Tuesday, July 26, 2016

The History of the "V" in HVAC

HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) is a big part of modern society. However, it wasn’t always such a vital part of life like it is today. Ventilation is an important part of indoor air quality. Without a constant supply of ventilation, contaminants generated indoors could lead to serious health issues. Your Lake of the Ozarks HVAC company has taken a look at the history of ventilation and how it became a part of the heating and cooling systems we use today.

The Need for Ventilation


Ancient Egyptians recognized the need for ventilation when they noticed that the stone carvers working inside had a higher amount of respiratory distress than those working outside. They attributed this to the higher amount of dust that was accumulated indoors. They realized they needed a way to ventilate the space they were working in, so they created air shafts to control the dust in the workspace.

The importance of clean air can also be dated back to the Ancient Romans. The earliest architect whose written records are known to exist is Vitruvius Pollio. He said that towns should be located “without marshes in the neighborhood, for when the morning breezes blow toward the town at sunrise, if they bring with them mists from marshes and, mingled with the mist, the poisonous breath of the creatures of the marshes to be wafted into the bodies of the inhabitants, they will make the site unhealthy.”  

The Importance of Ventilation and Health


When open fires for cooking and heating moved indoors, there needed to be a way for indoor ventilation. Smoke exited through cracks and holes in roofs. However, these early flues did not vent particularly well, as a large number of deaths were linked to carbon-monoxide inhalation. During the coal mining era in France around the 1500s, ventilating machines were created to improve the air quality in the mines. There was a series of fans with blades that directed fresh air into the shaft. This was also the time that chimneys were introduced to America from Europe.

Modern Ventilation


After the Industrial Revolution, ventilation technologies made major advancements. By 1866, the U.S. Capitol was equipped with ventilating fans. The U.S. deputy surgeon general published “The Principles of Ventilation and Heating and Their Practical Application” in 1884. This was a comprehensive text providing standards and specification for properly ventilating large public buildings. This publication was incorporated into numerous building codes from 1900 – 1920s. Soon after, ASHVE was introduced as the industry standard.

As more architects used mechanical ventilations in buildings, the cost of outdoor air ventilation came into question. It is preferred to minimize ventilation in cold, warm or dusty climates to conserve energy, cost or filtration. This led to ASHRAE, which reduced outdoor ventilation rates in 1981. In 2004, ASHRAE changed from space by space ventilation rate recommendations to include both an occupant-based contamination component and an area-based contamination component.

Cleaner Air with Royal Heating & Air


Ventilation is an important part of heating and cooling homes. If your home is not properly cooling during these summer months, call our Lake of the Ozarks HVAC maintenance company. Royal Heating & Air is a full-service, locally owned and operated HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks. We can help you with anything from preventative maintenance to a complete HVAC installation. Call 573-480-4313 today to see how Royal Heating & Air can help you.



Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"


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


Google+

Monday, July 18, 2016

How Extreme Weather Affects Your Indoor Air Quality

Extreme weather conditions have been popping up all over the U.S. in the last few years. From heat waves to hurricanes to floods, these all have an impact on the quality of the air in your home. Your Lake of the Ozarks’ HVAC company is here to inform you how extreme weather affects your home’s indoor air quality and how you can counteract it.

Environmental Change and Home Comfort


A lot has changed in the last 20 years. The global temperature has risen six-tenths of a degree and extreme weather in the United States has increased by 30 percent. From 1992 to 2014 there have been more than 6,600 major climate, weather and water disasters worldwide. Homes were built to withstand the environmental conditions of the time they were constructed. If your home is older, it may not be able to endure the current weather conditions.

In addition, your HVAC system is designed to function in a sealed indoor environment. When you use your AC, all of the air in your home will pass through it at some point, which means that your unit has a direct impact on your home’s comfort. The average U.S. citizen spends 90 percent of their time inside, so indoor air quality is important for everyone’s wellbeing.

Indoor Air Pollutants


With the recent climate changes, indoor air quality is more important now than ever. Pollen is one of the most common indoor air pollutants. With the rising global temperatures comes an earlier appearance of pollen. The warm weather shifted pollen patterns resulting in seasonal allergies being early. This last year, spring allergy sufferers may have noticed the sniffling a good month sooner than expected. Some areas are also experiencing weather changes that have led to conditions that favor the growth of mold and mildew - two other common indoor air pollutants. Improper air quality can result in headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, hypersensitivity and allergies, sinus congestion, coughing and sneezing, dizziness and nausea.

AC and Indoor Air Quality


People are using their air conditioning units more as temperatures increase. When the air is cooled, moisture is introduced, which causes humidity. Cooling the air causes moisture in the coils of the AC unit. If you don’t have a good filtration system, dust will build up, and wet dust will turn into mold. It is important to have filters that remove the dust from the air and that you change them regularly. You don’t want to be breathing in those pollutants.

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality with Royal Heating & Air


Keeping your HVAC system in good working condition is a significant part of improving the quality of your home’s air. A professional HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks can service your home’s HVAC system, which can help ensure your unit is working at its optimum efficiency. This can help extend your equipment’s life, lower your utility bills and help provide consistent performance from your equipment. Call Royal Heating & Air today at 573-480-4313 to see how we can help improve your home’s indoor air quality. 


Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"


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


Google+

Monday, July 11, 2016

Is Your AC Not Working? Try These Simple Fixes!

It is now mid-summer, and you are probably running your air conditioner frequently. The last thing you want to deal with during this heat wave is a broken AC unit. Before you call the best AC repair company at the Lake of the Ozarks, you may want to try a few simple fixes. Royal Heating & Air has created a list of things you can try if your AC isn’t working properly.

1. Check Your Thermostat


Double check the batteries, and make sure the thermostat is working properly. If your AC unit isn’t turning on, try turning the thermostat down 5 – 10 degrees to see if that helps. Sometimes your AC unit works fine, and the thermostat is the one that is acting up. Make sure you thoroughly read the manual and use the trouble shooting methods it suggests.

2. Clean the AC Unit


If your AC unit turns on, but it is not cooling properly go outside and see if the area around the unit is clean. Make sure there is no debris or weeds blocking the air circulation. Allow at least three feet of clear space around the AC unit. Check all spaces to make sure there are no nests being formed or leaves blocking anything.

3. Replace the Filter


Make sure the filter is clean. If it is not, replacing it may fix your issues. Royal Heating & Air suggests checking your filter every month and changing it as necessary. If you have pets, you may need to change your filter more frequently. If your system has a primary and secondary filter, do not forget to check both.

4. Replace Broken Fuses


Broken or blown fuses are often the cause of air conditioning units not working. Fixing these fuses is simple as standard sizes are available at local hardware stores.

5. Clean Air Ducts


Air ducts are prone to getting dusty and sometimes they get clogged, which restricts their ability to ventilate fresh air. Also, sometimes the seams in the ducts leak the cool air. If you come across any breaks, you may need to fill them with caulk.

6. Reset the AC Unit


Reset switches shut off the AC if there is a voltage issue. In many units, the switch is manual control, which means you need to push the button again to get the AC unit working again. Most reset switches are a red button that requires some effort to push.

Fix Your AC Unit with Royal Heating & Air


If all else fails, call the best AC repair company at the Lake of the Ozarks. Don’t wait until your AC unit is not working to do regular maintenance. Check your filters once a month and routinely make sure there is no debris surrounding the outside unit. If your unit needs professional repair, call Royal Heating & Air today at 573-480-4313.


Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"


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


Google+

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

When is it Time to Replace Your HVAC System?

Replacing vs. repairing your HVAC system is all a matter of how much money you are willing to invest, and where you want that money to go. However, there are a few telltale signs of when it is time to stop repairing your HVAC system and finally replace it. Royal Heating & Air is here to help you decide if you need to replace your HVAC system or continue repairing it.

Signs You Need to Replace


Is Your Heat Pump or AC more than 10 years old?
The average lifespan of an AC system can range between 15 and 20 years old. However, if your unit is more than 10 years old, the efficiency may have decreased significantly.

Does Your Unit Require Frequent Repairs?
Consider the condition of your current unit. How often does it require maintenance? If you are constantly repairing your unit, you should consider replacing.

Are Your Energy Bills Increasing?
Your HVAC system may be less efficient. Recent advancements in HVAC technology has greatly improved energy efficiency. If your current AC is more than 10 years old, you could benefit from replacing your unit.

Are Some Rooms in Your Home Too Hot or Too Cold?
There could be multiple reasons why this is happening. Improper equipment operation, duct problems or improper insulation could all be possible causes.

Does Your Home Have a Humidity Problem?
Just like with irregular room temperatures, there are multiple reasons for this problem. Poor equipment operation, inadequate equipment and leaky ductwork can cause humidity issues throughout your home.

Is Your HVAC System Noisy?
You could possibly have an improperly sized duct system or a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

Replace or Repair Your HVAC System with Royal Heating & Air


There are many factors that go into your decision of repairing or replacing your unit. Your Lake of the Ozarks’ HVAC company can help you no matter which way you decide to go. From preventative maintenance to complete furnace and air conditioning installations, Royal Heating & Air can provide you with affordable, dependable, trustworthy service. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks services all makes and models, and offers Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems.


Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"


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


Google+