- Founded in 2005
- Family-Owned & Local
- Honest & Transparent
- Mount Gilead, NC
- Heating & Cooling Specialists
- Residential & Commercial
Your old AC quit in the middle of a Mount Gilead July. The house is sticky, the unit outside is humming but not cooling, and the repair bill is starting to look bigger than the system is worth.
We get it. Our Piedmont summers are long and humid, with highs near 90 and run-times that wear an old compressor down year after year. When a system has had enough, throwing more money at repairs just delays the real fix.
EM Contractors LLC has replaced AC systems across Mount Gilead and Montgomery County since 2005. We'll tell you straight whether you need a new unit or just a repair, then size and install the right one at a fair price.
Common Problems We See
- AC runs all day but the house never gets cool
- Repair quotes keep adding up on a system over 12-15 years old
- Cooling bills climb every summer while comfort drops
- Outdoor unit is rusted or corroded from years of humidity
- Air comes out warm or barely cool even when the unit is running
- System uses old R-22 refrigerant that's expensive or no longer available
- Rooms stay muggy and damp no matter the thermostat setting
- Compressor or fan keeps failing and you're tired of the breakdowns
How EM Contractors Helps
We start with an honest look at your current system. If a repair will genuinely get you a few more good years, we'll say so. If it's time to replace, we help you pick the right unit, central air or a heat pump, and size it to your home so it cools well, runs efficiently, and pulls humidity out of the air during those long summer run-times.
Then we do the install right. We set the new equipment, check the ductwork, make the connections clean, and confirm the system cools and dehumidifies the way it should before we leave. We service all major makes and models, so you get the equipment that fits your home and budget, not a one-size-fits-all sales pitch.
Why Choose EM Contractors LLC
We're a family-owned business right here at 580 Valley View Church Rd in Mount Gilead, and the Mabe family has done HVAC in Montgomery County for decades. Eric Mabe and his father Roger built this company on being honest with neighbors, from the lake homes out near Lake Tillery to the older houses downtown. We know what our humid Piedmont summers do to equipment, and we won't sell you more than you need. When we say a system needs replacing, it's because it does.
Our AC Replacement Process
- 1
Honest assessment
We inspect your current system and tell you the truth: repair or replace. No pressure, no scare tactics.
- 2
Right-sized recommendation
We measure your home and match it to the correct system and capacity, so you don't overpay for too much or suffer with too little.
- 3
Clear, fair quote
You get a straightforward price up front with the options explained in plain language before any work starts.
- 4
Clean installation
We set the new unit, check the ductwork and connections, and install everything to last through Piedmont summers.
- 5
Test and walk-through
We confirm the system cools and pulls out humidity correctly, then show you how it runs before we go.
Local Tips for AC Replacement
Honest, practical advice from the EM Contractors crew — the same things we'd tell a neighbor.
Replace the indoor and outdoor units together
When you swap the outdoor condenser, replace the indoor coil and air handler at the same time. Mismatching a new outdoor unit to an old indoor coil hurts cooling, can void the warranty, and struggles with our summer humidity. A matched set runs better and lasts longer.
Size it for your house, not the old unit
Don't just match whatever was sitting there before. An oversized AC short-cycles and leaves your house damp and sticky through a long Piedmont summer. We measure your home and load so the new system actually pulls the moisture out, not just blows cold air.
Plan the replacement before the unit fully dies
If your AC is past 12 to 15 years and limping, line up the replacement in spring or fall instead of waiting for it to quit in a 90-degree July. You'll have time to pick the right system at a fair price instead of paying for a rushed emergency swap in the heat.
More Air Conditioning Services
Should You Repair or Replace Your AC System?
We'll never push a new system you don't need. Here's the honest framework we use to help you decide.
Repair may be best
- System is under about 10 years old
- The repair is minor and inexpensive
- Energy bills have stayed steady
- Unit has been maintained and uses R-410A
- First or second issue in years of service
Replacement may be best
- System is 12–15+ years old
- Repairs are becoming frequent
- Energy bills keep climbing
- Cooling is uneven or humidity stays high
- A major component (like the compressor) failed
- Unit uses phased-out R-22 refrigerant
Not sure where your system lands? We'll give you an honest evaluation — and we'll tell you to keep what you have when that's the right call.
What Customers Say About Our AC Replacement Service
Real, verified reviews from the Mount Gilead neighbors we've helped.
“I have known the Mabe family for 65 years. Father Roger and son Eric have for 30 years provided to me excellent A/C installation and service. EM Contractors are knowledgeable, prompt and courteous. I highly recommend the company.”
“Excellent service. I called in the afternoon and someone was at my house within an hour. Would definitely recommend!”
“Excellent HVAC company. When I call he is very prompt, professional, and knowledgeable then goes right to work. I would highly recommend Eric Mabe to anyone. Thanks for coming out today.”
Air Conditioning Tips From Our Blog
AC Replacement Questions, Answered
It depends on the age and condition. If your system is past 12-15 years, uses old R-22 refrigerant, or keeps breaking down, replacement usually makes more sense than sinking money into repairs. We'll give you an honest call when we look at it, not a sales pitch.
Heat pumps are a great fit for our climate. Our summers are long and humid and our winters are mild, so a heat pump cools in summer and heats efficiently in winter. That's why so many homes around here use them. We'll help you decide what's right for your house.
A straightforward swap is often done in a day. If the ductwork needs attention or it's a larger or commercial job, it can take longer. We'll give you a realistic timeframe with your quote so there are no surprises.
We're local to Mount Gilead and aim to respond quickly, often same-day or next-day when we have an opening. Give us a call and we'll get you on the schedule as soon as we can.
Yes. Some of the historic homes around downtown Mount Gilead don't have ductwork, and a ductless mini-split is often the right fix for those. We handle both traditional central systems and ductless setups, so we can match the solution to your home.
We service and install all major makes and models, and we've installed Heil among others. We focus on getting you the right equipment for your home and budget rather than pushing a single brand.
A few things: the size and efficiency of the system, whether you go with central air or a heat pump, the shape of your existing ductwork, and how easy the outdoor unit is to reach. A straight swap costs less than a job that also needs duct work or a new pad. We come look first, then give you an honest, written price with the parts explained, so nothing surprises you on the bill.
We haul off the old equipment and set the new outdoor unit and matched indoor coil, run a fresh line set, level the pad, make the electrical and refrigerant connections, and check the ductwork for leaks. Then we charge the system correctly and test that it cools and dehumidifies right before we leave. You get a complete, working system, not just a new box outside.
Watch for the warning signs: the unit is past 12 to 15 years, it uses old R-22 refrigerant, the repair quote runs more than about half the cost of a new system, or it's broken down two or more times in a few seasons. Climbing power bills and a house that stays muggy are red flags too. We'll look it over and tell you straight which way makes sense.
Ready for AC Replacement? Talk to a Local HVAC Contractor
Call EM Contractors LLC for honest ac replacement in Mount Gilead, NC and the surrounding communities.