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

Does a Whole House Humidifier Work With Your AC?

Monday, May 15th, 2023

Your air conditioner removes humidity, but your humidifier adds humidity–what gives? Does a whole house humidifier work with AC or not? It’s a little more complicated than that, so let’s take a closer look and see how they can work in tandem.

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Can I Use a Humidifier at the Same Time as an Air Conditioner?

Monday, February 20th, 2023
humidifier-on-countertop

Let’s cut straight to the chase: yes, you can use these at the same time, but you don’t have to. As a matter of fact, your air conditioner acts as a dehumidifier (in some capacity; we’ll explain).

So to answer your question of “can I use humidifier with an air conditioner?” it’s a big yes, but you shouldn’t.

Let’s talk about the role that humidity plays in your home comfort and safety, and why you might not want to run both of these at the same time.

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When Should I Replace My AC?

Monday, September 20th, 2021

That’s a very good question. The truth is that the answer depends heavily on your specific situation, the condition of your air conditioner, and your unique comfort needs. All of these things can be figured out with just a little bit of leg-work and the help of a trained professional.

Today, we’re going to focus primarily on some qualities that will cause you to think about replacement as a viable option for your cooling system. If any of the following can be applicable to your situation, then replacement might be a more cost-effective solution than simply calling for repairs. Things like an aging air conditioner, frequent repair needs, and constantly rising energy bills can be a sign that your AC has met the end of its lifespan and you’re better off saving money in the future with a new unit.

Well, let’s get into it!

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How an Air Conditioner Actually Cools the Air

Monday, August 23rd, 2021

A lot of us wish air conditioners just functioned magically. You plug them into your home’s electrical system, and maybe a fairy turns that electricity into ice cubes that then cool the air off in your home. Or perhaps there’s a creature living inside that outside box, and the creature eats heat and drinks electricity but gives off cooling power. Wouldn’t that be something?

Unfortunately, the reality is a bit more boring but simpler to understand. If you thought that your air conditioner functioned like some complex experimental device then you would be mistaken. Air conditioning in McLean, VA is actually a fairly simple process that involves the evaporation and condensation of refrigerant.

Want to know a bit more? We don’t blame you! Keep reading as we get into the juicy details about air conditioning and how it works behind the scenes.

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3 Electrical Problems That Occur in ACs

Monday, July 26th, 2021

We think it’s important for homeowners to shift their perspectives a little bit. Instead of thinking about your air conditioner like some kind of separate machine from the rest of your household devices, think of the entire home as an ecosystem. Your air conditioning in Leesburg, VA depends not just on the airflow of your house, but also on the electrical system. Without proper electrical input, your air conditioner will be unable to function properly.

That’s why we see things like SEER ratings for air conditioners—these systems rely on efficient energy consumption in order to compress refrigerant and provide cool temperatures. We want to focus today on the boundary between your HVAC system and the electrical system that feeds into it. If you’re noticing tripping circuits, an AC that’s constantly shutting down, or other electrical issues, then you’re in the right place. All you need to do is keep reading and call us when you need help.

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Don’t Risk Your AC’s Warranty

Monday, May 17th, 2021

It’s cooling season, which means that it’s finally time to take our air conditioners out of hibernation and get them working again. At this point, it might be pretty clear that your AC isn’t working as well as it was last year. Perhaps it’s making some strange noise, producing a foul odor, or it’s just bobbing around in its casing a little too much to the point where you know it needs to be fixed. Don’t worry, we can help!

For homeowners who think they can provide the necessary fixes for their air conditioning in Great Falls, VA, we’d like to you reconsider this. No, we’re not going to boast about how much better we are at providing fast and reliable AC repairs (although we are some of the best technicians in the area). Instead, we’d like to tell you about how any DIY repairs could actually void your warranty and cost you a lot of money down the line.

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Why Choose Us for HVAC Service?

Monday, November 2nd, 2020

While we enjoy talking about our technical expertise in the field of HVAC, we get this question too much to ignore it. If you’ve landed on this page, you’re definitely on the lookout for professional HVAC services—so let’s not beat around the bush. Why would you choose us?

Well, HVAC service in Washington, DC can be a complicated endeavor. There are lots of teams of professionals out there, each with their own selling points and prices, but what makes anyone choose the crew at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating over others?

Don’t worry, that question wasn’t rhetorical. There are some serious bonuses and perks to choosing our team, that we’ll fill you in on down below. Just keep reading and remember that we’re a local, family-owned company in the area that’s just trying to look out for the HVAC services people need.

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Help Your Ducts and AC Work Together

Monday, September 21st, 2020

You wouldn’t believe how many homeowners we meet who think their ducts and air conditioners function completely separately. Too many people believe that if their air conditioner is brand new, no matter the shape of their ductwork, they’ll get the cooling they need throughout the summer. This is a completely untenable position.

Your ducts and your air conditioner are kind of like your veins and your heart. Together, they make the circulatory system that’s responsible for transporting blood throughout your body. On their own, they’re just organs and they can hardly function like that. Your air conditioner is the heart of cooling in regards to HVAC in Arlington, VA. Your ductwork is the network of veins that transports the cooled air throughout your home. When you are without one of these two components, your comfort an efficiency both suffer.

Let’s talk about how your ducts or air conditioner are doing.

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Tips Regarding Air Conditioning Repair

Monday, May 14th, 2018

AC-manifoldWe are honest professionals, which is why we need to tell you that yes, at some point, you are going to need air conditioning repairs. When that time comes, you don’t want to make any mistakes that are going to make problems worse. That is why we have some tips for you to help you get the most from your air conditioning repair in Alexandria, VA.

Before we get to that, a quick reminder: No, there is no way in which you are going to be able to keep your air conditioner working reliably 100% of the time. However, scheduling professional, annual air conditioning maintenance will keep your system as close to that unattainable goal as possible. Our Polar Plus Maintenance Program will help protect your system and your comfort.

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Is Your AC Running in Short Bursts?

Wednesday, May 9th, 2018

temperature-just-rightWe have not even really hit the cooling season yet, so it may sound a bit pessimistic to hear us talking about potential problems with your air conditioning system. The reality of the situation, however, is that you are going to experience problems with your air conditioning system at some point. When you do, it is definitely in your best interest to spot those signs early on and to have them resolved as soon as possible. Never ignore an AC that is running irregularly.

If your system is running irregularly, starting up but then cycling back down before a full cooling cycle has a chance to finish, then your system is short cycling. This may not seem like too big of a problem if your home is still relatively comfortable. However, it can actually lead to a number of different problems—both for your comfort and your system itself. Professional air conditioning services in Arlington are available from the technicians on our team to address such issues. 

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