Spring is in the Air… Literally

It’s finally starting to feel like spring at the Lake of the Ozarks. The weather is beginning to warm up, flowers are blooming, and we are finally able to open up our homes. The downside to spring? Spring allergens and pollutants are out in full force. Spring allergens can enter your home in many different ways, and Royal Heating & Air knows how important it is to keep your home free of these pollutants. To help prevent spring allergens from taking over your home, the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has a few helpful tips.

Help Prevent Spring Allergies

One of the best ways to reduce the effects of spring allergies is to make sure that your HVAC system is well maintained and ready for the warm weather ahead. When your HVAC is working properly, it is constantly recycling and filtering out contaminated air. The better your filtration system, the cleaner the air will be. This is why it’s important to stay up to date on changing your air filter, especially during heavy use months.

Use Proper Furnace Filters

One of the most important things you should do is replace your air filter. It’s important to get the highest rating air filter that will work with your HVAC system. Think of your air filter as the first line of defense between your home and the air that you breathe. During the warmer months, especially during spring, you should check your filter every 30 days. A dirty air filter not only worsens your indoor air quality, but it restricts airflow which can cause other issues.

Get Rid of Debris

Spring is a great time to check the area around your outdoor unit. You will want to make sure the surrounding area is clean of debris, leaves, tree limbs, and dirt and dust. When your outdoor unit is clean and clear, it will help with energy efficiency and help prevent any problems. You should also check the area around your indoor system. Make sure there’s no built-up dust or debris. The best way to check your indoor HVAC system? Give the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call. We can check your system as well as the area around your system.

Clean Ducts and Return Vents

It’s a good idea to clean your home’s supply and return grilles twice a year. The best way to clean them is to vacuum around the vents first and then use a damp rag to wipe away any remaining dust and dirt. If you can unscrew and take off the grille, it’s best to do so and vacuum the inside. While cleaning these areas, it’s important to make sure there is nothing blocking the airflow. Things like rugs, furniture, and window treatments should not be blocking or covering any vents.

Schedule Your Spring HVAC Maintenance

It’s crucial to get your HVAC system serviced twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. When it comes to your spring maintenance, it’s important to not wait. You will want to schedule your AC maintenance before you will be depending on it. Don’t wait until the first heat wave hits to schedule your maintenance. You will want to make sure you can rely on your HVAC system to keep your home cool and comfortable. As the weather starts to get hotter, HVAC companies will be swamped with calls for service and maintenance.

Give Royal Heating & Air a Call

Before the weather really starts to warm up, now is a great time to schedule your spring HVAC maintenance. Having your HVAC system running properly will not only help with your energy efficiency, but it will help keep your indoor air clean and free or spring allergens and pollutants. Give the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call today! 

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

Facebook
Twitter

LinkedIn
Google+

The 411 On Air Filters

Most people know how important it is to regularly change your air filter. When it does come time to change the air filter, many homeowners often times 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. Royal Heating & Air knows that ill-fitting, overly restrictive or inefficient filters can increase your energy bill and produce poor air quality in your home. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to explain the different types of filters and which one might be best for your home and HVAC system.

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) Ratings

Before explaining the different type of air filters, understanding what the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings mean is important. The MERV ratings are the effectiveness of each air filter. It measures 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 potential 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 particles 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 are very similar 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.

Royal Heating & Air Can Help Keep Your Home Comfortable

If you are unsure which air filter is right for your home, the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks can help! Our expert technicians can help you decide which air filter is best for your home. Now is a great time to schedule your spring service check, give Royal Heating & Air a call. We can help keep your home comfortable all year long.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

Facebook

Twitter
LinkedIn
Google+

Save Energy This Spring

The weather is starting to change, plants are coming alive, and the birds are chirping. Spring is often looked at as a fresh start and a new beginning. You made it through the freezing cold winter and now it’s time to turn your attention to spring and the warmer months that are ahead. Royal Heating & Air knows that the start of each new season brings a new chance for homeowners to assess their home and the major components that make up their home. It’s also a great time to assess how much energy you are using. With the warmer weather ahead, now is a great time to make sure you’re saving money where you can. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has a few tips to help you save money on your energy bill this spring.

Ways To Save Money This Spring

Check Your Thermostat

As the season changes and the weather starts to warm up, you will want to take a look at the programming on your thermostat. During the winter months, setting your thermostat a few degrees lower than average will help save money on heating costs. The same idea is true for the warmer months. If you program your thermostat a few degrees higher than average, around 78 degrees, it will help you save money on cooling costs. The cooler you keep your house during the summer, the higher your energy bill will be.

Tip: Upgrade to a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat will adjust your home’s temperature when you are home and when you leave. This can also help you save money on your energy bill.

Ceiling Fans

A great cooling alternative would be a ceiling fan. When you run your ceiling fan along with your air conditioner, you can raise the temperature on the thermostat a few degrees and you won’t notice a change. Don’t forget to switch the direction of your ceiling fan. During the winter months, in order to force warm air down you will want to run the fan at a low speed in a clockwise direction. During the summer and warmer months, you will want to change the direction and run the fan at a counterclockwise direction to push cold air down.

Ventilation Is Necessary

Open your windows and screen doors! A lot of people focus only on the furnace or the air conditioner, but it’s extremely important to get the air inside of your home moving and to introduce fresh air. Air quality plays an important role in the health and well-being of you and your family, so open your windows when the weather is nice outside. This will also allow for a cool breeze to cool down your home. Spring is a great time to have your windows open. Not only are you introducing fresh air into your home, you’re also creating a cooling cross breeze and helping to save money on your energy bill.

Schedule Your Spring HVAC Maintenance

Getting your HVAC system serviced and maintained twice a year by Royal Heating & Air helps ensure that it’s performing at its best. When the summer months hit, HVAC companies are busier than ever. Don’t wait, give the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call and ensure that your HVAC system will be ready to take on the heat and humidity that comes along with the summer months.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

Facebook

Twitter
LinkedIn

Google+

Why You Need Custom Ductwork

Air ducts are the hidden factor that keeps your home at a comfortable level. Every time you use the furnace or air conditioner, air flows through the supply ducts and out through the return ducts. This means that the ducts running through your home are a vital component to your HVAC system. Royal Heating & Air knows that there are times where ducts are not properly installed or they are the wrong size for your home. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has information on how your home could benefit from custom air ducts.

Custom Sizes

When you have custom ductwork installed in your home, the technician will take into account your home's layout and size. Royal Heating & Air can design a system that's perfectly sized to give you all the heating and cooling that is needed without putting the added strain on your HVAC system.

Better Performance 

Custom ductwork can improve the performance of your HVAC system because it's specifically designed for your home. With custom sheet metal fabrication, you can enjoy direct, maximum airflow. They can also reduce temperature fluctuations and help maintain the same comfort levels in every room of your home. When Royal Heating & Air installs custom ductwork in your home, it can reduce air leaks and heat transfers so your home stays cool when you need it most.

More Efficient

Improperly sized ducts can lead to poor energy efficiency in your home. If you don't have custom ductwork in your home, you could have ducts that are improperly sized for your heating and cooling system. This leads to your AC unit and furnace working too hard to heat or cool your home. While regular maintenance could extend the life of your system, the extra strain from the poorly sized ductwork could affect the efficiency no matter how timely you are with the maintenance.

Peace Of Mind

One of the best things about having custom ductwork installed in your home is the peace of mind you will get knowing your home is well-maintained. While you may not be able to see your air ducts on a daily basis, when you have the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks install custom ductwork in your home, you'll know that it's the right fit for your home.

Custom Ductwork With Royal Heating & Air 

Custom ductwork is a smart investment that can offer homeowners several great benefits. If you are unsure about the condition of your current ductwork, give Royal Heating & Air a call. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks can take a look and give you a FREE estimate. Start seeing the benefits of custom sheet metal fabrication today!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn
Google+