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

Getting to Know Your Air Conditioning System: 3 Basic Components

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

It is important that homeowners contact a licensed, qualified professional for any Northern Virginia air conditioning services they may need. However, it is also a good idea to get to know the way in which your AC operates a little better. You should never attempt to service your system on your own, but having a basic understanding of the components that make up this system is a great way to ensure that you are able to recognize any problems with its performance. Here are a few components of your air conditioning system that you may not be familiar with, but which are absolutely necessary for its successful operation. Contact Polar Bear today with any questions you may still have.

Compressor

The compressor is located in the outer unit of your air conditioning system, generally speaking. It is the compressor’s job to squeeze the refrigerant when it arrives in order to pack the molecules closer together, increasing its energy and temperature. From here the refrigerant makes its way to the condenser.

Condenser

The condenser, also housed in the outside unit of your air conditioner, is the part that has metal fins. These fins allow heat to dissipate fairly quickly, which in turn allows the refrigerant to reach a much cooler temperature. When the refrigerant leaves the condenser it is no longer a gas but a high-pressure liquid. From here, through a very tiny opening, this liquid enters the evaporator.

Evaporator

The evaporator in your AC system is where the pressure of the refrigerant drops, turning it into a gas. Heat is extracted from the air surrounding it as it evaporates, and a fan is used to circulate the air in your home blows air across the evaporator fins.  When refrigerant leaves the evaporator it heads back to the compressor to repeat the whole process.

To learn more about the components of your air conditioning system or to schedule any AC service, call the pros at Polar Bear. We are happy to help you better understand the way in which your air conditioner cools your home. Contact us today to speak with a Northern Virginia air conditioning expert on our team.

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Air Conditioning Repair in Alexandria, VA: Common Problems with Packaged Systems

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

A packaged air conditioning unit is unique because all of the system components are packaged together in a single unit. A typical split system, on the other hand, keeps the indoor air handler/evaporator and the outdoor condenser/compressor separate. A packaged system often sits on the roof or outside away from the home. Like all AC units, however, your packaged system may encounter problems during operation that will need to be fixed by a trained professional. While professional installation and routine, preventive maintenance go a long way towards ensuring that you stay cool and comfortable during the summer, some problem are inevitable. Call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating today for quality air conditioning repair in Alexandria, VA.

Let’s take a look at a few common problems with packaged systems:

  • Compressor fault: Your compressor is the engine of the packaged system. It is responsible with pressurizing and circulating the refrigerant through the coils and valve. This is what you hear kick on during start-up. However, because it is so essential to effective operation, it is vital that any problems with its operation be professionally inspected and taken care of.
  • Thermostat miscalibrated: The thermostat is the user interface of the air conditioning system. Without it, the AC would not be able to sense what temperature it is—it would simply be an on/off operation. The thermostat allows you set a desire point for the AC, but if the thermostat is not calibrated to read the temperature accurately, then it will not work properly.
  • Dirty condenser coils: The condenser coils are responsible for dissipating the thermal energy absorbed from the indoor air. The exhaust fan assists with this. But if the coils have dirt or debris on them, then this dissipation process cannot possibly be efficient. It may lead to inadequate cooling and even warm air.
  • Low refrigerant: Your refrigerant charge should remain the same throughout the service life of your AC. But if there is a leak in the coils, your refrigerant level could decline, and this leads to higher energy expenditure as well as possible system damage.

Call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating today for thorough air conditioning repair in Alexandria, VA.

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Can I Save Money with a Heat Pump in Arlington, VA?

Monday, April 8th, 2013

Heat pumps make a great addition to any home in Arlington, VA. They are widely recognized to be one of the most energy efficient ways to cool your home, and they also work during the heating season to provide warmth and comfort. This type of flexibility allows you to save money. If you’re in the market for a new air conditioning system, consider a heat pump. Most importantly, though, make sure you opt for reliable and professional installation so you know your system will work well for years to come. If you need a heat pump in Arlington, VA, call the pros at Polar Bear Air Conditioning today!

Let’s take a look at how a heat pump works. Heat pumps work just like air conditioners. They extract warm air from your home, blow it over the cool refrigerant in the evaporator coils, and return the cooled air into your home. The refrigerant has now been pressurized by the warm air and is sent through to the compressor, where the heat exhausts outside. The cycle then repeats itself. The essential principle behind the heat pump is heat transfer, although we often think of it merely as cool air entering our homes.

But heat pumps are more versatile than your average air conditioner. They are equipped with a device that allows the refrigerant to work in reverse, so that they can draw heat from even the coldest temperature outside to warm the cold air removed from the inside of your home and thereby heat your home. This type of versatility makes them incredibly energy efficient. And that means you save money.

One of the most important things to keep in mind as you shop for heat pumps is their size. For your heat pump to operate correctly, it needs to be properly sized to your unique living space. This requires professional assessment not only of the volume of air in your living space, but perhaps also considering the placement of the heat pump equipment. Professional installation will go a long way towards making sure that your heat pump continues to save you money on your energy bill throughout the year. For more information about our Arlington, VA heat pump and air conditioning services, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning today! 

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