Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog: Archive for March, 2015

3 Common Air Conditioning Problems that You Need to Know About

Monday, March 30th, 2015

Air conditioning problems are not polite things. They don’t just show up and hang around until you take the time to get them fixed. The longer you allow an issue with your system to go unaddressed, the worse it’s going to get.

Eventually, a problem that may have started as a mild annoyance might grow large enough to cause the entire air conditioner to break down. If you want to keep your system in good condition, you’re going to have to react to problems as fast as possible.

With that in mind, take a look at these 3 common air conditioning problems and how to recognize them.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil is what is responsible for absorbing thermal energy to cool the air in your home. In order to do its job effectively, the coil has to have clear access to the air being circulated through the system. Even an over-abundance of dust can lead the evaporator coil to malfunction. Often, this manifests by the coil freezing the condensation that collects on it, forming ice. If you notice ice forming on your air conditioner, it’s a good idea to call a professional.

Damaged Compressor

The compressor is the parts that is responsible for regulating the flow of refrigerant through the system. Without the compressor to circulate it, the refrigerant would just sit in the line and the air conditioner wouldn’t work. If the compressor is faulty, or becomes damaged, it can start throwing off the rhythm of the system. This leads to a behavior called “short-cycling,” in which the air conditioner will keep rapidly turning itself on and off. This can lead to a breakdown of the entire system, so if you notice your air conditioner short-cycling you should turn it off and give us a call.

Refrigerant Leaks

Your air conditioning system makes use of the same refrigerant throughout its life, recycling it every time it is in use. A leak in the refrigerant line, however, can drain this refrigerant from the system. Eventually, your air conditioner can lose the ability to function. If you notice fluid pooling or dripping around your system, contact us immediately. The leak will need to be found and sealed to preserve the system.

If you have a problem with your air conditioner, call Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration. We provide air conditioning services throughout Angel Fire.

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Common Freezer Repairs

Tuesday, March 24th, 2015

Freezers are an important part of homeowner’s food preservation efforts. They can keep food edible long after it would have otherwise spoiled, as well as make ice readily available at all times.

As important as freezers are, it’s a good idea to have a rudimentary understanding of how they work. It’s also wise to be able to recognize any problems they may encounter.

Let’s take a look at some common freezer repairs, and what causes them.

Faulty Thermostat

Just like with an HVAC system, your freezer’s thermostat is responsible for controlling the actual temperature in the space it monitors. Without the thermostat to direct it, the freezer would not be able to activate when needed. If your freezer seems to have stopped cooling, it may be a sign that you have a faulty thermostat. The only way to confirm this is to have a professional examine it, so call one as soon as you notice something wrong with your freezer.

Dirty Coils

The coils that power your freezer are responsible for removing heat from the space by evaporating and condensing refrigerant. If the coils become too dirty, they begin to malfunction and freeze up. If the coils freeze over, it can lead to a frost buildup in your freezer. Most freezers are equipped with a defrost cycle for problems like these, but it is possible for that cycle to malfunction. If your freezer seems to be accumulating frost and ice on the walls, call a professional to examine your coils.

Malfunctioning Compressor

The compressor is responsible for regulating the flow of refrigerant through the coils in your freezer. It is what maintains proper pressure throughout the system, keeping everything running smoothly. If your compressor begins to malfunction, it can cause irregularities in the system pressure. This can lead to temperature fluctuations in the freezer, which can cause food to spoil. If your freezer seems to be warming up, it may be a problem with the compressor.

If your freezer is malfunctioning, call Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration. We provide freezers throughout Rio Rancho.

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How Does a Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner Work?

Wednesday, March 18th, 2015

Ductless air conditioners have become a popular option for many homeowners, but there are still a number of people who don’t quite understand how these systems provide whole-home cooling. The name can be confusing – after all, up until the last 10 years or so you had to have ductwork in order to have whole-home cooling. The truth is that ductless systems don’t operate very differently from traditional split systems, as we’ll explain below.

The Components

Ductless systems are comprised of an outdoor unit that, as with a traditional air conditioning system, houses the compressor and the condenser. The difference comes with the indoor equipment: the delivery system for the cool air consists of individual indoor blowers. The blowers are about 3 feet long and contain a small air filter, small set of coils and a small fan.

The indoor blowers connect to the outdoor unit via a conduit placed in an exterior wall; this conduit contains a power cord, refrigerant line and condensate line. Blowers can be mounted flush against walls or hung from ceilings, and a single outdoor unit can support up to 4 blowers.

How It Works

The blowers operate individually, so when you turn on a single blower, it starts the air conditioning process. Refrigerant flows between the blower and outdoor unit, and cool air is delivered directly from the blower into the space in which it resides. The cooling process is the same as with a traditional split-system AC: warm air is removed from your living space and released outdoors and cool air is blown back in. You can turn on all your blowers at once, or turn on only the ones you need.

Repair and maintenance for a ductless system is very similar to that of a traditional AC system, with the exception of the indoor blowers, and the system has the same average lifespan of a traditional split system, which ranges from 15-20 years.

Ductless ACs can offer your home customized comfort, easy expansion (if needed) and the ability to have whole-home cooling without needing ductwork. If you are interested to see if ductless air conditioning is a fit for your home in Angel Fire, call us today!

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The Incredible Damage Associated with Pinhole Leaks

Tuesday, March 10th, 2015

When you see a plumbing leak on television or in the movies, it almost always seems dramatic. Water bursts from a pipe in the ground at full force, flooding the home or streets, or it shoots straight up out of a sink, comically inconveniencing someone in the home. But in real life, leaks aren’t always so evident. Sure, sometimes you’ll notice a dripping noise from the sink or even minor flooding on your property. Other times, however, a leak can do major damage before you ever know it, as is the case with pinhole leaks.

Pinhole leaks are rare, but when they do occur, the effects can be intense. When you suspect a plumbing leak of any type on your property in Santa Fe, be sure to call on the help of the experts at Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration. To learn more about this particular issue, read on.

What Is a Pinhole Leak?

Scientists are still uncertain as to why pinhole leaks develop in copper piping. Copper piping was used to replace galvanized steel pipes, which were the standard in plumbing installation before the 1970s. The galvanization, coating the pipes in a layer of zinc, was meant to protect the pipes from corrosion, as steel corrodes whenever it meets water and oxygen. However, this layer wore away quickly, and corrosion could happen at any time, leading to a full pipe replacement.

Today’s Pipes

Today’s pipes are mainly made of copper and plastic, though nearly all outdoor plumbing installations are the former. Copper pipes do not rust like steel does, but mysterious pinhole leaks can occur in rare instances. Sometimes, entire communities are affected by pinhole leaking without explanation. Small holes develop in the pipes, often forming from the inside out. Water leaks out from the pipes very slowly, which means you may not notice for a very long time without regular plumbing inspections.

This water can ruin the foundation of your home, and the holes can expand over time, leading to a big mess. Plumbing replacement and renovation costs run high when you wait too long to schedule repairs. Pay attention to the signs of a small plumbing leak, such as reduced water pressure or a musty smell indoors.

And call the experts at Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration for plumbing services in Santa Fe.

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