Washington, DC Air Conditioning & Heating Blog | Polar Bear Air Conditioning

Radiant vs. Forced Air: The Great Heating Debate

November 20th, 2017

When the time comes to install or replace a heating system, be it your very first time doing so or whether you’ve got a couple of heaters under your belt already, you need to take the time to choose your new system wisely. You don’t want to install your first system only to find that it’s not really the right fit, nor must you replace your heater with a very similar system just because that’s what you’ve always used.

Before you even start to decide on exactly which system you will use to heat your home, you are going to have to narrow it down. Generally, you first decide if you are going to use a forced air or a radiant heating system. These systems both have their pros and cons, and they differ greatly in heating methodology. Let’s take a look at each option to help you decide if a radiant heating system in Washington DC is right for you.

Heating FAQ: Why Does My Heater Start and Stop Frequently?

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.

How Do Boilers Heat Water?

October 30th, 2017

There are a number of different heating systems that homeowners may choose to use in their homes. The furnace is certainly among the most popular, but boilers are right up there with them. Boilers require a bit more work during the installation process, though, particularly when it comes to the way in which they distribute heat.

You should not let this fact dissuade you from using a boiler in your home, though, especially when you take into account the benefits of using a boiler to heat your house. If you’re thinking about replacing a heater, or if you want to install a dependable system in a brand new home, give us a call. A boiler in Washington, DC may be just what you’re looking for.

Is a Furnace Right for Me?

October 23rd, 2017

The time to start thinking seriously about your heater is upon you. The last thing that you want to experience this winter is a subpar performance from a heater that is not well-maintained, so be sure to schedule your heating tune-up with a trained professional sooner rather than later.

Of course, you may also need to have a new heater installed in your home this year. If that is the case, you are probably at least considering the installation of a furnace in Arlington, VA.

Furnaces definitely have a lot to offer, and it is no fluke that they are so popular throughout the country. But there is no such thing as a heater that is ideal for every home, homeowner, or situation. If you have been on the ropes about which type of heater to use in your residence, give the following information some thought. We have the answers that you need in order to find the right heater for your needs.

Heating Your Home without Ductwork

October 9th, 2017

There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a forced-air heating system to keep your home warm and cozy throughout the coldest time of the year. However, forced-air heating can sometimes be problematic due to issues that develop with ductwork. Today, we want to talk about two great heating options to consider that do not require the use of air ducts in order to warm a home. They are quite different in comparison to each other, but both offer benefits that ducted systems cannot.

Before we dive into our discussion of these heating systems, we do just want to remind you that working with trained professionals is an absolute necessity when dealing with your heater. The last thing that you want to do is to invest in a quality heating system, only to find that its performance is subpar due to shoddy workmanship. Working with us means that you’ll get the most from your heater in Capitol Hill. The following systems are just two of many heating options that we offer for installation.

Signs of Trouble with Your Ductwork

October 2nd, 2017

Do you use a central air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump to heat and/or cool your home? If so, then you really need to know for certain that the air ducts that this system uses are in fine working condition. If not, then you are going to wind up dealing with a number of different problems when trying to maintain comfortable temperatures throughout your living space.

Fortunately for you, the professionals on our staff are here to help. Not only can we resolve the problems that you may encounter with your air ducts, but we also have some great tips to help you recognize that there are such problems in your home. Only then can you take the necessary steps to resolve those problems in a prompt and effective manner.

Signs That You Need Heating Repairs

September 25th, 2017

We understand that it may seem a bit early to be talking about firing up your heating system, let alone warning you about signs that your heater may need to be repaired. However, a glance at your weather forecasting website of choice will reveal that daytime temperatures are cooling off, and that nighttime temperatures are soon going to be dropping into the low 50s. Chances are that you’ll be using your heater at least occasionally very soon. When you do, you want to know for sure that your system is functioning properly.

While investing in a good heater from a trusted manufacturer will get your heating experience off to a good start, and scheduling routine heating maintenance will help to keep your system functioning properly, there is no way in which to remove the risk of repair needs completely. The next best thing is catching them as early as possible and to schedule your heating repairs in Washington, D.C. promptly. Here are a few warning signs to look out for.

Ask an HVAC Contractor: Why Schedule Heating Maintenance?

September 11th, 2017

Are there any questions that you’ve ever wanted to ask your HVAC contractor in Capitol Hill, WA? We understand that you are probably not just calling us every time a question pops into mind, and we hope that you understand just how busy our schedules are and the limitations that this can put on such practices. We do love sharing our knowledge with our clients, though, so we spent some time coming up with a few common questions that we suspect most homeowners share.

Today, as we move out of the summer season and await winter’s chill, we want to talk about heating maintenance. Specifically, we want to lay to rest any notions that you may have about heating maintenance being optional. It is, technically–you are in charge of your heater. In terms of getting the most from your heating system, however, routine heating maintenance is 100% mandatory. With the following information in mind, we think you’ll understand why.

Ask an HVAC Contractor: Should I Replace My AC?

September 5th, 2017

There are a lot of homeowners that have a good working knowledge of how the various systems in their homes work, as well as what the needs of those systems are. Even the most seasoned and hands-on homeowners need some guidance from time to time, though.

One question that you may want to ask a professional HVAC contractor in Capitol Hill is whether or not the time is right for an air conditioning replacement. We’ll help you to shed some light onto the situation so that you can make that decision confidently.

Why Choose a Boiler Installation?

August 28th, 2017

Has the time come to replace an old heating system? Do you have a new home going up, and want to explore your various home heating options? Whatever the case may be, you should definitely consider the installation of a boiler in Washington, DC. When you choose to use a boiler to heat your home, you are choosing to enjoy some truly outstanding benefits. Of course, no heater is going to be the right match for every home or homeowner.

In the following post, we’ll help you to discover some of the benefits of using a boiler in the winter season, as well as some of the potential drawbacks of doing so. That way, you’ll have a foundational base of knowledge to work with when deciding whether or not a boiler is the right fit for your homelife. Be sure to contact us with any questions that you may have. We know boilers and boiler installations inside and out.