Albuquerque Cooling Experts Since 1971

Refrigerated Air & Evaporative Cooling,
Right the First Time

From swamp cooler start-ups to full refrigerated-air conversions, B. Carlson keeps Albuquerque-area homes comfortable through 100-degree summers — licensed technicians, flat-rate pricing you approve first, and real people answering the phone 24/7.

  • 24/7 Emergency Service
  • NM HVAC License 33294
  • Same-Day Appointments

Cooling Built for the High Desert

Cooling a home at 5,000 feet is its own problem. Albuquerque summers are hot but dry, which is why so much of the metro still runs evaporative coolers — and why those same homes struggle every July and August when the monsoon rolls in and humidity climbs. Add blowing dust that packs a condenser coil solid in a single season, and you have a climate that is genuinely hard on cooling equipment.

B. Carlson has worked in exactly this climate since 1971. We service and repair both evaporative coolers and refrigerated air, and we are one of the few Albuquerque contractors who will give you a straight answer about which one belongs in your home — including when the honest recommendation is to keep the swamp cooler you already have.

Every visit starts with a diagnosis and a flat-rate price you approve before any work begins. If a repair no longer makes financial sense, we will tell you plainly and price the alternative side by side.

  • Evaporative & Refrigerated We service both systems — and convert between them when a swamp cooler can no longer keep up.
  • Right-Sized, Not Guessed Load calculations instead of rules of thumb, so your system is not oversized and short-cycling.
  • Flat-Rate Pricing You approve the number before we start. No hourly meter running, nothing added afterward.
Cooling

Air Conditioning & Cooling Services

Repair, replacement, maintenance, and conversions across the Albuquerque metro, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, and the East Mountains.

AC Repair

AC Repair

Most failures diagnosed and fixed on the first visit — capacitors, refrigerant leaks, compressors, and controls.

More About AC Repair 
AC Maintenance

AC Maintenance

Annual tune-ups that clear desert dust from the coil and catch small faults before summer.

More About AC Maintenance 
AC Replacement

AC Replacement

Right-sized, high-efficiency replacements with honest repair-versus-replace math up front.

More About AC Replacement 
Heat Pumps

Heat Pumps

One system that cools in summer and heats in winter — a strong fit for our mild shoulder seasons.

More About Heat Pumps 

Current Specials

Save on the work your home needs most.

Should You Convert to Refrigerated Air?

Should You Convert to Refrigerated Air?

It is the most common question we get in Albuquerque, and the honest answer is: it depends on your house, not on a sales quota. Evaporative cooling is cheap to run and works genuinely well in dry heat. Where it struggles is the monsoon — when humidity climbs in July and August, an evaporative cooler simply cannot pull the temperature down, and that is when most homeowners start thinking about a change.

Refrigerated air costs more to install and more to run, but it holds a set temperature regardless of humidity, dehumidifies the house, and works with a closed-window home. For families with allergies or anyone working from home through an ABQ August, that difference matters.

We will walk your home, look at the existing ductwork and panel capacity, and give you the real installed cost and the real operating-cost difference — then let you decide. Sometimes the right call is a new evaporative unit, and we will say so.

Talk to a Comfort Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you service evaporative (swamp) coolers as well as refrigerated air?

Yes — both. We handle evaporative start-ups and shutdowns, pad and pump replacement, and repairs, alongside full refrigerated-air service. Being able to work on both is why we can give you a genuinely neutral recommendation about converting.

How much does it cost to convert from a swamp cooler to refrigerated air in Albuquerque?

It depends on your existing ductwork, panel capacity, and the size of the home, so we will not quote a number sight-unseen. We walk the house, price the actual scope, and show you the installed cost next to the operating-cost difference before you decide.

How fast can you get out for a no-cooling call?

Same-day in most cases, and we dispatch 24/7 for true emergencies including nights, weekends, and holidays. Call (505) 349-4409 and a real person will answer.

How often should an air conditioner be serviced here?

Once a year, ideally in spring before the first hot stretch. Albuquerque dust is the main reason — a condenser coil packed with grit loses efficiency fast and makes the compressor work harder than it should.

Do you repair every brand?

Yes. Our technicians service all major refrigerated-air, heat-pump, and evaporative brands regardless of who originally installed the system.

Is B. Carlson licensed and insured?

Fully licensed, bonded, and insured in New Mexico — HVAC license 33294 and plumbing license 353968 — and every technician is background-checked, with work permitted and inspected where required.

What Our Customers Say

Don't just take our word for it — hear from our satisfied customers

N Nora Timmons
Nora Timmons 2 days ago
★★★★★
Dylan corrected the problem with our swamp cooler and repaired it promptly. The service was also under warranty and he honored it.
C Carol Skinner
Carol Skinner 6 days ago
★★★★★
My serviceman was cordial, friendly, professional, and had a great sense of humor. This is his first visit to my house. I felt comfortable with him. He does a great job.

The overall service of B. Carlson is excellent. They have been my HVAC company almost since I bought this house and I see no reason to switch. As they say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well, B. Carlson ain't broke, so I've no reason to fix them. I have recommended them to friends and neighbors many times.
B Bobby Hernandez
Bobby Hernandez 1 week ago
★★★★★
D'Angelo is a great and professional tech. He explained in detail on the operation of our a/c units.
*Offers cannot be combined with other promotions or applied to dispatch fees. No cash value. Must present offer at time of service. Call for details.

Ready when you are.

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