Indoor Air Quality & Allergies – What to Do?!

The temperature may be below freezing with wind that takes your breath away. But believe it or not, spring is a mere 5 weeks away! So, it’s time to start preparing for the warmer weather and the potential air quality issues that can come with it. Royal Heating & Air is the best HVAC Company at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we have several years of experience with indoor air quality. There are a lot of ways to help keep the air clean and fresh this spring. Read on to learn some of our favorite tips! 

Pollen

Spring is a beautiful time of year. Who doesn’t love the end of winter, sunny days, and blooming flowers? If you have allergies or asthma, however, spring could be a frustrating and difficult time for you. As all of those gorgeous plants and flowers are blooming, they are also releasing pollen into the air. This pollen can cause allergic reactions like itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, and headache. For some it can be so bad that they have to take medication throughout the whole season and can hardly function when exposed to too much pollen. These particles can end up inside the home by hitching a ride on clothes or blowing in through an open window.

If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms or allergic reactions inside your home, it might mean that your air filter is overdue for a replacement. Each type lasts for a different amount of time before it needs to be replaced. Once it is full, it can no longer efficiently filter the air in your home, and harmful materials and allergens circulate through the air in your home causing difficulties.

Dust

Another common allergen that could be causing issues for you and your family is dust and the resulting dust mites. Dust can be an agitator that causes inflammation in your respiratory system. This makes it more difficult to breathe clearly and freely. Your body may be trying to tell you something by sneezing more often when you are indoors, trying to remove the dust particles from your nasal passages.

Your air conditioning unit and the compressor could also be dirty and clogged, which limits the airflow indoors. With limited airflow, less fresh air is being circulated inside your home. This can cause allergens to settle and continue to give you respiratory issues.

Mold & Bacteria

Another source of respiratory concern is mold and bacteria. If these harmful materials are circulated inside your home and then breathed in by you and your family members, you could be in danger of getting sick more often. These pathogens can come from a lot of different sources: pet accidents, particles getting kicked up from the carpet, tracked-in substances from shoes, improperly cleaned portable humidifiers, and many more.

Royal Heating & Air can help remove bacteria and mold from the air inside your home by installing an HVAC UV Light System. This system uses ultraviolet light to destroy harmful materials and sterilize the air that passes through the light. Imagine how much cleaner the air in your home could be with a sanitizing UV light system in your HVAC!

Air Quality at the Lake

If you feel like your indoor air quality could use some help, it could be time to call in a professional. Call the best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks – Royal Heating & Air! Whether you need a maintenance check on your unit or an ultraviolet light system installed in the air ducts, we are there for you. Don’t spend your time in a house that feels stuffy and stale. Help get your home feeling cleaner and healthier with our team of expert technicians at Royal Heating & Air.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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4 Ways to Help Improve Air Quality This Fall

We spend a significant amount of our time indoors without realizing what the quality of our air could be doing to our health. You may keep your home tidied up on a regular basis, but your home's air quality may still be worse than you think. Royal Heating & Air is the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks because we care. We know the importance of quality air and how to help you and your home. Read on to learn our important tips on how to help improve the air quality in your home, and give us a call to schedule your service.

Keep Your Floors Clean 

Dirty floors could dramatically affect the air quality in your home, particularly if you have a lot of rugs or carpeting. The pet hair, dust, dirt, dander, and dead skin cells that accumulate in your carpet do not stay there indefinitely. As traffic moves through your home, all that debris can get kicked up and start circulating in the air you breathe. For people who suffer from allergies and asthma, this could be a real health hazard by making it more difficult to breath.

Change Air Filters Regularly

The air filter in your HVAC system is a barrier that helps decrease the amount of dust, hair, and debris circulating in your home. However, if the filter becomes overloaded, it won't be able to do its job as well, and your HVAC system will likely have to work harder as it tries to push air through the clogged filter.

Four-inch filters need to be checked every 6 months and replaced at least every year. One-inch filters should be checked monthly and replaced as needed. Help keep your HVAC system operating at its best - set a reminder in your calendar to keep track of your filter's next check.

Consider a Whole-Home Humidifier

Winter air feels dry because the heating process tends to remove moisture from the air. Dry air can affect the health of your skin, sinuses, and overall well-being if it persists for too long. There are numerous benefits to installing a whole-home humidifying system (read our blog on the topic, here). Help improve the quality of the air in your home by calling Royal Heating & Air today and scheduling an appointment for your system.

Check the Airflow in Your Vents 

If the airflow in your home is inefficient, you could have to deal with stale, stagnant air. This could cause bad odors and allergens to settle in your home. Gross!

Your HVAC system could simply be too dirty to efficiently move air through the duct-work. A dirty unit could also decrease the airflow in your home. It can be important to have a professional check on your system to ensure everything is functioning appropriately and that there isn't anything blocking the flow of air. Schedule a Home Comfort Check with Royal Heating & Air to check-in on the HVAC systems in your home.

More seriously, your duct-work could be ill-fitted to the layout of your home. Standard duct-work can sometimes move air less efficiently than a custom system. At Royal Heating & Air, we set ourselves apart with the only HVAC custom sheet metal fabrication at the Lake of the Ozarks. You could be losing vital airflow through leaks in your current system.

Help Improve Your Air Quality with Royal Heating & Air

If you still feel like the quality of the air in your home is lacking after regularly changing your system's air filters and keeping your carpets clean, it might be time to call a professional. Royal Heating & Air is the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we have your back. Our experts would be happy to check the efficiency of your HVAC system and install a whole-home humidifier to help improve the air quality in your home. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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You Should Be Ventilating Your Home During The Winter

Indoor air quality is extremely important, and winter is the time of year when you should pay close attention to your indoor air. During the winter, we spend a lot more time inside our home and we seal off our homes to keep the cold air out and to help save money on the energy bill. Royal Heating & Air encourages energy efficiency, but it’s important to understand the dangers that are associated with homes that are airtight and sealed up. The Environmental Protection Agency, has even deemed indoor air quality one of the top five environmental risks to public health. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has some tips on how you can ventilate your home for the winter.

Exhaust Ventilation – Exhaust fans expel the stale air and moisture that builds up in your home. While they tend to do a pretty good job of getting rid of the stale air, they don’t have any way of pulling fresh air in from the outside to replace the stale air. Exhaust only ventilation tends to create negative pressure inside of your home, which results in air coming in through cracks and gaps in the home. This can potentially pull in unwanted radon and other soil gases that we don’t want inside of our homes.

Supply Ventilation – A potential solution to negative pressure buildup from exhaust ventilation is to install a supply-only mechanical ventilation system. This will bring in fresh air, which allows your home to depressurize. Supply-only ventilation can be hooked up to your forced air system, which allows fresh air to get dispersed through your duct system. This can help to reduce the amount of radon and other contaminants from entering your home. One problem that may arise is the amount of humidity that may develop, especially in areas where you already have a moisture/condensation problem.

Balanced Ventilation – For most homes, especially if they are more energy-efficient, a balanced ventilation system that is specifically designed for the house is usually the best option. Balanced ventilation combines exhaust and supply ventilation into one system. With a balanced ventilation system, you can choose where the exhaust is drawn, where fresh air comes from and where it goes. For the most part, exhaust ventilation is installed where the most moisture and pollutants are generated. Those areas usually include bathrooms and kitchens. You can choose where the supply air comes in. If the fresh air is brought in through the duct system, it’s usually delivered to the most used areas of the home.

Indoor air quality is important all year long, but it’s extremely important during the wintertime. During those cold months, our house is sealed up and the furnace is constantly running. The air you are breathing in is being cycled over and over. Without introducing fresh air into your home, Royal Heating & Air knows that you are increasing the contaminants you breathe in and are increasing your chances of getting sick. If you have any questions about your indoor air quality, or your furnaces needs maintenance, give the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call. 

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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Your Guide to Clean Air

When we are in our own homes, we don’t necessarily realize how many allergens and contaminants we’re breathing in. While you may feel like the air indoors is safer than outside, our indoor environments can contain pollutant levels that are greater than the levels outdoors. While it may not be something we think about often, indoor air quality is vital to you and your family’s health. Is it really possible to have more pollutants and allergens indoors than outside? Absolutely! The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks knows that insufficient ventilation, increased use of synthetic materials and a lack of air filtration all contribute to this problem. Royal Heating and Air is here to help you improve your indoor air quality.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency:

• On average, Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. This is a lot of time spent where the concentrations of some pollutants are sometimes two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.
• People who are usually most susceptible to the adverse effects of pollution tend to spend more time indoors.
• Some indoor pollutants have increased in recent decades due to energy-efficient building construction and increased use of synthetic building materials, furnishings, personal care products, pesticides and household cleaners. 

It’s a continuous cycle. Don’t continue to recirculate these contaminants through your HVAC system, or redistribute dust and allergens around your home when you vacuum. If you have proper air ventilation ad filtration, you won’t be circulating all of those contaminants.

Air Filtration Guide

HVAC Air Filters – It’s important that you change your HVAC air filters every 30-60 days, or as recommended by your system’s specific air filter. You should never wait more than 90 days to replace the air filters. A dirty air filter means the air you are breathing is more than likely dirty. A dirty air filter also restricts airflow, which can cause frozen evaporator coils and other problems with your HVAC.

HEPA Filtration – Use a vacuum with High Efficiency Particle Air (HEPA) filtration. If you vacuum regularly with a vacuum that has HEPA filtration, you will help keep your home and the air in your home clean. You can also outfit your HVAC system with HEPA filtration, but your system will probably need professional modification to accommodate the larger filter.

Exhaust Fans – If you don’t have exhaust fans in your kitchen, bathroom and laundry room, it’s a good idea to get them professionally installed. Exhaust fans remove moisture, odors and stagnant air to help improve indoor air quality. Exhaust fans also help to prevent high humidity and mold growth in your home.

Minimize Smoke – By reducing smoke in your home, you will reduce air irritants. If you have sensitivity to allergens, it’s vital to not have any cigarette smoke in the house. It’s also important to minimize or reduce wood fire smoke. It’s important to inspect your chimneys, fireplaces and vents at least once a year.

Duct Cleaning and Sealing – Getting your air ducts professionally cleaned and sealed helps keep your air clean and it also helps improve the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Houseplants – Why not add some green to your house while supplementing your indoor air filtration system? Houseplants that have natural air cleaning abilities include:

• English Ivy
• Boston Fern
• Peace Lily
• Spider Plant

These are just a few steps you can take to improve your indoor air quality. While we may not want to believe it, a lot of times the indoor air quality in our homes is filled with more allergens and pollutants than outside. Royal Heating and Air is your source for the best indoor air solutions for your family’s health. From preventative maintenance to installations, the best HVAC company in Lake of the Ozarks is here to help you. Call 573-480-4313 to schedule an appointment today!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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How Do You Know When It's Time To Change The Air Filter?

One of the best things you can do for your HVAC system is to change the air filter. At Royal Heating & Air, we recommend checking the air filter once a month and changing it as necessary. However, how do you know when it's time to change it? The best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks takes a look at all the factors that determines when it's time to change your home's air filter.

Air filters will clean out the particles in the air including dust, dirt and other "contaminants." Too many of these particles flying around your home can contribute to allergies, congestion and other health problems. The air filter will catch the majority of these particles before it reaches your vents. Over time, the air filter will get clogged by these particles, which makes it difficult for air to get through. This could result in your HVAC system working harder to try and reach the temperature set at your thermostat.

When To Change Your Air Filters

It might seem easy to know when it's time. When the air filters are visibly dirty, change them. However, choosing how often you should do this depends on several factors.

- The type of filter your HVAC system requires.
- The overall air quality of your city.
- If you have pets.
- The number of people occupating the house.
- General air pollution in your city or if there is construction taking place nearby.

It's best to follow the manufacturer's recommendation for the type of air filter you buy, which is usually bi-monthly. This is a great rule of thumb, however, this general guideline is not going to apply for everyone. If you have any allergies, smoke, have pets or any of the things mentioned above, you may need to change the air filter more often. On the other hand, if you live in a remote area or if your home is infrequently occupied (such as a vacation home), you may not need to change it as often.

How To Tell If It Needs Changing

A dirty air filter isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it means the filter is doing its job to remove dust and other particles from the air in your home. However, it's important to change the air filter before they become clogged to ensure the air can flow nicely through. There is no general guideline as to how much dirt is too much dirt, however, if there is a visible coating of dirt covering most of the filter's surface, in a layer that is thick enough that you can no longer see the filter material itself, that's a sign that your filter has been in the HVAC system far too long. A working filter would have a good coating of dust - a coat of fine particle where the underlying material is still visible. Once it gets beyond that point, it's time to change it.

It’s better to be safe than sorry when deciding it’s time to replace the filter. Keeping your heating and cooling vents clear of debris will be well worth it, not only when it comes time for your energy bills, but also for your overall health and well-being. If it's been a while since you've taken a look at the air filter, Royal Heating & Air can help you find the right one for your system. For all your heating and cooling needs, give Lake of the Ozarks' best HVAC company a call at 573-480-4313.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com
CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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Why You Should Upgrade Your HVAC System

Is your HVAC system more than 10 years old? Are you constantly having repairs done on it? If so, it may be time for an upgrade. However, upgrades aren't just for old systems. There are many different benefits an upgraded system can offer you and your home. The best HVAC repair and maintenance at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to tell you some of the benefits you could receive if you upgrade you HVAC system today:

1. Superior Comfort

Newer HVAC systems are better at maintaining the temperature of your home thanks to variable speed technology. Not only is it better at maintaining a constant temperature, newer models also can produce even heating, better humidity control and provide better air flow than older systems. 

2. Longer Life Expectancy

Newer systems can typically last longer than older systems because they minimize on and off cycle. In addition, with proper maintenance, they also do not require as many repairs. 

3. Better Resell Value

When looking for a home, prospective home buyers will look at the home's current HVAC system. They will look at the quality of the home's HVAC system and how much it would cost them to operate it, which includes energy bills and cost of repairs/maintenance. Home buyers could look at older systems as something that will need to eventually be upgraded, which means more money out of their pocket. 

4. Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are now standard with new HVAC systems. These thermostats can help save you money and control the temperature in your home. If you are away from your home often, programmable thermostats can help you as you can set the temperature in your home during certain times of the day. 

5. Better Air Quality  

New HVAC systems can help improve your home's indoor air quality. Many old systems cannot meet today's air quality standards. Poor air quality contributes to many different health issues like asthma, allergies and respiratory issues. 

6. Lower Energy Use

Not only do older systems have lower air quality standards, they also are not as energy efficient. Older HVAC systems waste energy cycling on and off. New systems with variable speed technology run longer at a lower power and minimize the on and off cycle, which helps you save money. If you are looking for an energy efficient system, make sure you purchase one that is Energy Star Qualified. 

7. Less Noise

New systems are made with high-tech, sound absorbing material. This makes the operating noise almost non-existent, so your HVAC is felt, but not heard. 

8. Better Air Flow

Variable speed technology makes sure there is constant air flow. This helps ensure there is no mold growing, removes impurities in the air and creates a more comfortable environment.  

9. Environmentally Friendly

Newer, high-efficiency systems use one-third less fuel than the older models. This means less waste and better conservation of national resources.

Upgrade Your HVAC System With Royal Heating & Air

At Royal Heating & Air, we can help with all your HVAC needs including preventative maintenance, repairs and installing new units. Make sure your air conditioner is working properly by having a professional HVAC technician at the Lake of the Ozarks do regular maintenance. However, when it is time to upgrade, call Royal Heating & Air at 573-480-4313 and we can help you install your new system. 

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com
CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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