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

What Causes an AC to Freeze Up?

Monday, July 17th, 2017

At first thought, a freezing air conditioner may not sound like that big of a problem. After all, you want your AC to be cooling your home, right? Of course you do–but remember that there is a huge difference between an air conditioner and a freezer. Your air conditioner should be removing heat from the air in your home and recirculating that air back into the living space at a lower temperature. At no point should it be freezing up, though.

Not only is ice on an air conditioner not a sign that it is working better than expected, but it is actually a sign that the system is not working the way that it ought to. If you see ice on your system, it is a sign of trouble. As is the case with any sign of trouble with your air conditioner in Georgetown, WA, you are going to need to act quickly if you really want to protect your AC from potentially serious damages. 

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Has My AC Sprung a Leak?

Monday, July 3rd, 2017

woman-with-fanUsually when we talk about leaks in air conditioning systems, we may be talking about oil or, unfortunately for some, refrigerant. However, every now and then we get a call from a homeowner concerned that their air conditioner is actually leaking water. This is not only alar ng, but also perplexing. After all, it is not as though an air conditioner actually uses water in its operation, right?

Well, that doesn’t mean that you are seeing things if you notice water surrounding your indoor unit, nor does it mean that the water is leaking from elsewhere in the house and is just pooling here. The air conditioner may well be the source of this water. It just may not be leaking out of the system in the way that you are thinking.

Here are a few different potential causes of this leaking, and what they mean for your air conditioner in Alexandria

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Keep a Fresh Air Filter in Your AC!

Monday, June 19th, 2017

filterWhen you cool your home, you want to do so as efficiently as possible. Nobody wants to pay more than they should need to when cooling their homes, especially if they are seeing a decline in the overall performance of their air conditioners at the same time. So why might someone encounter such problems with their system? Sometimes, it is due to a repair need. Other times, however, it can be something as simple as the homeowner forgetting to change the air filter in the system.

While it is true that the vast majority of air conditioning maintenance must be completed by trained, experienced, and professional HVAC technicians, that doesn’t mean that you can’t help to keep your system in fine working condition. Simply changing out the air filter in your system is easily the best way for you to do this. It may sound like a minor issue, but failing to keep a fresh filter in your air conditioner in Arlington, VA can have some seriously negative consequences.

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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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Can Ductless Air Conditioning Save Me Money?

Monday, April 24th, 2017

ductless-AC-blowerCan a ductless AC save you money? It is certainly possible. Ductless air conditioning has a number of benefits to offer homeowners, and some of them are definitely of the financial variety. Just remember that it is important to work with trained professionals when investing in, installing, or servicing any air conditioning system. Only then will you truly be able to reap the full benefits of the system in question.

Following are a few examples of how ductless air conditioning in Georgetown can help you to live comfortably while also cutting back on your cooling costs. If you do decide that a ductless mini split is the right air conditioning option for you, remember to schedule your installation with us. We’ll make sure that you are 100% satisfied with the outcome.

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Do I Need AC Repairs?

Tuesday, April 18th, 2017

Now that we are moving into the warmer time of the year, homeowners throughout the area are turning a critical eye to their home cooling systems. Hopefully you not only have a great air conditioner in place, but that air conditioner was installed by a qualified professional. No matter how great your AC may be, though, and even if it is expertly tuned-up regularly, there is a chance that you may encounter problems with your system at some point. When you do, prompt air conditioning repairs in Capitol Hill are always going to be in your best interest.

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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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My AC Is Running in Short Bursts—Should I Be Concerned?

Monday, August 29th, 2016

Yes, you absolutely should be. Your air conditioner runs in cycles, not continuously. That means that once the desired temperature is met the system will shut down, and will resume operation when the temperature dips below the target once more. However, the AC should not be cycling on an off very rapidly, especially if it is shutting down before the desired temperature is achieved.

This is called short-cycling, and it is a very real problem. As is so often the case with air conditioning system problems, there are a few different potential causes of the issue. Hiring a trained professional is the only way in which to determine with certainty why your air conditioner is shutting down prematurely.

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