Thursday, December 28, 2017

Furnace Features That Help Protect Your Home

The first snow has fallen and the temperature has dropped to single digits. Furnaces and heating devices of all types will be running to keep your home comfortable and warm. If you're having a new gas furnace installed, it’s important to remember that with any gas installation comes the risk of overheating, gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning. Modern furnaces not only run more efficiently than ever before, but they also come equipped with advanced safety features that make these issues very rare. At Royal Heating& Air, we want to make sure when we install a furnace, you have all your questions answered. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has some of the key safety features that you will find in furnaces that help protect your home from any gas related issues. 


Limit Switch


The limit switch is programmed to switch off the furnace if it is at risk of overheating. Before the limit switch was installed, this would have meant an explosion, however, limit switches have kept this from becoming a fear. Some modern limit switches are combined with the fan switch, so if the fan failed to turn on, the furnace will not overheat.  

Air Pressure Switch


In newer furnaces, there is an additional blower that helps ventilate byproducts of combustion, such as carbon monoxide, away from the home and through the flue. If there is not enough air pressure moving through the flue, the unit will shut down as the air pressure switch signals the control board to do so. 

Flame Sensor


The flame sensor is one of the most important parts in preventing gas leaks. This sensor detects when there is no longer a flame at the burner, and shuts off the gas after a certain amount of time. In older furnaces, this was called the thermocouple. 

Thermocouple


In older furnaces with traditional pilot lights, the thermocouple is a safety device that checks whether or not the pilot light is burning properly. The thermocouple is connected to the gas valve that leads to the pilot light and has a sensor that detects heat from the burning flame. If the flame goes out or is burning weakly, the thermocouple shuts off the gas supply to the pilot light in order to prevent gas from leaking into other parts of your furnace. 

Carbon Monoxide Detectors


Although carbon monoxide detectors are not part of your furnace, they're closely linked to the safety of your furnace, because they warn you if your system has a carbon monoxide leak. Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems offers an alarm that uses sophisticated electronics and unmated sensor technology to detect the CO levels in your home. 

Keeping You Warm & Safe 


At RoyalHeating & Air, our goal is to keep you warm all winter long. However, when it comes to running a gas furnace, there are risks of overheating and gas leaks. Luckily, modern furnaces run more efficiently than ever before and come with advanced safety features that make these safety issues very rare. If you need to make sure your furnace won't run into any of these issues, or if you need to update your existing furnace, contact the best heating andcooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks. We can help make your furnace run smoothly all winter long! 


Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313




Thursday, December 21, 2017

HVAC Tips For A Very Merry Christmas

It’s that time of year again! Your HVAC unit is working hard to make sure you and your family are warm and cozy this holiday season. Ensuring that your HVAC system is in excellent condition and is prepared for the holidays is important whether you are hosting a holiday party or you’re just enjoying the day with your loved ones. The weather forecast for Christmas is looking chilly, and Royal Heating & Air wants to make sure that your home is ready no matter what your plans consist of. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has put together a list of 5 HVAC tips to help get you through the holiday season. Don’t forget, if you haven’t had your furnace tune-up, now is the time! Make sure your furnace is ready for the cold weather ahead.


Change the Air Filter


It’s a good idea to check your systems air filter about once a month and change as necessary. Every home is different, so how often you change your filter will be unique to your home. A clogged and dirty air filter can make your HVAC system work harder than it needs to. This makes it more difficult for your system to produce the heat that is necessary. A severely clogged filter can even become a fire hazard.

Be Aware of the Vents


Air vents should never be covered up, even if they are located beneath windows where window coverings and couches are regularly placed. When moving any furniture around to make room for your Christmas decorations, or to create extra space for guests, you should always be aware of floor, wall, and ceiling vents.

Find A Safe Place for Your Christmas Tree


It is important to find a place for your Christmas tree that is far away from any heating source. Putting a tree too close to a heat source not only dries out the tree faster, but it also creates a fire risk. You should also routinely water your tree to keep it from drying out.


Clean Up Any Needles


Pine needles can make their way just about anywhere, including air vents. If needles are dropping from your tree, it’s important to clean up around your tree every few days. Not only does it help keep your home tidy, but it also helps to keep any pine needles out of your vents.

Make Use of Alternative Heating Sources


Make your home nice and cozy by using alternative heat sources to give your HVAC system a bit of a break. If you have a fireplace, get cozy and have a movie night in front of the fireplace. Test out new holiday cookie recipes and use the stove top and oven to create some heat while also filling up on delicious holiday treats. While using your stove to cook can help generate some heat, just remember to never use your stove as a heat source to heat your home. 

Merry Christmas From Royal Heating & Air


Happy Holidays from Lake of the Ozarks' best HVAC repair company! If your home isn't feeling cozy this holiday season, call Royal Heating & Air at 573-480-4313. With the cold winter season in full swing, it is important to keep your furnace in tip-top shape. If your furnace fails, don't forget we also offer 24/7 emergency service. Merry Christmas from the team at Royal Heating & Air!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313











Friday, December 15, 2017

Is Your Furnace Making Loud Noises?

The colder weather means that furnaces will be on and in overdrive. If your furnace is making loud noises, noises you aren’t used to, it’s important that you pinpoint where that sound is coming from in hopes of solving the issue. Royal Heating & Air knows that noise can indicate a much more serious problem or there could even be damage to your unit. There are many different parts that could create those noises, each part creates a different noise. Noises coming from your furnace should never be ignored. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has a breakdown of the different noises and what you could do to fix it.

Loud Furnace Causes


Blower Motor
If your furnace makes a loud screeching or rattling sound when you turn it on, then the bearings in the blower motor, or even the blower motor itself, could be to blame. The blower motor is what forces the warm air out of the furnace and into the air ducts. The blower motor needs routine lubrication and often a specific kind to upkeep function over time. If this is not done, the fan could seize up which can cause a loud noise and an expensive repair bill. It’s best to contact a professional technician for a proper inspection, oiling, and any other maintenance.

Loose or Damaged Blower Belt
If your furnace has a belt-driven motor, you might hear a squealing sound if the blower belt becomes loose. The squealing can also be caused from shaft bearings and other moving parts that have become dry. During your tune-up, a professional technician lubricates moving furnace parts in order to keep your furnace running smoothly all winter long.

Blower Wheel
Loud clanking that sounds like metal-against-metal, is the sign of a serious problem with the furnace’s blower wheel. The blower fan has most likely become loose and is creating the sound by hitting against the blower house casing. This sound needs to be addressed right away. When you hear this sound, it’s important you turn off the furnace immediately and contact a professional HVAC technician from a complete inspection.

Dirty Burners
If you hear a loud bang when you turn your furnace on, chances are your furnace has dirty burners that need to be cleaned. Dirty burners are dangerous because they can delay the ignition. When the ignition is delayed, gas builds up and “explodes” when the ignition is turned on. Annual inspections, as well as cleanings, will help prevent this from happening. 

The other cause of a loud bang that is felt throughout the home is caused by an unbalanced air-to-fuel ration. In order to work properly, your furnace needs a proper mixture of air and gas. If there’s too much air and not enough gas, gas can build up resulting in a loud booming sound.

A thud sound could also be the metal air ducts expanding and contracting as the temperature changes. This is completely normal and does not indicate any damage to the furnace.

Common Furnace Noises
  • Metal against metal
  • Loud scraping
  • Screeching
  • Rattling
  • Humming
  • Boom or bang
  • Rumbling

You should never ignore any of these noises coming from your furnace. Contact Royal Heating & Air as soon as you notice any of those noises. It’s important to schedule your annual furnace maintenance at the beginning of every heating season. This will help keep your furnace safe and running smoothly all year long. If your furnace still needs its cold weather 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










Friday, December 8, 2017

Prepare Your Home For Winter Vacation Part 2

December is in full swing and winter vacations are at the top of some people’s priority list. We don’t blame you! But making sure your home and HVAC system are prepared for your vacation should also be at the top of your priority list. In last week’s blog, Royal Heating & Air started a list of tips to help keep your HVAC system and home safe while you’re away. This week, the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks is finishing up that list. Check out the rest of the list below!


Trim Any Plants and Make Sure the Area Around Outdoor Heat Pump Is Clear


If you have plants or leaves encroaching on your unit, this can not only limit the airflow, but it can cause clogs or other problems. It’s important that you clear away any debris and trim back plants and bushes from the unit. You should always maintain a 3-foot clearance around the unit to ensure proper airflow.

Install a Humidification System


A humidification system will automatically detect humidity problems and add or remove moisture to get your home back into the ideal humidity range.

Make Sure Your Home is Protected from Bad Weather


Will your home be able to protect itself from freezing temperatures while you’re away on vacation? It’s important to prevent frozen pipes, especially while you’re gone. If water does freeze inside a pipe, it will expand and block that pipe. This will increase the water pressure throughout the rest of the home, and eventually, that pipe will burst. You can account for this by running a faucet with a drop during those cold nights. Moving water does not freeze as easily. 

Clean Your Home


When you’re preparing for vacation, cleaning your home may be the last thing on your priority list. Trust us, we get it! But cleaning your home before you leave has a positive impact. No one wants to come home from vacation to a dirty home. You’ll be exhausted from traveling and the last thing you’ll want to do when you finally get home is clean. Cleaning your home before you leave not only reduces your stress, it is also good for your indoor air quality. Your home will be sitting dormant while you’re gone, and that means that dust and other debris can accumulate.

Airborne contaminants develop without proper ventilation, which leads to irritation of respiratory conditions and excessive sneezing. You can reduce the amount of dust pollutants in your home by vacuuming the carpets, doing the dishes, dusting, and replacing your air filter.

You should also unplug kitchen appliances, turn your thermostat down between 50 and 60 degrees, throw any food that may expire out, and have someone occasionally check on your home. It’s also important to hold your mail. One of the surest signs that someone is on vacation is a stack of mail or newspapers. Your local post office can put your mail on hold so you don’t have an overflowing mailbox when you return.

 Unplug Devices and Turn Off Power Strips


If you haven’t heard about standby energy loss, then it may be a surprise to you that anything plugged into your outlets still draws power even when it’s not “on” or it’s not in use. Don’t just turn things like your toaster and TVs off. You should unplug all of your electronics and appliances when leaving home for an extended period of time. If you don’t have a whole-home surge protector, anything plugged into your outlets is at risk of damage from an electrical surge. It’s better to be on the safe side and unplug before leaving for vacation.

Royal Heating & Air hopes these tips help you prepare for your holiday vacation! If you haven’t scheduled your furnace maintenance, don’t get left out in the cold. Give the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call. Whether you need maintenance or a replacement, we can help! 

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313









Friday, December 1, 2017

Prepare Your Home For Winter Vacation

Now that Thanksgiving is over, most people turn their focus to December and the upcoming holiday season. This is a time when many people take a winter trip or a vacation. Royal Heating & Air knows that this time of year is great, but for some, it can also be a time when disaster strikes. Whether it’s a weather-related disaster, home break-in or your furnace goes out, it’s important to be as prepared as possible. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has some tips to help keep your HVAC system and your home safe while you’re away.


Ensure Your Heating System is Working Properly


If you haven’t scheduled your annual fall furnace maintenance this fall or winter, it’s important to schedule an appointment before you leave for your trip. If you have already completed your fall tune-up, you should check that your furnace or heating system is working properly. You can do this by checking the furnace pilot light, the air filter, thermostat, and any other items to make sure they are in proper working condition. Checking your furnace or heating system before you leave will help give you peace of mind while you’re away.

Clean Area Around Indoor Air Handling Unit


There should be a minimum 3-foot clearance around your indoor air handling unit. Make sure that anything that is flammable, or that can burn, is far away from the unit. Clear away your storage and any other items from around the HVAC system.

Don’t Turn Your HVAC System Off


High or low humidity mixed with hot or cold air can cause problems within your home. When you go on vacation, don’t turn the HVAC system off, just lower the thermostat to a more reasonable temperature. If you have certain possessions like art, furniture, and other sensitive items, you should keep your HVAC system set no lower than 55 degrees to help protect these items. It’s a good idea to set your thermostat around 5 to 10 degrees lower than normal while you are on vacation.

Replace Air Filter


You should clean or replace the air filter before you leave for your vacation. Your HVAC system will still come on (periodically) to keep the temperature and humidity levels from damaging your home and possessions. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure that your air filter will last the whole time you are gone.

Set Water Heater to “Vacation Mode”


The last thing you want to do is to keep a huge tank of hot water sitting while nobody is home to use it. You should turn off the water heater, set it to “vacation”, or if you have the traditional tank you can lower the temperature.

This is just the beginning of our list when it comes to preparing your home and HVAC system for your winter vacation. Next week, Royal Heating & Air will finish the list so your home will be fully prepared. If you haven’t scheduled your fall furnace 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