How To Choose The Best Air Filter For Your Home

When it's time to change the air filter, many homeowners go to the hardware store and pick whichever filter fits their return air duct. While this method tends to save time in the store, it may not be the best when it comes to choosing the right filter for your HVAC system's needs. Ill-fitting, overly restrictive or inefficient filters can run up your energy bill and produce poor air quality in your home. Royal Heating & Air is here to explain the different type of filters you may find the next time you go to change out the air filter on your HVAC system.

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) Ratings

Before explaining the different type of air filters, you need to learn about the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings. The MERV ratings are the effectiveness of the air filters. They measure the number of particles a filter can trap as compared to the total number of particles it's trying to filter.

The Best Filter For Your Home

You may think that the filter with the highest MERV rating would be the right one to choose. The higher efficiency one would be better than the lower efficiency, right? Unfortunately, that's not always the case. High-efficiency air filters can sometimes make your HVAC system less efficient because they block too much airflow. This means the system can't heat or cool enough air to control the temperature in your home correctly, resulting in your energy bills increasing and risking damage to your furnace due to overheating.

The best filter for your home is the one that removes the most pollutants from the air while allowing your HVAC system to perform at peak condition. Older HVAC systems, or those with leaky ducts, may need filters with lower MERV ratings.

Types of Filters

Fiberglass Filters

With a MERV rating between 1 and 4, fiberglass filters tend to have the lowest rating of all filters. They were originally developed to protect your heating and cooling equipment, not to improve your indoor air quality. They tend to only remove less than 10 percent of the air pollutants from your home. They are very thin and have a simple flat panel surface for trapping particle from the air.

Pleated Filters

Pleated filters tend to be very similar to fiberglass filters, however, they can remove around 45 percent of air pollutants from your home. They're comprised of folded sheets of cotton or polyester blend fabric. They're folded accordion-style so that more fabric surface can fit into a smaller area. The number of pleats per foot impacts the overall efficiency of the air filter. They're typically the most popular air filter due to their efficiency and their price range.

Disposable Electrostatic Filters

These filters typically have a MERV value of 10 or more, so they're very effective at decontaminating the air inside a home. They contain multiple layers of polyester blend materials framed by a polyester mesh. As air passes through the positively-charged outer material, the particulate matter becomes charged and is attracted to the negatively-charged inner material. It can trap all kinds of particles including mold and pollen. These filters work extremely well, however, they can be a bit on the pricey side.

Reusable Filters

These filters act very similarly to their disposable counterparts, however, they're usually framed in aluminum mesh and made of washable material. They're incredibly cost effective, as you only have to replace them every three to five years. However, it's important to wash them regularly to maximize their effectiveness. While they can have a MERV rating of 10 or more, they're not always reliable. If they're not fully dry when you replace them, they could grow mold and bacteria that is then circulated throughout your home. If you go with a reusable filter, it's important to check the MERV rating, clean it regularly and thoroughly dry it before replacing.

If you are unsure which air filter is right for your home, call Lake of the Ozarks' best heating and cooling company. Our expert technicians can help you decide which air filter is best for your home. Royal Heating & Air is happy to discuss your Lake of the Ozarks heating and cooling needs. Don't forget, now is the best time to have your HVAC system serviced. To schedule your spring service check, call 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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3 Things You Shouldn't Do With Your Thermostat

Heating and cooling your home makes up nearly 50 percent of your yearly utility bills. If you're looking to save a little bit on your bills, that would be the best place to start. Unfortunately, there are a few things regarding our thermostat that we do that could be wasting energy (and causing our utility bills to increase). Luckily, the best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks has three tips to keep in mind when dealing with your thermostat.

1. Heat Or Cool Your Home Too Fast

If you get home from work and your home is at 79 degrees, but you want it at 75 degrees, so you set it at 72 degrees to cool your home more quickly, you should think twice. You may think this helps your air conditioner work faster, however, it doesn't. It just makes your AC unit run longer to reach 72 degrees. This could actually result in your utility bills increasing, as the AC unit is running inefficiently.

2. Leaving The Thermostat At The Same Setting

If you set your thermostat at a specific temperature and never touch it, you could be wasting as much as $180 per year according to Energy Star. Instead, it's recommended to change the temperature setting whenever you leave your home for 8 hours or more. However, it's important not to change it dramatically, as this would cause your HVAC system to have to work harder to heat or cool your home once you return. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to remember to set your thermostat every time you leave. That's where a programmable thermostat can be handy. They can be programmed so it automatically makes the adjustments for you. There are even smart thermostats that can be controlled from your smartphone.

3. Changing Your Thermostat Too Much

A study conducted by GasNetworks found that people who micromanaged their thermostats use more energy than those that leave them alone for long periods of time. That's because constantly changing the set temperature on the thermostat causes the AC unit and the furnace to stop and start back up too much, which causes them to run inefficiently. If you have your thermostat set at 78 in the summer. Your AC unit will run until it reaches that point then shuts off. However, you realize you're still too hot, so you lower the thermostat a couple degrees. The AC unit must now immediately turn back on. Your AC unit and furnace should be running for longer, steadier times to save you money. It's similar to your car's MPG. You'll get better mileage on the highway rather than on streets with lots of stoplights.

If you remember these three things, it could help you save a little bit of money on your utility bills. If you need help with your HVAC system at the Lake of the Ozarks, Royal Heating & Air can help. Contact us 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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Spring Cleaning With Royal Heating & Air

Now that spring is in full swing, you are probably getting some spring cleaning accomplished. One thing you should make sure is on your list is your HVAC system. From cleaning the air vents to replacing the filters, Lake of the Ozarks' best heating and cooling company offers several things you should add to your spring cleaning list to ensure your HVAC system is ready for summer.

1. Replace the air filters. It's important to check the air filters once a month and replace as necessary. Your air filters clean the air that flows through your home by removing bacteria and other harmful particles. However, they will get dirty and filled with dust. When this happens, your HVAC system has to work hard to heat or cool the air in your home.

2. Clean the air vents. Air vents get dusty and dirty, which causes the HVAC system to work harder to push air through them. Regularly cleaning them is important not only for the functionality of your unit, but also for the health of your family. In addition, clean vents can help improve the quality of your indoor air.

3. Clean the air ducts. Just like the air vents and air filters, air ducts get dirty too. Air travels throughout your home through air ducts and the passageways to and from your HVAC system can get dusty. This causes your unit to work harder to intake and deliver cool or heated air throughout your home.

4. Inspect and if necessary, recaulk windows and doors. Take a look around your house and ensure that no air is escaping through the windows and doors. You may need to replace weatherstripping on the doors and recaulk around door frames and windows. This can help keep cool air in and warm air out this upcoming summer.

5. Get your HVAC system serviced. At Royal Heating & Air, we recommend to get your HVAC system serviced twice a year - once in the spring and once in the fall. We'll make sure that your unit is ready for the upcoming summer season. In addition, we'll make sure that your system is operating efficiently and not overworking or wasting energy.

If you need help getting your spring cleaning list checked off, call Royal Heating & Air at 573-480-4313. We can help you take care of all your heating and cooling at the Lake of the Ozarks. Make sure you're home is nice and cool this summer and call the King of Comfort!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

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

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What You Need To Know About Zoned HVAC Systems

Imagine if all the lights in your home were wired to a single light switch. You would have them turned off while you're asleep or away, but when you were home, every single light would be on in the house. That would be a huge waste of energy and the light bulbs would wear out and need to be replaced quickly. This is exactly how many homes are heated and cooled. Every room, whether they're being used or not, is heated or cooled equally. That of course, is unless your home is zoned. Royal Heating & Air takes a look at everything you need to know about zoned HVAC systems.

What Is Zoning?

Zoned HVAC systems allow the home to be divided into two or more separate zones. They allow the homeowner more control over the heating and cooling system and provide individual control of temperatures in each zone. For an example, you can keep the temperature lower in the kitchen and higher in the bedrooms. Typically, the home is divided into zones that have similar heating and cooling needs. Zoning doesn't affect the efficiency of an HVAC system, however, it does make the most efficient use of the system. On average, zoned systems could save homeowners up to 30 percent off their heating and cooling expenses. 

Benefits Of Zoned HVAC

In addition to lower energy costs, there are a couple other benefits homeowners can enjoy when they have their HVAC system zoned. 

Enhanced Comfort

When a home only has one thermostat, the temperatures in different rooms cannot be controlled separately. Often, a multi-level home has temperatures that not only vary from room to room, but also from level to level. There are many factors that affect a home's indoor temperature, such as shading, wind chill, high or cathedral ceilings, appliances and cooking. Zoning can help solve these problems by allowing each zone's thermostat to individually demand heating or cooling. The overall comfort of your home can be improved with zone thermostats reacting to individual changes in each room. 

Modern Convenience

Zoned systems offer the convenience of modern living. They can be set in one room without having to walk to another area of the house to change the temperature. In addition, you can also have a wall-mounted thermostat or a convenient remote for temperature control, fan speed control and even humidity control.

When Does Zoning Benefit A Home?

Many homes can benefit from installing an HVAC zoning system, but some homes that feature certain architectural features often see the biggest benefits. Some of these features include:

- High or cathedral ceilings

- Above garage room

- Many large windows

- Basement or attic living spaces

- Multi-level homes

For all your heating and cooling needs at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact the "King of Comfort" at 573-480-4313. Royal Heating & Air can help you with everything from preventative maintenance to complete HVAC system installations.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

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

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