Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘AC’

AC Installation Tip: Consider a Heat Pump

Monday, June 5th, 2017

man-in-front-of-fanNow that we have made the move into June, the chill of winter is fading into memory. Before long, though, we will be right in the thick of it in terms of summer heat. If you are at the point when you need an AC installed in a new property, or if the time has just come to schedule an air conditioning replacement, we have a tip for you. Consider the use of a heat pump in Capitol Hill.

Heat pumps are not a new invention. They have, however, gained a lot of traction in the residential sector over the past few years. There are a few different reasons for this. One is the ongoing quest for energy efficiency–more on that later. The other is word of mouth. Modern heat pumps work more reliably than ever before, in all facets of their operation. That may sound mysterious, but read on and all will be revealed…

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R-22 Phaseout: What You Need to Know

Monday, May 22nd, 2017

question-mark-badgeIf you have a basic understanding of how your air conditioner in Washington, D.C. works, then you understand that the refrigerant in your system plays a vital role in the cooling process. Refrigerant is a heat transfer fluid that is evaporated in the indoor coil of your air conditioner. As the refrigerant evaporates, it draws heat out of the air surrounding and passing over the evaporator coil. The heat is released outside as the refrigerant is condensed, and the cycle continues until the desired temperature is met.

What you may not realize, though, is that “refrigerant” is an umbrella term covering many different heat transfer chemical blends. R-22 is one of the most common refrigerants used in air conditioning systems today. It is also being entirely phased out of use and production in accordance with the Clean Air Act of 2010. 2020 will mark the completion of the R-22 phaseout.

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Why Is My AC Blowing Warm Air?

Monday, May 8th, 2017

thermometer-going-redThere is nothing better than coming home to a cool, comfortable environment on a hot summer day. When the heat of summer is at its worst, your air conditioner is your last line of defense against serious discomfort. That is exactly why any problems with your air conditioner should be dealt with immediately. Ignoring “minor” problems with your AC is only going to give those problems the opportunity that they need to get worse, negatively affect your comfort, and potentially do costly damage.

Not all problems with an air conditioner are easily ignored, of course. Certain issues will elicit more concern than others. With the exception of an air conditioner that has broken down entirely, one that blows warm air is probably the most alarming situation a homeowner can face. If your air conditioner in Arlington, VA is blowing warm air, we have some tips to help you determine the proper course of action.

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Are You Thinking About an Air Conditioning Replacement?

Monday, March 27th, 2017

AC-unit-outdoorsIf you are thinking about replacing your air conditioner, now is a good time to have the job done. An air conditioner replacement is not something to put off until the last minute. If you do, you run the risk of being caught off-guard by the early arrival of summer heat. When that happens, you may find yourself without air conditioning at all, or perhaps convincing yourself that you can get one more season out of a faltering system.

Naturally, you also don’t want to replace an air conditioner prematurely. After all, a whole-house cooling system is an investment, and you no doubt hope to get the best return possible on that investment. Here are a few tips to help you determine when to schedule an air conditioning replacement in Alexandria, VA.

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