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

Hidden Benefits of an Air Purifier

Monday, April 5th, 2021

Did you know that foul odors in your air are actually caused by microscopic particles that are impossible to see? It’s one of the unfortunate things about cleaning your home, you’ll never really be able to clean everything with some paper towels, cleaning spray, a mop, and a vacuum. In fact, some things like your indoor air will only be cleaned with the help of an air purifier.

Today, we’re going to highlight a few of the lesser-known benefits of an air purifier. Sure, you might already know that they kill bacteria and viruses, but that means a lot more than just making your home safer. Air purifiers remove odors, they can deal with particles like mold spores that permeate your home, and they can improve the productivity and efficiency of your HVAC system.

If you didn’t want an air purifier in Alexandria, VA already, then this blog post might just do it for you.

Continue Reading

A Guide to Your Air Cleaner Options

Monday, June 1st, 2020

Clean air is something that is gravely misunderstood in our industry. Homeowners will often call their local HVAC professionals to have a new AC or heater installed but they won’t even think about looking into their indoor air quality. While sure, some of these systems are expensive and with homeowners being on tight budgets these days, it’s understandable that you need to pick and choose what systems are right for your home. Many of these systems are fairly affordable though.

So, in light of trying to spread some awareness about indoor air quality, the cleanliness of our homes, and how to keep each other safe and comfortable, we’re going to talk a bit about the air cleaning options out there on the market. Remember, if any of these options sound good to you, call our team for Leesburg air cleaner installation today!

Continue Reading

It’s Time You Get Your Ducks, Erm Ducts, In a Row

Monday, July 15th, 2019

No, we are not talking about the ducks that go “quack quack”… today we are talking about ducts! The ducts that blow cool, conditioned air all over your home!

How often do you actually think about your ducts? Our guess is that it is probably not often—you probably find yourself thinking about ducks more! But, we don’t blame you—your ducts are pretty much hidden from sight, traveling through the spaces between your walls and attic, so of course, it is only natural that you’d forget about them.

But here’s the thing: it could do you well to think about your ductwork every once in a while. Why? Because any issues with your ductwork directly affect your air conditioner. One issue, in particular, is dirty ducts, which is why you should consider scheduling duct cleaning services.

Keep reading below to find out more!

Continue Reading

How Can I Tell if I Have an Indoor Air Quality Problem?

Monday, June 3rd, 2019

cold-couple-on-couchYour indoor air quality is a big deal! Of course, you want your indoor air free and clear of the contaminants that contribute to illness and allergies! But the truth of the matter is that many of us do not know that we’ve got poor indoor air quality, simply because we’ve become accustomed to it.

But there are quite a few signs that suggest you’re dealing with poor indoor air quality, and below, we’ve listed some of them for you. And remember, if any of the following apply to you, be sure to contact a professional for HVAC services in McLean, VA. A professional will be able to match you with the systems and services you need to combat your IAQ issues! 

Continue Reading

Why Is My Air Quality Low?

Monday, May 21st, 2018

air-quality-dandelionWhen the summer heat is high, you expect your AC to keep you cool. You expect your heater to keep you warm and cozy during the cold winter season. And … well, that’s it, right? As far as comfort goes?

If you believe that, then you are doing yourself and your comfort a serious disservice. While maintaining comfortable temperatures in your home is certainly vital, maintaining high indoor air quality is equally so. We’re here to help you do that.

One question that homeowners sometimes ask us is why their indoor air quality is low to begin with. The truth is that this is a very loaded question. There are a lot of different reasons why indoor air quality may suffer. Some are within our control, while others are environmental issues we really cannot change. In either case, the best thing to do is to use the right systems and services to boost your indoor air quality. That is why you should turn to us for IAQ and HVAC services in Alexandria.

Continue Reading

Why Use UV Germicidal Lights?

Monday, February 19th, 2018

family-playingLiving comfortably in your own home is not something that you should compromise on. It is something every homeowner deserves. That being said, maintaining comfortable temperatures in your home should not be your sole priority. Important as it may be, it is also vital that you maintain high indoor air quality in your home as well.

In many cases, using air filtration systems or electronic air purifiers will be enough.  In others,  however, dealing with pollutants of a different kind—biological pollutants—will be necessary. These pollutants are living organisms, and include viruses, mold spores, and bacteria. Such pollutants cannot simply be filtered out of the air. They must be destroyed, and they can be with the use of UV germicidal lights in Washington, DC.

Continue Reading

Why Humidify Your Home?

Monday, January 22nd, 2018

question-mark-badgeDuring the summer season, our weather can get extremely hot and humid. The idea of adding humidity to a home during any time of the year seems like an odd decision. In truth, adding the right amount of humidity to the air in a house is a great way to protect indoor air quality and alleviate a number of physical symptoms for people and materials.

Today, we’ll look at a few of the issues that may arise in a house with low humidity. We’ll also help you  understand why you should skip the standalone humidifiers and opt instead for a whole-house humidifier in Georgetown. If you have any questions, call a member of our team. We have the expertise to determine if you could benefit from a whole-house humidifier.

Continue Reading

Low Humidity? Big Problem

Monday, August 14th, 2017

comfortable-womanFor many homeowners, the pursuit of comfort in their respective homes begins and ends with a great air conditioner and a dependable, efficient heater. We certainly do not intend to downplay the role that successful temperature maintenance plays in your overall comfort. However, we must also remind you that temperature maintenance is not the whole picture. If you are serious about living in the full comfort we believe you deserve, then must maintain great indoor air quality as well as temperature control.

Another fact that you may not fully realize is that maintaining great indoor air quality in Washington, DC can actually help to protect your property and your health, as well as your comfort. Whether due to the dehumidifying effects of running an AC all the time in the summer, or the naturally drier air that we experience in the winter, you may not have a sufficient amount of humidity in your living space. Using a whole-house humidifier is the best way to resolve that problem. 

Continue Reading

Should I Be Using UV Germicidal Lights?

Tuesday, July 11th, 2017

UV-lightThe answer to the question posed in the title of this blog is—maybe. We’d love to give you a solid answer right off the bat, but not every home is going to require the use of UV germicidal lights. Those that could stand to benefit from the use of such devices, however, stand to benefit greatly. So how can you tell if using UV germicidal lights in Washington, D.C. is the right move for your home?

We can help you with that. There are plenty of warning signs that can indicate the need for UV air purification. Read on to learn more about these warning signs, as well as how UV germicidal lights actually operate. If and when you decide to integrate a UV air purifier into your home comfort system, remember to schedule the service with our team.

Continue Reading

What You Need to Know About Carbon Monoxide

Monday, January 30th, 2017

enjoying-the-fireplaceModern heating systems are safer than they’ve ever been. Scheduling routine heating maintenance in Georgetown will help to keep your heater working not only at peak performance levels, but as safely as possible, too. While heating systems may be very safe these days, and as beneficial as routine maintenance is in terms of safety, there is no such thing as a 100% reliable heater. That is why you should be aware of the dangers that carbon monoxide poses.

There are certain regulations that must be followed when it comes to the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in residential properties. If you want to guarantee that your home is following these regulations, in addition to ensuring your own personal safety, working with trained professionals is a must. Here is a bit of background information that will help you to better understand the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Continue Reading