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

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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!

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.

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.

Service agreements in the plumbing, heating and cooling business have become quite common. What exactly does a service agreement provide and why it is a good idea for homeowners?

At Affordable Service, we know that by providing great service, customers are happy to turn to us the next time they need help. But, that may be a twice-a-year need in order to start up or shut down your swamp cooler or furnace. And in today’s busy world, some customers may not recall who they had work on their heating or cooling system.