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

How Long Does Furnace Replacement Take?

Monday, February 3rd, 2025
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Congratulations on planning your heating system upgrade! Whether your old furnace is breaking down, or just getting inefficient and needing minor repairs all the time, you’re ready for furnace replacement in Washington, DC. Now, this sort of thing is old hat to us. We do it every day. But it’s exciting for you! And maybe it’s also a little bit worrisome.

What should you do after you make your installation appointment? Do you need to be prepared in any way? Will it all be done in one day? How long does furnace replacement take, after all? Well, since we do it so often, we’re the perfect people to answer your questions. Let’s go!

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Time to Replace or Keep Repairing Your Heater?

Monday, January 6th, 2025
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Winter can be so lovely, but it can also be stressful, and that’s especially true if your heating system is getting on in years. The last thing you want is a heating system breakdown, which—of course—is most likely to happen during a particularly cold snap, when you need it most, and put the most pressure on it. 

Heating system repairs should be done promptly, as soon as you notice a problem. That way, you won’t have a strained system ready to give out. But what if the heater that needs repair is pretty old? Should you have that repair done, or is it time to replace your heating system? Consider these factors.

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How Humidity Impacts Your Heating System

Monday, December 23rd, 2024
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When you think about how you stay warm in the winter, you’re probably thinking about your furnace. If you live in an old and drafty home, keeping the cold breezes out might cross your mind. But have you considered humidity? The level of humidity in your home can actually have some significant impacts on your heating system. And there’s something you can do about it. 

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Furnace Maintenance Keeps Your Family Safe

Monday, December 9th, 2024
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Heating systems need maintenance! This can’t be emphasized enough. Routine service for your furnace will keep it running well, so your home is evenly warm and your utility bills don’t skyrocket. It will prevent the majority of repairs you would otherwise need. It will make it so your furnace can keep you cozy for many more years before it needs to be replaced! 

But there’s an even more important reason for furnace maintenance. Your top priority in life is the safety and wellbeing of your family. That’s our top priority, too! Some furnace issues can lead to safety hazards. Having your furnace inspected and maintained will prevent these problems and keep your family safe. Here’s how.

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How Heating Tune-Ups Prevent Expensive Repairs

Monday, November 25th, 2024
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To keep your heating system running, you can’t just have it serviced when something is wrong. For proper performance, you need to be proactive. Maintenance must be done every year. The amazing fact is that as long as you get that done, you can prevent 85% of the heating system repairs you would otherwise need! And there are other benefits, too.

You’ve certainly heard that maintenance is helpful. Maybe you’ve even heard that heating tune-ups can prevent expensive repairs. But do you know why? We’ll explain the details.

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Clues that Your Boiler Needs Repair

Monday, October 28th, 2024
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A boiler is a truly fantastic way to heat your home. These systems have been around for centuries for good reason! Did you know that a home heating boiler can last thirty years, as long as it receives regular maintenance? And did you know that in all that time, it will probably require very few repairs?

The problem is that when you’re accustomed to having your boiler work perfectly year in and year out for decades, it’s easy to forget to pay attention to it. Maintenance might slip your mind. And you may not even know what the signs are that your boiler needs repair! To refresh your memory, here are the clues to watch for.

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Old Home Guide: How to Heat an Old Home in the 21st Century

Monday, March 18th, 2024
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In our area, there are many homes old enough to be considered historic. But even the average home is not new. According to recent US census data, the average home in Virginia is 38 years old. Construction methods have changed a lot, and older homes have different needs from those built in the last 20 years or so. 

How does the age of your home affect your ability to keep it warm? What can you do to heat your old home more effectively and efficiently? We’ve got some information about your options, and the benefits and drawbacks of each.

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Top Furnace Problems in the DC Area

Monday, March 4th, 2024
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In Washington, DC and the surrounding area, unlike some parts of the US, we have very distinct seasons. Our summers are hot, and our winters are cold. They’re not short winters, either—in fact, we need to use our heat at least during the night throughout much of the spring and fall. This means our heating systems get a lot of use. 

When furnaces run a lot of the time for several months, certain issues are more likely to crop up. Knowing what to expect can help you to catch a problem early and get prompt repairs before the situation gets any worse. So what are the furnace problems you’re most likely to encounter in the DC area? Here are some of the ones we see all the time.

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Furnace Efficiency Ratings: What the Numbers Mean

Monday, February 19th, 2024
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When it comes to heating your home, you probably have two main concerns. First, you want your home to actually be warm—consistently, evenly warm. And second, you don’t want it to cost you an arm and a leg each month when your utility bill arrives. How can you keep those bills down? By having an efficient heating system.

But it can be hard to tell what the most efficient heating system would be. Furnaces do have efficiency ratings, but what do those numbers mean? We can explain so you’ll be able to make the right choice for your home. 

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4 Benefits of Having a Heat Pump Over a Furnace

Monday, December 25th, 2023

You’ve had a furnace for ages, but it’s no longer the best contender on the block for your home heating. Now that heat pumps are here to stay and boast incredible heating efficiency, it’s time to consider them for your next home heating solution. We have a few good reasons as to why you should.

As installers of both furnaces and heat pumps in Great Falls, VA, we’ve seen the benefits play out for our customers. If you can make the switch, here’s a handful of good reasons to do it.

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