Washington, DC Air Conditioning & Heating Blog | Polar Bear Air Conditioning

Signs of Trouble with Your Ductwork

October 2nd, 2017

Do you use a central air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump to heat and/or cool your home? If so, then you really need to know for certain that the air ducts that this system uses are in fine working condition. If not, then you are going to wind up dealing with a number of different problems when trying to maintain comfortable temperatures throughout your living space.

Fortunately for you, the professionals on our staff are here to help. Not only can we resolve the problems that you may encounter with your air ducts, but we also have some great tips to help you recognize that there are such problems in your home. Only then can you take the necessary steps to resolve those problems in a prompt and effective manner.

Signs That You Need Heating Repairs

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.

Ask an HVAC Contractor: Why Schedule Heating Maintenance?

September 11th, 2017

Are 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.

Ask an HVAC Contractor: Should I Replace My AC?

September 5th, 2017

There are a lot of homeowners that have a good working knowledge of how the various systems in their homes work, as well as what the needs of those systems are. Even the most seasoned and hands-on homeowners need some guidance from time to time, though.

One question that you may want to ask a professional HVAC contractor in Capitol Hill is whether or not the time is right for an air conditioning replacement. We’ll help you to shed some light onto the situation so that you can make that decision confidently.

Why Choose a Boiler Installation?

August 28th, 2017

Has 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.

Low Humidity? Big Problem

August 14th, 2017

For many homeowners, the pursuit of comfort in their respective homes begins and ends with a great air conditioner and a dependable, efficient heater. We certainly do not intend to downplay the role that successful temperature maintenance plays in your overall comfort. However, we must also remind you that temperature maintenance is not the whole picture. If you are serious about living in the full comfort we believe you deserve, then must maintain great indoor air quality as well as temperature control.

Another fact that you may not fully realize is that maintaining great indoor air quality in Washington, DC can actually help to protect your property and your health, as well as your comfort. Whether due to the dehumidifying effects of running an AC all the time in the summer, or the naturally drier air that we experience in the winter, you may not have a sufficient amount of humidity in your living space. Using a whole-house humidifier is the best way to resolve that problem.

How Does Ductless Air Conditioning Work?

August 8th, 2017

The short answer? Very well! But we want to give you more information than that, of course. Ductless air conditioning in Washington, DC is getting more and more popular, for many different reasons. One of the primary benefits that ductless systems have to offer in this area is that their unique design makes them great for older, historic homes. Read on, and be sure to let us know if you think that ductless air conditioning is the right option for your residence!

Commercial HVAC Tip: Use a Rooftop Unit

July 31st, 2017

Commercial air conditioning systems and heaters are, of course, much larger than conventional residential AC units. Otherwise, there are not many differences between commercial systems and residential systems; they all run on refrigerant and use coils and blower fans to remove heat and cool a space.

However, there is typically a difference in the way air conditioners are installed on commercial buildings and the way they are installed in homes. A rooftop packaged HVAC unit is the best choice for many commercial properties (though not all). This type of AC and heating system sits on the rooftop of the building, and it tends to be the best choice for many of the commercial air conditioners and heaters in our area.

What Causes an AC to Freeze Up?

July 17th, 2017

At first thought, a freezing air conditioner may not sound like that big of a problem. After all, you want your AC to be cooling your home, right? Of course you do–but remember that there is a huge difference between an air conditioner and a freezer. Your air conditioner should be removing heat from the air in your home and recirculating that air back into the living space at a lower temperature. At no point should it be freezing up, though.

Not only is ice on an air conditioner not a sign that it is working better than expected, but it is actually a sign that the system is not working the way that it ought to. If you see ice on your system, it is a sign of trouble. As is the case with any sign of trouble with your air conditioner in Georgetown, WA, you are going to need to act quickly if you really want to protect your AC from potentially serious damages.

Should I Be Using UV Germicidal Lights?

July 11th, 2017

The answer to the question posed in the title of this blog is—maybe. We’d love to give you a solid answer right off the bat, but not every home is going to require the use of UV germicidal lights. Those that could stand to benefit from the use of such devices, however, stand to benefit greatly. So how can you tell if using UV germicidal lights in Washington, D.C. is the right move for your home?

We can help you with that. There are plenty of warning signs that can indicate the need for UV air purification. Read on to learn more about these warning signs, as well as how UV germicidal lights actually operate. If and when you decide to integrate a UV air purifier into your home comfort system, remember to schedule the service with our team.