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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5 Ways To Ensure Your AC Unit Will Last All Summer Long

Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner, which means many people will be visiting their home at the Lake of the Ozarks for the first time this year. There is nothing worse than arriving at your vacation home to find out your HVAC system has failed. Don't let this happen to you! Lake of the Ozarks' best heating and cooling company has five tips to make sure your AC unit won't fail on you this summer.

1. Keep outside unit clear of debris. During the fall and winter, leaves, twigs and other debris may have gotten stuck in and around your AC unit. Before the season really kicks into high gear, make sure your AC unit is clear of any debris. In addition, make sure you clear away lawn clippings after doing any yard work.

2. Check the air filter. While you may not have to change it every time, it's best to check the air filters at least once a month. If you have pets, children or smoke, you may need to change it more often. When the air filter is dirty, it makes your AC unit work harder, which could cause it to break down.

3. Clean the vents. Just like a dirty air filter, having dirty vents could also cause the AC unit to work overtime. Cleaning your vents isn't something you need to do on a regular basis, but it's a good idea to clean them at least twice a year. However, just like with the air filter, under certain circumstances, you may need to have your air vents professionally cleaned more often. When you have your air vents cleaned, you'll see a difference not only in the performance of your HVAC system, but also with the quality of your home's indoor air.

4. Seal up your home. No matter the season, it's a good idea to ensure your home is properly sealed. During the winter, it will help keep your home nice and cozy warm, while in the summer, it will help keep the cold are inside. Check all the window and door frames in your home. Take caulk and seal up any areas where you can feel a breeze. In addition to checking the frames, make sure the weather stripping along the bottom of your doors are intact.

5. Call "The King of Comfort." The best way to ensure your home's AC unit will last all summer long is to call Lake of the Ozarks' best heating and cooling company. It's important to get your AC unit serviced to ensure it's working properly at the beginning of the season. While your unit may turn on and work, there could be an internal issue you're not aware of that could cause it to break down. Royal Heating & Air can ensure the AC unit's coils are clean and everything is working properly. Don't spend the summer worrying about your AC unit and call the best HVAC repair company at the Lake of the Ozarks 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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Natural Ways To Reduce Humidity In Your Home

Summer is just around the corner and you may already be feeling some of the effects. One of those may be the increase in humidity. With the warm weather we are getting here at the Lake, plus the recent storms, the humidity levels are inching up, and they will only continue to increase. If your home is feeling a bit muggy, Royal Heating & Air has a few tips to help you feel more comfortable.

Why Humidity Is Bad For Your Home

Your home's humidity levels should be around 30 - 50 percent for optimum comfort. When the humidity in your home begins to increase, it starts to get uncomfortable and things can begin to happen in your home.

- Your hair begins to frizz, which isn't a huge deal, but it can become hard to manage.

- Your home will feel hotter. Even when you have your AC set to a comfortable level, when your home has too much moisture, it won't feel that way.

- In addition to your home feeling hot, it will also feel wet. Your sweat won't be able to cool you off because it won't be able to evaporate.

- You may experience sleep problems.

- Mold spores will begin to grow and spread, which could cause health issues.

- Wood will begin to swell and doors can become stuck.

- Your pets will begin to smell. While this isn't a huge deal, nobody wants a stinky pet, especially when it can be prevented!

- Rust and oxidation can occur and when the humidity is high it can speed up the process.

How To Get Rid Of Humidity

- Ventilate. Ventilation in your home will increase the air flow, which can reduce the humidity levels.

- Fix leaky pipes. Check the pipes in your home and fix any leaky ones you may find. In addition, it's also best to remove any condensation from hot or cold pipes with insulation.

- Use fans. Fans will help get the air moving in your home and help with evaporation.

- Change the air filter regularly. When your air filter is dirty, it slows down the air flow in your home, which could result in your home's humidity levels rising.

- Take shorter showers. Long hot showers produce extra steam, which increases the humidity.

- Install a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier offers soothing relief from high humidity and cooling costs. It draws excess moisture from your home's indoor air and lets you feel comfortable without over-cooling your home.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can feel more comfortable in your home, call the "King of Comfort" at 573-480-4313. Royal Heating & Air can help you with everything from preventative maintenance to complete furnace and air conditioning installations. The best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks can provide you with affordable, dependable and trustworthy service.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

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

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Be Prepared For Summer

With the weather getting warmer, now's the perfect time to contact your Lake of the Ozarks HVAC company for routine service. Manufactures recommend getting your heating and cooling systems serviced to ensure it's working at its optimum efficiency. At Royal Heating & Air, we recommend having your system checked twice per year - once in the spring and once in the fall. Servicing will help extend the life of your equipment, lower your utility bills and help provide consistent performance for your equipment. Nobody wants to get stuck on the hottest day of the year without air conditioning! Make sure your HVAC system is in tip top shape by having it serviced by Lake of the Ozarks' best heating & cooling company.

Importance of Preventative Maintenace

If you've turned on your air conditioning system for the season and it's working fine, you may think you don't need to have it serviced. However, AC units can continue to cool your home even if they have mechanical problems. There are many working parts that make up your cooling system. If one of these parts develop an issue, the problem will only get worse over time. It's possible for the other parts of your AC unit to run longer to make up for the malfunctioning part. This additional strain on your HVAC system can cause even more parts to break down.

When you call Royal Heating & Air to service your HVAC system, we can detect small and developing problems and address them before they become expensive or difficult to resolve. Preventative maintenance can also ensure your system is able to keep your home at a comfortable temperature no matter what the weather is like outside. When your HVAC system is working properly, it will run more efficiently, which can help decrease your heating and cooling costs.

When your HVAC system is properly maintained, it could help extend its life. Preventative maintenance helps reduce the wear and tear on your HVAC system, which means you shouldn't have to replace parts as often.

What Does Royal Heating & Air Do?

When you have Royal Heating & Air come to your home, we'll inspect your AC unit in the spring and your heater in the fall. During the spring service check, we will ensure you have enough coolant, the coils are clean and there are no leaks. If coolant is leaking or the coils are dirty, it's harder for your AC unit to cool your home. In addition, we will do a standard check of your thermostat to make sure it's accurately reading and keeping your home at the temperature you set it at. We will also ensure your air filters are clean and change them if necessary.

Royal Heating & Air recommends that your have your HVAC serviced at the Lake of the Ozarks twice per year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Preventative maintenance will help extend the life, lower your utility bills, and help provide consistent performance from your equipment. To schedule an appointment, contact us at (573) 480-4313 or (573) 346-8370.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

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

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Benefits of a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are quickly becoming the standard in new homes. Many homeowners that have switched from a manual thermostat to a programmable one are seeing the benefits in their home and their comfort. If you are thinking of installing one in your home, here are a few benefits you may experience brought to you by Royal Heating & Air.

Save Money On Utilities

One of the main benefits of installing a programmable thermostat is the amount of money you could save on your utilities. Programmable thermostats can help you reduce your energy usage, which in turn, can save you money on your utility bills. With a programmable thermostat, you don't have to keep your air conditioning or heat on high while you're away from home because you can create a schedule that follows your family's routine, which eases up on the energy usage when you're not home.

Maintain Constant Temperature

Programmable thermostats can help your home maintain a comfortable, consistent temperature. Instead of cranking up the AC during a heat wave, programmable thermostats can run at a constant level that keeps you and your family comfortable no matter the weather outside.

Spend Less Time Adjusting

With a manual thermostat, it can take some time to know what temperature it should be set at during the different times of the day. In addition, with a manual thermostat, you need to remember to readjust the temperature when you leave, when you come home, when you go to bed and when you wake up. That is if you even make the adjustments at all, which wastes energy. With a programmable thermostat, you could eliminate all of that time spent in front of the thermostat. Just set a schedule one time per season and then forget about it.

Increase Your Home's Efficiency

A programmable thermostat can help your HVAC system become more efficient. This can help your home reduce energy waste and reduce its workload, which could help extend the lifespan of your HVAC system.

Schedule Your Day 

A programmable thermostat can allow you to schedule out your day so your thermostat knows what temperature it should be set at throughout the different times of the day. Your thermostat can be set at a lower temperature when you're away at work or sleeping and it can be set at your preferred temperature right before you come home or wake up.

Take Advantage of Technology

Newer programmable thermostat come equipt with WiFi, which allows you to control your thermostat using your laptop, tablet and smartphone. This allows you to have control of your thermostat from virtually anywhere. If you're away on vacation, and you notice that there is an unseasonable warm or cool day back home, you can adjust the temperature of your home easily from your device.

Maximize Zoned Heating & Cooling 

Having your home zoned can help increase the energy efficiency of your property. When paired with a programmable thermostat, you can customize the temperature in each zone. No matter where you're at, your entire home can be set at a comfortable temperature.

Installing a programmable thermostat in your home is an easy task that can help you save money and feel more comfortable in your home no matter the season. If you would like to learn more about the different thermostats available, call the best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks at 573-480-4313. Royal Heating & Air can help you pick the right thermostat for your home and even help you install it.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

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

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