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

What Happens During AC Maintenance?

Friday, April 4th, 2014

Here in Alexandria VA, air conditioning maintenance should take place at least once a year, after the snows of winter have left but before air conditioning season begins in earnest. This is an important step in keeping your air conditioner functioning and reducing the risk of a serious repair issue in the bargain. A tune-up lets the technician clean dirty components, recharge refrigerant levels and look for any potential issues that require a more in-depth repair session. On a more specific level, what happens during AC maintenance? We’ve outlined the basic steps below.

  • The technician arrives and shuts off power to the air conditioner, then opens it and examines the components.
  • The technician cleans the condenser coils and the evaporator coils, which are key to the air conditioner working as it should. (The condenser coils are on the outdoor part of the unit, so they tend to get a little dirtier.)
  • The technician checks the refrigerant levels, which needs to be at set amount determined by the precise nature of your air conditioner.
  • The technician checks the drain pans and lines to make sure they aren’t clogged or misaligned.
  • The technician checks all of the components, including the fan, fan motor, tubing, compressor and electronic components to see if any of them are damaged.
  • The technician adds oil to lubricate any moving parts that require it.
  • The technician turns on the air conditioner and lets it run, then looks for any unusual stains, odors, noises and leaks. He or she will also check the system pressure and the coolness of the air being generated, as well as examining the ducts for any leaks.
  • The technician shuts off the air conditioner and closes up the system. If any serious repairs are needed, he or she can then schedule it with you.

If you know what happens during AC maintenance, the next step is to contact a representative who can perform the operation with courtesy and care. In Alexandria VA, air conditioning maintenance can be performed by Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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Arlington, VA Air Conditioning Repair: Not Enough Cooling

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

The convenience of air conditioners is something we often take for granted. Their soothing white noise is part of the unnoticed backdrop of daily life. But you will notice if your air conditioner starts to lose its ability to lower the temperature. If the air from the vents in your home feels warmer than it once did, you might have an AC malfunction that requires repair. When you need work done on your air conditioning system in Arlington, VA, the right place to turn is Polar Bear. Our more than 10 years of experience means we are well equipped to care for home comfort systems.

Here are three common culprits that can impair your AC’s cooling ability and will require repairs:

  • Thermostat issues: The first step to take when you notice a weakening of cooling power in your AC is to inspect the thermostat to see that it is set correctly. A faulty thermostat can cause your air conditioner to turn off at the wrong times or to raise its temperature rather than lowering it. If simply changing the settings doesn’t help, then your thermostat will need repair or replacement.
  • Damaged ducts: If you have a standard air conditioner that relies on ductwork for air distribution, breaks and kinks in the ducts can lead to warmer air seeping inside. If a gap opens in a place where the air temperature is higher than the rest of your home (e.g. the attic or a crawlspace), your AC will draw in this warm air and blow it through the vents. Sealing the ducts with duct tape won’t solve this problem. It requires an expert using mastic sealant or other techniques to properly fix the damage.
  • Icing on the coils: Although you might think getting frost across the indoor coils would help with lowering the temperature, it seriously interferes with the important heat exchange across the evaporator coils and will mean less cool air. Icing often happens because of a leak in the refrigerant, although dirt on the coils can also trigger it. You will need an HVAC technician to diagnose the cause and make the repairs that will get the heat exchange back to normal.

Whatever your problem with getting proper cooling, trust the Polar Bear for reliable air conditioning repairs in Arlington, VA. Call us today to set up an appointment, and we’ll get the job done right the first time.

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Alexandria, VA Air Conditioning Tip: Fan Only Mode

Monday, September 9th, 2013

Your air conditioner allows you to feel comfortable in your home, especially in a humid climate. But you don’t want to see your electricity bills climb too high, so you may want to find options to give your air conditioning in Alexandria, VA an occasional break. This can mean a longer life for your system, and that is also long-term major money-saver.

People are often unsure about what the “fan only mode” on their air conditioner actually does. The air that comes out is no longer cool, but is the system using less energy because of it?

The fan only mode means air is still getting pulled into the front of the unit, and the fan then blows it back out into your home. This circulates the air and keeps it from becoming stagnant with the heavy humidity. And yes, it is more energy-efficient and less expensive to run only the fan, since no power is sent to the compressor pump, which is responsible for moving the refrigerant around the air conditioner.

If you are in fan only mode, you still getting the benefit of filtered air. The air passes through the same filters as it does when the cooling elements are operating, and that means higher air quality for you.

Your fan is still subject to damage whether the cooling elements of your AC are turned on or not. The fan blades can incur dents, and the fan belt and motor can also suffer wear. Even if you’re making the effort to conserve energy with the fan only mode, you will still need preventive maintenance. A technician who comes to provide a check-up for your air conditioner examines all the components in it to make sure they receive the care they need to give the unit a long life.

Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating offers maintenance programs to help you keep your AC in shape to cool you off—or just circulate your air. Polar Bear has a wide range: we offer repairs on air conditioning in Alexandria, VA, as well as the general Northern Virginia area. With over 10 years of experience giving our customers the satisfying service they need, we are the people to call to keep your air conditioning system in good health.

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Getting Your AC Ready for Fall

Thursday, August 29th, 2013

McLean, VA experiences a lot of heat and humidity in the summertime, and residents learn to appreciate the value of a good air conditioning system. As summer turns to fall and the temperatures drop, however, you probably find yourself using your air conditioning less and less. A little fall maintenance is a good idea, both to keep your air conditioning unit functioning at its best and to prevent any nasty surprises when you fire it up again next spring.

For starters, perform a visual inspection of your outdoor air conditioning unit. Clear any leaves, twigs and other debris, and trim back any shrubs or tree branches that may be too close to its vents. If you’re certain that warm weather won’t return, shut off the breaker switch connected to your air conditioning unit. It saves on electricity and can protect the unit from any unexpected surge or electrical malfunction.

The fall is also a good time to schedule a maintenance check from a qualified professional. A service technician can come to you home, check the system for any potential problems, clean the coils, replace the air filters and perform similar operations to keep your air conditioner functioning at top capacity. The fall is an especially good time to do this because there will be plenty of time to conduct any larger repairs without worrying about the next heat wave barreling down on you.

A qualified McLean, VA air conditioning service technician can be a great partner when getting your AC ready for the fall. Not only can he or she perform quality maintenance on your unit, but also schedule any larger servicing issues and recommend any changes to your system that might reduce your monthly energy costs. The professionals at Polar Bear have years of experience at their disposal and conduct operations with the utmost concern for your satisfaction. Call us today if you need air conditioning service in McLean, VA. 

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Consequences of Delaying Air Conditioning Repair in Northern Virginia

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

Air conditioning repair in Northern Virginia often needs to be sooner rather than later. With our hot, humid summers, even a few hours with an air conditioning system can feel like an eternity. At the same time, however, people often delay consultation with an air conditioning service technician. As long as the AC unit is running, the reasoning goes, why incur the cost of an expensive repair bill? That may help your pocketbook in the short run, but there can be significant consequences to delaying air conditioning repair in the long run.

The possibility of greater damage serves as the most obvious consequence, as does the higher costs involved. As parts wear out or maintenance issues arise, they can create a cascading effect that resulting in more significant damage as time does one. For instance, a loose connection can cause a leak in the refrigerant levels, a relatively straightforward issue to correct. If left unattended, however, your air conditioning system must work harder to cool the air sufficiently. That extra struggle could damage the motors and other components; ice could form on the evaporator coils; and the chances for a serious malfunction go up. That comes on top of the higher monthly energy bills that come with reduced efficiency.

Scheduling a service call early in that process can save a great deal of money. A service tech can isolate and seal the leak, recharge the refrigerant, and return the unit to peak efficiency.. Every month you delay means higher electric bills, as your system has to work harder to keep your home cool.

As with so many things in life, it’s easier to treat a smaller problem than wait for it to become a large one. The trained technicians at Polar Bear can  take care of your Northern Virginia air conditioning repair service. We can help save you money by doing the job right the first time, every time. Schedule an appointment today!

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Does a Faulty Thermostat Call for Professional Air Conditioning Repair in Northern Virginia?

Wednesday, August 14th, 2013

The thermostat allows you to control your air conditioning system, setting the temperature to a comfortable level and monitoring your system’s overall effectiveness. Older thermostats were simple devices that used mercury switches. Newer digital thermostats often come with an array of bells and whistles, such as remote settings allowing you to turn on the air conditioner even when you aren’t at home. When the thermostat experiences problems, it can cause big issues with your AC system, which can spell trouble in the hot, humid summers of Northern Virginia. That is why it is so important to call for repair if you think your thermostat is malfunctioning.

You can spot a problematic thermostat by listening for rapid cycling (the AC unit turning on and off quickly), by uncomfortable temperatures in the household despite the listing on the thermostat, and by the simple fact that the air conditioning unit will not turn on. Many of these issues can be caused by other AC problems, however. It takes a professional technician to pinpoint the precise cause and implement the proper solution (which may or may not involve the thermostat).

Furthermore, most thermostats are connected to the house’s electrical system, which requires an expert to successfully approach. Professional technicians can also advise you on possible upgrades to your thermostat that match your particular situation. And in some cases, the issue may be caused by a thermostat that sits too close to a breezeway or a warm area hit by sunlight: necessitating a move to a new location. Such an operation requires a service technician to place, mount and install the thermostat properly.

If your thermostat is causing problems and you need to consider a new one, call the professional air conditioning service techs at Polar Bear. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction and will go the extra mile to do the job right for you. We offer air conditioning repair services throughout Northern Virginia. We can repair or replace your thermostat quickly and professionally. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

 

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Air Conditioning Repair in Arlington, VA: Why You Need a Professional Technician

Monday, August 5th, 2013

It may be tempting to attempt air conditioning repair yourself instead of calling in a professional. This is especially true in Arlington, VA, where hot summers make waiting for a service technician uncomfortable and inconvenient. However, the prudent homeowner will always eschew do-it-yourself projects in favor of a skilled professional technician. The reasons for doing so may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Speed: Professionals know what to look for when an air conditioning unit malfunctions. They can usually spot the problem quickly and implement a solution with a strong understanding of the right steps. A person without any training may find themselves lost in the air conditioning system’s technical specifications, wasting time and energy without knowing what exactly needs to be done.
  • Accuracy: Without the experience and know-how of a professional technician, a do-it-yourselfer may exacerbate the problem instead of solving it. For example, if ice forms on the condenser coil and a layman simply attempts to get it off, he may end up damaging the coil without solving the original problem at all. A specialist can address the cause, not just the symptoms, and make sure the issue gets properly resolved.
  • Expertise: Many people undertake do-it-yourself projects as a way of saving money. But time and effort can add up, as can the cost of doing the job without the proper know-how. Certified professionals can ensure that the problem doesn’t recur. They can also provide routine maintenance service, helping you spot smaller problems before they turn into bigger ones. Not only does that save money in unnecessary repair costs, but it can extend the life of your air conditioning system.

Everyone wants to save money where they can. But when you weigh all the options, using a certified expert will spare you excessive costs and a lot of wasted time. If you need a professional technician for air conditioning repair in Arlington, VA, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning to set up an appointment. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction, and are dedicated to doing the job right the first time, every time.

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Alexandria, VA Air Conditioning Repair Question: Why is My AC Blowing Warm Air?

Thursday, August 1st, 2013

It doesn’t take an expert to figure out that something’s wrong when your AC blows warm air. An air conditioning unit is supposed to cool your house, not warm it. In Alexandria, VA, air conditioning repair is no laughing matter; no one wants hot air blowing into their homes in the middle of a Virginia summer heat wave. But why would an AC blow hot air in the first place? Why is it that the fan seems to work fine, but the cooling process is ineffective?

In some cases, the explanation may be very simple. Your thermostat may have been set to a “fan” or “heat” setting, which blows plenty of air around, but doesn’t cool it (check on this before you contact a service professional). Another common – and more serious – cause of warm air flow is a low level of refrigerant in your air conditioning system. Without enough refrigerant, the air won’t be cooled properly, and a leak in refrigerant lines means that a service technician will need to hunt down the source of the leak and recharge the system.

Similarly, if the air conditioning system isn’t properly maintained, then dust may build up on key components like the condenser coils or evaporator coils. That can impact the system’s ability to cool the air. You may also be facing a dirty air filter or damaged ducts, which impede the overall flow of air and may affect the flow of cool air into your home.

Unless the thermostat has been set incorrectly, all of these issues mean opening up the air conditioning system and checking for problems, a task best performed by a professional.When your AC starts blowing warm air, call the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning. Contact us today and set up a service call; we’ll be there to do the job right, and are committed to your 100% satisfaction.

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Signs You Need to Schedule Air Conditioning Repair: An Alexandria, VA AC Tip

Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013

Homeowners expect their air conditioning system to function effectively, and in Alexandria, VA, they need a reliable system to help combat those humid summers. When something goes wrong, a prudent homeowner needs to schedule air conditioning repair as soon as possible to get it back on track. But when should you schedule a repair, and what signs should you look for to indicate that a repair is necessary?

In general, it’s a good idea to avoid do-it-yourself repairs to air conditioning systems. Most AC units contain complex components, and refrigerants need to be handled by qualified professionals with training. Beyond changing the air filter and keeping the outside of the unit free of dirt and debris, it’s wise to refrain from tinkering with the air conditioning yourself. That means you should call in an expert whenever signs of trouble appear. Such signs can include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

  • The air conditioning system refuses to turn on, or doesn’t blow cool air when it does turn on.
  • The air conditioner exhibits strange noises, or sounds unusually loud when it runs.
  • The air conditioner “short cycles” or turns on and off very quickly with less than ten minutes passing between the two states.
  • Ice forms on the evaporator coils or elsewhere on the system.
  • Electric bills are unusually high, even when you don’t use a lot of extra energy in your home.
  • The air conditioning heats the house unevenly, with some areas feeling cooler or more comfortable than others.

Whatever the reason, you want to schedule air conditioning repair that fixes the problem effectively and ensures that you don’t waste money on higher costs and future repair bills. If you suspect that your AC unit is in need of repair, and want it fixed promptly, then call on Polar Bear. We specialize in air conditioning repair in Alexandria, VA, and pride ourselves on diagnosing potential problems quickly and accurately. If you suspect your air conditioning system may not be functioning at peak capacity, trust our trained experts to find the best possible solution.

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Arlington, VA Air Conditioning FAQ: Why Ducts Matter

Monday, July 15th, 2013

Your ductwork is not merely an add-on to your forced-air distribution system that keeps you cool all summer long. While often overlooked, your ductwork is a vital component, and necessary for your home comfort. There’s simply no substitute for ductwork that is professionally designed and installed according to the unique circumstances of your home. At Polar Bear, we understand the importance of ductwork, which is why we offer custom sheet metal services to our customers in need of professional air conditioning services in the greater Arlington, VA area.

  • Performance: Comfort during a Virginia summer comes down to the effectiveness of your air conditioning. In a central air system, your ducts are responsible for extracting the warm indoor air, sending it through the evaporator coils for cooling, and then returning it throughout your home. But they cannot provide the performance value you need if they are hampered by poor installation, air leaks, or poor connections.
  • Energy efficiency: Another important aspect of staying cool during the summer comes down to energy efficiency. When you installed your AC, it came with a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating as well as an estimated cooling output. Because these were meant to match your cooling and efficiency requirements, you need to make sure that your ductwork is also energy efficient, which means that it is not leaking air and that it is properly insulated. Professional ductwork installation can make all the difference, whether your home is 800 or 2000 square feet.
  • System lifespan: Another consideration is the lifespan of your entire system. Because of the vital role that ducts play in the every day operation of your AC, it’s no wonder that much of their wear and tear also impacts your ductwork. And vice-versa. In order to reduce the amount of wear and tear that your AC endures, it’s necessary that you keep your ducts clean and leak-free at all times.

Whether you need a comprehensive ductwork design and installation for your new home, or a simple repair, we can complete the job professionally so that you can get the most out of your air conditioning this summer in Arlington, VA. Call Polar Bear today.

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