We’ve all been there at one point or another. It’s hot out and the only relief in sight is your nice and cool air conditioning unit in your home. But alas, every once in a while, something unexpected occurs and your HVAC unit has broken down in the middle of summer in New Mexico. What could be the cause? How can you fix it? Most importantly, what can you do to prevent it? Don’t worry, Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling is here to help!

1. 1. Blown Capacitors - These are essential components for your HVAC unit. Without capacitors, your system could stop cycling which could cause more damage. 2. Tripped Breakers – It’s normal for breakers to trip, especially when electrical usage in your home may be at its highest. If it happens too often though, have Affordable Service inspect your system and make sure there isn’t any faulty wiring. 3. Broken Thermostats – Surprisingly, this is one of the most common reasons why an HVAC system will stop working. Keep an eye on them to make sure they’re working properly. 4. Refrigerant Leaks – Not only can these be bad for the environment, but a refrigerant leak can cause a total breakdown of your HVAC unit. 5. Lack of Proper Maintenance – Not maintaining your system and doing regular maintenance is the number one cause of your HVAC system crashing.

Maintaining your system is easier than it sounds. Every three months check your air filters and replace if needed. On an annual basis, have Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating and Cooling check and tighten all connections and perform a tune-up while you’re doing an inspection. Also, have Affordable Service check your refrigerant levels. If there’s a 10% loss in coolant levels, it’ll increase your operational cost 20%!

One great way to stay on top of your maintenance is to have Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling inspect your HVAC unit once before Summer and once before winter. Winter would also be a good time to have your furnace inspected. We offer annual service contracts to keep your air conditioning units well maintained Also, if you have an issue, our service contracts include priority service which will bump you to the front of the line. Lastly, our service contracts also include a discount on repair costs, but the regular preventive maintenance will save you money in the long run as well. You can schedule a time for us or request an estimate on our home page. We service Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and the surrounding areas.

It’s an exciting time when you buy your first home in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho. Everything is new and you’re ready to put more into your investment. But, before you do, let’s make sure your base investment is protected first! There are several items you’ll want to know about your plumbing, so you don’t face an even bigger headache down the road! Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling are on standby ready to help you keep your new home, your best investment, safe and flood-free.

1. 1. Know where your main shut off valve is. In a plumbing emergency, the first thing to do is cut the water off at the source. That means shutting off the main supply line of water to your home. Where is your water main located? Surprisingly, a lot of homeowners don’t know! They also don’t know how to turn it off. Make sure you and your family know where the water main is located and how to turn it off in case of an emergency. The main valve will usually be in a basement, by an outside wall, in a utility area of the house, or at the street. 2. Inspect all valves & plumbing lines quarterly for corrosion. Every three months or so, do a little routine inspection for your plumbing. Start with the main shut off valve (once you’ve found it, obviously) and check to make sure it’s in good working order. Once that’s done, walk around your home turning the taps on and off to check them all. Check the connections under the sink, behind the toilet and against the wall as well. Next, check your hot water heater for mineral deposits, corrosion and any type of warning signs that the water heater will need to be replaced. Speaking of hot water heaters… 3. Drain the hot water heater annually. This is a simple task that involves a hose. However, some people aren’t comfortable performing these kinds of tasks on their own. If that’s the case with you, call Affordable Service and we’ll be sure to help or answer any questions you need about draining your hot water heater. 4. Disconnect all hoses at bibs as cold weather comes. If the water in your pipes freeze, they can burst. Affordable, Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling can winterize your home before cold weather hits. Make sure all hoses are disconnected and cover your outdoor bibs! 5. Don’t block valves

As you move into your new home, make sure that when you’re placing furniture or decorating that you don’t cover the water supply sources to sinks, toilets or washing machines. You want to be able to shut them off with ease if there’s an emergency. The best type of maintenance is preventive. So, give Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling a call today. Or, visit the home page of www.asph.com and schedule your free estimate. We service Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and the surrounding areas.

You’ve heard the term “Hard Water” before, especially in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. But what is hard water exactly? The more important question to ask is, if you do have it, how is it effecting your home and your health? “Hard Water” refers to all the extra stuff in water that is not two-parts hydrogen and one-part oxygen (h20). All that extra stuff is minerals like iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium. All those minerals aren’t necessarily bad for you, some sediments in hard water can also have bacteria. Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and, Cooling explains what it is, how it effects your plumbing and what you can do to fix it! Here are a few signs to identify a hard water problem.

A funky taste is one of your first clues that you may have some bacterial contaminant in your water. Around Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and surrounding areas, those with hard water describe their water as having a “dirt” flavor

This is a big one for people to notice immediately. When the water evaporates it will leave behind a calcium deposit. So, you’ll notice the soap scum and your dishes will always be spotty. Spotty dishes could be a dishwasher problem, but it’s most likely your water.

If you’ve noticed that your shower head has been getting clogged and has weaker water pressure, there’s a good chance that the rest of your pipes are clogged as well. This can cause terrible plumbing problems. Older, steel pipes are more at risk than newer PVC pipes, but if you’ve got clogged pipes, you’ll want to get an expert from Affordable Service over to check on them right away.

You may not have thought about this right away, but hard water can have a negative effect on your laundry! It’s all about that rocky mineral deposits getting in life’s way! If you wash your clothes in hard water, they can wear out faster. Towels can come out scratchy feeling and rough. It’s often advised that people with hard water use four times as much detergent! This same kind of thing can happen to your other appliances as well. From your dishwasher to your hot water heater, it’s estimated that hard water expenses could be costing your $800 or more every year!

Now that you know the issues, what’s the best way to address them? Well, a water conditioner (aka a water softener) would help remove things like calcium, magnesium and iron from your water. This is one investment that would help pay for itself! If your piping is clogged as a result of sediment buildup or you’re in the market for a water softener, Affordable Service can help! We’ll send out a team of our experienced plumbers to assess the situation and replace piping where needed. Contact Affordable Service today! We service Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and the surrounding areas!

It’s hot outside in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and the surrounding areas. You can’t escape the heat because it’s the middle of summer. Your last vestige of hope is your nice and cool air-conditioned home. But your air conditioning unit has frozen. At Affordable Service Plumbing Heating and Cooling, we know how this sounds. Frozen in the middle of summer? It doesn’t make sense. But a frozen AC Unit is common. Here’s why and what you need to know!

Not Enough Air. Not enough air flowing through your unit to exchange heat for refrigerant could be the main culprit of a frozen AC unit. The condensation that appears around the coil is usually carried away by the exchange of heat, but if the unit doesn’t receive air, it will not heat up and it will freeze instead.

Mechanical Failures. More specifically, this usually comes down to the blower fan, which helps remove the warmer air from home and replace it with the cool. Cold air is heavier, and it doesn’t flow as easy as warm air does. If the warm and cold air doesn’t switch places, a pressure problem can make your AC unit freeze.

Clean Your Filters. This is step one. It’s the most common reason your AC Unit may not be getting enough air. Air filters keep dust and other airborne debris from getting into your AC unit. So, like any filter, they need to be changed regularly so they don’t get too clogged up.

Add Refrigerant. If the filters are good to go, the next thing to check is your refrigerant level. Ask the experts at Affordable Service Plumbing Heating, Plumbing, and Cooling to inspect your AC unit and refill your refrigerant if needed. Alternatively, the refrigerant could be leaking and causing a variety of problems. Have Affordable Service tend to these leaks, especially if your unit is leaking freon. Lastly, freon units will no longer be around by 2020. So, this may be the time to upgrade your unit as well.

Preventive maintenance is always the best method in avoiding a frozen AC unit. Call the professionals at Affordable Service Plumbing Heating and Cooling and we’d be happy to help you out. Visit our website to schedule an estimate in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho or the surrounding areas.

One of the most terrifying moments you can ever experience in a bathroom is the dreaded broken toilet. For Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and surrounding area residents, here’s what the experts at Affordable Service Heating, Plumbing and Cooling recommend you do to avoid this potential (and personal) problem!

First thing you should do if your toilet is overflowing is to reach down near the base of the toilet and shut the water off to your toilet. Your instincts may be to flush again or reach for a plunger at first, but if you remain calm and think quickly, the logical thing to do is to make sure there’s no more water for your toilet to overflow with. If you cannot find this, immediately call Affordable Service for further assistance.

Next, remove the tank cover off and lift the float ball just enough so the water in your toilet stops running. If your bowl is completely full, you should use an old bucket to remove some of the water. There might be a clog, so you’ll need the extra room in the toilet to work. Once the toilet is fixed, you can flush the excess bucket water.

If possible, use a shop vac to clean up water that has spilled on the floor. Towels will do just fine if that’s all you have, but either way, make sure you mop with a diluted bleach solution. Make sure you don’t put cleaning up off. Obviously, toilet water is exposed to bacteria and pathogens so make sure to clean all of that up in a hurry. If gray water is left to sit, it can become black water quickly, which is very bacteria laden. Get Affordable Service to come to look at it as soon as possible before it turns into a real hazard.

If needed and there is a solid mass clogging the bowl, unclog your toilet. Use a plunger to do this, do not use a store-bought chemical cleaner to unclog a toilet. Those chemicals can cause problems with your pipes or septic system. On the other hand, sometimes clogs are serious business. Serious clogs mean you need the serious professionals at Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling. Whether it’s minor flooding or the tougher jobs, you can call us anytime or visit us online to schedule an estimate.

If you’re dealing with toilet troubles or have any other questions, contact us at Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating and Cooling today. We are your plumbing professionals for Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and the surrounding area!

Right now, in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and the surrounding areas, you should have had your air conditioning unit turned on for the coming summer months. But, after a few weeks of running your AC, it breaks down. So, should you repair it? Or replace it? It’s a decision that comes with a fine line. Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling can help you with that decision!

The first thing you may want to consider is the lifespan and condition of your current air conditioning unit. Most units should last fifteen to twenty years if the owner has followed the recommended maintenance. If your unit hasn’t been cleaned in a while, the buildup of dirt and grime can make your air conditioner work harder and wear out faster. Also, if your unit is too small, it can wear out faster because it’s working harder to cool a larger space.

For the cost of repair, know approximately what the replacement cost would be first. If your current AC unit has used at least 75 percent of its lifespan and any repair costs more than a third of the replacement cost, it’s time to consider replacing it. If your home air conditioning unit is newer than that, minor or inexpensive repairs make more sense than replacing.

For some older air conditioning models, replacement parts may become harder and harder to find as technology advances. If possible, keep track of any parts or repairs you’ve made to your unit.

If your home HVAC unit was installed before 2019, it is likely cooled with R22 refrigerant, aka Freon. Freon is being phased out by the federal EPA, and will be unavailable by next year, 2020. Because of this, R22 prices have been rising. Over the next year, maintaining an air conditioner unit that uses Freon/R22 will only get more and more Expensive. Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating and Cooling can help you make the switch to a new model that uses a more modern refrigerant.

Lastly, the major repairs such as compressor failure or refrigerant leaks are the two repairs where you should consider a replacement the most. A new compressor is going to be the most expensive and is a strong indicator of other potential issues with your home air conditioning unit. If you have a refrigerant leak, that may be a sign that your coils have worn out

Now, it’s time to compare the cost for a home air conditioning unit replacement. The first thing you should compare is the cost of the equipment. Some of the equipment that seems a bit pricier is more likely to pay off by lasting longer and saving you money on your utility bills. Additional add-ons like air purifiers may increase the cost of a new air conditioning unit as well.

When it comes time for the installation process, the biggest thing you will need to consider is the sheer complexity of the project. Your best bet is to hire a quality installer, like Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling! You don’t want to trust just anyone when it comes to handling complicated equipment. You want a reliable installation company that is easy to communicate with. They should take your specific situation and home into account and treat both with the respect they deserve! So, call us today, at 505-255-4328. We service Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and the surrounding area!

Nothing is worse than coming home to a sweltering home and turning your air conditioning unit on for some much-needed relief. You find the nearest vent and put your face up to it, expecting a nice chilly breeze to relieve you from your sweaty discomfort. But, instead, you only get a wisp of cool air. You stand with your face at the vent, waiting for more cool air to come, but it never does! This is low airflow and here are a few reasons why your air conditioning unit may have it!

First things first, let a professional look. Call the experts at Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, they service Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and surrounding areas. Low airflow can be red flags for a much bigger breakdown, so let’s rule that out right away. If it is a bigger issue, let’s get it taken care of immediately.

The first thing that may be giving you low airflow problems in your home is a dirty air filter. This is the first place to look! A dirty air filter can quickly fix several HVAC problems and if it’s not addressed, it will cause even more problems down the road.

The next potential issue you may have is a frozen evaporator coil. If the inside of your HVAC unit looks like the North Pole, it’s not a sign that Christmas is coming. It means all of the ice is stuck to your coil and will restrict airflow into your house. Alternatively, this problem could be caused by leaking refrigerant. If not addressed, a frozen evaporator coil can become even more problematic as time goes on. Affordable Service can inspect your entire system if freezing is occurring!

Lastly, you may have some potential issues with your air ducts. Most air duct issues are caused by leaks. Or in some cases, holes or tears in your ductwork. These can be hard to pinpoint, so have Affordable Service perform an inspection. Another reason for low airflow problems related to ductwork is efficiency. Too many bends and turns won’t move the air from one place to another. Affordable Service can help reconfigure your ductwork to make it more efficient.

Pinpointing these issues won’t be easy, so call the professionals at Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating and Cooling. When you come home at the end of a hot day this summer, your home should be nice, cool and relaxing from the moment you step through the door! Call us today at 255-4328 or visit our us online to schedule a free estimate!

As the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho area heads into the summer, it doesn’t mean you should stop paying attention to your thermostat. If you have a high-efficiency air conditioning unit, you can still use a programmable thermostat during the summer. By using a programmable thermostat, you can get the most from your HVAC system, save money, and keep your home cool.

During the summer in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, your home can be stuffy and sweltering. Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling recommend you keep your temperature settings around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Make good use of the “at home” setting on your programmable thermostat and set it to turn on thirty minutes before you arrive home. This will give it time to prepare the temperature in your house for when you get home and ensure it’s a nice comfortable temperature.

Now you may not have considered this, but when you’re away for an extended period, it’s better to keep your thermostat set a few degrees higher. We all want to take care of our pets and house plants, so you should keep your thermostat around 83 degrees. If it’s any higher than that, the temperature will start to affect pets, plants and possibly your electronics. Use the “away” feature on your thermostat if you’re planning to not be home for eight hours or longer.

When it comes time to hit the hay, you should keep your temperature anywhere between 60 and 67 degrees. The reason for this is based on your body’s natural lower temperature when you’re sleeping. A good way to keep your home cool at bedtime, but use less energy, is to set your thermostat to 70 or 72 degrees and turn on a ceiling fan. During the summer months, anything higher or lower than that temperature can cause restlessness.

Stick to our recommended temperatures in this article to keep your home cool and running efficiently. You can call Affordable Plumbing, Heating and Cooling to have us service your existing HVAC unit or install a new one! Visit our website to schedule an estimate today or call us! We service Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and the surrounding areas for air duct cleaning.

Everyone likes saving money on their utility bills. Affordable Service has a few tips on how you can save money on your water heating bill! And with Albuquerque and Rio Rancho’s dryer climate, these tips benefit our cities too!

Use Cold or Warm Water

It may not seem obvious, but when you stop and think about all the places in your home that you use hot water, the more you’ll start to notice where you can cut back on its usage. A good example of this is while you’re doing dishes. You’ve probably been using hot water to clean your dishes in the sink. But using cold or warm water while busting suds will suffice just fine, especially if you’ll be loading those dishes into a dishwasher. If you have a recirculating pump, adding a timer to it can help you save money on your water heating bill. A recirculating pump installed on your water heater will return any unused hot water back to the water heater. With a timer, it will allow you to set it to shut off automatically at night or while you’re at work.

Replace Old Appliances

On a similar note, washing machines and dish washers more than a decade are most likely not energy-efficient. Newer models use less water and are far more energy-efficient!

Don’t Take Baths

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to take a hot bath to relieve soreness or have some “you” time. But, making baths part of your regular bathing can use dozens, if not hundreds, of gallons of hot water! Your water heater will need to be completely refilled and that takes time and energy. The best way to save money here is to limit your bath tub time and use a water-efficient, low-flow shower head. Also, there isn’t a law stating that you can’t bring your rubber ducky into the shower!

Upgrade your Water Heater

Older water heater systems lose their heating elements over time, plain and simple. Older units tend to not retain heat as well as they once did. Newer models tend to be more energy efficient. This may seem like a large expense instead of a tip to save money on your water heating bill but making the investment could save you money in the long run. If this is the route you decide, you could also consider a tankless water heater system. Tankless water heaters produce an infinite supply of hot water and only use energy when hot water is needed. So, you’ll use less energy and save yourself some money on your water heating bill

Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating and Cooling services Rio Rancho, Albuquerque and the surrounding areas. Call us today and we can help you with servicing your existing water heater or replacing it. We can help you save money on your water heating bill. Visit our website to schedule a free estimate today!

It’s Springtime in New Mexico! While we prepare for the hotter months by having Affordable Service switch our heating units over to air conditioning and swamp coolers, an old friend who makes us sneeze and our noses run returns – allergies! Now, there may be no way to avoid the pollen and juniper in the air outside but, could switching over your air conditioner or swamp cooler make our allergies worse? It’s very possible if your air ducts aren’t cleaned!

It’s Spring cleaning time, so what do you do when you pick up those old picture frames and knick-knacks? You blow the dust off them, and that dust blows into the air and we might sneeze a little! This same principle works when you turn on your HVAC and your air ducts haven’t been cleaned. Here are just a few things that could be circulating through your home.

Dust Mites – Allergy sufferers are very familiar with the dust that spews-forth from our air ducts. You may have just dusted, but if you haven’t cleaned your air ducts first, it’ll be time to dust again tomorrow!

Pollen – As we mentioned earlier, it’s hard to avoid pollen. It gets tracked into our homes and it’s the sworn enemy of allergy sufferers. Even worse, it’ll just be spread among your home via the air ducts.

Pet Dander – We all love our fur babies! But, those fuzzy, cuddly little friends can cause allergic reactions in three out of every ten people according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Your air ducts may just help spread these sneeze-inducing dander clouds.

Mold and Mildew – Mold is a common culprit for allergy symptoms. Cleaning your air ducts will help eliminate the moisture that can turn into mold.

Bacteria and viruses – When someone in your family is sick, they can be lying in their bed in another room and a coughing or sneezing fit will happen. Those germs can travel through the air ducts and right into whichever room you’re currently in.

Odors – Sometimes, cleaning your ducts can help with that mysterious odor that you haven’t been able to pinpoint! Sometimes, small birds, lizards and other creatures can become trapped in your air ducts and that is something you want to get removed and cleaned as soon as possible.

Affordable Service is ready to help you clean your air ducts and get you ready for Spring and Summer! We service Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and the surrounding areas. Call Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating and Cooling today or visit our website to schedule a free estimate!