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

Getting Your AC Ready for Fall

Thursday, August 29th, 2013

McLean, VA experiences a lot of heat and humidity in the summertime, and residents learn to appreciate the value of a good air conditioning system. As summer turns to fall and the temperatures drop, however, you probably find yourself using your air conditioning less and less. A little fall maintenance is a good idea, both to keep your air conditioning unit functioning at its best and to prevent any nasty surprises when you fire it up again next spring.

For starters, perform a visual inspection of your outdoor air conditioning unit. Clear any leaves, twigs and other debris, and trim back any shrubs or tree branches that may be too close to its vents. If you’re certain that warm weather won’t return, shut off the breaker switch connected to your air conditioning unit. It saves on electricity and can protect the unit from any unexpected surge or electrical malfunction.

The fall is also a good time to schedule a maintenance check from a qualified professional. A service technician can come to you home, check the system for any potential problems, clean the coils, replace the air filters and perform similar operations to keep your air conditioner functioning at top capacity. The fall is an especially good time to do this because there will be plenty of time to conduct any larger repairs without worrying about the next heat wave barreling down on you.

A qualified McLean, VA air conditioning service technician can be a great partner when getting your AC ready for the fall. Not only can he or she perform quality maintenance on your unit, but also schedule any larger servicing issues and recommend any changes to your system that might reduce your monthly energy costs. The professionals at Polar Bear have years of experience at their disposal and conduct operations with the utmost concern for your satisfaction. Call us today if you need air conditioning service in McLean, VA.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Mclean
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Consequences of Delaying Air Conditioning Repair in Northern Virginia

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

Air conditioning repair in Northern Virginia often needs to be sooner rather than later. With our hot, humid summers, even a few hours with an air conditioning system can feel like an eternity. At the same time, however, people often delay consultation with an air conditioning service technician. As long as the AC unit is running, the reasoning goes, why incur the cost of an expensive repair bill? That may help your pocketbook in the short run, but there can be significant consequences to delaying air conditioning repair in the long run.

The possibility of greater damage serves as the most obvious consequence, as does the higher costs involved. As parts wear out or maintenance issues arise, they can create a cascading effect that resulting in more significant damage as time does one. For instance, a loose connection can cause a leak in the refrigerant levels, a relatively straightforward issue to correct. If left unattended, however, your air conditioning system must work harder to cool the air sufficiently. That extra struggle could damage the motors and other components; ice could form on the evaporator coils; and the chances for a serious malfunction go up. That comes on top of the higher monthly energy bills that come with reduced efficiency.

Scheduling a service call early in that process can save a great deal of money. A service tech can isolate and seal the leak, recharge the refrigerant, and return the unit to peak efficiency.. Every month you delay means higher electric bills, as your system has to work harder to keep your home cool.

As with so many things in life, it’s easier to treat a smaller problem than wait for it to become a large one. The trained technicians at Polar Bear can take care of your Northern Virginia air conditioning repair service. We can help save you money by doing the job right the first time, every time. Schedule an appointment today!

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Northern Virginia
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Does a Faulty Thermostat Call for Professional Air Conditioning Repair in Northern Virginia?

Wednesday, August 14th, 2013

The thermostat allows you to control your air conditioning system, setting the temperature to a comfortable level and monitoring your system’s overall effectiveness. Older thermostats were simple devices that used mercury switches. Newer digital thermostats often come with an array of bells and whistles, such as remote settings allowing you to turn on the air conditioner even when you aren’t at home. When the thermostat experiences problems, it can cause big issues with your AC system, which can spell trouble in the hot, humid summers of Northern Virginia. That is why it is so important to call for repair if you think your thermostat is malfunctioning.

You can spot a problematic thermostat by listening for rapid cycling (the AC unit turning on and off quickly), by uncomfortable temperatures in the household despite the listing on the thermostat, and by the simple fact that the air conditioning unit will not turn on. Many of these issues can be caused by other AC problems, however. It takes a professional technician to pinpoint the precise cause and implement the proper solution (which may or may not involve the thermostat).

Furthermore, most thermostats are connected to the house’s electrical system, which requires an expert to successfully approach. Professional technicians can also advise you on possible upgrades to your thermostat that match your particular situation. And in some cases, the issue may be caused by a thermostat that sits too close to a breezeway or a warm area hit by sunlight: necessitating a move to a new location. Such an operation requires a service technician to place, mount and install the thermostat properly.

If your thermostat is causing problems and you need to consider a new one, call the professional air conditioning service techs at Polar Bear. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction and will go the extra mile to do the job right for you. We offer air conditioning repair services throughout Northern Virginia. We can repair or replace your thermostat quickly and professionally. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Northern Virginia
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Air Conditioning Repair in Arlington, VA: Why You Need a Professional Technician

Monday, August 5th, 2013

It may be tempting to attempt air conditioning repair yourself instead of calling in a professional. This is especially true in Arlington, VA, where hot summers make waiting for a service technician uncomfortable and inconvenient. However, the prudent homeowner will always eschew do-it-yourself projects in favor of a skilled professional technician. The reasons for doing so may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Speed: Professionals know what to look for when an air conditioning unit malfunctions. They can usually spot the problem quickly and implement a solution with a strong understanding of the right steps. A person without any training may find themselves lost in the air conditioning system’s technical specifications, wasting time and energy without knowing what exactly needs to be done.
Accuracy: Without the experience and know-how of a professional technician, a do-it-yourselfer may exacerbate the problem instead of solving it. For example, if ice forms on the condenser coil and a layman simply attempts to get it off, he may end up damaging the coil without solving the original problem at all. A specialist can address the cause, not just the symptoms, and make sure the issue gets properly resolved.
Expertise: Many people undertake do-it-yourself projects as a way of saving money. But time and effort can add up, as can the cost of doing the job without the proper know-how. Certified professionals can ensure that the problem doesn’t recur. They can also provide routine maintenance service, helping you spot smaller problems before they turn into bigger ones. Not only does that save money in unnecessary repair costs, but it can extend the life of your air conditioning system.

Everyone wants to save money where they can. But when you weigh all the options, using a certified expert will spare you excessive costs and a lot of wasted time. If you need a professional technician for air conditioning repair in Arlington, VA, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning to set up an appointment. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction, and are dedicated to doing the job right the first time, every time.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Arlington
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Alexandria, VA Air Conditioning Repair Question: Why is My AC Blowing Warm Air?

Thursday, August 1st, 2013

It doesn’t take an expert to figure out that something’s wrong when your AC blows warm air. An air conditioning unit is supposed to cool your house, not warm it. In Alexandria, VA, air conditioning repair is no laughing matter; no one wants hot air blowing into their homes in the middle of a Virginia summer heat wave. But why would an AC blow hot air in the first place? Why is it that the fan seems to work fine, but the cooling process is ineffective?

In some cases, the explanation may be very simple. Your thermostat may have been set to a “fan” or “heat” setting, which blows plenty of air around, but doesn’t cool it (check on this before you contact a service professional). Another common – and more serious – cause of warm air flow is a low level of refrigerant in your air conditioning system. Without enough refrigerant, the air won’t be cooled properly, and a leak in refrigerant lines means that a service technician will need to hunt down the source of the leak and recharge the system.

Similarly, if the air conditioning system isn’t properly maintained, then dust may build up on key components like the condenser coils or evaporator coils. That can impact the system’s ability to cool the air. You may also be facing a dirty air filter or damaged ducts, which impede the overall flow of air and may affect the flow of cool air into your home.

Unless the thermostat has been set incorrectly, all of these issues mean opening up the air conditioning system and checking for problems, a task best performed by a professional.When your AC starts blowing warm air, call the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning. Contact us today and set up a service call; we’ll be there to do the job right, and are committed to your 100% satisfaction.

Tags: AC Blowing Warm Air, Air Conditioning Repair, Alexandria
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