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 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!

How your AC Freezes Up

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.

What to Do

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.

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!

Affordable Service Plumbing Heating and Cooling does not celebrate Christmas in July nor do we celebrate “Halloween in July” either. So, let’s cut to the chase, solve the mystery and remove the proverbial scary mask from the problem that’s making all the scary sounds in your HVAC unit!

Summertime happens to be the one season where your air conditioning unit can accrue the most wear problems. It is, after all, when your unit will be working the most! Especially in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho! Therefore, it’s a good idea to call Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating and Cooling and have them inspect your HVAC unit and determine if there are any signs of malfunction or a possible need for repair or replacement.

Even with servicing, if you hear one of these noises from your HVAC “go bump in the night”, it’s indicating that something is wrong.

Grinding

If you’re hearing grinding coming from your HVAC unit, It’s most likely an issue with the air handler. The motor of the air handler has oiled bearings in place to help keep friction as low as possible during its operation. But, when these bearings wear down over time, they can cause excessive friction on the air handler motor. When the friction gets bad enough, the motor will start making a grinding sound. You should call Affordable Service for repairs as soon as possible. The bearings will need to be replaced, before the air handler motor overheats and burns out.

Hissing

This is a good news/bad news item. Good news – It’s not a snake. Bad news – It’s probably air bubbles in your refrigerant line! If you leave this unchecked, the refrigerant level will drop low enough that the air conditioning unit will force itself into shut down. So, when you hear that hiss, call Affordable Service.

Eventually, the refrigerant level in your cooling system will drop so low that the air conditioner will be forced to shut down. So, be sure that you call Affordable Service for repairs as soon as you hear this noise.

While these noises should never be ignored, they are not the only odd noises an air conditioning unit can make. At the end of the day, if your HVAC system is making noises that you are unfamiliar with, chances are there is something wrong. Even if you only suspect something is amiss with your air conditioner, it’s always a safer and more affordable choice to contact the professionals at Affordable Service Plumbing Heating and Cooling to inspect the system. We service Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to schedule a free estimate or call us at 505-255-4328.

One of the most unfortunate things to happen to you in the shower is a sudden absence of hot water. No one wants to be cold and shivering in their shower. While a cold shower will certainly help wake you up in the morning, it’s not the most preferred method of doing so. That’s why Affordable Service wants you to know how your hot water heater works and what kind of maintenance it requires. We can help you avoid that sudden, freezing cold shower!

Your water heater is a water storage tank that is usually found in the garage, laundry room, or utility closet in your home. Your water heater will use electricity or gas to heat water at a specific time. Then it will use inlets that will distribute hot water to the various utilities or appliances in your home such as the shower, dishwasher, laundry machine, etc. Affordable Service can assist in water heater installation.

Your water heater needs space and ventilation to work properly. Vent placement is paramount as vents will allow the release of gases, particularly carbon monoxide. When having a water heater installed, it’s best to call the professionals at Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating and Cooling to ensure everything is done properly.

Another thing to check for a healthy water heater is to have the water heater flushed. All water heaters come equipped with a temperature pressure relief valve (T&P Valve). This valve will open if too much pressure builds up and will prevent damage to your water heater. If it hasn’t been tested in years, your water heater may start leaking. It’s best to have a certified professional check your relief valve once a year and have them replace it every three to five years.

A few things that you can do to maintain your water heater yourself include testing the temperature relief valve, cleaning your water heater tank, and checking the burner. These tasks only need to be done once per year. You should also check and possibly replace your anode rod every two to five years. Affordable Service services Rio Rancho and Albuquerque and we’d be happy to help you with any water heater maintenance or repair.

You may walk by your water heater every day or you may not even see it at all if it’s in a utility closet, but it is certainly not an appliance you should ignore. Maintenance is simple and if you read the owner’s manual, water heater maintenance is substantially cheaper than having to buy a brand new one altogether. You can extend your water heater’s life just by servicing it annually.

If you don’t feel comfortable performing these tasks yourself, we recommend calling Affordable Service Plumbing Heating and Cooling to ensure your water heater is performing efficiently and keeping your costs low. Call us today at 505-891-8907. We service Rio Rancho and Albuquerque. Call today!

Spring has arrived in Albuquerque and while we still have a few weeks here and there of cold weather, the warmer months are approaching quickly. Summer will be here before we know it and with summer comes high temperatures. You’re going to want to make sure you have the right cooling system in place to combat those high temperatures and keep you and your family nice and cool. If you’ve been using a swamp cooler, maybe it’s time to investigate refrigerated air and the benefits it can provide over your evaporative cooler. But, how do you know if changing over is the right thing for you to do currently? Don’t worry, Affordable Service Plumbing Heating and Cooling can give you the answers. Let’s look at some of the many benefits that refrigerated air can offer you!

Humidity

If you’ve lived in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho for any given amount of time with a swamp cooler, you know what happens: when the humidity rises during monsoon season, it means that your home won’t stay cool! This is one of the most common complaints from people with swamp coolers. There is a myth that refrigerated air removes all moisture from a home, but that is false. It will remove most moisture, but it will still maintain a comfortable 20-30% level of moisture. If you’re tired of having sleepless nights because your house won’t stay cool during the monsoon, it may be the right time for refrigerated air.

Less maintenance

Swamp coolers need start up and shut down services each year, replacement pads, belts, and pumps. Refrigerated air will cut down on the cost of that maintenance. Plus, if your swamp cooler is a rooftop mounted unit, it will eliminate the need to climb up on your roof. Not needing to get on your roof can be an issue of safety, especially if you’re older. Allergies

Swamp coolers use evaporated moisture to cool your home. If you have allergies, asthma or if you’re sensitive to mold, a swamp cooler certainly isn’t your best bet for cooling. Refrigerated air will deliver a higher level of air quality into your home which means you’ll spend more time relaxing in comfort instead of blowing your nose or fighting off illness.

Security

Window-mounted swamp coolers require you to leave a window open so the unit can process the air outside and filter it into your home. Obviously, leaving a window open for your swamp cooler adds the potential for a security issue. Those of us with pets also want to keep our homes cool for them as well during the hot summers. Refrigerated air can resolve this issue for you!

Consider the future for your home

Lastly, adding refrigerated air to your home can increase its value if you’re looking to put your home on the market whether it be in the near future or down the road. If you’ve decided to pursue a refrigerated air system, call Affordable Service at 505-891-8907. We have various financing available for conversion. You can schedule a free estimate today! We’ve been servicing Albuquerque and Rio Rancho for over 33 years. Call Today!

Once the spring season arrives, it's important to give attention to your HVAC system to ensure that it can operate well during the warmer months ahead. Once the temperatures rise, you'll want to keep your home cool and comfortable. Here are a few reasons it's vital to perform heating and cooling maintenance during the spring season with the help of a professional technician from a company like Affordable Service. Avoid Costly Repairs Homeowners who fail to maintain their HVAC system increase the risk of issues that can occur during the spring season. Heating and cooling maintenance with Affordable Service includes inspection of your AC unit or swamp cooler and any repairs that are needed to ensure that the parts continue to last. If the heating and cooling system is neglected, it can lead to costly repairs or having to replace the swamp cooler or refrigerated air system, which can add up to thousands of dollars. Improve Air Quality Maintenance from a company like Affordable Service Plumbing Heating and Cooling includes replacing the filter to remove dirt and grime that has accumulated during the winter season. It also improves the air quality in the building to prevent pet dander, allergens, and dust mites from circulating in the air. You can reduce the risk of respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma with proper cleaning. Additionally, we offer air duct cleaning as well. Save Money Cleaning the heating and cooling system with the help of Affordable Service Plumbing Heating and Cooling allows the parts to work more efficiently, which can prevent too much energy from being used. You can save more money on your energy usage each month while also increasing the lifespan of the system. We’re available in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque and the surrounding communities, so call us today at 505-891-8907.

Most HVAC systems work by exchanging your house's air with the air outdoors. This means holes in the exterior of your house for vents, and that in turn could mean possible openings where insects and other household pests can find their way inside.

However, you can reduce the risk of critters invading your house through the heating or cooling ducts with a few common-sense steps, including:

• Don't let water pool near your outdoor air conditioner. Pests seek out water. Redirect the water away from the house. • Cover duct entrances. A mesh screen or louver can help close your ducts off to invaders while still allowing free air flow. • Keep your ductwork maintained. Gaps in ducts are potential entry points. Look for cracks or worn duct tape and replace or repair as necessary. • Control vermin or insects. Regular pest spraying can help keep problems away, particularly home defense sprays that are applied directly to your house around vulnerable areas to discourage invaders.

Regular professional maintenance of your system can also help identify problem spots where pests might get in. Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning can offer HVAC check-ups and repair. If you have reason to think your system might not be running smoothly, call Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning and have it checked out. We’re available in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque and the surrounding communities, so call us today at 505-891-8907.

When it comes to finding an affordable service for all your HVAC or heating and cooling needs, Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning can help. Even when there is an issue with the second story of a house being hotter than the ground floor, the first thing to remember is that hot air rises. The second floor in your home in the summertime is uncomfortable because of all that hot air rising from below. Warmth is not good in extreme conditions, especially in the hot New Mexico summers. It’s even worse when there is an HVAC issue.

Although the heat rising to the second floor is just one factor for why your home is hotter than the ground floor, consider having Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning do a thorough examination of your home and your HVAC system. By pinpointing the key issue for why the second floor is hotter than the ground floor, it can help to reduce your costs and uncomfortable living situations during the summertime. The fluctuations in extreme warmth and cold on an upper house floor can be alleviated with the help of our knowledgeable staff at Affordable Service.

When it comes to your air conditioning unit, the more ductwork there is, the more of a chance that there are leaks due to unknown gaps. Our company can pinpoint where that cold air from your AC unit is going and why it is not getting to those upper floors. A substandard installation of your AC unit could be the culprit. The good news is that Affordable Service is here to help you enjoy any floor or room in your house in any season, especially the sweltering months. Call Affordable Service Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning today at 505-891-8907.