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

Old Home Guide: How to Heat an Old Home in the 21st Century

Monday, March 18th, 2024
a-victorian-home-in-the-snow

In our area, there are many homes old enough to be considered historic. But even the average home is not new. According to recent US census data, the average home in Virginia is 38 years old. Construction methods have changed a lot, and older homes have different needs from those built in the last 20 years or so. 

How does the age of your home affect your ability to keep it warm? What can you do to heat your old home more effectively and efficiently? We’ve got some information about your options, and the benefits and drawbacks of each.

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Furnace Efficiency Ratings: What the Numbers Mean

Monday, February 19th, 2024
person-calculating-money-saved-by-making-more-efficient-choices-in-their-home

When it comes to heating your home, you probably have two main concerns. First, you want your home to actually be warm—consistently, evenly warm. And second, you don’t want it to cost you an arm and a leg each month when your utility bill arrives. How can you keep those bills down? By having an efficient heating system.

But it can be hard to tell what the most efficient heating system would be. Furnaces do have efficiency ratings, but what do those numbers mean? We can explain so you’ll be able to make the right choice for your home. 

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This is What You’re Breathing in Right Now

Monday, January 8th, 2024

When’s the last time you really thought about what’s in your indoor air? Maybe when the pollen count is high and you’re worried about it getting indoors, or if there was a small kitchen fire and you’re seeing smoke. Otherwise, you probably don’t think about it that much.

But the thing is, there’s enough floating around in your air right now, on a normal day, to warrant an air purifier in Alexandria, VA. Let’s tell you what you’re breathing in, and more importantly, what it could be doing to you.

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This Is the Last Boiler Problem You Expected

Monday, October 2nd, 2023

Your boiler’s always there for you, rarely runs into issues, and keeps you warm like no other heating system does. It’s why it may come as a surprise that a rather odd problem can pop up that requires boiler repair in Alexandria, VA.

It’s limescale buildup–an issue we all know about, but one that doesn’t run through our minds when the boiler stops working. We’re more likely to assume it’s a broken pipe or another issue entirely, but this unlikely problem can cause quite a ruckus.

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4 Most Common Commercial HVAC Problems

Monday, September 18th, 2023

An efficient HVAC system works as intended and keeps your customers (and staff) so comfortable that they’re not even thinking about the air temperature. But when your commercial HVAC system is on the fritz, it can put your guests into a bit of disarray.

So what are these problems that result in commercial HVAC repair in Alexandria, VA? Let’s break them down and talk about everything you need to know, what you can expect, and let’s find a solution to your commercial HVAC problem.

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How Regular Maintenance Helps Your Heat Pump

Monday, November 28th, 2022
Heat pump unit visible in a bedroom.

Your heat pump endures a lot of wear and tear throughout the year. You’re already facing the uncertainty of each season; you shouldn’t have to worry about your heat pump on top of everything else. Heat pump maintenance saves you a lot of money in the long run, so let’s talk about how.

Regular heat pump maintenance in Alexandria keeps your system from completely breaking down while also improving your energy efficiency. Let’s break down every benefit to regular maintenance for your heat pump and schedule your first maintenance call at the same time.

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Commercial HVAC: Quality over Quantity

Monday, 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.

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What’s the Most Efficient Air Conditioner?

Monday, 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.

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5 Reasons to Invest in AC Maintenance Today

Monday, 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.

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Air Purifiers Eliminate Foul Odors

Monday, October 18th, 2021

We use the word “system” on this blog a lot, and in this situation, it can’t be more applicable. Your home functions as a system. What we mean by this, is that all of the components of your HVAC technology and the air in your home interact in multiple different ways. Your home’s comfort isn’t just a binary of hot or cold, clean or dirty, everything mixes together in a complex system that requires high-tech solutions and professional attention.

Air purifiers in Alexandria, VA can do more than just clean your air of biological contaminants that wish to do you harm. They also make the air more breathable, less stuffy, and provide you with odor elimination that other HVAC devices can’t do.

An air purifier is a perfect addition to this complex system of indoor air, and today we’d like to talk about one other thing an air purifier can do.

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