Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc Blog : Archive for February, 2013

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!

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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.

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Causes of Common Boiler Sounds: Washington, DC Boiler Repair Guide

Monday, February 11th, 2013

Boilers are one of the most common heating systems in the country. They provide comfortable and efficient heat and only require regular maintenance to work reliably. At Polar Bear Air Conditioning and Heating, we offer complete boiler repairs and installation in Washington, DC. One of the most common calls for service that we get is boiler noises. All boiler repairs should be done by a professional contractor. We thought it would be helpful if we put together some of the most common causes of boiler noises so that our customers would know when to call us.

Boiler Knocking and What It Means

Perhaps the most common boiler noise that people in Washington, DC call us about is a knocking sound. There are several causes for this sound and you should always consult a professional plumber if you start to hear that noise.

  • Air in the pipes – Over time, air bubbles can start to build up in your boiler pipes. Unless your boiler lines get regularly bled, the air moving through your pipes can create a knocking sound. This is usually fixed by a heating technician who can open the pressure release vale to let the air out.
  • Oversized boiler – If your boiler is too large for your home it can cause boiling in your water lines which can cause a knocking.
  • Sediment – If you have hard water at your home the excess minerals can start to build up on the bottom of your boiler tank. When the burner kicks on to heat up the water, the sediment crust will block the heat and cause rapid heating of the water underneath the crust to heat up quickly and form steam.
  • Expansion tank – The expansion tank for your boiler allows for it to accommodate the physical properties of water that make it expand when heated. If your expansion tank isn’t working right it could cause the knocking sound as well.

If you need boiler repairs in Washington, DC, just call the experts at Polar Bear.

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Washington DC Boiler Question: How Does a Boiler Heat a Home?

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Many homeowners swear by the efficient, effective performance of their boilers. There is a reason that boiler heating systems have been so popular for as long as they have, after all. With a professional boiler installation and routine maintenance you can enjoy years of comfortable, even heating service from your boiler. They have few moving parts and are incredibly durable, making a boiler a great investment for your Washington DC home. Like most homeowners, though, we’re guessing that some of you do not actually know how a boiler heats a home. Here is some basic information from Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating.

The operation of a boiler is actually very simple. The boiler itself is really just a tank containing water. A separate component of the boiler system, the burner, is to burn the fuel that will heat the water within the boiler. One of the greatest benefits of a boiler installation is the fact that there are a number of fuel source options available. The fuel is mixed with air and ignited, allowing the boiler and the water within to heat up to create hot water or steam.

Once the water has reached the appropriate heat level, it is ready for circulation throughout the home. In a hydronic heating system hot water is distributed throughout your home through a piping system. Radiators or baseboards may also be used to distribute the heat a boiler creates throughout a building. The result is even, efficient radiant heating. Unlike a furnace depending on forced air to circulate heat, boilers do not stir up the air in your home. This is an added benefit to residents with allergies or asthma symptoms for whom airborne pollutants can be an aggravating concern.

For more information on your boiler options and their operation, contact Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating. We have the answers to all your questions. Let us handle the installation, maintenance and repair of your boiler heating system in Washington DC.

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