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

Our Mid-Season Guide to Changing Your Air Filter

Monday, July 25th, 2022

This is probably one of those moments where you look at your air conditioner and almost physically thank it for providing the cool air that it does. With heatwaves occurring around the country, we’re in the thick of summer and our air conditioners are one of the most reliable appliances we have. So, we won’t stop you! Go say thank you to that system that keeps you cool and comfortable!

However, there is one thing you can do for the system (instead of talking to it) that will make a pretty big change in its ability to continue fighting hot temperatures. You can change the air filter!

If it’s been a month or longer since you changed your air filter, then it might be time to do it. We’re going to walk through this process today, and remind customers that we can help with air conditioning repair in McLean, VA if that’s what’s needed.

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A Refrigerant Leak Requires Professional Attention

Monday, July 11th, 2022

The first thought that usually comes to people’s minds when they hear the word “refrigerant leak,” is the idea that they should just perform a recharge on the system and it will start running as if it were new. While a recharge is definitely necessary, there’s a lot to unpack here when it comes to air conditioning repair in McLean, VA.

Refrigerant leaks are a lot more complex than some people might think. No offense to anyone who might be dealing with one, we don’t expect anyone to know this off the top of their head. It’s with our unique knowledge in this industry that we’re able to pinpoint some of the major problems that come from a refrigerant leak and why you might want to rely on a professional to have it fixed.

Let’s talk about what goes into repairing a refrigerant leak, and why it’s not so simple!

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How an Air Conditioner Actually Cools the Air

Monday, August 23rd, 2021

A lot of us wish air conditioners just functioned magically. You plug them into your home’s electrical system, and maybe a fairy turns that electricity into ice cubes that then cool the air off in your home. Or perhaps there’s a creature living inside that outside box, and the creature eats heat and drinks electricity but gives off cooling power. Wouldn’t that be something?

Unfortunately, the reality is a bit more boring but simpler to understand. If you thought that your air conditioner functioned like some complex experimental device then you would be mistaken. Air conditioning in McLean, VA is actually a fairly simple process that involves the evaporation and condensation of refrigerant.

Want to know a bit more? We don’t blame you! Keep reading as we get into the juicy details about air conditioning and how it works behind the scenes.

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Installing a New AC in 2021

Monday, July 12th, 2021

Air conditioning is important, and now that vaccination rates are steadily improving, it’s vital that you make sure your home is as comfortable as it should be. While installing a new air conditioner last year might have proven incredibly difficult, this year it might be easier. There are just a few things you should know before you jump into one of the most expensive purchases for your home.

For instance, many homeowners have the exact same idea as you. So many homes have ACs that were falling apart and in dire need of air conditioning repair in McLean, VA to the point where homeowners are deciding to start from scratch and replace the whole system.

This means that the price of an AC installation has risen and there are some serious delays on components. Let’s talk about how you can get ahead of this problem by calling our team.

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Is It Time to Invest in a Heat Pump?

Tuesday, June 1st, 2021

You’ve probably heard the word “heat pump” a few times throughout the past few years. You’ve done some online searches, you’ve talked to friends and neighbors, and at this point you’re interested. The only problem is, your home is a bit unique. You’ve got an old home that doesn’t have ductwork, or you’ve got a unique situation where electricity actually costs more for you than it does for your friends. Your home might even deal with different temperatures than your friends, family, or neighbors. So, what do you do in your specific case?

The good news is that our team can provide expert consultation when it comes to air conditioning service in Mclean, VA. We won’t shy away from telling you the truth as far as your home’s ability to efficiently use heat pump technology goes. But let’s talk about some reasons why a heat pump might be great for your home.

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Spring is Here! Here’s What You Should Do With Your Furnace!

Monday, April 6th, 2020

question-mark-badgeYour furnace worked hard all winter to keep you and your family comfortable, so now, it’s time for you to take care of your furnace! See, when Spring rolls around, many homeowners aren’t sure what to do with their furnaces, which is why we’ve written this blog!

Below, you’ll find a mini-guide to furnace care in the Spring. All you have to do is keep reading to find out more, and of course, remember to call us when you need heating services in McLean, VA.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

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Do You Know What to Do With Your AC in the Winter?

Monday, October 7th, 2019

Autumn has officially arrived, and before you know it, we’ll be drinking pumpkin-flavored coffee, decorating for our favorite spooky holiday, and deciding who’s going to host Thanksgiving this year! But, before we can even think about all that, we must first figure out what we are going to do with our air conditioners.

Now that it’s getting cooler out, odds are, you aren’t going to need your air conditioner very much anymore. So, what do you do with it? Well, keep reading below and we’ll tell you! So, what are you waiting for?

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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! 

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Is Your Furnace Showing Signs of Distress?

Monday, March 12th, 2018

furnace-wiringWe could all use some warm, sunny weather right about now, but chances are that you’re going to be running your heater for a while longer. It may be late in the season, but don’t let that convince you that you can afford to ignore any signs of trouble your home heating system may be exhibiting. Trust us when we tell you that your heater can break down just as easily at the end of the season as during any other time.

So how do you deal with heating problems before facing as serious a situation as a complete breakdown? Well, you can learn to recognize the signs that you need furnace repairs in McLean, VA, for starters. No furnace is ever going to be 100% reliable, though scheduling routine heating maintenance will certainly help it to get as close to that ideal as possible. We’re happy to tune-up your furnace for you, of course. But eventually, we’ll need to repair your system. Call us when you see these warning signs.

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Choosing an Energy Efficient Unit for Furnace Installation in McLean, VA

Monday, October 20th, 2014

Furnaces are one of the most popular heating systems for homeowners. There are two main types of furnaces, but before choosing any kind of furnace for your home, it’s important to understand how energy efficiency is rated for furnace systems. Knowing ahead of time how a new system is supposed to perform is an important part of your furnace installation in McLean, VA. Equally important is hiring experts to perform the installation. For over 10 years, Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc., has installed, repaired and replace multiple heating systems, and we bring this experience to every job we do.

What Is AFUE?

AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. AFUE is the measure of a furnace’s efficiency in converting fuel to energy. As such, the higher an AFUE rating, the more efficient a particular system will be. One thing to understand about efficiency ratings is that they do not indicate that a system will heat better than another; what the efficiency rating tells you is that a particular system will heat the same as another, but will use less energy to do so. Currently, the minimum AFUE ratings for non-condensing, fossil-fueled furnaces is 78%, but this will change as of January 1, 2015 to 80%, so it’s important to note this upcoming change.

Energy Star

Another way to ensure that you install an energy efficient heating system is to look for the Energy Star sticker on the product. Whole-home appliances earn the ENERGY STAR rating by being at least 15% more energy efficient than the standard. If you have questions about using an Energy Star-labeled product, consult with your technician.

Types of Furnaces

There are two types of furnaces that Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc., carries:

  • Gas
  • Electric

Both can efficiently heat your home, but the heating is slightly different as gas furnaces are combustion systems and electric furnaces are not. As far as efficiency is concerned, they are almost equal: a gas furnace can have an efficiency rating as high as 98% while an electric furnace can have one as high as 100%.

Which Furnace Should I Choose?

Choosing a furnace is based largely on your needs, and working with a trained professional can help you address what’s most important, including the system that will fit best in your home.

If you are ready for a new furnace installation in McLean, VA, contact Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc., today and schedule an appointment with one of our installation experts.

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