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

How Do Packaged Air Conditioning Units Differ from Centralized Units?

Monday, July 14th, 2014

There are a lot of choices these days when it comes to choosing a type of air conditioner for your home. Many factors need to be considered, including the size of your home, what kind of energy efficiency you seek and what type of system you feel would work best for your property. One of the types of air conditioners Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., installs frequently is known as a packaged air conditioning unit, and it may be a good option for your Arlington property.

What Is a Packaged Air Conditioner?

A packaged air conditioner is one in which all the components – the compressor, condenser, evaporator and blower – are all housed in a single unit. This unit is typically placed outdoors, but it can also be placed on a rooftop, in a crawlspace or in an attic space. The ductwork goes directly to the unit.

What Types of Packaged Air Conditioners Are Available?

There are 4 main types of packaged air conditioners:

  • Traditional packaged air conditioner – as described above, has a single cabinet that houses the whole system
  • Packaged heat pump – a packaged heat pump system offers both heating and cooling in the same unit
  • Packaged duel fuel – this type of packaged system offers heat pump cooling in the summer, and heat pump heating for fall and spring. When the temperature goes below freezing, this unit will utilize either gas or propane to heat your home
  • Packaged gas/electric – a packaged gas/electric system uses electricity to cool during the warm months and gas to heat during the cold months

What Are The Benefits of a Packaged System? 

  • Packaged units are self-contained
  • Can cool (and heat) large spaces easily
  • Easier to repair
  • Flexible placement

Is a Packaged Air Conditioner Right for You?

The best way to determine if a packaged air conditioning unit is the best fit for your Arlington property is to work with a trained professional. As we mentioned above, many factors need to be considered when choosing a new air conditioner, and it helps to have the experience and advice of someone who does this kind of work every day.

Call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc., today and schedule an appointment with one of our trained professionals to see if a packaged air conditioning system is right for your home.

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How Does a Geothermal System Cool My Home?

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Geothermal systems are as effective at keeping a home cool as they are at keeping it warm: no matter the temperature outside your walls, using a geothermal system will bring you the comfort that you need.

Although people can easily understand why geothermal power provides warmth—the earth generates heat from its core that radiates outward where it can be harnessed—the idea of using that same power to provide cooling requires a bit of more explanation. It isn’t that much different than heating a home using geothermal power, however. We think you’ll see the immense advantages of choosing geothermal cooling in Arlington, VA so you’ll have the full benefits of heating in the winter as well.

Call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. if you have more questions about going geothermal. We can help you find the solution you need for year-round comfort for your family.

The operation of the geothermal heat pump

The reason that geothermal systems can heat and cool a home is that they are heat pumps. Like standard “air-source” heat pump, they move heat from one location and place it in another using the cycle of refrigerant. Unlike air-source heat pumps, which use the air as the medium for this heat exchange process, geothermal heat pumps use the ground as the medium for exchange, and the stability of underground temperatures (usually around 55°F regardless of surface weather conditions) makes them reliable and efficient.

When you turn a geothermal heat pump to cooling mode, the indoor coil acts as an evaporator: the cool refrigerant (water, in this case) extracts heat from the air and cools it down. Where does this heat go? The refrigerant removes it into a series of ground loops buried at least 6 feet in the ground. The cool 55°F assures that no matter how blisteringly hot the weather is, the heat pump will always have an easy time moving indoor heat to the ground.

When a geothermal system switches to heating mode, the process reverses, and heat come from the earth and into a home. Heat pumps are especially efficient in this mode, since no matter how ice-cold the weather gets above ground, the earth still has sufficient warmth to draw indoors.

We think that geothermal systems are a fantastic way to have the right level of comfort for your home without losing energy efficiency. But you will need to have expert installers check if geothermal cooling in Arlington, VA is a good match for your home—not every property is ideally suited to installation. Schedule an appointment with the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. to discover if your house is right for geothermal installation this summer.

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Consider a Split Air Conditioning System When Replacing Your Old Unit

Friday, June 6th, 2014

Installing a new air conditioner can be a serious undertaking, and you should always consider all of the options before pulling the trigger on a replacement system. Here in Arlington, air conditioning replacement services can discuss all of your options with you, including the installation of an alternative system like a ductless mini-split system. Depending on the circumstances, you may wish to seriously consider a split air conditioning system when replacing your old unit. Here’s a brief discussion of the advantages of such a move.

As suggested by their title, ductless mini-split systems don’t rely on ducts spreading out from a central unit. Instead, they involve the installation of numerous individual units inside your home. Each one is designed to cool off a specific area (usually a single room). That allows you to tailor the temperature in each room as you wish, and to turn off the air in parts of the home you aren’t using. This is far more efficient than a centralized system, and can potentially save you a great deal of money on monthly bills.

The question becomes whether that savings is enough to offset the cost of installing a ductless mini-split unit, and possibly abandoning your existing duct system in the process. That could actually be a benefit if your duct system has run into problems. Installing a new ductless system may be easier and more cost-efficient than trying to repair extensive damage to an existing system, and the flexibility afforded by a ductless system can further sweeten the pot. You might also consider a ductless system if you have a particularly large house, only part of which you use in the day. The ductless system can help you save a great deal on monthly expenses over the years… perhaps even enough to offset the cost of installation.

We’re based in Arlington, air conditioning replacement is our specialty, and we can provide a whole range of options based on your particular circumstances.

If you’re considering a split air conditioning system when replacing your old unit, talk to the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. Pick up the phone today to make an appointment!

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What are the Advantages of Air Cleaners?

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Air cleaners are essentially a more sophisticated form of air filters, using anything from UV light to electromagnetic static to help keep your air free of dust and dirt. They can usually be installed in your heater or air conditioning system with little trouble, and they bring a number of benefits to your household once they’re in place. Here in Arlington, air cleaners can be easily installed by a qualified air conditioning service company. What are the advantages of air cleaners? A few of the more common ones are listed below.

Advantages of Air Cleaners

  • Cleaner air. First and most importantly, air cleaners help improve the overall quality of your indoor air. Not only does that make your household more comfortable, but it can reduce the amount of allergic attacks in family members and help prevent other common forms of illness. You should especially consider this factor if you have an elderly member of your family, or you are expecting a baby anytime in the near future.
  • A more efficient air conditioner. When dust and dirt coat the inside of the air conditioner, it can increase friction on moving parts as well as interfering with the refrigerant’s ability to do its job. An air cleaner can help prevent dust from accruing, helping your air conditioner function more efficiently and lowering the cost of your monthly energy bills in the bargain.
  • Reduced need to dust. An air cleaner will reduce the amount of dust and dirt that builds up on your furnishings, which means that dusting and similar forms of housework will be made a lot easier.

The advantages of air cleaners are palpable, even for those without immediate health concerns. If you live in Arlington, air cleaners can also be used to help reduce the amount of bacteria and mold that crop up during our muggy summers. We can answer any question you might have, then install the air cleaner that’s right for your home and family.

For more on the advantages of air cleaners, or to schedule a consultation for installation, call upon the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc.

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Air Conditioning Basics: The Compressor

Friday, May 2nd, 2014

Understanding the basic components of a central air conditioner will help you know why you must schedule maintenance for your system every year. The refrigerant, the evaporator and condenser coils, the blower fan, the capacitors, and the motors are all essential parts of AC operation that must remain in good condition year-round in order for the system to work efficiently and effectively. But perhaps no other component in an air conditioner is as important as the compressor: it’s not only the heart of how an air conditioner runs, it’s the part that needs to stay in the best shape or else the whole system will fail. When a compressor dies, it often means the air conditioner must be replaced.

We’ll take a closer look at the compressor to see how it works—and how it might fail.

For the repairs and maintenance on your air conditioning in Arlington, VA that will keep the compressor healthy, call Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. today.

Compressor basics

The compressor isn’t the figurative heart of an AC. It’s the literal heart: it pumps refrigerant through the system in order to move heat from the indoors to the outdoors.

The compressor is a large pump that operates similar to a piston motor. It is located in the outdoor cabinet of a central air conditioner and only comes on when the thermostat calls for cooling. When that happens, the compressor (powered by its own motor) squeezes down on the liquid refrigerant inside it. This turns the refrigerant into a hot, high-pressure gas. The refrigerant exits the compressor to move to the nearest area of low pressure, the condenser coil. After the refrigerant completes its full trip through the air conditioner—releasing its heat to the outside, then absorbing heat from the inside—it returns to the compressor where the process begins again.

Like piston motors, compressors can wear down due to dirt and lack of lubrication. This will eventually cause the compressor to become “tight” and eventually “seized,” stopping all motion. Repair technicians can often repair the compressor to get its piston moving once more.

Eventually, an aging compressor will wear down to the point that it will burn-out completely: it will no longer be able to create the proper pressure for the refrigerant. This usually coincides with the end of the life service of the air conditioner itself.

Repairs and maintenance

Although a compressor will fail eventually, you can help it achieve the longest life possible with regular maintenance from a technician. Along with annual visits, make sure you call for repairs when you notice any odd behavior, such as the compressor failing to turn on, or stuttering at start-up and then turning off prematurely. A compressor that fails early in an air conditioner’s lifespan can mean the end of the system and the need to install a new one—the most expensive repair of all!

Since 2001, Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. has helped people stay cool through the summer with repairs for their air conditioning in Arlington, VA. Call us today to sign up for our maintenance program.

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Is a Heat Pump Sufficient Year Round?

Friday, March 28th, 2014

Here in Arlington, VA, heat pumps are a viable alternative to forced-air furnaces and similar traditional forms of heating. They work as both a heater and an air conditioner year round, sending refrigerant gas through a series of coils that first heat the surrounding air and then cool it. In cooling mode, the heat pump asborbs heat from your home and transfers it outside, and in heating mode, it absorbs heat from the outside and transfers it into your home. They’re an effective and cost-friendly way to keep your home comfortable no matter what the season, but is a heat pump sufficient year round? Further south, they usually are. Here, however, they sometimes need a little help.

A heat pump’s big advantage is its efficiency. It doesn’t actually create heat or cold temperatures, it merely facilitates a heat exchange with the refrigerant running through its system. That means it uses much less energy than some other forms of heating and air conditioning, keeping your monthly costs down while providing an all-in-one option for conditioning the air in your home. There’s just one catch: that efficiency drops off considerably when temperatures approach freezing levels. Here in Virginia, we don’t get as many cold days as they do in, say, New England, but we certainly have our share of snow and ice in the winter, and a heat pump may not be sufficient during those periods.

The good news is that most heat pumps have electric resistance coils that kick on when the temperature outside gets too cold. They provide that extra bit of help the heat pump needs. You can also choose to combine your heat pump system with a back up furnace to use on very cold days.

If you’re wondering whether a heat pump is sufficient year round for your Arlington, VA home, and need some expert advice, then give us a call here at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. We’re ready to help so don’t be afraid to contact us today!

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Air Duct Problems and Furnace Repair

Sunday, March 2nd, 2014

Furnace repair is sometimes not a simple process. Your home contains numerous elements that can help or hinder proper heating, but a good technician can usually deal with any component in the process that isn’t functioning as it should.  Take for example, the duct system that carries heated air from your furnace to the various rooms of your house. Air duct problems and furnace repair go hand in hand: when issues crop up in your air ducts, they invariably affect the way your furnace functions.

Air ducts carry the heated air form your furnace, which means they can affect your air en route if there are problems. The most obvious is a breach in the duct system which allows the heated air to escape and/or cooler air to enter into the ducts. Both conditions have the same effect: lowering the temperature of the heated air and forcing your furnace to work harder to compensate.

Similar issues can arise if the ducts become dented or build-up inside them reduces the air flow. Furnaces depend on a regular flow of air to raise the temperature in your house. When a blockage in the ducts reduces the flow, the furnace must again work harder: raising monthly costs and increasing the chances of a more serious breakdown in the future.

In addition, the environment around the ducts can cause problems. Say, for example, that a stretch of ducts lies in the crawlspace next to an outside wall. The cold surrounding air will cool the sides of the ducts, which will in turn cool the air inside. You can alleviate this problem by adding more insulation to the crawlspace, or by insulating the ducts directly.

Reliable heating repair services like Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. can help with these issues. Call us today to set up an appointment!

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Repair or Replace Your Existing Heating System

Tuesday, January 21st, 2014

Heating systems are designed to be run for many years, but sooner or later, you need to face the reality that a new system is necessary. You will have to decide whether you should repair or replace your existing heating system. It’s typically a case by case situation and you’ll need to decide for yourself it it’s worth it to repair a given system or simply install a new one. If you need any help with furnace repair in Arlington, VA, give Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. a call.

That decision usually boils down to money, and how much you’ve spent on your existing heating system. If repair bills keep piling up and/or you’re dealing with a major cost to a given repair, you might prefer to consider a new system rather than sending good money after bad. Similarly, a furnace that has suffered from overall wear and tear might be due for a replacement, even if you don’t have any specific repairs. An inefficient heater with a lot of worn parts will use a lot more energy than it should to keep your home comfortable. As the months go by, those extra costs will add up until a newer, more efficient heater is really the only viable option.

Those issues can be compounded by the age of the system. In and of itself, an old heater doesn’t necessarily merit any replacement. If it’s functioning properly and you’ve kept it well maintained over the years, it can last well beyond its normal expiration date. On the other hand, if your heater is more than ten years old and you have to repair it a lot, or if it’s using more energy from month to month than it should, then its advanced age may be the final factor in deciding to install a new unit.

When asking whether to repair or replace your existing heating system, you can count on the experts at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. for advice. We handle furnace repair in Arlington, VA and we can help determine if your old unit is worth save or if a new one might be best. Give us a call to set up a consultation today. You’ll be glad that you did!

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Paying Too Much for Heating in Arlington, VA?

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013

In terms of heating, Arlington, VA homeowners need to watch the bottom line. Our winters can get cold, and a good heating system is often the only way to keep your home warm and comfortable when temperatures drop. A lot of people simply accept high heating bills as the price they pay for a cozy home. But it doesn’t have to be the case. Are you paying too much for heating in Arlington, VA? If you are, you can take steps to alleviate the condition.

It can be tricky to spot high heating bills, especially in the winter. Obviously, you are not going to use your heater as much during the fall as you do in the dead of winter. One good method to determine whether you’re using too much energy is to schedule a maintenance session for your heating device. A trained technician can arrive at your home and examine the heater for any signs of wear or use. If a small part is worn out, he or she can replace it. If dirt or dust have built up, he or she can clean the unit. If larger repairs need to be made, he or she can pinpoint the problem and schedule a later service date. Ideally, this maintenance session should take place at the end of cooling season, before the winter settles in. It allows you to spot potential trouble areas and increases the heater efficiency, helping to cut down on heating costs.

If you’re able to consider something more radical, look into the possibility of upgrading your unit to a newer and more efficient one. Heating systems have their efficiency measured in Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings, measured as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the more energy is spent actually heating the home instead of being wasted. Newer units have a higher AFUE rating than older ones, and this can lead to significant savings on your utility bills each month.

If you’re paying too much for heating in Arlington, VA, Polar Bear can help. Whether you want to install a new unit or just give a little care to your old one, our staff has the training and experience to do the job right. Call us today to set up an appointment.

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Arlington, VA Air Conditioning Repair: Not Enough Cooling

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

The convenience of air conditioners is something we often take for granted. Their soothing white noise is part of the unnoticed backdrop of daily life. But you will notice if your air conditioner starts to lose its ability to lower the temperature. If the air from the vents in your home feels warmer than it once did, you might have an AC malfunction that requires repair. When you need work done on your air conditioning system in Arlington, VA, the right place to turn is Polar Bear. Our more than 10 years of experience means we are well equipped to care for home comfort systems.

Here are three common culprits that can impair your AC’s cooling ability and will require repairs:

  • Thermostat issues: The first step to take when you notice a weakening of cooling power in your AC is to inspect the thermostat to see that it is set correctly. A faulty thermostat can cause your air conditioner to turn off at the wrong times or to raise its temperature rather than lowering it. If simply changing the settings doesn’t help, then your thermostat will need repair or replacement.
  • Damaged ducts: If you have a standard air conditioner that relies on ductwork for air distribution, breaks and kinks in the ducts can lead to warmer air seeping inside. If a gap opens in a place where the air temperature is higher than the rest of your home (e.g. the attic or a crawlspace), your AC will draw in this warm air and blow it through the vents. Sealing the ducts with duct tape won’t solve this problem. It requires an expert using mastic sealant or other techniques to properly fix the damage.
  • Icing on the coils: Although you might think getting frost across the indoor coils would help with lowering the temperature, it seriously interferes with the important heat exchange across the evaporator coils and will mean less cool air. Icing often happens because of a leak in the refrigerant, although dirt on the coils can also trigger it. You will need an HVAC technician to diagnose the cause and make the repairs that will get the heat exchange back to normal.

Whatever your problem with getting proper cooling, trust the Polar Bear for reliable air conditioning repairs in Arlington, VA. Call us today to set up an appointment, and we’ll get the job done right the first time.

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