First RespondAir HVAC

08/24/2026

“How much is an HVAC service call?”

Our standard service call is $115.

That includes the diagnostic visit and labor for the repair performed during that visit. If your system needs a replacement part, refrigerant, or other materials, those are additional, but Ean will explain what he found and review the cost with you before moving forward.

08/21/2026

Most HVAC systems don’t send a calendar invitation before they break 😅

That’s why routine maintenance matters. It gives us a chance to clean your equipment, check how it’s operating, and identify developing issues before they become uncomfortable surprises.

First RespondAir maintenance plans start at $199 per year and include added member savings like 50% off one service call, 5% off covered-system parts, and one free pound of refrigerant.

It’s not just about maintaining the equipment. It’s about having a better idea of what’s happening with your system before it stops working on the hottest, or coldest, day of the year.

View our plan options:

Discover our honest, preventive HVAC maintenance plans designed to keep your system efficient and your costs predictable.

08/19/2026

86° inside, a toddler at home, and 90° temperatures outside. 🥵

When this homeowner contacted us, Ean was able to come out the next morning. He took the time to thoroughly diagnose the problem, explain what he found, and get their home cooling again by that evening.

Here’s part of the incredibly kind review they left:

“We went from suffering in 86-degree temps in the house with a toddler to a nicely cooled house by that evening, even with 90-degree temps outside. He was very transparent with his findings, suggestions, and pricing.”

We’re so glad they found our small family business through Nextdoor and trusted us to help. Keeping local families comfortable is exactly why we do what we do. ❤️

08/17/2026

Even a great HVAC system can develop problems when it’s incorrectly sized or installed. And if the person doing the work isn’t properly licensed, you could run into issues with permits, code compliance, and even warranty coverage later.

Before hiring someone for an HVAC replacement, ask:

✅ Are you licensed in North Carolina?
✅ Will you pull the required permit?
✅ Is this system properly sized for my home?
✅ Will you register the manufacturer’s warranty?

A lower quote isn’t always a better deal if you’re left paying to correct the work later!

08/13/2026

After 1 official year in business, I figured I would share First RespondAir's origin story. 🎉

After working as a senior HVAC technician for 10 years, I decided it was time to build something of my own. I spent all summer last year studying for the North Carolina contractor's exam. I earned my license and officially formed the business in August 2025.

I juggled working full-time while slowly gaining momentum with FRA. It was rough and I experienced severe burnout, but it was absolutely worth it.

In May, I took the scary dive and left my full-time job to give First RespondAir HVAC everything I had.

My personal truck became the company truck and our backyard barn slowly became the HVAC parts-and-tools hub. My wife, Jenna, took on a second job helping with our scheduling, customer service, marketing, permits, and all the other behind-the-scenes pieces that keep a small business moving.

It definitely hasn't been glamorous, but EXTREMELY worth it.

Today, more than 200 local homeowners have trusted us with their heating and cooling needs!! We don't take that lightly one bit.

We're still building this family business little by little, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us through it. Thank you ❤️ 💙

07/30/2026

"I highly recommend Ean Karpinski and First RespondAir. Ean recently installed a new HVAC unit for me, and the entire experience was excellent from start to finish. He took the time to explain my options, helped me choose the best solution for my situation, and never made me feel pressured. Throughout the process, Ean was punctual, professional, knowledgeable, and easy to talk with. He kept me informed, answered every question, and offered helpful recommendations with outstanding customer service. For a major project like this, the quality of the work matters—but so does the way you are treated. Ean delivered on both. If you need a new HVAC unit or even a repair, Ean is absolutely the person to call. Five stars all the way."

Thank you to our wonderful customer who left this amazing review!! If you ever need a free second opinion on a system estimate quote, we're here for you! ❤

07/14/2026

"I give First RespondAir HVAC 10 stars. I woke up this morning (7/4/26) to a broken AC. My thermostat was set to 75 and the temp in my house was 81. This has got to be the hottest day of the year. I googled AC repair and I ran up on First RespondAir. Honestly, what stood out for me was the name and the address. They aren’t that far from me. I called the number and hung up because I figured they were closed because it’s July 4th. I got a call back as soon as I hung up. I was sent a link for service and set it up. They came on July 4th. It’s a holiday but they still came. Within two hours, the house was cooling down. The service was exemplary. Everything was explained to me as it was being done. Like I said I give them 10 stars. Thank you so much First RespondAir HVAC!"

We offer after-hours emergency service because HVAC problems don't always happen during business hours. As a small business, we do our best to accommodate emergency calls whenever we can.

If you're without heating or cooling, give us a call. We're here to help!

06/04/2026

“Ean squeezed me into his busy schedule and managed to make it to my home at almost 7 in the evening. My central AC was not keeping up with the hot weather, and Ean was able to thoroughly diagnose and troubleshoot the problem to a shortage of refrigerant. He carefully explained my options, and made quick work out of restoring my cool air. I am very appreciative that he carved out the time to help me, and he did a great job. Pricing was fair and reasonable. 5 stars!”

We love taking great care of our customers! 😁

05/26/2026

Thinking about replacing your HVAC system before it completely gives out this summer?

At First RespondAir HVAC, we provide FREE system replacement estimates for homeowners across Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest, Chapel Hill, and surrounding areas.

We’ll come out, inspect your current system, talk through your options honestly (without the pushy sales tactics), and provide a detailed quote within 48 hours. Most installs can typically be scheduled as soon as the following week depending on equipment availability.

If your AC is struggling to keep up, constantly needing repairs, or over 10–15 years old, now’s a great time to explore your options before peak summer breakdown season hits.

📞 Call or text us today to schedule your free estimate: (919) 815-6994

04/22/2026

Sometimes, it takes something as tiny as an ant to shut down an entire HVAC system.

On a recent job, an ant made its way into a critical component and caused a complete system failure. It’s a great reminder that even the smallest issues can turn into big problems when it comes to your heating and cooling.

Regular maintenance helps catch things like this before they leave you without air when you need it most.

If your system isn’t acting right (or you just want peace of mind before the summer heat hits), we’ve got you covered.