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

Heating Your Home without Ductwork

Monday, October 9th, 2017

radiant-in-floor-heatingThere is absolutely nothing wrong with using a forced-air heating system to keep your home warm and cozy throughout the coldest time of the year. However, forced-air heating can sometimes be problematic due to issues that develop with ductwork. Today, we want to talk about two great heating options to consider that do not require the use of air ducts in order to warm a home. They are quite different in comparison to each other, but both offer benefits that ducted systems cannot.

Before we dive into our discussion of these heating systems, we do just want to remind you that working with trained professionals is an absolute necessity when dealing with your heater. The last thing that you want to do is to invest in a quality heating system, only to find that its performance is subpar due to shoddy workmanship. Working with us means that you’ll get the most from your heater in Capitol Hill. The following systems are just two of many heating options that we offer for installation.

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Signs That You Need Heating Repairs

Monday, September 25th, 2017

We understand that it may seem a bit early to be talking about firing up your heating system, let alone warning you about signs that your heater may need to be repaired. However, a glance at your weather forecasting website of choice will reveal that daytime temperatures are cooling off, and that nighttime temperatures are soon going to be dropping into the low 50s. Chances are that you’ll be using your heater at least occasionally very soon. When you do, you want to know for sure that your system is functioning properly.

While investing in a good heater from a trusted manufacturer will get your heating experience off to a good start, and scheduling routine heating maintenance will help to keep your system functioning properly, there is no way in which to remove the risk of repair needs completely. The next best thing is catching them as early as possible and to schedule your heating repairs in Washington, D.C. promptly. Here are a few warning signs to look out for.

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Ask an HVAC Contractor: Why Schedule Heating Maintenance?

Monday, September 11th, 2017

AC-technician-workingAre there any questions that you’ve ever wanted to ask your HVAC contractor in Capitol Hill, WA? We understand that you are probably not just calling us every time a question pops into mind, and we hope that you understand just how busy our schedules are and the limitations that this can put on such practices. We do love sharing our knowledge with our clients, though, so we spent some time coming up with a few common questions that we suspect most homeowners share.

Today, as we move out of the summer season and await winter’s chill, we want to talk about heating maintenance. Specifically, we want to lay to rest any notions that you may have about heating maintenance being optional. It is, technically–you are in charge of your heater. In terms of getting the most from your heating system, however, routine heating maintenance is 100% mandatory. With the following information in mind, we think you’ll understand why.

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Why Choose a Boiler Installation?

Monday, August 28th, 2017

boilerHas the time come to replace an old heating system? Do you have a new home going up, and want to explore your various home heating options? Whatever the case may be, you should definitely consider the installation of a boiler in Washington, DC. When you choose to use a boiler to heat your home, you are choosing to enjoy some truly outstanding benefits. Of course, no heater is going to be the right match for every home or homeowner.

In the following post, we’ll help you to discover some of the benefits of using a boiler in the winter season, as well as some of the potential drawbacks of doing so. That way, you’ll have a foundational base of knowledge to work with when deciding whether or not a boiler is the right fit for your homelife. Be sure to contact us with any questions that you may have. We know boilers and boiler installations inside and out.

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What Is the Difference Between a Furnace and a Boiler?

Monday, March 13th, 2017

man-hugging-radiatorWe are going to be using our heating systems for a while longer still. Now is a great time to start thinking about the future of your heater, though. More specifically, it is a good to decide if your heater actually has a future left in front of it. If you had a bad experience with an old heating system this past winter, then you should start to think seriously about a heater replacement in Capitol Hill.

Even if you do decide that the time is right for a heater replacement, there is another big question to ponder. What type of heating system are you planning on using? Two of the most common options are the furnace and the boiler. While those homeowners with existing heating systems often tend to stick with what they know, there is usually an opportunity for trying something different. If you’re ready to replace a heater or need one installed in a new property, both furnaces and boilers warrant consideration.

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Is Your Heater Short-Cycling?

Monday, February 27th, 2017

heater-being-servicedWe’re moving into March in just a few short days. Leaving February behind often gets homeowners thinking about the coming spring season, and the heat of summer that follows. We know that winter has been a challenge for everyone in our area, but we must warn you not to get too far ahead of yourself. While warmer weather is definitely on its way, your heater still has plenty of work to do in the weeks that lie ahead.

That is why you really cannot afford to overlook any warning signs that something is wrong with your heating system, even if it is somewhat late in the season. You may be tempted to force it through the remainder of the heating season, and just to deal with repairs once it is out of regular use. Doing so can have a number of negative consequences for your budget, your comfort, and your heater itself, though. One sign of trouble with your heater in Washington, D.C. is short-cycling.

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Should I Replace My Heater This Year?

Monday, February 20th, 2017

We’re past the mid-point of February. While there is still plenty of chilly weather ahead of us, this is the time of the year when people generally start to anticipate the warmer weather around the corner. We understand that you are probably eager to shut down your heater for the last time of the season. Just because the heating season may be winding down, however, does not mean that you should put your heater out of mind.

How has your heater held up this season so far? If the answer is “not very well,” then you may want to consider replacing that system once its job is done for the year. Doing so at the close of the season can help you to avoid overlooking the need and heading into another season with an ill-prepared system. So why would you consider a heating replacement in Arlington, VA?

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Heat Pump FAQ: Why Is There Ice on My System?

Monday, February 13th, 2017

heat-pump-outdoor-unit

The heat pump is an excellent HVAC option for those homeowners interested in great versatility and efficiency. Like any other heating and/or air conditioning system, though, the heat pump is not perfect. Eventually, you are going to run into trouble with your heat pump in Alexandria. When you do, remember that you depend on our team to diagnose that problem accurately and to resolve it entirely.

Now, you should also keep in mind that certain problems with your heat pump may not be exactly what they appear to be. In fact, certain issues may not actually be “problems” at all. This is the case with the icing over a heat pump in the winter. It is not an unforeseen issue, and is one that heat pumps are actually equipped to deal with. Even so, in certain cases, this ice could prove more problematic than usual.

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What Are the Benefits of Ductless Heating?

Monday, January 23rd, 2017

You are certainly not lacking for options when it comes to the way in which you heat your home. There are more heating systems than you may even realize on the market today. If you’re planning on replacing your heater once the coldest time of the year has passed, then now is a great time to start thinking about what you’ll replace that heater with.

There is no reason why you must continue to use the exact same type of heating system that you always have. Newer technologies may offer benefits that you are not aware of. Take, for instance, the ductless mini split. Following are just a few examples of how you could benefit from ductless heating in Capitol Hill.

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Choosing a New Furnace: Gas or Electric

Monday, January 16th, 2017

Chances are that you won’t be planning a new heating installation until the weather warms up once more. Of course, you may be thinking about replacing your heater because your existing system doesn’t seem like it will make it through this winter. Whatever your situation, it is important to remember to review your options carefully.

Should you decide, for instance, that a furnace is the right heating system for your home, you are still going to have to decide if you’ll use a gas or electric furnace. Feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have regarding such decisions. We’ll make sure that you wind up with the right furnace in Washington, D.C.

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