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

How Does a Ductless Mini Split AC Work?

Monday, March 20th, 2023
ductless-mini-split-controller-by-remote

Ductless mini splits are the big thing in air conditioning, and for good reason. They save money, take up less space, and reduce the number of parts (ducts) that need to be serviced and maintained. But how do they work?

It’s all about zoning. Ductless air conditioning in Washington DC allows you to use multiple units across different rooms in your home and control them to fine-tune each room individually, so your bedroom can be 72° while your living room is 76°.

Let’s take a little bit of a deeper dive into how they work so you can understand how they may benefit your family and home.

Continue Reading

Can I Use a Humidifier at the Same Time as an Air Conditioner?

Monday, February 20th, 2023
humidifier-on-countertop

Let’s cut straight to the chase: yes, you can use these at the same time, but you don’t have to. As a matter of fact, your air conditioner acts as a dehumidifier (in some capacity; we’ll explain).

So to answer your question of “can I use humidifier with an air conditioner?” it’s a big yes, but you shouldn’t.

Let’s talk about the role that humidity plays in your home comfort and safety, and why you might not want to run both of these at the same time.

Continue Reading

What Repairs Do Ductless Mini Splits Need?

Monday, February 6th, 2023
ductless-mini-split-working-on-the-wall

Ductless mini split systems are the go-to for air conditioning in most situations. They offer zone control, lower heating and cooling costs, and depending on how you use them, they can last for ages.

But they’re not invincible. Every HVAC system is susceptible to damage and repairs, and ductless mini splits are no different.

It’s important to know what can go wrong with your mini split leading to air conditioning repair in Arlington, VA before you even pick up the phone. Let’s run over some repairs that you might run into.

Continue Reading

Benefits of Ductless Mini Split Heating Systems

Monday, January 23rd, 2023
ductless-mini-split-system-mounted-on-wall

Central air conditioning is a great option for a lot of homes and use cases, but it’s not for everyone. More often than ever, homeowners are looking to ductless mini split heating systems. We can help find you a DC mini split that does the trick.

Before you jump in with both feet, it’s important to know what you stand to gain if you’re making the switch from central AC. Let’s discuss the benefits you enjoy when you make the switch to ductless mini splits.

Continue Reading

3 Common Heat Pump Repairs

Monday, September 5th, 2022

Do heat pumps and central air conditioners have the same problems? Well, yes and no. It’s possible for a heat pump to run into issues that are similar and sometimes even the same as central air conditioner issues. But that’s only sometimes.

The other half of the time a heat pump can run into issues that are wholly unique to heat pumps systems, hence why only experienced HVAC technicians should work on your next heat pump repair in Washington, DC. If they’ve only treated repairs in central air conditioning systems, then they might miss a thing or two when trying to fix this kind of technology.

To expand upon this, we’d like to talk about 3 common heat pump repairs that either only occur in heat pump systems, or that are just more common in these types of units. Then we’ll leave it to you to contact a pro to have your system repaired properly.

Continue Reading

What’s the Most Efficient Air Conditioner?

Monday, August 22nd, 2022

With climate change causing our energy grid to change in both price and power, more homeowners than ever are looking to professional HVAC technicians to ask about efficiency. If you’re on the market for a new air conditioning installation in Alexandria, VA, then the good news is that there are some extremely powerful and energy-efficient models available right now. The bad news is that it’s not as cut and dry as you might think. One system might be more efficient for your neighbor while being the worst choice for your home.

The truth is that different systems work for different situations. The best strategy for proper efficiency in your home is figuring out which air conditioning unit will work the best for your unique comfort needs and home. While we can size air conditioners differently for different amounts of space, the technology within the AC can change depending on the type of system you invest in, like a central AC or a ductless heat pump.

Continue Reading

It’s Finally Time to Invest in AC

Monday, August 8th, 2022

Have you grown jealous of the friends and family that have cool and comfortable homes, while yours is still a little too hot in the summer? Nothing personal, air conditioning just feels better when it’s hot out, and there’s no shame in having different preferences for your home and budget. If you like a warmer home, or you’re just not that into air conditioning technology, then we wouldn’t pressure you into investing in it.

However, if you’ve always wanted an AC installation in Washington, DC but you never took the plunge because they either looked too expensive or seemed like a huge monthly investment, then we’re here to talk about those issues.

In actuality, air conditioners aren’t as expensive, bulky, and energy-intensive as you might think. They consume less energy than a heating system would, and pretty much every home in our area at least has a heating system for the winter.

Continue Reading

Our Mid-Season Guide to Changing Your Air Filter

Monday, July 25th, 2022

This is probably one of those moments where you look at your air conditioner and almost physically thank it for providing the cool air that it does. With heatwaves occurring around the country, we’re in the thick of summer and our air conditioners are one of the most reliable appliances we have. So, we won’t stop you! Go say thank you to that system that keeps you cool and comfortable!

However, there is one thing you can do for the system (instead of talking to it) that will make a pretty big change in its ability to continue fighting hot temperatures. You can change the air filter!

If it’s been a month or longer since you changed your air filter, then it might be time to do it. We’re going to walk through this process today, and remind customers that we can help with air conditioning repair in McLean, VA if that’s what’s needed.

Continue Reading

A Refrigerant Leak Requires Professional Attention

Monday, July 11th, 2022

The first thought that usually comes to people’s minds when they hear the word “refrigerant leak,” is the idea that they should just perform a recharge on the system and it will start running as if it were new. While a recharge is definitely necessary, there’s a lot to unpack here when it comes to air conditioning repair in McLean, VA.

Refrigerant leaks are a lot more complex than some people might think. No offense to anyone who might be dealing with one, we don’t expect anyone to know this off the top of their head. It’s with our unique knowledge in this industry that we’re able to pinpoint some of the major problems that come from a refrigerant leak and why you might want to rely on a professional to have it fixed.

Let’s talk about what goes into repairing a refrigerant leak, and why it’s not so simple!

Continue Reading

5 Reasons to Invest in AC Maintenance Today

Monday, June 27th, 2022

Let’s cut right to the chase. You want to do what’s best for your air conditioner, but you might not be sure that maintenance is the right call. How do we solve this dilemma? With facts, statistics, and proper planning for the future.

The truth is that we can’t convince you that maintenance is a good idea, just like how we can’t convince anyone to get the oil changed in their car. There will always be the possibility that you get lucky and your technology lasts in perfect condition. But this is exceptionally rare.

All we can do is fill you in on the significant benefits that come with an air conditioning tune-up in Alexandria, VA, so that you can make the best decision for your AC, your family, and your budget. Let’s talk about tune-ups and why they can be such a valuable purchase for the future.

Continue Reading