Emergency AC Repair in Apex, NC
$49 diagnostic. 60-minute response, 24/7. Veteran-owned with 700+ five-star reviews in Apex & the Triangle.
AC Stopped Working? Here's What to Do.
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.
Problems We Fix
Our experts can diagnose and resolve any issue
Complete AC Failure During a Heat Wave
When temperatures exceed 95 degrees F in the Triangle, AC systems run near maximum capacity for hours. Stressed capacitors, overworked compressors, and overheated motors are most likely to fail during these extreme conditions — exactly when you need cooling most.
AC Tripping the Circuit Breaker Repeatedly
An AC that trips its breaker is signaling a serious electrical issue — possibly a grounded compressor, shorted wiring, or a failing component drawing excessive current. This requires immediate professional diagnosis as it poses both a fire risk and equipment damage risk.
Refrigerant Leak Causing Complete Loss of Cooling
A sudden refrigerant leak can drop cooling capacity to zero. You may notice ice forming on the refrigerant lines or indoor coil, warm air from vents, and a system that runs continuously. Operating the system in this state can destroy the compressor.
Indoor Water Flooding from AC
A severely clogged condensate drain or cracked drain pan can cause significant water damage to ceilings, walls, and flooring. This is especially common during North Carolina's humid summer months when AC systems produce large volumes of condensate.
Why Choose Element Service Group for Emergency AC Repair
We're your trusted partner for all Emergency AC Repair needs
Genuine Emergency Response
We don't schedule emergency calls for 'the next available appointment three days from now.' When you call with an AC emergency, we dispatch a technician to your home the same day — because a family without cooling in a North Carolina summer is a real emergency.
Fair Emergency Pricing
We charge a transparent emergency service fee — not inflated 'emergency rates' designed to exploit your urgency. You'll receive a flat-rate repair quote before we begin any work, even in an emergency situation.
First-Visit Resolution Focus
Our emergency vehicles are stocked with the parts that resolve the majority of AC failures on the spot. We track failure patterns across our service area and stock accordingly, maximizing your chance of same-visit repair.
Calm, Professional Technicians
Our emergency team consists of our most experienced technicians who work well under pressure. They communicate clearly, respect your home, and focus on getting your family comfortable as quickly and safely as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency AC Repair
Get answers to common questions about our emergency ac repair services
What qualifies as an AC emergency?
We consider it an emergency when you have no cooling at all, when temperatures pose a health risk (especially for elderly family members, young children, or pets), when you notice burning smells or electrical issues from your AC, or when water is actively flooding from your system. If you're unsure, call us — we'll help you determine the urgency.
How much does emergency AC repair cost?
Emergency calls include a service/dispatch fee plus the flat-rate cost of whatever repair is needed. We provide the repair quote before beginning work so there are no surprises. The total depends on the specific failure — it could be as simple as a $200 capacitor replacement or as involved as a compressor repair.
What should I do while waiting for the emergency technician?
Turn off the AC system at the thermostat to prevent further damage (especially if you hear unusual sounds or smell burning). Close blinds and curtains on sun-facing windows, use fans to circulate air, and stay hydrated. If water is leaking, place towels or containers to minimize damage and turn off the system immediately.
Do you charge extra for evenings and weekends?
We charge a standard emergency dispatch fee that applies regardless of when you call. We don't inflate repair prices based on the time of day or day of the week. The repair cost is the same whether it's Tuesday at 2 PM or Saturday at 10 PM.
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