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Licensed HVAC & Plumbing Company in Durham, NC

Fast AC Repair, Installation & Plumbing Services

Alternative Aire provides HVAC and plumbing repair, replacement, installation, and maintenance across Durham, NC. One call is all it takes, and most emergencies get a same day appointment.

Units Installed

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Years of Experience
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Google 4.8-star rating badge with five orange stars and 1,000+ customer reviews
NATE Certification badge with blue award ribbon for HVAC technicians
Angi 2021 Super Service Award badge recognizing service excellence
BBB Accredited Business badge displaying an A+ rating
Google 4.8-star rating, NATE certification, Angi 2021 Super Service Award, and BBB A+ accreditation badges

HVAC and Plumbing Services We Offer in Durham & Surrounding Areas

Whatever is broken, one team can look at it. Here is what we repair, replace and install, plus maintenance plans to keep it from happening again.

Heating and Cooling

AC Repair

Warm air, strange noises, or a system that won't cool the house evenly? We diagnose the problem and repair it fast, often the same day.

AC Installation

We size and install new air conditioning systems based on your home's actual cooling needs. When replacement makes more sense than another repair, we show you the numbers.

Ductless Mini Split Installation & Repair

For additions, garages, or homes without ductwork, we handle mini split installation, repair and replacement, built for year round comfort.

Furnace Repair

A furnace that won't start or keeps cycling on and off needs a quick, accurate diagnosis. We find the issue and fix it right.

Furnace Installation

When your furnace is past its prime, we help you choose the right replacement and complete the installation properly from day one.

Zone System Installation

If one room runs hot while another stays cold, a zone system installation or upgrade can even things out. We explain what it will change before we start.

Plumbing Services

Plumbing Installation

New fixtures, whole house repiping, pipe replacement, remodels and additions, all installed by licensed plumbers. If a repair will do, we stop at the repair.

Plumbing Repair

A leaking faucet, a running toilet, a jammed disposal or a worn sink shouldn't take over your day. We find the failed part, explain it, then repair it or handle the replacement and installation.

Water Line Repair

A soggy patch in the yard, a sudden pressure drop, or a bill that jumped can mean the line outside has broken. We trace the break, then repair or replace the damaged section.

Gas Line Installation

Adding a range, a dryer, or an outdoor grill? Our licensed plumbers run the gas line, connect it, and test it before anything goes into use.

Gas Line Repair

Smell gas? Leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 first, then call us. Once it’s safe, we find the leak, repair or replace the failing section, and test the line.

What Makes Us a Reliable Company? Here Who We Are!

Alternative Aire has served Durham, Raleigh, Cary and surrounding areas for 17+ years. In that time, we’ve learned that most HVAC and plumbing problems come down to careful diagnosis, not guesswork. Our HVAC technicians are NATE-certified, our plumbers are licensed, and every one of them finds the actual cause before recommending a fix.

Then we tell you what’s wrong, what it will cost and why, before any work begins. That’s true for a quick AC repair, a drain that won’t clear, or a full furnace installation. We also work with high-efficiency and dual-fuel systems, and we build custom ductwork for homes that need more than a standard setup.

Now the same team that keeps your home comfortable also handles your plumbing, from a dripping faucet to a slab leak. We’re licensed, insured and BBB A+ Accredited, which is why so many Triangle homeowners keep calling us back.

Alternative Aire Inc BusinessRate Best of 2026 award for air conditioning contractors in Durham, NC

Residential and Commercial Service Experts

Homeowners

One company for the AC, the furnace and the leak under the sink. In an older Durham home or a newer build, we diagnose first and explain before we fix.

Landlords and Property Managers

A dead AC or a leaking unit can't wait on anyone's schedule. Call one team for repair, installation and replacement across your rentals.

Commercial Properties

We keep Durham businesses running with reliable HVAC repair, installation and maintenance, scheduled around your operating hours.

Worried Before Calling? That's Normal

We know what you’re worried about: a surprise on the bill, a small fix that snowballs, and a long wait while the problem gets worse. Here are the concerns we hear most, with honest answers.

Nobody can come until tomorrow.

Not always. Most AC, heating and plumbing repairs in Durham are handled the same day you call. Call (919) 404-9040 and we'll tell you the soonest time we have.

A small repair always turns into a big replacement.

It doesn't have to. A pinhole leak gets treated like a pinhole leak. If your pipes or your system show a bigger problem, we show you why. If they don't, we stop at the repair.

I can't tell if the quote is fair.

You get a flat rate price before any work starts, and we walk you through what's in it. If you'd like to compare, we're fine with that.

A company that fixes my AC can't handle my plumbing too.

Ours can. Our HVAC technicians are NATE-certified, our plumbers hold their own NC license, and each job goes to the right licensed pro.

What if something breaks after hours?

We're open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. If a pipe bursts outside those hours, shut off the main water valve, turn off the water heater, and call us when we open. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 first.

See Why Your Neighbors Recommend Us

Alternative Aire holds an Excellent rating from more than 1,000+ Google reviews. Durham customers keep mentioning fast, honest diagnostics and technicians who explain the work first.

Posted on Google Google
Mark Murray profile picture
Mark Murray
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Our technician Solomon Lopez was great. He was very thorough in walking me through what needed to be done and why. The price was on the low end compared to other estimates that I received too!
Posted on Google Google
Andrew profile picture
Andrew
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I called my go to company alternative Aire to help me with an issue with my HVAC and Phil came out and did a great job! Great customer service, he diagnosed the issue quickly and had it fixed within 15 minutes. He even took a look to make sure everything else was looking Okay. Cool air coming into the house now feels great. Thanks for your help Phil!
Posted on Google Google
Marie Martinez profile picture
Marie Martinez
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Phillip came in a timely manner and was so professional. He worked so quickly and was extremely thorough, checking every part of my system on such a hot day. I would highly recommend this company and especially the technician named Phillip.
Posted on Google Google
Quinn Schwartz profile picture
Quinn Schwartz
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Charles is very helpful and attentive
Posted on Google Google
CCS 762 profile picture
CCS 762
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Charles has been my guy for 3 years. Always comes through. Thank you.

We are Experienced, Licensed HVAC and Plumbing Contractor

You should be able to check who’s working in your home. Here is how.

HVAC technician explaining AC refrigerant pressure readings to a homeowner

A Simple Process, No Surprises

1. Call or Book Online

Tell us what's happening. Same day appointments are usually available across Durham.

2. Get a Flat Rate Price

We inspect your system or plumbing and explain what's wrong before we quote. No guessing, no pressure.

3. We Fix It

Our technicians and plumbers complete most repairs and installations in a single visit, done the first time correctly.

4. You're Covered

Every job is backed by our satisfaction guarantee, so you're covered long after we've left.

HVAC and Plumbing Financing So the Bill Won't Sting

A new system, a repiping job or a big repair doesn’t have to come out of savings all at once. Financing lets you spread the cost and get the work done now. You can apply online through our financing page.

Areas We Serve in Durham and Surroundings

We provide HVAC and plumbing services throughout Durham and the surrounding Triangle area, including:

Frequently Asked Questions

What HVAC and plumbing services does Alternative Aire offer in Durham, NC?

We provide AC repair, installation and replacement, furnace repair, installation and replacement, ductless mini splits, and commercial HVAC. We also offer plumbing repair, plumbing installation, leak detection, drain cleaning, water heater repair, gas and water line services, and whole house repiping.

In most cases, yes. Durham summers don’t leave much room for waiting, and a leak doesn’t either, so we prioritize same day appointments whenever a system is down or water is where it shouldn’t be.
Always. Our technician or plumber inspects the problem first and walks you through the cost before any work begins. That goes for HVAC and plumbing. There’s no guessing on your invoice.
It depends on the age of the unit, how often it needs repairs, and what it’s costing you in energy bills. We’ll lay out the numbers honestly so you can make the call that fits your home and budget.
Twice a year works well for most Durham homes, once before the humidity sets in over summer and once before the cold hits in winter. Regular service catches small issues before they turn into breakdowns.
This usually points to low refrigerant, a dirty coil or filter, a failing capacitor, or a thermostat that’s not reading correctly. Our techs can pinpoint the exact cause during a single visit.
Not unless your pipes call for it. A pinhole leak gets treated like a pinhole leak. If your plumbing shows a bigger problem, we show you why. If it doesn’t, we stop at the repair.
If you smell gas, leave the house right away and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. If water won’t stop, shut off the main valve, then call us at (919) 404-9040.
Yes. We’re licensed under NC H3-Class 1 #30223 for HVAC and NC P1 #19849 for plumbing. We’re also insured and BBB A+ Accredited, so you’re working with a company that’s accountable for its work.

Your Fix Starts With One Call

A broken AC, a cold furnace or a leak won’t wait, and neither should you. Call for same day service across Durham and the Triangle, with a flat rate price before any work starts.