While some people may go into home ownership thinking that pollution is only a problem outdoors, they generally find before long that pollutants can be just as troublesome within their homes, if not more. There are a lot of different reasons as to why your indoor air quality may suffer, and poor indoor air quality may manifest in a number of different ways. The good news is that the IAQ specialists on our staff are here to ensure that your indoor air quality problems are resolved successfully. We do so by ensuring that the right equipment is put to use in your home. For biological pollutant destruction, UV germicidal lights in Washington, DC may be necessary. Schedule your IAQ services with the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc.
Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Washington D.C.’
Are UV Germicidal Lights a Good Option for Me?
Monday, June 29th, 2015How Air Ducts Impact Your Air Conditioning System
Monday, June 15th, 2015For the most part, the components of your air conditioning system are largely hidden from view. Sure, you can see the compressor unit outside, and you may be aware of the registers throughout your home which blow conditioned air therein, but the thermostat is really the only component that you have much direct interaction with. To be sure, though, even those components which are hidden from view play a major role in determining the overall success – or lack thereof – with which your air conditioning system operates. Your air ducts in particular have a major influence on the quality of your AC’s performance. Read the following information to better understand the importance of your ductwork in Washington, DC. Remember to call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. if you require any ductwork services throughout the area.
3 Indicators That You Need an Air Cleaner
Monday, June 8th, 2015As important as it is that you are able to maintain comfortable temperatures throughout your home all year long, it is also important that you not underestimate the immense influence that the quality of the air in your home can have on your overall comfort. If you want to know for certain that you are breathing air of the highest quality, you may find that help is needed in your home. That is when you should contact the skilled indoor air quality technicians on our staff. Not only do our technicians have the skill and expertise necessary to install and service exceptional air cleaners in Washington, D.C., but they also have the knowledge necessary to ensure that you are using the right equipment in the first place. Contact Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc., today if you are serious about boosting the quality of the air in your home.
Why Schedule Prompt Air Conditioning Repairs?
Monday, June 1st, 2015We understand that you are likely quite busy. Between work, keeping the house clean, feeding the family, and all of the other day to day responsibilities you have on your plate, it is perfectly reasonable to accept that some things are going to fall through the cracks or be put on the backburner. Just remember that, when it comes to air conditioning repair services in Washington, DC, you cannot afford to bide your time. The longer that you wait to schedule any necessary air conditioning repairs for your system, the worse off it, and your comfort, is likely to be. That is why you should contact Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. at the first sign of trouble with your home cooling system.
When Is the Time Right for an AC Replacement?
Monday, May 25th, 2015While we fully understand that running out to replace your whole-home cooling system is probably not the most exciting way you can think of in which to spend your money, it is going to be advisable at some point. Even the best air conditioning systems on the market, after all, have finite lifespans. When your system’s is up, you need to work with a skilled, trained professional to ensure that your new air conditioner is precisely what you need to cool your home effectively and reliably.
Of course, it is also a good idea to replace your air conditioning system before it becomes an absolute necessity. After all, you don’t want to go without effective cooling for any duration when the heat of summer is at its peak. Here are a few tips to help you decide if the time is right to schedule your air conditioning replacement in Washington, DC. Contact Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. today if so.
How Dirty Coils Lead to Air Conditioning Repair
Monday, September 22nd, 2014Many people are surprised to learn that an air conditioner does not actually create cool air. Rather, it moves the heat from the air in your home back to the outdoors. Your air conditioning system contains two coils that help this to happen—the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. As refrigerant moves to these components, it undergoes phase conversions that allow heat to absorb or dissipate. But these coils, and the rest of your AC system, require cleaning and maintenance to prevent the need for air conditioning repair later on.
Dirty coils are problematic because these parts are so important to the refrigeration cycle. Refrigerant changes from a liquid to a gas at the indoor evaporator coil, absorbing heat as a fan blows the warm air from your home over the coil. The fan then distributes cool air through the ducts. Refrigerant becomes highly pressurized and heated at the compressor outdoors and then moves to the condenser coil, where it condenses into a liquid, giving off heat into the outside air. Refrigerant continues to cycle through both parts of the system, repeating the process over again.
The coils are especially susceptible to dust because fans suck in air to blow over both the indoor and outdoor coils. If a coil is dirty, it means the refrigeration process cannot occur as efficiently as it should. Dirty coils impair their ability to participate in heat exchange, which means that other parts will have to work harder to make up for the deficiency. And as other parts run for longer periods of time, they may begin to wear out, so you’ll have to call for air conditioning repair sooner than is usually necessary. You’ll probably notice reduced cooling capacity when you have dirty coils, or you may even feel warm air from the vents.
Maintenance technicians clean the coils during any maintenance visit as well as other pertinent tasks that help to restore efficiency and keep problems at bay.
Schedule maintenance to prevent the need for air conditioning repair in Washington, D.C. Call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. for maintenance or repairs today!
Welcome Back to School Safety Tips
Thursday, September 19th, 2013
Polar Bear Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is a proud supporter of Capitol Hill Cluster School, Janney Elementary School, Lafayette Elementary School and Murch Elementary School in Washington, D.C. as well as Jamestown Elementary School, Nottingham Elementary School and Tuckahoe Elementary School in Arlington, VA. We wish for all of our students in Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia an exciting and productive year of learning in the Nation’s Capital.
Now that school is back in session, we can do our part to ensure safety by slowing down, looking around, and obeying speed limits around our schools and bus stops. We all lead busy lives, but refraining from speeding past a school bus approaching a bus stop may save a child’s life. Likewise, we can remind our children to wait until the bus has come to a complete stop with the stop sign extended, or until the crossing guard has signaled to them before entering the street or approaching the bus. For more safety tips concerning walking to school or the bus stop, visit DC Metropolitan Police Department’s School Bus Safety Tips or Arlington County Public Schools’ Tips for Walking to School or the Bus Stop.
Let’s have a safe and rewarding academic year!
Washington D.C. Air Conditioning and Air Quality Issues
Monday, April 15th, 2013Air conditioning and air quality often go hand in hand, just like heat and humidity. In Washington D.C., we rely on our air conditioning to provide crisp, cool air so that when we come home after a long day, we can enjoy respite from the hot sun outside. Your air conditioner provides some dehumidification in the process, and its air filter does remove some of the pollutants that can find their way into your home living space, but in order to improve your total comfort, you need to ensure that your indoor air quality is high during the cooling season. In this post, we’d like to address this relation by recommending some ways you can improve both your air conditioning and your indoor air quality. For Washington D.C. air conditioning services, call the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning today!
- Air filtration: Your air conditioner’s air filter is designed to prevent dust and debris from ruining the mechanical parts of your air conditioning system. While this provides some air filtration for your indoor air, it is not designed to provide comprehensive air filtration, which may be necessary if your home suffers from contaminants and pollutants, such as pollen, dander, bacteria, and dust mites. Consult with an air filtration and air cleaner expert to see which whole-home option would be best for you.
- UV germicidal lights: Ultraviolet light destroys microorganisms before they enter your ductwork. UV germicidal lights are a relatively simple device, although they require professional installation to work correctly. They are installed directly into your air handler.
- Enroll in a maintenance program: Professional inspection, cleaning, and tune-ups are the best ways to keep your air conditioning working well and your air quality high. By enrolling in a preventive maintenance program, you are ensuring that your system is always working as efficiently and effectively as possible.
While our modern homes are energy efficient, they often prevent adequate ventilation. The EPA lists indoor air pollution as one of the top 5 environmental risks to our health. For Washington D.C. air conditioning and indoor air quality services, call the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning today!
Washington D.C. Heating FAQ: When is a Boiler Replacement the Best Option?
Monday, January 14th, 2013Do you think you might need a boiler installation in your Washington D.C. home? Let the heating experts at Polar Bear help by inspecting your current boiler and recommending the right solution for your heating needs. While there are a few questions to ask yourself, it’s best to speak with a professional who can also assess your home and suggest other home improvements that may need to happen first.
Here are a few questions to ask when trying to decide if a boiler replacement is the best option for you.
How Efficient is My Current Boiler?
If you aren’t sure how efficient your current boiler is, call a technician to test it. This should be done during annual maintenance exams, so if you haven’t scheduled yours this year, call Polar Bear. If your current boiler is rated at 80% AFUE or lower, then you could benefit from replacing it with a high-efficiency model, especially if you are paying for frequent repairs.
Is My Home Insulated Properly?
Many older homes in the area are not insulated properly. Instead of upgrading to a high-efficiency boiler first, make sure your home has enough insulation. If you are losing heat due to inadequate insulation, then you won’t be getting the most out of your new boiler. In addition, your boiler may be efficient enough that it would be more cost-effective to add insulation to your home and replace the boiler when it wears out.
Choosing the Right Heating System
If you have decided to replace your boiler, it may be a good idea to at least consider the cost-effectiveness of installing a different type of heating system. There are a variety of heating system options, and our friendly staff members can help you choose the right boiler, furnace, or packaged system.
Contact the Washington D.C. heating experts at Polar Bear for a routine check-up, or if you would like to go over the different boilers we can install for you.
How Ignoring Heating Repairs in Your Washington, D.C. Home Can Cost You Money
Monday, January 7th, 2013It 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.