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

3 Common Heating Repairs

Tuesday, December 26th, 2017

With the winter weather wearing you down, you need to know that you have a comfortable environment waiting for you back home. That means having a heater that is capable of heating your house in an effective and dependable manner. But the truth is that no heating system is ever going to be 100% reliable. If and when your heater needs repairs, contact a member of our team right away.

Ideally, you’ll have your heater repaired before it really suffers any major damages or breaks down entirely. Not every repair need is going to be something major, but all repairs do need to be handled promptly. Here are a few of the more common issues that homeowners encounter. Let us know if you require heating repair in Washington, DC.

Tags: heat, heater, Heating, Heating Repair, Washington
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Why Schedule Professional Heater Repairs?

Monday, December 18th, 2017

It’s freezing out, and you’re excited to get indoors, shuffle out of your winter gear, and relax in comfort. Only one problem: turns out the house isn’t actually comfortable at all! Whatever is wrong with your heater, whether it is making strange sounds or it is short-cycling on you, you need to hire a trained professional to handle your heater repair in Washington, DC. Working with our team guarantees that this will be the case, as we employ some of the finest technicians in the industry.

There are various reasons why it is vital to schedule your heater repairs with trained technicians. We are going to use today’s post to explore a few of them. We also want to remind you that scheduling prompt heater repair is always in your best interest. The sooner that you get our technicians over to your home in order to fix your heater, the better off the system is likely to be. Call us at the first sign of trouble.

Tags: heat, heater, Heating, Heating Repair, Washington DC
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Heating FAQ: Why Does My Heater Start and Stop Frequently?

Monday, November 6th, 2017

It does not matter what type of heater you use. You want to get the best performance that that heater has to offer. You deserve nothing less, if you ask us. Now, routine maintenance is definitely the best way in which to keep any instances of problems with your heater to a bare minimum. Even the best heaters that are well-maintained, however, are going to run into operational problems from time to time. Responding to such problems promptly will help to limit the risk of serious damage to your system and serious disruption to your comfort.

The last thing that you want to do is to ignore any signs of trouble that your heater in Washington, DC may display. Some problems with heaters will, admittedly, exhibit only subtle hints that trouble is brewing. Short cycling, though, is actually a pretty clear and obvious sign that something is wrong. If you notice that your home heating system is short cycling, call our number to have the situation assessed right away.

Tags: heater, heater repair, Heating, Heating Repair, Washington DC
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Heat Pump FAQ: Why Is There Ice on My System?

Monday, February 13th, 2017

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.

Tags: Alexandria, Heat Pump, Heat Pump Repair, Heating, Heating Repair
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How Thermostat Trouble Can Lead to Heating Repair

Monday, October 27th, 2014

The thermostat is an essential part of your heating system: this small, usually unobtrusive device that sits on the wall near the center of a home is responsible for sending instructions to a heater (and air conditioner as well) to turn it on and off and control how long to will continue to run. Without a working thermostat, you don’t have a working heating system.

The thermostat can also malfunction in ways that will causes trouble inside the heater that may lead to it requiring repairs. This is one of the reasons you must not allow a broken thermostat—even one showing only minor miscalibrations—to remain that way for long. Call the excellent technicians at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. whenever you need heating repair in Northern Virginia to restore your thermostat and heater. We have more than a decade of experience with keeping home warm throughout the winter.

The thermostat and heating repair

One of the major troubles you want to avoid from a thermostat is a miscalibration that causes the unit to misread the temperatures in a home. This can cause the heating system to start running too long, and will in turn lead to wear and tear and probably repair needs that wouldn’t have been necessary otherwise.

A thermostat miscalibration can also cause a situation known as “short-cycling.” This is when the thermostat prematurely shuts down a heater’s heating cycle before it can complete because it falsely reads that the heater has reached the target temperature. The thermostat will soon switch the heater back on again… only to have it shut off quickly once more… and on and on. This is a huge waste of power, but it also puts an incredible strain on the heater’s mechanical components. This will lead to issues such as burned-out blower motors in furnaces and heat pump and broken circulator pumps in boilers.

Another common problem with thermostats is when they lose their connection that shuts off the heater’s fan. Thermostats have separate wires to turn on and turn off the blower fan for a furnace or heat pump; if the thermostat loses its link with the wire that turns off the blower fan, the fan will run continuously, leading to it suffering from damage that will require repair needs.

Any time you notice a decline in heating power or detect the heating system turning on and off at strange times, you may have an issue in the thermostat.

Call for repairs fat the first sign of trouble. Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. is here to service all your needs for heating repair in Northern Virginia.

Tags: Heating Repair, Northern Virginia
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Why Does my Furnace Pilot Light Keep Going Out?

Tuesday, November 5th, 2013

Does the pilot light keep going out on the furnace in your Washington DC area home? Here are a few possible reasons your pilot light could go out and what to do about them. If none of these suggestions work, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. for help.

Down Drafts Causing Pilot Light to Go Out

If your furnace vents through a chimney, always check first for the potential of a down draft causing the light to go out. This could happen if the light tends to go out on windy days. The chimney design could also be causing the problem. Check to see if it is high enough, and that it has a proper chimney cap installed at the top.

Clogged or Dirty Pilot Valve

Once you’ve made sure that there are no down drafts, have a professional check the pilot light gas valve to make sure that it isn’t clogged in any way. They will also check to see if it is adjusted properly. One of our technicians can answer any further questions about how to operate the pilot valve and controls.

Not Enough Gas Pressure

Your technician also check gas pressure while the furnace is on to see if the pressure has dropped. If it has dropped, this could easily cause the pilot light to go out.

Always call a professional HVAC contractor you can trust to handle repairs for any type of gas heating system in your home. Call the furnace experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. of Washington DC any time you need a furnace repair or tune-up.

Tags: Furnace Pilot, Heating Repair, Washington DC
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Washington DC Furnace Tip: What to Do if Your Furnace Breaks Down

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Don’t leave your Washington DC home without heat this year. If you have a problem, call for emergency repair service from Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating to get your furnace back up and running. We are also available to discuss furnace replacement options with homeowners, in order to help them understand the cost-benefits to a new, energy-efficient unit. For more information, call us today.

If your furnace breaks down, call a pro. Furnaces are complex machines designed to be handled by trained technicians. Attempting to repair it yourself can be dangerous and may only increase the damage. Here are some common problems that can cause a furnace to break down:

No power- Your furnace requires electricity to function. The system may have blown a fuse or tripped a circuit.
Thermostat malfunction- Ensure that your thermostat is properly tuned to a warm temperature, but if it’s not responsive, it can sometimes indicate a problem with your thermostat calibration.
Motor problem- The motor that powers your blower components may have worn out, or needs to be reset.
Pilot light out- If your furnace is not igniting, your pilot light might be out. It is the small flame that allows the gas to ignite. You may have automatic electric ignition instead of a pilot, however, which requires its own diagnosis.
Thermocouple fault- The thermocouple is an electronic device that senses the heat around your pilot light. If it senses that the air is too cold, it determines that your pilot is shut off and shuts off the supply valve. This is a safety measure, designed to protect you.

Whatever the reason for furnace breakdown, call in a heating professional. You should also make sure to enroll in maintenance plan for your new or repaired furnace. Not only will it give you the peace of mind of professional care, but it may also save you significant money on repairs in Washington DC. Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating is available for emergency and routine furnace repair services. Call us today!

Tags: Furnace Repair, Heating, Heating Repair, Washington DC
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Causes of Boiler Problems in Washington DC

Monday, February 18th, 2013

Our Washington, DC boiler experts can take care of all your boiler repair and maintenance needs. If you need any type of service for your boiler, or if you simply have questions, give us a call. While you should call a repair technician as soon as you notice an issue, it is important to understand the causes of some of the more common boiler problems so that you can prevent them from occurring.

In this post, we explore some of the potential causes of problems with many types of boilers. Don’t hesitate to call us if you have questions or need to schedule service.

Not Enough Heat

Are you not getting enough heat from your boiler? There are a few potential reasons for this. One of the more common causes is that something has happened to throw off the hot water levels inside the tank. The hot water should be on the top, so when you feel the tank, it should feel warmer near the top. If this is reversed, there’s a problem, and it could be causing your heating problem. Often water levels are off because of sediment buildup, but another potential cause is a faulty pressure valve.

Leaky Boiler Tank

If you have a leaky boiler tank, this can cause any number of problems, including low heat output and low water pressure in hot water systems. Look for signs of rust or water leaking near the tank. If you notice any of these warning signs, call a Washington DC repair technician. A leak can cause water damage and also damage your boiler system.

Many homes in the Washington DC area use boilers for heat and hot water. At Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., we can solve all your boiler problems, from sediment build-up, to faulty pressure gauges and broken thermostats. Call us for fast and reliable boiler repair and comprehensive boiler maintenance services.

Tags: Boiler Repair, Heating, Heating Repair, Washington DC
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Washington DC Furnace Repair Question: Why Is My Furnace So Noisy?

Monday, January 21st, 2013

If you have a furnace in Washington DC, you’re likely enjoying the comfortable and efficient heat that it delivers to your home. During its normal operation, your furnace will make sounds as it moves the warm air throughout your home. However, if you start to notice new and strange noises coming from your furnace, you should probably call a professional heating contractor. Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating provides fast and reliable furnace repair in Washington DC. We thought it would be beneficial to our customers if we put together some of the most common furnaces noises and what they mean.

Common Furnace Noises You Should Watch For in Washington DC

Here are some of the most common furnaces noises in Washington DC that indicate there is a problem with your furnace.

Rattling – This is one of the most important noises to watch out for because it can indicate that your heat exchanger is cracked. The heat exchanger in your furnace does two things: first, it heats up the air that gets pushed into your home. Second, it exhausts the dangerous combustion gases produced by burning fuel. If there is a crack in your heat exchanger, carbon monoxide might be entering your air supply.
Short cycling – If you notice that your furnace turns on and off frequently, it could be short cycling. This is not only highly inefficient, it also causes lots of wear and tear on your furnace. This usually indicates that your furnace is too big for your home.
Rumbling – This can sometimes because by the ducts in your rafters expanding to allow the new heated air through. But it can also be caused by a dirty burner or an improperly adjusted pilot light. You should probably have a heating technician come out and inspect your furnace.
Squealing – If your furnace is making a high-pitched whine or squeal, this is almost always caused by the fan belt, the fan shaft or the fan’s bearings. To fix this, you’ll likely need to have a heating professional replace the belt and lubricate the bearings.

If you need any kind of furnace repairs in Washington DC, call Polar Bear today. We have highly trained heating technicians that can handle any kind of furnace repair.

Tags: Furnace Repair, Heating, Heating Repair, Washington DC
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How Ignoring Heating Repairs in Your Washington, D.C. Home Can Cost You Money

Monday, January 7th, 2013

It is perfectly understandable that you may not want to waste your money calling for maintenance or repair services every time you have some little issue with your heater. Unfortunately, even seeming small issues with your heater can lead to big problems. That is why you need to call in a professional from a quality service provider such as Polar Bear Air Conditioning and Heating to inspect any issues with your heater. Take it from us, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your comfort in Washington D.C..

One major reason that it is always best to enlist the help of a home heating expert when you experience problems with your heater is the fact that these problems are not always immediately identifiable. That means that by the time you notice a problem with your heater, that problem has most likely been developing for some time. Choosing to ignore it further will only allow more damage to be done to your system. This will require more extensive, costly repairs. The sooner any problem is handled by a qualified service technician the less it is likely to cost you.

Even if your home heating system does not break down, you have to remember that an operational system is not necessarily an efficient system. Your heater does not have to stop working altogether in order to cost you money. If your heater’s operation has been compromised it will lose efficiency, meaning that it will work harder and consume more energy to keep up with the demand that you put on it. The harder your system has to work and the more energy it consumes the more expensive it is to operate. Making even “minor” repairs, in other words, can result in savings that are anything but.

If you have any unanswered questions about why you must not ignore your heater’s repair needs, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning and Heating. We will be happy to discuss the benefits of high quality repair services with you. Contact us today for more information about heating repair services in Washington D.C.. Remember, ignoring heating problems now will only result in more serious issues further along.

Tags: Boiler Repair, Furnace Repair, Heating, Heating Repair, Washington D.C.
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