How to Stay Cool Without Overloading the AC

Summer is a great time to be at the Lake of the Ozarks! Swimming, going out on the boat, and enjoy the bright summer sun. We can't wait! Summer also means high temperatures and lots of humidity. If you are looking for ways to cool the house without overworking the air conditioning this summer, Royal Heating & Air has the tips you need! Read on to learn more.

Fans are Your Friend!

Fans circulate the air in your home and can help make the air feel cooler more quickly. The air conditioning typically only moves air through the home when it is in the process of cooling it to the set temperature. Once that temperature is reached, the system will shut off. Using fans throughout the house can help keep the cooler air circulating and help the air conditioning unit not have to work as hard during the day. For an extra cooling affect, you can place a bowl of ice or an ice pack in front of the fan to help circulate cold air through the room. 

During the Day

Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

Have you ever noticed that the air is hotter next to a lamp or light fixture? That it because many common light bulbs give off a lot of heat and energy while they are on. Incandescent light bulbs are the number one culprit. Try using energy efficient light like LED bulbs instead. These don't emit as much heat as standard bulbs, so while they don't directly cool the house down, swapping them for hotter light bulbs can help lower the overall temperature in the house. 

Get Outside and Grill!

Every time you use the stove top or oven, a lot of heat is being released into the house. Your air conditioner will have to fight this heat all day, wasting a lot of energy. Instead of creating all that heat inside, use the grill and make your meals outside! Grilling is a fun activity that can also add a lot of flavor to your food.

Draw the Blinds 

We know it can be hard to shut out a beautifully sunny day, but closing the blinds on the windows can have a major impact on the temperature in your home. Without high-end energy efficient windows, a lot of heat can leak through the windows into your home. Using black-out curtains can help significantly with the amount of heat coming into the house. To get your daily dose of sunshine, take a walk, sip a lemonade on the porch, or enjoy time out on the water instead of letting it overheat your home.

At Night

Use Different Bedding 

In the winter, nothing feels better than curling up under fluffy, warm bedding and drifting off to sleep. But in the summer, it can be difficult to get comfortable and fall asleep when the bedding is too hot. It could be a good idea to have two different sets of bedding - one for the cold months and another for the warm seasons. Cotton sheets allow more airflow than other kinds of fabric like polyester or flannel. Bamboo sheets are also known to feel cooler and more comfortable when the ambient temperature is hotter. When purchasing summer bedding, make sure to look for fabrics and designs that advertise being breathable and light. Some brands will even have a recommended season printed on the packaging.

Open the Windows  

The Lake of the Ozarks is blessed by the Lake itself and the benefits it provides. Because of the large body of water, nights around the Lake tend to be cooler than they are when you are land-locked. Use this to your advantage and open up the windows over night to let in the cool air and cross-breeze. Just make sure you have an adequate security system to prevent intruders overnight, and don't forget to close the windows and blinds first thing in the morning before the temperature rises.

HVAC at the Lake of the Ozarks

To make sure your HVAC system isn't overworked or malfunctioning, call the best HVAC Company at the Lake of the Ozarks and we will be there for you! Royal Heating & Air has the experience and the know-how to get the job done quickly. For all your AC needs at the Lake, 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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Allergens, Mold, and Germs - Oh My!

Allergy season is in full swing! And with all the additional germs floating around, it's important to do everything you can to promote a clean and healthy environment at home. Royal Heating & Air is the best HVAC Company at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we have several years of experience with indoor air quality. There are a lot of ways to help keep the air clean and fresh during this season. Read on to learn how to keep allergens, mold, and germs at bay!

Allergens

When you suffer from allergies and asthma, spring can be a particularly frustrating season. As plants and flowers bloom, they release a significant amount of pollen into the air. This pollen can cause allergic reactions like itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, and headache.

Other allergens that could cause issues include dust and the accompanying dust mites. Dust causes inflammation in the respiratory system and can produce the same allergic reactions people get from pollen. Dust mites are tiny organisms that thrive in the dust in your home. They are living things that produce droppings, which can accumulate on the surfaces in your home.

Large amounts of pollen, dust, and dust mites inside the home can cause respiratory issues, even for people without allergies. If your body is dealing with inflammation and consistently trying to clear out allergens from your system, it could have a harder time fighting off other things trying to attack your system.

To help prevent accumulated allergens in the home, change the filters in your HVAC system regularly and make sure to clean the air ducts and units often. Call Royal Heating & Air to schedule a maintenance check for your HVAC system.

Mold 

Another source of respiratory concern is mold. Mold is not just something that grows on the forgotten vegetables in the back of your fridge. Environmental mold is present it very high quantities in Missouri, and can quickly find its way into your home. Mold can also grow from too much moisture in the home.

A great way to help prevent mold from growing due to extra moisture in your home, it can be a good idea to install and use a dehumidifier. This will reduce the moisture in your home during the humidity of spring and summer and help prevent mold growth.

Germs

There are a lot of germs floating around right now that could seriously threaten your health. Whether it's hitching a ride on the bottoms of your shoes, or riding in on your mail, germs could be getting into your home more easily than you realize.

Royal Heating & Air can install HVAC Ultra Violet Light Systems to help kill germs and improve air quality. UV light rays kill bacteria and viruses so they can't continue to grow and infect the house. Instead of using harsh chemicals in the air, you can utilize a UV light system to destroy pathogens in the air in your home. Because the light remains on 24/7, it is working to improve the air quality in your home at all times.

Cleaner Air with Royal Heating & Air

If you are serious about improving the air quality in your home, regularly change the air filters in your home, use a dehumidifier during the summer season, and install an HVAC UV light system. Give the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call at 573-480-4313 to learn more about how we can help and make an appointment for installation!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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How to Feel, See, Smell, and Hear HVAC Issues

Right now the temperature is bobbing back and forth between chilly low and summer-like highs, but soon summer will be in full swing, and your air conditioner will be working hard to keep the house cool and comfortable. Or will it? Could it be time to replace your air conditioning unit? Royal Heating & Air is the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we have the tips and information you need to make an informed decision about whether or not you need a new AC unit this season. Read on to learn more about how your senses can tell you if you need a new unit!

What You'll Feel - Bad Air Flow

If some rooms in the house have trouble keeping temperature, then it could mean your AC unit is having serious issues. If the air feels weak, warm, or completely absent, then your air conditioning unit is struggling to keep up and may need to be replaced. If you have trouble determining weather or not the temperature is different throughout the house based on feeling it yourself, there are tools that can help measure the ambient temperature coming out of the vents in your home. Pointing the detector at the vent will give you a read-out of the temperature of the air coming through it. If this number varies by more than a degree or two throughout the house, then there could be something wrong with your ductwork or the air conditioning unit itself.

What You'll See - Leaks and Moisture

Every air conditioning unit with have some kind of moisture or condensation, but it you see a lot of dripping and leaking, then it could be more than just condensation. It could be a refrigerant leak. If the Freon is leaking out of your unit, this could be very dangerous, as Freon is poisonous. If it's not a chemical, water leaking could also mean that there is a big issue with the unit. The condensation tube could be broken or leaking, causing water to run out of the unit. If you see too much moisture or a leak, call Royal Heating & Air to come check it out!

What You'll Smell - Bad Odor

Your air conditioning unit is not supposed to smell bad. If there is a bad odor coming from the unit, that could mean that there is mold growing inside the unit or ductwork. This is very unhealthy to have spreading throughout your home and in the air you breathe every day. Another bad smell that could be coming from your unit would be burning. If you sense a burnt smell, it could mean that there is something wrong with the wiring. If that is the case, call a professional HVAC company right away to come check on the unit.

What You'll Hear - Loud Noises

Air conditioning units normally make some level of noise as they kick in and cool your house. However, if you have noticed that the unit is suddenly much louder than normal, or if you hear unusual noises coming from the unit, it might be time to call your local HVAC technician to make sure everything is working properly. Noises like grinding, squeaking, and chattering are not normal and could mean there is a serious issue.

Other Important Clues:

High Energy Bills

If you have noticed that your energy bills have been increasing suddenly without using any more air conditioning than normal, it could mean that the unit's efficiency is suffering and that it's time for a replacement.

Constant Repairs

If it seems like you are constantly having to call for someone to come fix your unit, then it may mean it's time to get a new one altogether. Next time a technician comes by to fix an issue with your unit, ask their opinion on when they think it would be wise to replace the unit. It could save you money in the long-run.

Unit's Old Age

If your unit is between 15 and 20 years old, it could definitely be time for a replacement. Most units are designed to last in that range. So once it starts nearing 15 years, it might be time to consider replacing it. Particularly if you notice any of the other issues we've covered.

New AC at Lake of the Ozarks

Whether you decide to replace or repair your air conditioning unit, Royal Heating & Air is here for you. We are the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we pride ourselves on our professional, high-quality products and services. Give us a call for all your HVAC needs: 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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Save Energy & Money with These Tips!

If you are looking for a good way to potentially save energy and money this spring, look no further! Royal Heating & Air is the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we have you covered. Today we are talking about a few ways you can help your home HVAC system use less energy and cost less money. Read on to learn more!

Regular Maintenance

Furnaces and air conditioning units need regular maintenance in order to continue performing well and to stay efficient. Scheduling maintenance twice a year can help prevent major problems from flaring up down the road. Imagine something small is starting to go wrong or wear out on your system. You aren't aware of it, so the problem continues and gets worse month by month. Soon, you're noticing that the system is having a hard time keeping up. Before you know it, summer and all it's humid glory is here and your home feels like a sauna. Don't let that be you! Call Royal Heating & Air to come check out your HVAC system every spring and fall to make sure everything is good to go for the next season.

Use A Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats allow you to truly set it and forget it. You can program your system to change to specific, set temperatures during the day or night. This can allow your system to keep a schedule that could help the HVAC not have to work as hard all day. Remember to set the thermostat at the temperature which you feel comfortable. Setting it colder than what you prefer will not cool it off more quickly. It will only put a strain on your system and possible cause issues.

Upgrade HVAC System

If your home is operating on an old HVAC system, it could be slowing down and having a hard time keeping up. Not only that, but older systems also weren't designed with as many energy efficient technologies as they are today. New HVAC systems often have something called variable speed technology, which allows your HVAC to run longer at a lower power to minimize the amount of times it has to start up and try to play catch up with the temperature in the home. 

Take Advantage of the Weather

Right now is the perfect time to take advantage of the weather to help keep your home cool while saving money. Spring is a very temperate season without too many extreme highs and lows. Turn off the thermostat and open up the windows throughout the home and allow the spring air to flow through the house. This can help give your HVAC system a break, save you money on energy bills, and also allow fresh air into the home for better overall air quality. This can also be a great thing to try at night when the air is cooler. Just keep in mind that the weather may change and start raining, and always keep safety in mind when leaving windows open while you are sleeping.

Keep the Heat Out

During hotter days, it can be helpful to use black-out curtains and shades, or energy efficient windows to help prevent heat from flowing into the home. When the sun is beating down and the temperature is reaching toward 90, your HVAC system has to work harder to keep your home cool and comfortable. Blocking the radiating sunshine from coming into the house can help beat the heat.

HVAC Company at the Lake of the Ozarks

Royal Heating & Air cares about you and your home. We work hard to make sure you are comfortable and happy by providing expert repairs and installations for all your HVAC needs. Give us a call to schedule a maintenance check-up or for a consultation on installing a new system or programmable thermostat.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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