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

Commercial HVAC: Quality over Quantity

October 3rd, 2022

When it comes to commercial customers, things can get a bit overwhelming. There’s a lot of air that needs to be cooled or heated inside of a commercial space, and sometimes this can involve several different HVAC systems working together to bring great temperature control. When things go wrong, especially during a busy period of time, a building owner can sometimes look for a cheaper job than one that seeks to right all of the wrongs.

While we understand the sentiment, there’s something we need to remind all of our customers when they need commercial HVAC in Alexandria, VA–that quantity will never be better than quality. Your HVAC system requires targeted repairs, routine maintenance, and even a system replacement when it gets old or outdated. It’s important to pay for services that are worth the money, even if the cost is higher. So, let’s talk about the reasons why we focus on quality over quantity.

What Is Water Hammer?

September 19th, 2022

Water hammer is a common problem with boiler systems. It occurs when water doesn’t have an air cushion and abruptly hits against the pipes, causing a loud noise. This can be a serious issue, as it can damage pipes and fittings. Which, in turn, can lead to expensive repairs and possible flooding.

Today’s article discusses water hammer and what to do if it ever happens to you.

3 Common Heat Pump Repairs

September 5th, 2022

Do heat pumps and central air conditioners have the same problems? Well, yes and no. It’s possible for a heat pump to run into issues that are similar and sometimes even the same as central air conditioner issues. But that’s only sometimes.

The other half of the time a heat pump can run into issues that are wholly unique to heat pumps systems, hence why only experienced HVAC technicians should work on your next heat pump repair in Washington, DC. If they’ve only treated repairs in central air conditioning systems, then they might miss a thing or two when trying to fix this kind of technology.

To expand upon this, we’d like to talk about 3 common heat pump repairs that either only occur in heat pump systems, or that are just more common in these types of units. Then we’ll leave it to you to contact a pro to have your system repaired properly.

What’s the Most Efficient Air Conditioner?

August 22nd, 2022

With climate change causing our energy grid to change in both price and power, more homeowners than ever are looking to professional HVAC technicians to ask about efficiency. If you’re on the market for a new air conditioning installation in Alexandria, VA, then the good news is that there are some extremely powerful and energy-efficient models available right now. The bad news is that it’s not as cut and dry as you might think. One system might be more efficient for your neighbor while being the worst choice for your home.

The truth is that different systems work for different situations. The best strategy for proper efficiency in your home is figuring out which air conditioning unit will work the best for your unique comfort needs and home. While we can size air conditioners differently for different amounts of space, the technology within the AC can change depending on the type of system you invest in, like a central AC or a ductless heat pump.

It’s Finally Time to Invest in AC

August 8th, 2022

Have you grown jealous of the friends and family that have cool and comfortable homes, while yours is still a little too hot in the summer? Nothing personal, air conditioning just feels better when it’s hot out, and there’s no shame in having different preferences for your home and budget. If you like a warmer home, or you’re just not that into air conditioning technology, then we wouldn’t pressure you into investing in it.

However, if you’ve always wanted an AC installation in Washington, DC but you never took the plunge because they either looked too expensive or seemed like a huge monthly investment, then we’re here to talk about those issues.

In actuality, air conditioners aren’t as expensive, bulky, and energy-intensive as you might think. They consume less energy than a heating system would, and pretty much every home in our area at least has a heating system for the winter.

Our Mid-Season Guide to Changing Your Air Filter

July 25th, 2022

This is probably one of those moments where you look at your air conditioner and almost physically thank it for providing the cool air that it does. With heatwaves occurring around the country, we’re in the thick of summer and our air conditioners are one of the most reliable appliances we have. So, we won’t stop you! Go say thank you to that system that keeps you cool and comfortable!

However, there is one thing you can do for the system (instead of talking to it) that will make a pretty big change in its ability to continue fighting hot temperatures. You can change the air filter!

If it’s been a month or longer since you changed your air filter, then it might be time to do it. We’re going to walk through this process today, and remind customers that we can help with air conditioning repair in McLean, VA if that’s what’s needed.

A Refrigerant Leak Requires Professional Attention

July 11th, 2022

The first thought that usually comes to people’s minds when they hear the word “refrigerant leak,” is the idea that they should just perform a recharge on the system and it will start running as if it were new. While a recharge is definitely necessary, there’s a lot to unpack here when it comes to air conditioning repair in McLean, VA.

Refrigerant leaks are a lot more complex than some people might think. No offense to anyone who might be dealing with one, we don’t expect anyone to know this off the top of their head. It’s with our unique knowledge in this industry that we’re able to pinpoint some of the major problems that come from a refrigerant leak and why you might want to rely on a professional to have it fixed.

Let’s talk about what goes into repairing a refrigerant leak, and why it’s not so simple!

5 Reasons to Invest in AC Maintenance Today

June 27th, 2022

Let’s cut right to the chase. You want to do what’s best for your air conditioner, but you might not be sure that maintenance is the right call. How do we solve this dilemma? With facts, statistics, and proper planning for the future.

The truth is that we can’t convince you that maintenance is a good idea, just like how we can’t convince anyone to get the oil changed in their car. There will always be the possibility that you get lucky and your technology lasts in perfect condition. But this is exceptionally rare.

All we can do is fill you in on the significant benefits that come with an air conditioning tune-up in Alexandria, VA, so that you can make the best decision for your AC, your family, and your budget. Let’s talk about tune-ups and why they can be such a valuable purchase for the future.

What Happens When You Skip AC Maintenance?

June 13th, 2022

As your prospective (or reoccurring) HVAC contractor in Arlington, VA, you’ve probably heard us mention routine maintenance quite a few times. It’s an excellent service that’s well worth the money it costs. Over time, maintenance can halt repairs before they become bad, keep efficiency levels high, and do a lot more for your home comfort. As far as yearly services go, this is one of the best you could hope for.

Unfortunately, the majority of HVAC system owners don’t schedule maintenance yearly. In fact, many people think they don’t need HVAC maintenance at all, and that they’ll be fine without it. This is what we’re going to address in this blog post.

Skipping AC maintenance won’t spell out the end of the world–but it will be pretty devastating to the condition of your system. We’ll see what happens when you skip maintenance over 1, 3, 5, and 10 years.

Now Is a Great Time for Boiler Repair!

May 16th, 2022

Nope, we’re not kidding! Temperatures are indeed warming up and while the rest of the country might be thinking about getting their air conditioners repaired, we’ve got a little bit of a plot twist for our customers.

When was the last time you ran your boiler system? Was it last night? Or perhaps it was a few days ago? The truth is that your need for heat is getting lower and lower the closer we get towards summer. Pretty soon, you’re going to forget that you even had a boiler to begin with, until fall rolls around and you rely on it again. The main point we’re trying to make is that because you don’t need your boiler right now, wouldn’t that make it a great time to get it repaired?

Let’s discuss why boiler repair in Alexandria, VA is a great idea in the spring, and pretty much all year round when you call our team.