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

4 Benefits of Having a Heat Pump Over a Furnace

Monday, December 25th, 2023

You’ve had a furnace for ages, but it’s no longer the best contender on the block for your home heating. Now that heat pumps are here to stay and boast incredible heating efficiency, it’s time to consider them for your next home heating solution. We have a few good reasons as to why you should.

As installers of both furnaces and heat pumps in Great Falls, VA, we’ve seen the benefits play out for our customers. If you can make the switch, here’s a handful of good reasons to do it.

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Can I Repair My Heat Pump On My Own?

Monday, December 26th, 2022
heat-pump-outside-of-home

Your heat pump won’t turn to its heating setting, or it’s just not turning on at all. You may think that because you’ve handled some HVAC-related repairs in your own home in the past that this will be the same, but heat pumps are a different beast.

More often than not, you need to hire a professional for heat pump repair in Arlington to get the job done. Don’t worry; you’re not powerless in this situation. We have some basic troubleshooting you can run through before contacting us for repairs that’ll hopefully do the trick.

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Learn More About Your AC Options!

Monday, March 23rd, 2020

AC-outdoor-unitWe totally get it — finding the perfect air conditioner for your home is quite a big task! But, that’s why our team is here. We will happily help you find the air conditioning system of your dreams… all you have to do is call!

But, in the meantime, we have highlighted some of your options for you below. All you have to do is keep reading to find out more, and of course, remember to call us when you need air conditioning installation in Alexandria, VA. 

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Consider a Heat Pump This Winter (They’re Pretty Awesome!)

Monday, November 4th, 2019

There are so many great heating systems on the market today, and of course, we would stick out our neck for any one of them! However, there is truly nothing that compares to the heat pump! Why? Because they’re highly efficient, effective, and have the ability to provide year-round comfort with just the flip of a switch (sounds like magic, right?)

Okay, perhaps we sound a bit overenthusiastic, but still, there are plenty of reasons to consider installing a heat pump in your home, and below, have listed some of them for you. All you’ve got to do is keep reading to find out more (oh, and of course, remember to call us for all things heat pumps in Alexandria, VA.)

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Take Advantage of the Heat Pump’s Efficiency

Monday, January 15th, 2018

temperature-just-rightWhen you live in the Washington, DC area, you are going to have to contend with very cold winter weather. There is no way that you are going to be able to live comfortably in your home throughout the winter season if you do not have a great heater installed in your residence. Of course, you don’t just want an effective performance from your home heating system. You also want the most efficient performance possible from your heater.

If you are thinking about replacing a heater, or if you need a new one installed in your brand new home, then consider using a heat pump in Washington, DC. The heat pump works in a unique way, and it offers outstanding energy efficiency as a result. Read on to learn more about how heat pumps work and the benefits that they offer. Just remember that no HVAC system will truly excel in its operation if it is not expertly installed and serviced by skilled, trained professionals. 

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Have You Considered Heating Your Home with a Heat Pump?

Monday, November 28th, 2016

It is true that heat pumps excel in areas such as the Pacific Northwest, where winter temperatures are fairly mild. If you think that our more severe winter weather rules out the use of a heat pump and the reaping of its benefits, though, you might want to reconsider. Today’s heat pumps are more effective than ever, even in colder weather.

The key to getting the most out of your heat pump is to schedule your heat pump services in Alexandria, VA with trained, experienced professionals. We’ll make sure that your heat pump the right size for your home. We can also help you to decide if any backup heat source is necessary.

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How Is Heating Efficiency Measured?

Monday, November 14th, 2016

These days, everyone is looking for more efficient ways in which to heat their homes during the coldest times of the year. Cutting down on fuel consumption is good for the planet and good for the wallet. Whatever your inspiration may be, the first step in improving efficiency when heating your home is to understand how the efficiency of heaters is measured to begin with.

We’ll give you the information that you need to gain a bit more understanding of the topic. If you have any questions, or if you are ready to schedule professional heating services in Capitol Hill, we’re the company to call. Let us help you to heat your home more efficiently.

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Radiant vs. Forced Air Heating: Pros and Cons

Tuesday, October 4th, 2016

While we are not at the point in the year when we’ll need our heating systems regularly just yet, you’ve no doubt begun to notice our cooler nighttime temperatures. You may have turned your heater on to take the chill out of the air already, and it won’t be long before your system is up and running throughout the day. If you need a new heater installed in your home, this is definitely the time to get the process started. 

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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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Some Common Misunderstandings about Heat Pumps

Thursday, March 20th, 2014

Heat pumps are an increasingly popular choice for home comfort today, principally because they offer a two-in-one deal: heating and cooling. However, some customers feel reluctant to consider a heat pump for their Northern Virginia heating and cooling, and instead gravitate toward older systems like furnaces and air conditioners. This reticence comes from common misunderstandings about heat pumps that we would like to address.

Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. has seen firsthand how effective heat pumps are at providing families with comfort and savings. Although a heat pump isn’t the ideal choice for every home, you should still consider one when it’s time for your new heating and cooling installation.

Here are some of the myths about heat pumps:

Myth: Heat pumps are just a heater and air conditioner packaged together

Because heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling, people often think that they are two separate units put together in the same container. Actually, a heat pump is one mechanism that uses the same process—heat exchange—to perform its two functions. Essentially, a heat pump is an air conditioner that can change the direction it moves heat: while in AC mode, it moves heat from inside a home and puts it outside; in heating mode, it moves heat from outside and puts it inside.

Myth: Heat pumps are essentially useless in cold weather

During heating mode, the action of heat exchange moves heat from the outside to the inside. This makes it easy to imagine that during cold weather, the heat pump won’t work as a heater: where is it getting warmth from the outdoor air? However, as long as there is molecular motion in the air, there is heat available for heat exchange. Heat pumps can lose efficiency when the temperature drops below freezing, but they are far from useless; and in milder cold weather they are very effective. Most heat pumps have a back up heat system to make sure your home is warm no matter the weather.

Myth: Heat pumps won’t pay off their installation costs

First, as far as air conditioning goes, heat pumps are the same efficiency as a standalone air conditioner of comparable size. Second, heat pumps are a very efficient way to heat your home. Especially when compared to electric furnaces, heat pumps are extremely energy-efficient. Most heat pumps will pay back their installation costs in three years.

Our trained technicians at Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. have brought quality cooling and heating to Northern Virginia since 2001. You can trust us to find the heat pump that will keep you and your family comfortable all year long.

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