Improve Your Home's Indoor Air Quality

The weather is slowly starting to change, the sun is staying up just a little bit longer, and spring is just around the corner. While we can’t wait for longer days and warmer weather, there are a few things that should be done to prepare your home for the change of seasons. Royal Heating & Air knows that spring is a great time to turn your attention to your indoor air quality. Flowers will be blooming, windows will be opening, and it’s important to make sure that pollen and other pollutants don’t find their way into your home. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has put together a list of some common indoor air pollutants and tips on how you can help improve your home’s indoor air quality.

Indoor Air Pollutants

Secondhand Smoke – Secondhand smoke contains many pollutants and can cause or worsen any respiratory illnesses and asthma.

Combustion Gases – Any fuel-burning process (heaters, gas stoves, fireplaces, water heaters, etc.) releases combustion pollutants into your air. If those pollutants are not vented properly, dangerous gases and particles can enter the home. This can cause a carbon monoxide buildup or other serious problems.

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) – VOCs are chemicals that are released from common household products and furnishings. This can include (and not limited to) things like: paints, air fresheners, cleaning supplies, and building materials.

Allergy/Asthma Triggers – This can include things like mold, dust, and pet dander.

Warning Signs Of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Cold and Flu Symptoms –

If multiple family members in your home are feeling sick, or have symptoms of a cold or the flu due to poor indoor air quality, you should consider cleaning your air and speaking with the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks for possible solutions.

Allergies or Asthma –

If you find yourself sneezing, or even coughing a lot, and it seems to get worse when you’re inside your home, it’s a good indication of poor indoor air quality. Somethings that could be triggering this include: dust, pollen, VOCs and pet dander.

Smells –

A great way to tell if you have poor indoor air quality is if smells linger for an extended period of time. If you can still smell dinner from the night before, you more than likely don’t have proper air exchange.

Always Cleaning –

If you find that you always have dust or dirt in your home, but you are always cleaning, you may have a dirty HVAC system that is spreading dust. Give the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call and we can clean your HVAC system and figure out if you need a new air filtration system.

Spring Is Around The Corner

Spring will be here before we know it so it’s important to schedule your spring HVAC maintenance with Royal Heating & Air. We spend a majority of our time indoors, so it’s important to focus on the quality of our air indoors. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks wants to make sure your home is ready for spring and the warmer weather. Give us a call today to see how we can help you. 

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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Reasons To Love Your HVAC System

Valentine’s Day is a day that is used to express your love to those close to you. While it’s something most people do every single day, Valentine’s Day gives you a reason to spoil your loved ones even more. What about something that means a lot to you and provides you with comfort all year long? Yes, Royal Heating & Air is talking about your HVAC unit. Your hardworking unit deserves a little love and appreciation. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has a few reasons as to why you should love your HVAC unit.

Maintains Your Health & Well-Being

Your HVAC system can greatly improve the quality of your home’s indoor air. They reduce the amount of allergens, dust, and pollen that is floating in the air. Without the clean filters in your HVAC system, your allergies would be more severe and your chances of getting sick would increase. Clean air means the air inside of your home is fresher and healthier for you and your family. With fewer pollutants and bacteria in the air, you can help prevent yourself from getting sick. While your HVAC unit provides you with clean and healthy air, it’s important to remember to change your air filters regularly. A dirty air filter makes your unit work harder and the quality of your home’s air decreases.

Keeps You Comfortable

This winter weather has been pretty rough. Imagine not having a properly functioning furnace to keep you and your family warm and comfortable. Sounds pretty awful, right? Now imagine not having an AC to keep you cool during the hot and humid summer. Yikes! Thanks to your HVAC system, you don’t have to worry about staying warm in the winter or cool in the summer. Your HVAC system works hard to keep you and your family comfortable all year long. A comfortable home creates a more pleasant environment for you and your loved ones.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Royal Heating & Air loves how energy efficient HVAC systems have become. Newer systems allow you to live comfortably year-round, but they also allow you to reduce your carbon footprint. These newer systems use less energy and fuel than traditional models. They also become more efficient when they are paired with a programmable or smart thermostat. A programmable thermostat gives you more control of the temperature in your home when no one is home. This is important because it saves you money and helps the environment.

Show Your HVAC Unit Some Love

It’s important to show your unit love all year. You can do this by scheduling routine maintenance with the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks and by regularly changing your air filter. The more love you show your HVAC unit, the longer it will keep your home comfortable. Spring is just around the corner, so it’s important to make sure you get your unit serviced before the warm weather is here. Give Royal Heating & Air a call to schedule your appointment!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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Alternative Heat Sources To Keep You Warm

During the winter and the extremely cold weather, we rely heavily on our furnaces and heat pumps to keep us warm. When they aren't working properly, you call the best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks. At Royal Heating & Air, we work hard to make sure you and your family are nice and warm all winter long. Even with a properly working furnace, it is always a good idea to have a backup heat source, such as a fireplace or a space heater, in case something unexpected occurs. The Lake of the Ozarks best HVAC repair company offers some tips to help keep you safe if you do need to use these alternative heat sources.

Never Use Items That Aren’t Intended For Heating

Experts advise against using a propane grill or kitchen oven to stay warm because materials in or near those devices could ignite and create a fire. While it may seem like a good idea to use your oven or grill for heat, these items are not intended to be a heating source. Cooking is a great way to add heat to your home, however, you shouldn't rely on it for an alternative heat source.

Carefully Inspect Space Heaters Before Use

Most space heaters are only used for a few months out of the year. Because of this, it is important to make sure that it is in good working condition before you start using it. Ensure the cord is not frayed and it is clean and free of any dust before plugging it in.

Keep An Eye On Space Heaters

While there are some devices that are safe to be left on while you're out, space heaters should never be left unattended, especially if you have kids or pets. It is also best to leave at least three feet of clearance between the device and any flammable material, such as plants, paper, bedding or curtains. Because of these issues, it may be better to pile on the blankets at night rather than run a space heater while you sleep. You may be tempted to have the space heater next to the bed at night, however, having a blanket or quilt fall off the bed or get too close to the heater could lead to a fire.

Regular Maintenance

If you have a wood or pellet stove or a fireplace, it is important to have them inspected annually. These inspections can help prevent fire hazards, such as an animal nesting in your chimney during the off-season. Having your chimney swept before the beginning of each season can help ensure it is in proper working order, as a professional can also spot the signs of other issues.

At Royal Heating & Air, our goal is to keep you and your family safe and warm all winter long. If your furnace or heat pump isn't working properly, call the Lake of the Ozarks best heating and cooling company. We will work hard to make sure your main heating source is up and running in no time!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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Your Local Furnace Experts

Investing in a furnace is a big decision and the last thing we want to think about is it not lasting forever. Unfortunately, everything has an expiration date. When something is as important, or expensive as a furnace, Royal Heating & Air knows that extending its lifespan is both beneficial and important. If you don’t know the expected lifespan of your furnace, or what you can do to help it last longer, the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has some great information for you. If your furnace is nearing the end, or needs service or repair, give Royal Heating & Air a call!

How Long Will Your Furnace Last?

This is probably a question that almost everyone asks and we understand! A furnace is a big investment, so it’s important to know how long it will last. The answer to this question isn’t the same for everyone, there are many factors that are in play. The average lifespan of a typical gas furnace is around 15-30 years. Your furnace should last at least 15 years if you get your yearly furnace maintenance done.

Factors that affect the lifespan of your furnace:

Make and model of your furnace – newer systems have a longer lifespan than older units.

Furnace maintenance – the frequency and the quality of your furnace maintenance will affect how long your furnace will last. To keep your system clean and running smoothly, and to maintain manufacturer’s warranties, it’s important to schedule fall furnace maintenance every year from the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Proper ventilation and moisture levels – too much moisture can cause heater components to rust and can cause premature breakdowns. Excess moisture is also harmful to the heat exchanger.

Proper installation – according to Energy Star, over half of all new HVAC systems are improperly installed. This can reduce efficiency levels up to 30%, can cause premature breakdowns, and insufficient air distribution. Installation day is your furnace’s most important day.

Do You Need To Replace Your Furnace?

When it comes to the lifespan of your furnace, there are too many factors to know how long it will truly last. It’s always important to speak to a professional to determine if you need to replace your furnace or not. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, you may experience greater savings in the long run by replacing your furnace rather than continuing to spend money on repairs. Older furnaces also tend to be inefficient and can cost a lot of money in operating costs.

Tip: follow the 50% Rule when you’re deciding whether to repair or replace something. If the repair is over 50% of the cost for a full replacement, go with the replacement.

Life Expectancies

Here are the life expectancies for common heating systems sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Furnaces: 15-30 years

Heat Pumps: 15 years

Boilers: 15-30 years

Electric Heating: 20+ years

Tips To Improve The Lifespan of Your Unit

Annual maintenance – professional maintenance, twice a year, is vital to extending the lifespan of your furnace. Annual tune-ups will help ensure that your system and all of its pieces are operating as they should be. A unit that is well-maintained will last longer than a system that is not.

Use – a unit that is used often is more likely to wear down faster. Systems that are used often should be maintained often in order to help extend the lifespan of the unit.

Clean filters – during the winter months, when we rely heavily on our furnace, the filters should be changed monthly. When a filter is dirty, it restricts the air flow. This air flow restriction can lead to overheating and even damage to the heat exchanger and other parts of the unit.

Your Furnace Experts 

Royal Heating & Air knows that a furnace is a big investment and it’s important to get the most out of your unit. If you need to schedule a winter tune-up, give the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call. We can help make sure you and your family stay warm all winter long.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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