Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Why Schedule Commercial Air Conditioning Replacement with a Specialist

Monday, September 8th, 2014

You’ve decided to replace your commercial HVAC unit. This is a great opportunity to save some money every month with a more efficient system and to avoid complaints about a failing, insufficient system from the people in your building. But if you don’t schedule commercial air conditioning replacement with a commercial specialist, your system may run into problems quickly, leaving you with repairs or another costly replacement far too soon.

When you contact an air conditioning technician for commercial repairs, it’s important to ensure that this person is trained specifically on commercial units. If you hire a residential technician who is inexperienced with commercial repairs, you cannot be certain that your unit is sized and installed properly, or that the job will be completed in a timely manner.

For one, you want a specialist who knows how to size your system properly for air conditioning replacement. Commercial air conditioners differ from residential units in that they are modular, meaning you can add or take away modules to adjust the cooling capacity of the unit as needed. Additionally, commercial properties are often much larger than the average home, but an inexperienced technician may be unable to gauge the proper cooling capacity in the first place, leaving you with a system that is too small to cool your business or so large that it runs into problems.

Besides, a commercial specialist will get the job done more quickly than an inexperienced technician. Because commercial technicians are familiar installing modular rooftop units, they’ll come equipped with the proper tools to get the job completed as soon as possible so that your business can return to normal operation as soon as possible. Most commercial units are also “packaged,” meaning all the parts are combined into a single cabinet. Traditional split-system air conditioners are installed in two parts, so an inexperienced technician may not know all of the ins and outs of your commercial system.

Don’t leave your AC replacement up to just any technician.

If you need commercial air conditioning replacement in Alexandria, trust the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Give us a call!

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How Technicians Size a New Air Conditioner for Installation

Monday, August 18th, 2014

Although it may seem logical, the answer isn’t “As large as can fit.” A more powerful an air conditioner doesn’t mean necessarily mean a better air conditioner. Professionals must size a new AC to accommodate a home so that it 1) provides sufficient cooling load for comfort, and 2) works efficiently without energy waste. An air conditioner that is too small will not deliver enough cooling, and one that is too large will start to “short-cycle,” turning on and off rapidly and draining energy.

The process of sizing an air conditioner is a complicated one that requires the professionals to perform a heat load calculation. We’ll explain this process to show you the importance of having AC installation experts on the job.

Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. has more than a dozen years of experience sizing ACs. You can trust us with your air conditioning installation in Washington, DC.

The heat load calculation

A heat load calculation combines information about how a home traps and keeps out heat to determine the cooling load necessary to keep it comfortable. Numerous criteria go into the calculation; here are some of the most important ones:

  • House volume: Square footage of a home isn’t helpful for determining its cooling needs; it’s the volume of space inside that matters.
  • Insulation: How well-insulated is the house to keep excess heat from entering? How well-insulated is the attic?
  • Number of windows and their facing: Windows allow in radiant heat from the sun, so the number of windows in a home and the direction they face is important for understanding how hot the house can get.
  • Appliances and lights: The calculation takes into account the amount of heat-producing appliances and how much heat they add to a home.
  • Number of residents: The human body creates a significant amount of heat, so the calculation must include the number of people regularly reside in the house.

Once all this data is collected, the technicians plug them into the calculation and determine how much cooling in tons an air conditioner must supply to overcome the warmth in a house without overworking. This way, they will know the ideal AC to install.

The consequences of putting in an AC that’s the wrong size are extreme, and usually the only solution to the problem is to replace completely the improperly-sized unit.

Make sure this error doesn’t occur with your new air conditioning installation in Washington, DC:

Call on the professionals at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. and let us handle the work, starting with correctly sizing your new AC unit.

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Air Conditioning Repair Question: Is My Compressor Damaged?

Monday, August 4th, 2014

The compressor is one of the most important components of your air conditioning system, but it’s also one of the parts that is most likely to fail when your air conditioner runs into problems. If you believe your compressor is faulty, you may hesitate to call an AC technician for fear of costly repairs. However, it is better to get the problem fixed with professional air conditioning repair soon than to risk irreparable damage.

The compressor is responsible for compressing, or adding pressure to, the refrigerant in its gaseous state. Refrigerant must continuously change from a gas to a liquid and back again in order to absorb and release heat from your home, so the compressor allows this process to begin before it changes to a liquid at the condenser.

Compressor problems may be caused by a number of different issues. In general, the best way to keep your compressor free of damage is by calling a maintenance technician at least once a year to inspect your system. But there are many reasons the compressor fails, and the effects may be sudden.

One of the reasons a compressor may become damaged is if there is a refrigerant leak. The components of your system are designed and sized to hold only a certain level of refrigerant. The compressor in particular suffers when refrigerant levels drop due to leaks or incorrect installation, and it may fail if not enough refrigerant can pass through.

Overheating is another common cause of compressor damage. Overheating may result from electrical damage. In general, however, if any component of your AC is damaged, your compressor has to run longer and work harder to compensate, which could cause it to wear out. Of course, a compressor will also become damaged over time, and may simply fail because it is too old to function.

So how can you tell if the air conditioning problem you’re having is compressor damage or not? This is something you should leave up to the experts. While banging noises, hard starting, and a system that won’t turn on are all good indicators of damage, these can point to other problems as well, and you may only need a small repair.

For air conditioning repair in Arlington, trust the trained and certified technicians at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Give us a call today!

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How to Tell You Need Ductwork Repair

Monday, July 21st, 2014

Ductwork can be easily forgotten because it isn’t very visible, but problems do develop with it. Common ductwork problems can include leaks, holes, cracks, broken seals, pests, debris, and dust and dirt build-up. Clearly, a lot can happen with your air ducts, but just as other parts of your air conditioner will give an indication of developing problems, so, too, does your ductwork in Washington, DC. Here are some of the more common signs our Polar Bear technicians see when it comes to ductwork repair needs:

  • Issues with airflow – decreased air flow can mean a few things, but if all other possibilities are ruled out (such as low refrigerant or fan problems), it may be time to take a look at your ductwork and see what’s happening. Cracks, holes, broken seals, disconnections and obstructions can all constrict the air flow in your system and ultimately affect your indoor air quality.
  • Abnormal sounds – rattling, whistling and humming can all indicate that there are loose components or other issues with your ductwork; scratching and scampering sounds can be indicative of pests. All should be inspected to find the root cause.
  • Higher utility bills – have you noticed a sharp increase in your monthly energy bill but haven’t changed how you’ve been operating your AC? Faulty ductwork can account for up to 30% of air loss, which is a large amount of air to compensate for.
  • Hot and cold spots – inconsistent temperature can be an indication that air is not delivering evenly throughout your home because of issues with the ductwork.
  • Increased humidity – cracks, holes and disconnections can allow humidity and moisture into the ductwork, which then gets delivered into your home.
  • Increased dust – are you seeing more dust in your home than usual? It could be coming directly from the vent work.

Don’t Do Ductwork Repairs Yourself

Ductwork repair is complex and requires the use of certain tools you may not have or may not be familiar with. Instead of trying to repair the ductwork in your Washington DC home yourself, call an expert: Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. We’ve been fabricating, installing and repairing ductwork in the Washington DC area for almost 15 years.

Don’t let your ductwork compromise the operation of your air conditioning system – call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., today.

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How Do Packaged Air Conditioning Units Differ from Centralized Units?

Monday, July 14th, 2014

There are a lot of choices these days when it comes to choosing a type of air conditioner for your home. Many factors need to be considered, including the size of your home, what kind of energy efficiency you seek and what type of system you feel would work best for your property. One of the types of air conditioners Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., installs frequently is known as a packaged air conditioning unit, and it may be a good option for your Arlington property.

What Is a Packaged Air Conditioner?

A packaged air conditioner is one in which all the components – the compressor, condenser, evaporator and blower – are all housed in a single unit. This unit is typically placed outdoors, but it can also be placed on a rooftop, in a crawlspace or in an attic space. The ductwork goes directly to the unit.

What Types of Packaged Air Conditioners Are Available?

There are 4 main types of packaged air conditioners:

  • Traditional packaged air conditioner – as described above, has a single cabinet that houses the whole system
  • Packaged heat pump – a packaged heat pump system offers both heating and cooling in the same unit
  • Packaged duel fuel – this type of packaged system offers heat pump cooling in the summer, and heat pump heating for fall and spring. When the temperature goes below freezing, this unit will utilize either gas or propane to heat your home
  • Packaged gas/electric – a packaged gas/electric system uses electricity to cool during the warm months and gas to heat during the cold months

What Are The Benefits of a Packaged System? 

  • Packaged units are self-contained
  • Can cool (and heat) large spaces easily
  • Easier to repair
  • Flexible placement

Is a Packaged Air Conditioner Right for You?

The best way to determine if a packaged air conditioning unit is the best fit for your Arlington property is to work with a trained professional. As we mentioned above, many factors need to be considered when choosing a new air conditioner, and it helps to have the experience and advice of someone who does this kind of work every day.

Call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., today and schedule an appointment with one of our trained professionals to see if a packaged air conditioning system is right for your home.

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What is the Condensate Pan in My Air Conditioner?

Monday, July 7th, 2014

You know that your air conditioning gives you a cool place to escape the summer heat, but did you know it helps dehumidify as it cools? One of the parts that helps remove moisture from the air in your home is the condensate pan. So how does this part work?

To understand the purpose of the condensate pan, you must first know about the indoor components of your AC. An air conditioner cools your home by collecting the heat from indoors and releasing it outside. The indoor unit absorbs heat with the evaporator coil, which is located in the indoor unit of your AC system. Refrigerant reaches the evaporator as a cool, low-pressure liquid. The evaporator changes the liquid into a low-pressure gas, and heat is absorbed when household air blows across the evaporator coil.

These same components also collect moisture from inside your home via the process of condensation. Picture a glass of ice water on a hot day. The outside of the glass forms water droplets in the same way your evaporator does. Water from the air collects outside of the evaporator coil as the household air blows across the cool refrigerant line.

As condensation forms on the evaporator coil, it must drain quickly and continuously so that your system won’t overflow. Before draining, the condensation drips into a condensate pan. The condensate pan is a shallow tray located underneath the evaporator coil. Water collects in the tray before making its way into a hole that sends it through a drainage system.

Sometimes, you may run into problems with this particular portion of your AC unit. The condensate line may be blocked, which means water can’t drain and may overflow, damaging parts of your AC system. The condensate tray may also develop a hole, or there may be a leak in the condensate line that can cause water to leak onto the floor or within the air handler itself. If this happens, call a professional for air conditioning repair.

At Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, we can answer any questions you have about air conditioning in Northern Virginia. For repair, maintenance, installation, and replacement, call us today!

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Consider a Split Air Conditioning System When Replacing Your Old Unit

Friday, June 6th, 2014

Installing a new air conditioner can be a serious undertaking, and you should always consider all of the options before pulling the trigger on a replacement system. Here in Arlington, air conditioning replacement services can discuss all of your options with you, including the installation of an alternative system like a ductless mini-split system. Depending on the circumstances, you may wish to seriously consider a split air conditioning system when replacing your old unit. Here’s a brief discussion of the advantages of such a move.

As suggested by their title, ductless mini-split systems don’t rely on ducts spreading out from a central unit. Instead, they involve the installation of numerous individual units inside your home. Each one is designed to cool off a specific area (usually a single room). That allows you to tailor the temperature in each room as you wish, and to turn off the air in parts of the home you aren’t using. This is far more efficient than a centralized system, and can potentially save you a great deal of money on monthly bills.

The question becomes whether that savings is enough to offset the cost of installing a ductless mini-split unit, and possibly abandoning your existing duct system in the process. That could actually be a benefit if your duct system has run into problems. Installing a new ductless system may be easier and more cost-efficient than trying to repair extensive damage to an existing system, and the flexibility afforded by a ductless system can further sweeten the pot. You might also consider a ductless system if you have a particularly large house, only part of which you use in the day. The ductless system can help you save a great deal on monthly expenses over the years… perhaps even enough to offset the cost of installation.

We’re based in Arlington, air conditioning replacement is our specialty, and we can provide a whole range of options based on your particular circumstances.

If you’re considering a split air conditioning system when replacing your old unit, talk to the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Pick up the phone today to make an appointment!

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Ways to Upgrade Your Commercial Air Conditioning in Washington, DC

Friday, May 30th, 2014

The summers in Washington, DC can bring with them heavy heat and humidity. To run a business with a comfortable workspace for employees, customers, and/or clients, you need to have an effective and efficient air conditioning system that’s up to commercial standards. Poor AC can threaten your company’s livelihood, so make sure that the system you have installed can deliver the temperatures the people in your workspace expect.

For this summer, perhaps you’re looking for change in your system. It’s time to seek options for an upgrade that will take your company to the next level of comfort, as well as energy savings. To find out how you can receive better and more efficient cooling, contact the experts in commercial air conditioning in Washington, DC at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. today. We’ve cooled down local businesses since 2001.

Some upgrades for a commercial air conditioning system

  • Rooftop package units: The most popular type of AC for businesses is the package unit located on the roof. A package unit eliminates the need for the older split-systems that have two cabinets, a condenser outside and an evaporator inside. With a package unit, you have all the components in one place, which saves space and removes most of the noise to the outside of the building. Many of these systems also come with humidity controls. Package units are easier for technicians to service, another advantage.
  • High performance systems: Commercial HVAC technology is constantly advancing. If you’ve had your current AC for more than a decade, some amazing developments have come along that you may wish to take advantage of. New high-efficiency systems sometimes score SEER greater than 20—an improvement of over a third what non-high-efficiency systems rate. Although these systems are more expensive to install, they will rapidly pay for themselves, especially for a busy company that needs to run the AC during most summer days.
  • New thermostat controls: A good thermostat makes for a better air conditioning system. You probably have multiple thermostats in your workplace, all networked into a central control panel. If you have an older system without high-functioning programmable abilities and alerts to identify rooms that are too hot or too cold, then you are missing out on an opportunity for greater savings and increased comfort for everyone in your company. Call up commercial AC technicians to see how they can wire up a better thermostat system for your business.

You can expect happier workers and customers, and a utility bill that is more pleasant to look at each month.

Before the summer heat starts to ramp up, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. and improve cooling for your company in Washington, DC. 

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3 Factors of Your Home to Consider With Air Conditioning Installation in Alexandria

Friday, May 16th, 2014

Whether you are purchasing an air conditioning system for the first time, or are upgrading your existing system to a new model, there are several important factors to consider when determining what air conditioner will best fit with your home. With almost 15 years’ experience with air conditioning installation in Alexandria, Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., can help you to determine what type and size air conditioner would fit best with your home. Call us today to schedule an appointment or request an estimate.

Factors to Consider When Installing Your New Air Conditioner

You may hear that the only thing you really need to consider when installing a new air conditioner is the square footage of your home. While square footage is part of the considerations, , it is not the only factor that determines how much cooling you need for your property.

Factor 1: Insulation

Insulation plays a key role in determining how much cooling you need. Why? Less insulation means your home will retain less of the cool air, and more insulation means your home will retain more cool air. If you have less insulation, you may need a bigger system to adequately cool your home. Conversely, if you have plenty of insulation, you may not need as much cooling to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Factor 2: Orientation

The direction your home faces is important to calculating something known as heat gain. Heat gain refers to the amount of heat your property gains throughout the daytime from the sun and rising temperatures. Orientation – or the direction in which your home faces – plays a strong role in this. For instance, if your home faces west, your home can get a great deal of exposure to the sun from midday to sunset; this can increase your daytime heat gain versus a property that faces east. Knowing things like this are important to understand exactly how much cooling you’ll need.

Factor 3: Existing Ductwork

If you have an older home, it is important to have your technician review the ductwork for efficiency. Things like cracks, broken seals and disconnections can contribute to something known as air loss. It is estimated that air loss from faulty ductwork can result in cooling losses as high as 30%. Tackling existing ductwork problems before installing your new air conditioner can help you save money down the road.

Review Before Installation

Understanding how your home cools is an important step with your air conditioning installation in Alexandria.

With help from your Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. specialist, the system you install will give you the comfort and efficiency that fits best with your property.

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3 Noises That Indicate Air Conditioning Problems

Friday, May 9th, 2014

Air conditioning technology has not reached the stage of artificial intelligence programs that can perfectly detect operating problems, diagnose them, and then alert homeowners to what needs repairs. But ACs do have something like an early-warning system: strange noises. When you hear any sound different from the hum of the fans and the compressor, pay attention close to it. It is likely a fault that requires the work of an HAVC expert to fix. If you ignore the warning noises, the trouble will grow worse and possible cause the air conditioner to break down. A great way to prevent your air conditioner from falling into disrepair is to enroll in our maintenance program.

Here are three common noises that signal you need to call for air conditioning repair in Washington, DC. For fast local service, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. We will do the work right the first time.

3 air conditioning warning sounds

  • Hissing: This is almost certainly the sound of refrigerant escaping from a leak. Loss of refrigerant will cause the system to start losing the ability to absorb heat from inside your house. This will not only lower your comfort, but it can cause ice to develop over the coils and even damage to the compressor that can turn catastrophic. Technicians will locate the leaks and seal them, then recharge the refrigerant to its original level.
  • Groaning/grinding: Best described as “mechanical failure noises,” the sort you associate with a failing car engine. The problem is often in the motors of the air conditioner, which run the blower fans and the compressor. Loss of any of these will impair or shut down the air conditioner. If repairs reach the problem in time, they can rescue the motors. Often, the motor will need replacement.
  • Clicking: If you hear this sound when the compressor or the fans start, and the unit stutters to get going, you have a system that is “hard starting” because of electrical trouble. The most common reason for this is failing capacitors: the components that transmit voltage to the motors. Repairs will replace the capacitors or else install a hard-starting kit that will overcome the problem.

Never ignore unusual air conditioning sounds: any stress on the AC system means it is wasting energy and putting additional stress on other components. Tackle the repair when it’s isolated and less extensive, and before you need to worry about the air conditioning shutting down during one of the hottest days of the summer.

Call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. to have your Washington, DC air conditioning repair job finished fast and effectively by highly trained professionals.

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