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

Do You Know What to Do With Your AC in the Winter?

Monday, October 7th, 2019

Autumn has officially arrived, and before you know it, we’ll be drinking pumpkin-flavored coffee, decorating for our favorite spooky holiday, and deciding who’s going to host Thanksgiving this year! But, before we can even think about all that, we must first figure out what we are going to do with our air conditioners.

Now that it’s getting cooler out, odds are, you aren’t going to need your air conditioner very much anymore. So, what do you do with it? Well, keep reading below and we’ll tell you! So, what are you waiting for?

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3 Tips for Better Cooling Efficiency

Monday, July 6th, 2015

You want to live comfortably in your home throughout the summer season, but you don’t want to spend a small fortune in doing so. We can understand the concern, which is why the air conditioning professionals on our staff have put together a few tips to help you to get a more efficient performance from the air conditioning system in your home. You don’t have to invest in a brand new air conditioner in Washington, DC in order to do so. Follow the tips below, and make sure that you schedule your air conditioning services with the professionals in our employ. That way, you’ll be able to get the most from your home cooling system. When it comes to quality AC services, Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. is the company to call. 

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Here’s What You Can Expect During Air Conditioning Maintenance

Monday, April 13th, 2015

Have you scheduled spring maintenance for your home’s air conditioning system yet? Right now is one of the best times: the weather still hasn’t reached summer heights and HVAC technicians have more open schedules that make it easier to arrange for a convenient appointment. Call a local professional HVAC company and ask about their maintenance programs.

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Alexandria, VA Air Conditioning Tip: Cutting Cooling Costs

Tuesday, July 9th, 2013

Energy prices seem to always be on the rise, which is why more and more homeowners are looking for ways to cut cooling costs. At Polar Bear, we understand that our customers want to stay cool in their homes but they don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to do it. That’s why we decided to put together a quick list of some of the things that you can do in order to reduce the amount of energy that you use to cool your home. Give us a call today if you need air conditioning repair, maintenance or installation in Alexandria, VA,  and we’ll be able to help.

  • Run the fan – Whenever it’s possible, run the fans in your home in addition to your air conditioning system. By plugging in an area fan or turning on your ceiling fans, you can make your rooms feel cooler without needing to turn down the thermostat. Fans can also help circulate the air conditioned air throughout your rooms.
  • Use curtains – During the day, keep the curtains on south face windows closed. This can help prevent solar heat gain. Installing ENERGY STAR rated windows can also make a big difference in how much the sun heats up your home during the day.
  • Use water – Our bodies produce sweat when we’re hot because as the sweat evaporates, it actually cools our body. You can use the same principle in other ways around your house. Consider soaking some towels or rags in cool water and placing them on your neck or wrists. As the water evaporates it will cool your body.
  • Install a programmable thermostat – Programmable thermostats allow you to automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on time of day. If there is a time during the day that your home is usually empty, such as when everyone is at work or school, you can program your AC to turn off. It can turn back on before you come home, which keeps you comfortable and helps you save energy.

Saving energy is good for the environment and for your wallet. Follow these simple tips to cut down on your cooling costs this summer. If you have any questions about our Alexandria, VA air conditioning services, make sure that you call Polar Bear.

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Arlington, VA AC Tip: Reasons for Inefficient Air Conditioning

Wednesday, June 19th, 2013

When the summer starts to heat up, most homeowners will start to run their air conditioners in Arlington, VA more often. This will usually cause a corresponding increase in energy usage as well. However, if you notice that your energy bills are increasing without an increase in usage, it could mean that your AC isn’t working efficiently. If you need any kind of air conditioning services in Arlington, VA, just call the experts at Polar Bear. We can fix any issue that you might be having and help you get your AC working more efficiently again quickly. Check out a few of the most common reasons why your AC might be running inefficiently.

  • Lack of maintenance – One of the best things that you can do for the efficiency of your air conditioner is to get it regularly inspected and maintained by a professional. During regular maintenance visits, your AC technicians will look for any small problems and issues that could be causing your AC unit to have to work harder than it should.  They will clean all of the parts and fix any problems which could help return some of the efficiency to your system.
  • Clogged air filter – Probably the most common cause of air conditioning inefficiency is a clogged air filter. Your AC has an air filter that is usually located near the return air vent that protects the inside from dust, dirt, insects and other pollutants. If the air filter doesn’t get changed regularly, it could get clogged and restrict the flow of air through the system. This will cause your AC to have to work harder to pull air through it and, thus, reduce the efficiency of the system. By regularly changing your air filter you could be able to make sure that your air conditioner continues to operate at peak efficiency.

For all your air conditioning installation, repair or maintenance in Arlington, VA, just call Polar Bear today. 

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How Ducts Can Affect Air Conditioning Efficiency in Alexandria, VA

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Central air conditioning system are very popular. Many homeowners fail to realize, however, just how important the condition of their air ducts is to the operation of their air conditioning system. Just because your air ducts are tucked away behind your walls and in other inaccessible areas does not meant that you can afford to ignore them. In fact, your Alexandria, VA air conditioning system can be seriously compromised by problems with your air ducts. Consider this information from Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating about how air ducts can affect your air conditioning efficiency in Alexandria, VA.

One of the most obvious ways that air ducts can affect the efficiency with which your air conditioning system operates is if they are damaged. Improperly installed, torn or otherwise compromised air ducts will allow conditioned air to leak out of the system before it arrives at its destination. This causes a few different problems. First of all, if this air keeps escaping then your air conditioning system is going to need to consume more energy in order to replace that which has been lost. This is a big problem in and of itself, but there is another way in which this can wind up costing you money. Forcing your air conditioner to operate with this extra strain on it can lead to damages within your system.

Dirty air ducts are another problem than can affect the efficiency of your air conditioning system. While it may take a pretty serious buildup of dirt and debris to really inhibit airflow in your air ducts, there are your filters to think about.  If there is a lot of dust and other pollutants circulating through your ductwork then the filters can restrict airflow, reducing efficiency. Also, the pollutants can make their way into your HVAC equipment and lead to complications therein.

For more information about the importance of the condition of your ductwork, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating. We are happy to help you better understand how ducts can affect air conditioning efficiency in Alexandria, VA. Call today to learn more.

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Efficient Air Conditioning in McLean, VA

Monday, March 25th, 2013

As spring approaches, homeowners throughout the McLean, VA area know that the summer heat is not far away. Efficient air conditioning is an absolute must-have here, due to the amount of energy that we use each year to ensure our homes are cool and comfortable. Right now is the best time to make sure that you’re primed for this cooling season. One of the most common requests we hear from our customers is how they can make their home AC system more efficient; that is, how they can save money on their energy bill. We’ve compiled a list of some energy-efficient tips that we hope will help you maximize your cooling this summer. For efficient air conditioning in McLean, VA, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning today!

  • Clean and replace your air filter: Did you know that your AC’s air filter impacts energy efficiency? If your air filter is dirty or even clogged, it can begin to inhibit airflow. This makes your system work harder to cool your home, placing a higher demand on your electrical supply. Regularly clean and replace your air filter during the cooling season.
  • Enroll in a maintenance program: Enrolling in a routine preventive maintenance program is the best way to improve the energy efficiency of your cooling system. During this annual inspection, your local AC technician will thoroughly inspect, clean, and lubricate your system components, as well as write up recommendations if there are any repairs necessary. Your AC needs professional care to work properly. Every system, from newly installed models to units over 10 years old, could benefit from a maintenance program.
  • Install a programmable thermostat: You depend upon your conventional thermostat to communicate your desired temperature accurately to the AC unit. Imagine if you no longer had to turn it one when you came home or off when you go to bed at night. A programmable thermostat automates your indoor climate control to ensure that changes in temperature are performed gradually, thereby improving energy efficiency.

These are just a few of the ways to achieve efficient air conditioning. To talk to a pro about your air conditioning in McLean, VA, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning today! 

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