Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Alexandria’

3 Common Air Conditioning Repairs in Arlington, VA

Monday, April 29th, 2013

As we gear up for the summer here in Arlington, VA, homeowners throughout the area are making sure that their air conditioning systems work well. During the off-season, your AC may have developed a few quirks, or perhaps you managed to stave off a problem at the end of the last cooling season that will now need to be dealt with. Whatever your situation, it’s critical that you hire a professional to make any necessary repairs on your AC, be it a central split or packaged system. We’d like to share with you 3 common air conditioning problems, with the hope that it might help you identify a minor issue before it balloons into a serious problem, or causes an inconvenient breakdown during the hottest days of summer. For air conditioning services in Arlington, VA, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning today!

  • Frozen evaporator coil: Your evaporator coil cools the warm air in your home. As it cools the air, the water vapor in the air condenses on the coils. If your AC has air flow problems or low refrigerant, that water vapor can freeze on the coils instead of draining, which prevents your AC from cooling effectively.
  • Overheated compressor: If there is any disruption of the airflow within your AC, then it can cause serious problems in other areas of the system, not to mention poor energy efficiency. For example, if your air filter is clogged with dust and debris, it can cause your system to work harder, so much so that your compressor may overheat. Your compressor is the major engine of the cooling cycle; it pressurizes the refrigerant, causing it to circulate throughout the coils. If it overheats, you may have to be replace it.
  • Condensate drain leak: There is a condensate drain pan fitted beneath your evaporator coil that catches the water vapor condensation on the external surface of the coils. Over time, or because of physical damage, it may begin to leak into your air handler, or outside the indoor unit.

Whatever your AC problem, we are here to help. When you need excellent air conditioning repair in Arlington, VA, call the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning.

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How Ducts Can Affect Air Conditioning Efficiency in Alexandria, VA

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Central air conditioning system are very popular. Many homeowners fail to realize, however, just how important the condition of their air ducts is to the operation of their air conditioning system. Just because your air ducts are tucked away behind your walls and in other inaccessible areas does not meant that you can afford to ignore them. In fact, your Alexandria, VA air conditioning system can be seriously compromised by problems with your air ducts. Consider this information from Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating about how air ducts can affect your air conditioning efficiency in Alexandria, VA.

One of the most obvious ways that air ducts can affect the efficiency with which your air conditioning system operates is if they are damaged. Improperly installed, torn or otherwise compromised air ducts will allow conditioned air to leak out of the system before it arrives at its destination. This causes a few different problems. First of all, if this air keeps escaping then your air conditioning system is going to need to consume more energy in order to replace that which has been lost. This is a big problem in and of itself, but there is another way in which this can wind up costing you money. Forcing your air conditioner to operate with this extra strain on it can lead to damages within your system.

Dirty air ducts are another problem than can affect the efficiency of your air conditioning system. While it may take a pretty serious buildup of dirt and debris to really inhibit airflow in your air ducts, there are your filters to think about.  If there is a lot of dust and other pollutants circulating through your ductwork then the filters can restrict airflow, reducing efficiency. Also, the pollutants can make their way into your HVAC equipment and lead to complications therein.

For more information about the importance of the condition of your ductwork, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating. We are happy to help you better understand how ducts can affect air conditioning efficiency in Alexandria, VA. Call today to learn more.

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Efficient Air Conditioning in McLean, VA

Monday, March 25th, 2013

As spring approaches, homeowners throughout the McLean, VA area know that the summer heat is not far away. Efficient air conditioning is an absolute must-have here, due to the amount of energy that we use each year to ensure our homes are cool and comfortable. Right now is the best time to make sure that you’re primed for this cooling season. One of the most common requests we hear from our customers is how they can make their home AC system more efficient; that is, how they can save money on their energy bill. We’ve compiled a list of some energy-efficient tips that we hope will help you maximize your cooling this summer. For efficient air conditioning in McLean, VA, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning today!

  • Clean and replace your air filter: Did you know that your AC’s air filter impacts energy efficiency? If your air filter is dirty or even clogged, it can begin to inhibit airflow. This makes your system work harder to cool your home, placing a higher demand on your electrical supply. Regularly clean and replace your air filter during the cooling season.
  • Enroll in a maintenance program: Enrolling in a routine preventive maintenance program is the best way to improve the energy efficiency of your cooling system. During this annual inspection, your local AC technician will thoroughly inspect, clean, and lubricate your system components, as well as write up recommendations if there are any repairs necessary. Your AC needs professional care to work properly. Every system, from newly installed models to units over 10 years old, could benefit from a maintenance program.
  • Install a programmable thermostat: You depend upon your conventional thermostat to communicate your desired temperature accurately to the AC unit. Imagine if you no longer had to turn it one when you came home or off when you go to bed at night. A programmable thermostat automates your indoor climate control to ensure that changes in temperature are performed gradually, thereby improving energy efficiency.

These are just a few of the ways to achieve efficient air conditioning. To talk to a pro about your air conditioning in McLean, VA, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning today! 

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Why Install a New AC System in the Spring in Arlington, VA

Monday, March 18th, 2013

Spring is a popular time of year for cleaning, organizing, and renovating, but it’s also a great time to improve your cooling system. While many homeowners will schedule inspection and tune-ups, as well as enroll in preventive maintenance plans, other may be in the market for a new AC system before the summer heat hits. It’s a great idea. Now is the ideal time to switch to that high-efficiency system you’ve always wanted. For air conditioning installation in Arlington, VA, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning today!

There are some good reasons why you should consider installing an air conditioning system now before the summer:

  • Energy efficiency. Depending on the type and size of the system you install, you will in general improve the energy efficiency of your home with a new installation, especially if your existing system is over 10 years old. With technology always advancing, the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of today’s units are often much better. As the standards of manufacturing quality have risen, so will your energy savings.
  • Timing. Why now? While we try to make air conditioning system installation a smooth process with no disruptions, any system replacement is going to take some time to be done properly. During the summer heat, that means cooling downtime. The cooling pre-season is a great way to get ready for summer and ensure that you enjoy your new AC on even the hottest days of the year.

Don’t wait until the summer heat begins to make your old system work overtime, consider a new AC system today. For air conditioning installation in Arlington, VA, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning today! 

 

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Alexandria, VA AC Guide: Air Conditioning Replacement Options

Monday, March 11th, 2013

If you’re in the market for air conditioning replacement in Alexandria, VA, there are many different options. You can upgrade to a more efficient AC system, or you can choose to switch to a different system entirely. It all depends upon your cooling needs, your home, and your budget. However, the most important aspect of any air conditioning replacement is the quality of the workmanship. Without professional consultation and installation, your new air conditioner may disappoint you. When you need to talk to a pro about your air conditioning replacement options in Alexandria, VA, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning and Heating.

Let’s look at some of your options for replacing your current AC:

  • Central Air Conditioning. A classic split system is perhaps the most popular kind of AC system. Not only are they cost-effective, but they reduce heat and noise by placing your condenser and compressor in an outdoor unit. This allows your home to cool that much faster. Central air circulates cool air through an extensive system of ductwork and into your living spaces. Whether you already have ductwork, or need an efficient and cost-effective cooling solution, consider a central air conditioning replacement.
  • Heat Pump. A heat pump works similarly to a central AC system, but with one important difference. A heat pump transfers heat outside of your home during the heating season and transfers it indoors during the cooling season. It is a complete cooling and heating package. This can be paired with a digital or wireless thermostat to make sure it keeps your home comfortable no matter what the season.

Remember that how it is installed has a huge impact on how effectively your AC system works. Call Polar Bear Air Conditioning and Heating today for comprehensive Alexandria, VA air conditioning services, including installation, repair, and maintenance.

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