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

Easy Ways to Improve AC Efficiency

Monday, September 10th, 2018

It may be getting a bit late in the air conditioning season, and you may not be running your AC much at all at this point. That doesn’t mean that you’re done with your air conditioner indefinitely, however, and you obviously want your system to be there for you when the next cooling season arrives. Of course, this means any problems with your air conditioner will be there waiting for you, too.

While maybe not a “problem” in terms of operation, low energy efficiency is a problem when it comes to your bottom line. You don’t just want your air conditioner to run effectively when the summer starts to heat up once more. You also want it to operate affordably. There are a lot of factors that can negatively affect the efficiency with which your system operates. The good news is we have some tips to help you to boost efficiency without needing to replace the whole system. Leave your HVAC services in Leesburg, VA to the pros on our team.

Tags: AC, AC efficiency, Air Conditioner, Energy Efficiency, Leesburg
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What Does a SEER Rating Mean?

Monday, September 14th, 2015

Choosing an air conditioning system for installation in one’s home can be very time consuming. For most homeowners, a new air conditioner is a pretty major expense. As is the case with any other investment that you’d make, you want to be sure that your air conditioner will give you the most return possible on your initial investment. That is why, in addition to the different types of systems available, you must also consider the SEER of the models that you are interested in. This rating provides you with valuable information regarding the energy efficiency offered by your new air conditioning system in Arlington. Contact Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. to learn more about high-efficiency air conditioning systems available for installation in your home.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Arlington VA, Energy Efficiency
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What Are DCSEU Rebates?

Monday, September 7th, 2015

Everybody wants to live comfortably within their own homes, regardless of what the temperature outdoors may be. This is a goal well within reach, of course, as modern HVAC systems are readily available and are more than capable of helping homeowners to heat and cool their homes successfully for uninterrupted, year round comfort. For some homeowners, though, replacing an old, ineffective, and inefficient system is not really a viable option, as doing so can be rather cost prohibitive. That is why it is with great pleasure that we announce our continued participation in the DCSEU rebate program. To learn more about this program, simply read on and visit DCSEU (DC Sustainable Energy Utility) here. Contact Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. directly to schedule service.

Tags: Energy Efficiency, rebates, Washington D.C.
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How Can You Tell It’s Time for Commercial Heating Replacement?

Thursday, December 11th, 2014

The proper working of your commercial heating system is critical for your business space. After all, it’s hard to conduct business in a space that isn’t well-heated, or has uneven heating throughout. Just because a heating system continues to work doesn’t mean that it isn’t time for that system to be replaced, particularly when you take certain factors into consideration. If you are having trouble deciding whether or not it’s time for commercial heating replacement for your McLean business, make an appointment with your Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., expert today.

Factors to Consider for Replacement

Here are some of the more important factors to review when considering the replacement of your commercial heating system:

Age

Commercial heating systems have an average lifespan of 15-20 years, although some systems may last longer. Aging systems can have a problem achieving your set temperature, or providing even heating, mostly because the components begin to break down. Pushing an aging system only exacerbates the possibility of repairs, so if your system is experiencing problems, and is within the lifespan age or older, it may be time to consider an upgrade to a new system.

Energy Efficiency

Every business has a budget to maintain, no matter the season. If you have noticed that your business’s heating bills have risen sharply, yet you haven’t changed how you heat your business space, you may have a system that is not as energy efficient as you need it. Today’s commercial heating systems are highly energy efficient, thus enabling you to save money in energy costs.

Costly Repairs

Are you facing costly repairs, or have you been nursing along a malfunctioning system for a period of time? Repair costs can add up quickly, many times to the cost of a new system. If you are paying for multiple, costly repairs, it may be time to review if your money is better spent on continuing repairs or on a new, reliable heating system.

Your business space needs to be comfortable for all who enter it; don’t let an aging and/or malfunctioning commercial heating system in McLean adversely affect your business.

Call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., today and schedule an appointment with one of our commercial heating experts.

Tags: Commercial Heating, Energy Efficiency
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Washington DC Heating Tips: How You Can Reduce Your Heating Costs

Monday, December 10th, 2012

There are many ways to reduce your heating costs this winter, and the Washington DC heating professionals at Polar Bear can help you do this with the following tips:

Upgrade to a more efficient heating system if you are facing a replacement. First, make sure you’ve added enough insulation to make this new investment worth the initial cost. The savings in energy will pay off sooner if you do.
When you are not using appliances and electronic devices, make sure that they are turned off and are unplugged. Even if the appliance is turned off, it could still be draining energy. Use surge protectors and turn off the source for multiple devices.
Set your thermostat back 5 to 10 degrees when you don’t need as much heat. Using a programmable thermostat is one way to automatically set temperatures back according to your schedule.
Turn down your water heater thermostat, and install a water heater jacket for storage tank. Many homeowners don’t realize that standby heat loss accounts for a lot of energy waste. Also, turning down the temperature of your hot your water even 10 or 15 degrees can reduce hot water costs. Consult your owner’s manual to determine the best settings, or give us a call if you aren’t sure how to locate the hot water heater thermostat.
Make sure your home is properly sealed and ventilated to avoid energy loss and moisture problems. Installing storm doors and double-paned windows is one way to get more efficient heating.
It’s never too late to schedule annual heating tune-up. During routine maintenance visits, our qualified technicians inspect your entire heating system and test the efficiency levels. This will help to ensure that your heating system is working as efficiently as possible all winter long.

Call the Washington DC heating experts at Polar Bear for all your heating needs!

Tags: Energy Efficiency, Heating, Heating Savings, Washington DC
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Washington DC Heating Question: What Exactly Are High Efficiency Boilers?

Monday, October 1st, 2012

You have already read plenty about how energy costs are rising. You know plenty well that heating your Washington DC home is a substantial expense, and that the cost of running a boiler is constantly on the rise.

But as technology has gotten better, so have boilers become more efficient at providing heat. It stands to reason that a more efficient boiler is one that costs less to run…but what does “efficient” really mean in the context of boilers? What makes a boiler “high efficiency”?

What Is a High Efficiency Boiler?

All boilers are rated according to a standardized system of rating efficiency, called the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). Essentially, this rating tells you how much heat energy is produced by a boiler compared to how much energy it draws. The higher a boiler’s AFUE rating, the more efficient it is.

For a boiler to be called high efficiency, it must carry an AFUE of at least 90%. For basis of comparison, older systems carry an AFUE of about 70%, while mid-efficiency systems run at about 82%.

In addition, a high efficiency system has a second heat exchanger for capturing and condensing flue gases, as well as a closed combustion system.

These three things — an AFUE of 90% or above, condensing flue gases and closed combustion – define a high efficiency boiler.

The initial investment in a high efficiency boiler can be costly, but the savings over time in heating bills make it well worth the expense.

If you would like a high efficiency boiler installed in your Washington DC home, give Polar Bear a call today!

Tags: Boiler Installation, Boilers, Energy Efficiency, Heating, High Efficiency Boilers
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Washington DC Air Conditioning Tip: Programmable Thermostats and Your AC

Monday, August 20th, 2012

Air conditioning makes our Washington DC homes comfortable during a hot summer day. However, air conditioners need electricity to run, and most of us are trying to reduce our home’s energy consumption. There are a number of ways you can make your air conditioning system more efficient, including upgrading to an ENERGY STAR rated unit and scheduling regular maintenance, but one of the easiest steps to implement is installing a programmable thermostat.

Programmable thermostats automatically adjust the temperature in your home depending on the time of day. You can save up to 10 percent a year by turning down your thermostat back ten degrees for eight hours a day! Most models allow you to store multiple daily settings, so you can turn you air conditioner down during the day when you are at work and while you are sleeping, and still have the temperature cooler when you need it. You can also still manually adjust the temperature without affecting the normal settings, giving you complete control and helping you save energy.

Programmable thermostats are not all made the same, and there are many different makes and models. An HVAC contractor will go over the different features available to you so you can decide which best fits your needs. Different thermostats work better with different systems, for instance some heat pumps need thermostats that have multi-stage functions, so it is best to consult with a Washington DC air conditioning and heating professional before deciding what to purchase.

Programmable thermostats allow you to save energy without sacrificing comfort, which is something that all of us are looking for. If you are looking for a simple, affordable way to improve your HVAC system, a programmable thermostat is a great choice. Most are easy to read and easy to use, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning today to learn more about having a programmable thermostat installed in your home!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Installation, Energy Efficiency, Washington DC
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