Royal Heating & Air: October 2017

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Spooky Sounds Coming From Your Furnace

We may be near Halloween, but that doesn’t mean that your furnace should be making scary sounds. Whether the sounds are soft or loud, you’ll want to investigate. Royal Heating & Air knows that those weird and scary furnace sounds can be dangerous and can cause many problems. From bangs in the ductwork to whistling and humming while the blower runs, most furnace noises are pretty harmless. There are some more serious noises you should be aware of. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to highlight some scary furnace sounds you should never ignore.

Metal Against Metal

If you heard sounds that resemble scraping or clanking, your furnace’s blower wheel may be having issues. You should turn off your furnace immediately and wait until a professional HVAC technician can inspect your system.

The blower fan may be broken and need professional replacement.
The blower fan may have come loose and is now hitting the blower house casing. If the blower fan/wheel isn’t too damaged, then the repair should be quick and easy.
If the piece holding the motor and blower assembly together has broken, the whole assembly may have dropped and is now hitting the housing.

Loud Bang

If you hear a sound that resembles a gunshot when you turn on your furnace, you may have a gas build-up in the system. This is a sound you should never ignore. It could crack the heat exchanger, which is not only dangerous, but also expensive. If you hear this sound, you should turn your system off immediately and call a professional.

Dirty burners may have delayed the ignition – this causes gas to build up and “explode” when the ignition finally comes on. Annual fall furnace maintenance will take care of this problem since your technician will clean and inspect the burners.

Expanding and contracting ducts could have caused the loud bang – this sound is usually easily distinguished from a gas build-up “explosion”. This is a common problem that homeowners with central HVAC systems have to deal with.

Rumbling

A rumbling sound normally indicates a furnace that hasn’t been maintained in a while. This usually means dirty gas burners or a pilot light that needs to be adjusted. The furnace flame should be blue, which indicates a clean and efficient burn. It’s fine if there is a small yellow tip, but if your flame is any color but blue, contact your HVAC company right away.

Rattling

A rattling sound coming from the furnace can indicate a loose panel or a loose screw. Before you attempt to work on your furnace, make sure you turn off power at the source. Then, you can try tightening your panel with a screwdriver to see if that fixes the rattling sound. If it’s not a loose screw, it could indicate a leak or crack in your heat exchanger, which can be very serious. A faulty heat exchanger can leak dangerous carbon monoxide into the home. You should contact your local HVAC company right away if the rattling sound isn’t fixed by tightening a screw or two.

High-Pitched Squealing or Screeching

Squealing, whining and whistling noises aren’t as big of a deal as metal-against-metal and booming noises, but it’s still something you want to listen for.

If you have a belt-driven motor, loose, or damaged blower belts can cause a squealing or similar sound.
Shaft bearings and other moving parts may have become dry. Contact a professional technician to lubricate your moving furnace parts.

Most of these furnace noises are avoidable with regular fall furnace maintenance by Royal Heating & Air. If scary furnace sounds are keeping you awake, schedule a heating service with the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

Thursday, October 12, 2017

What You Need To Know About Your Air Conditioner

We use our air conditioners frequently, but how much do we know about these systems at a mechanical level. There are so many pieces that work together to seamlessly provide our homes with cool air whenever we need it. While homeowners don’t need to know exactly how air conditioners work, there are a few things they should know. Royal Heating & Air wants every homeowner to know how to care for their cooling system and how to ensure high efficiency and a long lifespan. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has the top 4 things you need to know about your air conditioner.

Regular Maintenance is a Must

When is the last time a professional stopped by to clean and inspect your air conditioning unit? Bi-annual maintenance is crucial for the safety and longevity of your HVAC system. Your unit should be looked at once in the spring and once in the fall. The spring check is for air conditioning and the fall check is for heating. Waiting until your system breaks down is inefficient and it can be dangerous. When you get routine maintenance, your technician will be able to identify any lurking issues and you can deal with the repairs before they become out of hand and costly. With regular professional maintenance, your air conditioner should last up to two decades.

Dirty Filter Kills Airflow and Efficiency

Air filters aren’t just for air quality, they help with airflow and efficiency. During months of heavy use, your air conditioner’s filter should be replaced monthly in order to keep your unit functioning properly. When the air filter becomes dirty, the system has to work harder to provide the same results. This overexertion can show in your utility bills. Would you want to pay more for your air conditioner’s poor performance? Check the filter’s minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV rating). The higher the rating, 1 to 12, the better filtration it provides. Once you get to MERV 14 and higher, you might need a professional modification to account for the larger filter size.

Compressor and Condenser Must Stay Clean and Clear

The condenser coil is located in the outdoor unit and is where refrigerant undergoes the process of returning from a gas to a liquid. A compressor raises the pressure of the refrigerant and moves it along. It works with a fan to complete the cycle. This is all happening in the outdoor condenser unit. It’s important to keep the outdoor unit clean and free from debris. You should check your unit monthly to ensure that no debris is stuck in the fins. Each side of the unit should be free of dirt, grass, leaves, branches, or anything else that can get stuck. 36 inches is a safe distance for anything near your outdoor unit. Make sure plants are trimmed back and nothing is stacked on top of the unit.

You Can Help Keep Your AC Unit Cool

While it’s your air conditioner’s job to keep your home cool, you can help the process. If the temperature in your home is super hot before you turn your unit on, it has to go into overdrive to bring down the temperature. By keeping any blinds and shades closed during the day, you help keep the indoor temperature down naturally and it gives your system a break. By keeping your unit from overworking, you can extend the life of your air conditioner. You can also help your air conditioner by sealing up any air leaks, improving insulation, and using ceiling or floor fans.

It’s important to know the basics about your HVAC unit. When we use something so frequently, we want to get the most out of it. Royal Heating & Air is here for all of your HVAC needs. 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

Friday, October 6, 2017

Fall Furnace Maintenance

The weather is starting to cool down and fall is officially here. Each season, there are different things homeowners need to do in order to ensure safety and comfort in their home. Royal Heating & Air is here to help you with these tasks. Get your home ready for the cold weather and holiday season by checking off these fall furnace maintenance tasks provided by the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks. These tasks will help ensure that your home will be safe and cozy this fall and winter.

Fall Furnace Maintenance

Schedule Furnace Maintenance

Your heating and cooling system should be checked twice a year. Once in the spring before the heat of summer, and once in the fall before the cold of winter. Heating systems, such as fireplaces and furnaces that aren’t routinely checked are not only inefficient, but they can be dangerous as well. The older your HVAC system, the more important routine checks are.

Also, many manufacturer’s warranties require regular annual tune-ups for their warranties to remain in effect.

When you schedule your professional service during the interim seasons, your system performs better and is able to withstand the daily usage that is necessary to keep your family comfortable and safe in the months with extreme weather. Think of your HVAC system like your car. You would never wait until your car breaks down to have it serviced. The same should go for your HVAC system. Your furnace or boiler needs annual tune-ups and it’s best to do it in the fall before the cold weather really hits.

DIY Furnace Maintenance

Professional maintenance once a year is important, but it’s also important to conduct some basic DIY maintenance of your own. Here are some common tasks you should be performing:

Clean and change the air filter every 30-60 days.

You should never wait more than 90 days to replace your filter. Clean air filters improve energy efficiency and improve airflow, they also help to clean and filter your indoor air. Because of this, it’s important to make sure the air filters are clean. You can usually find your filter in a pull-out access door near the front of the furnace.

Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors.

One way to save money on rising energy bills during the cold winter months is to ensure that your windows and doors have been properly sealed, weather-stripped, or caulked. By keeping the heat in and the cold out, your heater won’t have to work so hard to keep your home comfortable. Another thing you can add for extra insulation is shades or blinds.

Keep your vents and registers unobstructed and open.

Closing vents and registers can cause unnecessary buildup in your ductwork. This can cause duct leaks and other inefficiencies. Make sure there are no rugs, furniture, or any other objects blocking your vents.

DIY Furnace Safety

The number one danger of a failing heating system is a carbon monoxide leak. This is one reason why you should schedule heating maintenance early. Here are some ways to keep your family safe:

Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home and outside of each bedroom.

CO detectors should be installed just like smoke detectors; this means they should be installed in all of the major areas in your home. It’s also a good idea to test all of your CO and smoke detectors once a month.

Make sure there is nothing combustible within 6 inches of your ventilation pipe.

Periodically inspect your vent pipes to make sure there is nothing obstructing them, such as leaves, snow, or even bird nests. All fuel-burning systems need ventilation for proper safety.

Maintain a minimum 3-foot clearance around your furnace, fireplace, and other heat sources.

Keep the area around heaters unobstructed and free from any flammable items. You should also never store any paint, chemicals, gasoline or any other combustible material anywhere near your furnace.

We hope this list helps you and your fall furnace maintenance. Royal Heating & Air knows that annual professional maintenance will ensure that your home is safe and cozy this fall and winter. 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