Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

4 Great Reasons to Choose Ductless Air Conditioning

Monday, February 20th, 2023
woman-sitting-on-sofa-changing-temperature-on-ductless-mini-split

You’re still enjoying cool weather now, but the season for air conditioning is not as far away as it might seem. How happy have you been with your air conditioning over the past few years? Does it keep your whole home consistently cool enough? Does it make your energy bills sky-high, or is it reasonably efficient? If you’re not completely satisfied with the AC system you currently have, you might want to consider a ductless system.

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What You Need to Know about AC Refrigerant Leaks

Monday, September 5th, 2022
technician-with-refrigerant-canister

There are many components in an air conditioner. As the name implies, the refrigerant is the substance that actually does the work of refrigerating, or cooling your home. It cycles between condensing into a liquid and evaporating into a gas, carrying heat from your home and releasing it outdoors. It’s important for it to remain in the system to do this job. But what if it leaks? 

A refrigerant leak can lead to a wide variety of problems. It’s important to recognize when you have a leak in your AC system and have it addressed promptly. Here are some signs that can help you tell when a leak has developed, and some information about the steps you need to take to prevent that leak from causing a cascading series of other problems.

Indications of a Refrigerant Leak

There are three major things to look for when assessing whether there is a refrigerant leak in your AC system: noise, cost, and performance. Listen: is there a hiss, bubble, or trickle happening somewhere inside your air conditioner?

Check your utility bills: has there been an increase in your energy costs even though you’re using your air conditioner the same amount? And pay attention to when your air conditioner cycles on and off: are the cycles shorter than they used to be? Any of these things could indicate a refrigerant leak, so you should look into AC repair in Los Alamos, NM.

Risks of a Refrigerant Leak

An air conditioner trying to run with less refrigerant than it should contain—and less and less as a leak continues—will be working harder and achieving less. This means your home won’t be staying as cool as it did before, and some rooms may have hot spots as the cool air fails to reach them.

It also means your utility bills will increase, which is a steep price to pay for less benefit. And as the system struggles to keep functioning, there will be additional strain on other components of the air conditioner. One of these is the compressor, which pumps the refrigerant through the coils. It is the most expensive component to replace (sometimes it’s more cost-effective just to buy a new AC unit) so you really don’t want to put unnecessary strain on it.

Solutions to a Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is a chemical substance that poses safety risks if handled improperly. The only safe way to address a refrigerant leak is with the help of a professional technician.

Our team is licensed to handle refrigerant safely, and experienced with diagnosing the cause of air conditioner malfunctions. We’re committed to finding a solution that will keep you and your family at a comfortable temperature. And the sooner you schedule maintenance and repairs for your air conditioner, the lower the risk of small problems turning into big ones.

Contact us today to schedule repairs or with any questions about your air conditioner.

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Why a Refrigerant Leak Is Bad News

Monday, July 25th, 2022
insulated-refrigerant-line-connected-to-ac-equipment

A steady supply of cool air is something homeowners need to make it through the summer months. A residential HVAC unit has many components that have to work together in order for this to happen. 

If your unit suddenly stops producing cool air, then you need to contact professionals that specialize in AC repair in Santa Fe. The absence of cool air is usually an indication that you have a refrigerant leak. Below is more information about the refrigerant in your HVAC unit and why having a refrigerant leak is bad news. 

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Is It Time to Upgrade Your Air Conditioner?

Monday, July 11th, 2022
two-techs-working-on-ac

Summer is here, and heat waves are upon us. One of the best ways to stave off the heat is having an air conditioning system you can rely on. The last thing you want is to have your AC malfunction when you need it most, and this is a lot more likely if it’s an older system. 

We’ve put together a list of 4 tell-tale signs that it’s time for a Santa Fe air conditioning replacement so you aren’t caught off guard these summer months.

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Why an AC Installation is not a DIY job

Monday, June 27th, 2022
two-techs-working-on-ac-unit

Whether you consider yourself a DIY expert or someone who fixes small odd jobs around the house, there is a time and place for doing something yourself versus calling in the professionals.

A paint job – sure, you can do this yourself. Changing light bulbs and replacing door handles – simple DIY jobs. What about larger jobs though, like the installation of an air conditioning system?

When it comes to an AC installation, there are a few reasons why it is not a DIY job. In this article, we share a few reasons why it’s important that you call our pros for AC replacement in Santa Fe, NM

To start, you need to consider the old system.

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Should You Install a Central AC or a Ductless System?

Monday, June 13th, 2022
ductless-air-handler

We should note first, that when we talk about “centralized air conditioning” we aren’t just talking about a single type of air conditioner. Yes, the central air conditioner is the most commonly known system–with a single outdoor unit and indoor unit connected via a series of ductwork that brings chilled air into the home. 

But this isn’t your only option, if you’re looking to have a new air conditioner installed. More and more folks are going with a type of heat pump system (that is, an HVAC system that can be used for cooling and heating)–the ductless system. 

Also called the ductless mini-split, ductless systems have become the system of choice for a number of homeowners throughout the country, including in our little corner of the world. Does that mean you should go with the ductless option though? Read on to learn more about them, and decide for yourself. 

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Tips for Boosting AC Efficiency This Summer

Monday, May 16th, 2022
vent-low-on-wall

The summer months are soon upon us, which means more time outdoors enjoying the warmth and long hot days. It also means that we’ll be cranking up our AC unit in our homes or offices a lot more to combat the heat.

In this article, we offer a few handy tips on how you can boost the efficiency of your AC this summer.

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3 Sounds That Can Indicate AC Repair Needs

Monday, May 2nd, 2022
Woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listen

One of the most frustrating parts of being a homeowner is that… well… sometimes something in your home is going to need a repair. And repairs can be expensive! This is especially true when it comes to your air conditioner. Your HVAC systems already use up about half of all your home’s energy, so needing repairs is like adding salt to a wound right?

It actually doesn’t need to be as dramatic as all that, though. The fact of the matter is, if you know the signs of a small, wear-and-tear issue in your air conditioner, you can generally get it fixed by one of our technicians relatively quickly and affordably. Things get expensive when you ignore repair needs for to long.

One of the most common signs of a wear-and-tear issue that needs addressing is unusual noises coming from your air conditioner. In this case, “unusual” means anything that’s outside of the normal sounds you hear from it as it operates from day-to-day. Read on to learn more!

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What Type of AC Should Be Your Next One?

Monday, October 4th, 2021

In our previous blog post, we discussed the benefits of making a heat pump system your next home comfort installation. But this isn’t your only option…

Choosing an air conditioner system for your home is about choosing the right system for your needs. Heat pumps may be a great choice for one homeowner but not another. And you shouldn’t choose a system simply because other people rave about it.

If you’ve been wondering what AC system should be your next one, we’d like to help. Knowing what options are available to you, and what can make them the right fit for your home and your comfort needs is often a great place to start. Let’s dig into what your system options are besides the heat pump.

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Reasons to Consider a Heat Pump as Your Next Home Comfort Installation

Monday, September 20th, 2021

Did your air conditioner fail to keep you as cool and comfortable as it should have this summer? Or maybe you’re looking to replace your heating system before temperatures cool down this year–or perhaps you need to upgrade both!

Whatever the case, you’d do well to consider the installation of a heat pump. A heat pump system works very similarly to a central air conditioner. It uses refrigerant to pull heat out of your indoor air, and chilled air is returned back to your home.

The main difference is that heat pumps heat as well! Read on to learn more and to see how this setup can benefit you.

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