels and pressures, testing capacitors and electrical connections, inspecting the evaporator and condenser coils, measuring airflow and temperature differential (you want 15-20°F between supply and return air), and verifying thermostat calibration.

Why This Matters in the Triangle

Summers here regularly hit 95°F with humidity above 80%. Your AC isn't just running — it's working overtime to pull moisture out of the air too. That puts serious strain on components. Duke Energy bills during July and August can easily double if your system is struggling to keep up.

A lot of homes in Apex and Cary were built between 2000 and 2015 during the Triangle's big growth period. Those original AC systems are now 10-25 years old, which is right at or past the end of their expected lifespan. If your system needs frequent repairs and it's in that age range, our techs will give you an honest assessment of whether it makes more sense to repair or replace — no pressure either way.

We serve Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh, and Durham with same-day AC repair. Over 700 five-star reviews from Triangle homeowners back that up.