HVAC Contractor in Albuquerque, NM
Repair, replacement and maintenance for home and business heating and cooling, with a written price before any work starts.
- NM CID License #413436
- 24 Google reviews
- Led by Dominic Montoya, over 20 years in the trade
- Free written estimates
An HVAC contractor in Albuquerque, NM repairs no-cool and no-heat failures, then handles replacement, permits and rebate paperwork. Red Wrench Company works on AC, furnaces, swamp coolers, heat pumps and mini splits across the metro. We answer 24 hours a day, and the estimate is free and in writing.
Heating and cooling services in Albuquerque
Start with the system that is giving you trouble. Every page explains what we check, what changes the price and what you can do first.
Air Conditioning
Refrigerated air, swamp coolers and mini splits repaired, replaced and maintained.
Heating
Furnace and heat pump repair, replacement, tune-ups and mobile home heat.
Indoor Air Quality
Filters, ductwork and thermostats that deal with dust, smoke and stale air.
Commercial HVAC
Repairs, rooftop units and scheduled upkeep for offices, retail and light commercial.
No cool or no heat right now?
Emergency service runs around the clock. Choose your failure, or just call.
Plumbing too. Water heaters, clogged drains, sewer lines and leaks, priced in writing before work starts.
See Plumbing Services
AC Repair
Warm air, leaks, noise and short cycling diagnosed and fixed.
Furnace Repair
No heat, cold air and ignition faults traced and repaired.
Swamp Cooler Repair
Pads, pumps, motors, startups and shutdowns for evaporative coolers.
Refrigerated Air Conversion
Move from a roof cooler to refrigerated air, starting with your ducts.
Heat Pump Installation
Year-round heating and cooling, sized for your home and cold nights.
Ductless Mini Splits
Zoned comfort for additions, garages and homes without ducts.
Duct Repair and Replacement
Leaks traced, ducts sealed or rebuilt, and airflow checked room by room.
AC Maintenance
Spring tune-ups that clean, measure and catch worn parts early.
See every service
- AC Installation
- AC Maintenance
- AC Repair
- AC Replacement
- Ductless Mini Splits
- Refrigerated Air Conversion
- Swamp Cooler Repair
- Commercial HVAC Maintenance
- Commercial HVAC Repair
- Rooftop Unit Service
- Furnace Installation
- Furnace Maintenance
- Furnace Repair
- Furnace Replacement
- Heat Pump Installation
- Heat Pump Repair
- Mobile Home Furnace Service
- Air Duct Cleaning
- Air Purifiers and Filtration
- Duct Repair and Replacement
- Thermostat Installation
- Drain Cleaning and Sewer Lines
- Emergency Plumbing
- Leak and Pipe Repair
- Water Heaters
What should you do first when your AC or furnace stops working?
These five checks take about ten minutes. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas utility or 911 first.
- Check the thermostat. Confirm the mode and setpoint, and replace the batteries if the screen is blank.
- Check the breaker. Reset a tripped breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off.
- Pull the air filter. A clogged filter can freeze a coil or trip a furnace's limit switch.
- Photograph the model plate and the thermostat screen.
- Call and describe the sound or smell.
No-cool and no-heat warning signs
| What you notice | What it usually points to | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Warm air from the vents, or ice on the refrigerant line | Capacitor, refrigerant leak or choked airflow | No cooling AC repair |
| Outdoor unit humming, fan not spinning | Failed capacitor or fan motor | Emergency AC repair in Albuquerque |
| Furnace clicking but not igniting | Igniter, flame sensor or gas supply | No heat furnace repair |
| Burning smell past the first cycle | Electrical or blower fault | Emergency furnace repair |
| Musty smell when the swamp cooler starts | Old pads or standing water | Swamp cooler repair |
| Rooms at the end of the house staying hot | Duct leaks | Duct repair |
How fast can an HVAC contractor arrive in Albuquerque?
Our 24 hour HVAC line serves Albuquerque and the metro. We do not promise an arrival time, because same-day HVAC service or AC repair depends on open calls and your location. A visit includes:
- Diagnosis in plain English
- A free HVAC estimate in writing before any work starts
- A first-visit repair when the part is on hand
Why does an AC run constantly or cool unevenly?
Usually duct leaks, low refrigerant or an undersized unit. Duct leaks leave far rooms hot. Low refrigerant means a leak, so fix it before any recharge. A Manual J load calculation settles an undersized unit.
Why Albuquerque homeowners call Red Wrench
Owner-led, with over 20 years in the trade
Dominic Montoya leads the company and has worked in plumbing, heating and cooling for over 20 years.
A license you can look up
NM CID License #413436 is searchable on the state lookup. Check it before we arrive.
Free written estimates
You see the price in writing before work starts, with no pressure to sign on the spot.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
A no-cool night or a no-heat morning does not wait for office hours, so neither do we.
Diagnosis in plain English
We show you what failed and why, then lay out repair and replacement so you can choose.
Customers mention the follow-up
Reviews talk about clear communication and checking back after the job. Read them yourself.
Led by Dominic Montoya
Dominic Montoya runs Red Wrench Company from Paradise Blvd NW, with over 20 years of experience in plumbing, heating and cooling. The company takes on the jobs that need a straight answer: what failed, what it costs and whether it is worth fixing.
How do you verify a licensed HVAC contractor in Albuquerque?
New Mexico contractors hold a Construction Industries Division (CID) license through the NM Regulation and Licensing Department (NMRLD).
- Ask for the CID license number before you book.
- Search it on the state license lookup.
- Read the status and classification. MM98 is the mechanical license classification.
- Ask who the Qualifying Party is. Secondary sources say a $10,000 bond also applies.
- For a HEAR heat pump, check the installer against the EMNRD contractor list.
What Albuquerque’s climate does to HVAC systems
This city asks a system to do two hard jobs. National Weather Service Albuquerque logged 30 days at or above 90°F in August 2026 against a normal of 16.5, and the city averages about 113 freezing nights a year. A unit that is marginal in a normal year runs nonstop in a hot one.
Spring starts the season: cooler startups in April and May, then AC tune-ups before July. Monsoon humidity arrives in July and August, which is when swamp coolers lose ground. Fall means furnace checks before the first freeze.
The housing stock matters too. The median build year is around 1982 to 1986 depending on the source, and many homes were built around evaporative cooling. Ducts sized for a swamp cooler often need changes before refrigerated air will work. High-desert dust packs condenser coils, and the permit office depends on which side of the city line you are on.
How much does HVAC replacement cost in Albuquerque?
Albuquerque HVAC replacement cost sits around $7,536 for a central AC and furnace, with most projects at $3,589 to $11,483, about 4% below the national average (RealCostIQ, 2026, a non-government estimate). That range is not our quote. Your home needs its own written quote, and we offer flexible pricing options.
What should a written HVAC quote list?
- Equipment model, tonnage and SEER2 or HSPF2 rating
- Labor, separate from equipment
- Mechanical permit fee and who pulls it
- Removal and disposal of the old equipment
- AHRI documentation, the matched-equipment paperwork rebates ask for
- Warranty terms for parts and labor
Compare three written quotes line by line.
Repair, replace or convert?
Get the repair quote and a replacement quote on the same visit, then compare. Replacement figures below are a third-party estimate, not our quote.
Age of system, repair cost and SEER2 decide this together, and the model plate gives the build date.
| Choice | Fits when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Repair | One part failed on a sound system | Repeat failures on an older unit |
| Replace | Compressor, coil or heat exchanger failed, or the system is SEER 13 or lower | Most Albuquerque projects run $3,589 to $11,483, typical $7,536 (RealCostIQ, 2026) |
| Convert to refrigerated air | Monsoon weeks leave rooms uncomfortable | Ducts built for a swamp cooler often need changes |
| Heat pump or mini split | You want one system for both seasons, or have no ducts | Cold-night capacity varies by model, so ask for a Manual J calculation |
Swamp cooler, refrigerated air or a heat pump?
Refrigerated air conditioning covers the whole summer, a swamp cooler suits the dry months and a heat pump covers both seasons. Ducts, roof loads and electrical capacity decide what fits before installed cost does.
| System | Monsoon performance | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Swamp cooler, or evaporative cooler | Weakens in July and August humidity | Homes set up for it |
| Swamp cooler conversion in Albuquerque | Holds up in humidity | Homes that struggle in monsoon weeks |
| Heat pump installation | Cools through the monsoon | One system for both seasons |
| Mini split installation | Cools through the monsoon | No ducts, or rooms that stay hot |
What efficiency rules apply?
A new split central AC in New Mexico needs 14.3 SEER2 under 45,000 BTU/h and 13.8 SEER2 at 45,000 BTU/h and up, and the Southwest adds an EER2 minimum (DOE). Split heat pumps need 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2. A heat pump often handles our freezing nights, but output and backup heat depend on the model.
Areas we serve around Albuquerque
From our base on Paradise Blvd NW we reach the metro, the valley and the East Mountains. Drive times are typical non-rush estimates.
Our HVAC service reaches the Albuquerque Heights, the South Valley, Academy Estates, Candelaria and NE and NW Albuquerque, including ZIP 87114 around our base. Outside the city, we work as an HVAC contractor in Rio Rancho, Corrales and Bernalillo.
Rio Rancho
AMREP-era houses and new subdivisions, about 15 minutes from Paradise Blvd. about 15 minutes from our base.
Corrales
Adobe walls, private wells and one-acre lots beside the bosque. about 15 minutes from our base.
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
Farm lots and Rio Grande Blvd homes in a village of its own. about 20 minutes from our base.
North Valley
Shallow groundwater, ditch-side lots and three jurisdictions along Fourth Street. about 20 minutes from our base.
South Valley
Atrisco-era lots, older houses and manufactured homes under county rules. about 30 minutes from our base.
Tijeras
Canyon homes at 6,382 feet, with heating first and elevation in mind. about 35 minutes from our base.
Bernalillo
The Sandoval County seat, with river valley homes and state-issued trade permits. about 25 minutes from our base.
What customers say
Red Wrench Company has 24 reviews on Google. These are a selection, in the customers’ own words.
“Had a entirely new unit installed new furnace new tubing all the works . Excellent job great communication even loaned me 3 window units to use while my ac was down. And installed a new thermostat for me . Highly recommend . A+++”
“Responded quickly and professionally to a furnace failure in a high demand time period. Job completed the same day and was reasonably priced. Definitely recommend. Judith”
“Quick troubleshooting of my AC unit. Found to be low on Freon. Filled it up and back in business.”
“Excellent experience with Red Wrench Co. They work timely and efficiently, no cutting corners and transparent. Delivered above expectations. Experience shows in the work they delivered! Highly recommended!”
“Friendly, dedicated to make sure that we were well taken care of. Provided quality products to replace our old products. Extremely satisfied with performance, products, and over all experience! Great job! Thank you Dominic!”
“i’ve been meaning to post this for a while. The Red wrench company is an outstanding organization. The owner and employees completed my job to perfection and did a complete follow up to ensure I was completely satisfied. If you get the opportunity, use these guys. You won’t regret it.”
Find us in northwest Albuquerque
Red Wrench Company
5635 Paradise Blvd NWAlbuquerque, NM 87114
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Questions about hiring an HVAC contractor in Albuquerque
How much does HVAC replacement cost in Albuquerque?
A full central AC and furnace replacement in Albuquerque runs $7,536 typical, with most projects between $3,589 and $11,483 (RealCostIQ, 2026, a non-government estimate). Your home decides the real number: system size, ductwork, access and efficiency tier. We give a free written estimate so you can compare before you decide.
What license must an HVAC contractor hold in Albuquerque?
New Mexico requires a Construction Industries Division (CID) license for HVAC work, and MM98 is the mechanical classification. A Qualifying Party, the licensed person the company’s license rests on, stands behind it. Our number is NM CID License #413436. Check any contractor on the state license lookup before you sign.
Does HVAC replacement in Albuquerque require a mechanical permit?
Yes. Installs and replacements need a mechanical permit. Inside City limits the 2024 Uniform Administrative Code governs, and parts of the South Valley sit in unincorporated Bernalillo County, so the right office depends on your address. For an HVAC permit in Bernalillo County, one secondary source lists $23.50 plus $7 per equipment item and another $45 to $80, so verify with the agency. Your quote should state the HVAC permit fee and who pulls it.
Do Albuquerque HVAC contractors charge for estimates?
Some do. We do not. You get a free written estimate before any repair or replacement work begins, with no pressure to sign on the spot. For a no-cool or no-heat call, the technician diagnoses the system first, then writes up the price so you can decide with the facts in front of you.
Does a swamp cooler work during the Albuquerque monsoon?
It works, but weaker. A swamp cooler cools by evaporation, and July and August humidity slows evaporation, so supply air stays warmer. Many homes keep the cooler for dry months and accept humid weeks. Others convert to refrigerated air. Our conversion guide explains how to decide.
Does Albuquerque require installed cooling in every home?
In December 2024 the City Council added a cooling requirement to the housing code, and reports differ on whether it reaches all housing units or mainly rentals. City Code does not count portable ACs, fans or mobile evaporative coolers as the sole cooling source, but permanently attached units do. Portable units may only fill in while a permanent system is repaired or replaced. A 2026 proposal sought tighter rules. Confirm current status and enforcement with the City of Albuquerque.
Are there rebates for a new AC, furnace or heat pump in New Mexico?
Yes, though amounts change and sources conflict. PNM HVAC rebates for a heat pump run from about $300 to $860 by source, and New Mexico Gas Company commonly lists up to $425 for a furnace. The income-qualified HEAR program lists up to $8,000 for an ENERGY STAR heat pump through an Authorized Program Contractor. The federal 25C tax credit ended December 31, 2025. Check terms with each utility and EMNRD before you sign. PNM checks typically arrive 6 to 10 weeks after install, so keep your invoice and AHRI documentation.
When should I schedule an HVAC tune-up in Albuquerque?
Book the AC tune-up before July, and the furnace tune-up before the first freezing night. Albuquerque averages about 113 freezing nights a year, and summer heat hits older systems hard. Each visit covers the filter, an inspection of coils, electrical parts and airflow, and the thermostat, so small problems surface before a peak-season breakdown.
Do you offer emergency HVAC repair in Albuquerque?
Yes. We answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for no-cool and no-heat calls. Tell us what the system is doing and send a photo of the model plate if you can, so the technician knows what to bring. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas utility or 911 first.
Call an HVAC contractor in Albuquerque
No cool, no heat or a replacement to plan? Call any hour. You get a free written estimate and the price before work starts.
- NM CID License #413436
- 24 Google reviews
- Led by Dominic Montoya, over 20 years in the trade
- Free written estimates