Thursday, April 28, 2022

Benefits of Investing in a Backup Generator

In the occurrence of a blackout, it is safe to have a back up generator as your backup source of power for your home. Depending on the size of your home it is important to make sure you choose the generator that best fits your needs. There are plenty of options to choose from, so do your research and make sure this is the investment that has enough control to power your home. Different kinds of backup generators can be used to power certain areas of your home like your appliances or to power your entire home. There are plenty of benefits to invest in a backup generator, one of which can keep your Royal Heat and Air HVAC system running.

Portable Generators VS. Standby Generators

Portable generators are normally fueled by gasoline or propane. These kinds require that you plug it in where you need it to power and do not need a professional to install it. To store, it is best to keep it at least 10 feet away to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Standby generators are also known as whole-house generators. At whole-house generator will automatically power your home when the power goes out. It will detect an outage and start up immediately without you having to plug it in. Standby generators are typically stored as an outside unit, similar to a HVAC system and initially require a professional installation.


Fast Acting

Backup generators can boot-up within a matter of seconds! Power outages can possibly last for several days if the utility company is also experiencing issues. It is nice to have the peace of mind that you have a backup source of power in these circumstances.

Preventing Costly Losses

Have you ever thought what you would do to save your food in your fridge or freezer if the electricity goes out? Refrigerators and freezers preserve your foods for long periods of time, except when the temperature drops from an electricity outage. Food can quickly spoil if not kept at these cold temperatures, leading to an expensive loss. Prevent even having to throw all of your food out with a back up generator that will keep your appliances going while you don’t have power.


Running Time

A standby generator can power as long as necessary and can be powered by natural gas or propane. Portable generators need to be refueled compared to a standby generator that doesn’t need refueling. A portable generator requires you have multiple generators depending on what appliances you need to keep powered.

Benefits of Protecting Your Home with a Backup Generator 

• During the bitter winter months, a backup power generator can prevent your pipes from freezing which can lead to bursting. 
• A backup generator can keep your heat or air conditioning systems running.
• Keeps your fridge and freezer on and prevents the waste of food.
• In the event of a natural disaster, a backup generator can keep your home running.

Hopefully, you understand the benefits of a backup generator and decide to invest in one. Your home has many appliances that require constant power to work, including heating and air conditioning systems. Make sure you choose a generator that can supply the proper amount of power to your HVAC system, fridge, freezer, or even your whole house.



Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"


Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com



CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313



Thursday, April 21, 2022

Air Conditioner History

We often take air conditioning for granted, as AC is present in most buildings and homes these days. It is interesting to look at how this system became what it is today. Air conditioners were once very unaffordable for middle-class people and took up so much room, that the unit itself needed a room! Luckily, we are living in a time where getting an AC unit installed near Lake of the Ozarks is an easy phone call away! Let’s dive into a brief overview of the history behind how the air conditioner came about. 


In the 1940s a Florida doctor, John Gorrie was inventing a cooling remedy to help fight diseases as well as make people feel comfortable. He would take blocks of ice from frozen lakes and streams to cool down hospital rooms. This would quickly get exhausting and is not feasible long-term. He then began experimenting with refrigeration and attempted to build a machine that would make ice using wind-powered sails or steam.  A patent was granted in 1851 for his ice-making machine. John was never able to see his invention come to fruition in the marketplace, as his financial backer died. But he did lay the foundation for air conditioning, modern-day. 

When was it invented?

There was a humidity problem in a Brooklyn publishing company, that damaged the magazine pages from all of the moisture in the air. Willis Carrier, worked at the Buffalo Forge Company and was given the task of solving this problem. He used cooling coils to humidify the air or dehumidify the air, getting this patented as his “Apparatus for Treating Air.” To humidify the air, he would heat water or dehumidify it by cooling water. He tested his methods with trial and error, eventually perfecting the technology. After finally building a system that could regulate the air, he left Buffalo Forge and started his own company. The air conditioning invention date was 1902 and credited to Carrier.

The term, “air conditioning”

In 1906, Stuart Cramer, was the first to come up with the term “air conditioning.” The first unit to be used in residential homes was installed in 1914. This machine was huge, seven feet high, six feet wide and twenty feet long…almost needing a room for itself. The first air conditioners ran for $10,000 to $50,000 then, now it would be equivalent to $120,000- $600,000.

What followed?

Within two years after Carrier’s invention, in 1904, workers at St. Louis World’s Fair used mechanical refrigeration to cool parts of the Missouri State building that housed fair experiences. The Ac machine cooled 35,000 feet of air per minute and gave people a peek into what this could look like in their homes for comfort. In the same year, theatres started using heating and cooling systems to force air through the floor vents. This did not go well, as the lower areas were way too cold, and the upper area was left with very hot and muggy air.

The Furnace

Benjamin Franklin invented the cast Franklin stove in 1742, that later turned into a furnace. Most homes were heated by wood-burning stoves in 1885. In 1935, the first forced-air furnace was introduced and used an electric fan to circulate the coal-heated air through the ducts. Soon after, gas and oil-fired versions all followed.

Modern Air Conditioners

Since 1947, air conditioners became much more compact and affordable. 43,000 systems were in use by 1947. By the 60s, most homes in the U.S. were built with central air. The electric air conditioner window units were affordable and came down in price. 

Air conditioning keeps us cool and comfortable nowadays as well as saves lives. Between 1960 and 2004 heat-related deaths were 80 percent lower than in the previous 59 years. 


Royal Heat and Air are here for all your HVAC needs, we get it right the first time! We offer installations, troubleshooting, maintenance, repairs, and any other HVAC-related requests. We show up on time and we offer preventative maintenance, furnace, and air conditioning repair, as well as new furnace and air conditioning installations. We are affordable, reliable, and provide unparalleled service. Our team of experienced HVAC technicians can service, and repair all makes and models of air conditioning systems and heating systems at Lake of the Ozarks. We hope we are your first thought this summer when you break out the AC units! If there are any weird noises or if you are unsure about how you set it up for summer, we are only a quick phone call away!



Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"


Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com



CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313



Thursday, April 14, 2022

Spring Air Conditioner Tune-Up Tips

There is nothing worse than coming home to a home that is hotter than the air outside! Do not wait until something goes wrong to call your AC technician at Lake of the Ozarks, MO. It is best to be proactive and get a spring tune-up to give your air conditioner a head start. A check-up and test will ensure everything is working properly and prolong the life of your AC systems.

An air conditioning tune-up saves you money by preventing breakdowns and repairs. Your best bet is to call your Royal Heating and Air technician or follow these tips to do it yourself.


Why is an Air Conditioner Tune-up Essential?

Just like any other machine, your AC system requires a similar service for it to run effectively. An annual tune-up is another essential thing you should put on your spring-cleaning checklist! Do not neglect your AC or you’ll eventually be left will a broken-down unit that is too far gone for any repairs. This would be an unfortunate situation in a hot summer month. Getting your air conditioning systems checked, allows for small issues to be addressed before much larger and more costly problems arise.

Utility bills also decrease when you keep your ac running efficiently. If the machine is not performing properly, it can waste energy and cause your bills to dramatically increase during the summer. Keeping on top of ac tune-ups will aid with extending the life of your air conditioner. Another benefit of a tune-up is that you’ll avoid costly replacements that are necessary before a complete breakdown. This will ensure your ac is running at maximum efficiency, saving you money on both power and future repairs. 

Differences Between a Tune-up and a Service Call

When calling to schedule a tune-up, people are often confused about what to ask for. An AC tune-up is performed proactively to ensure all the parts of your system are properly working. This is important to prevent a service call. A service call is when you’d call your technician if your system is completely broken. A service call is needed when you found there is already an existing problem that is affecting the ac system’s operation. The technician will diagnose and fix the issues. 

Summer is right around the corner, and it is time to get your air conditioner ready for the hot season! Here are some helpful tips:

Inspect the condenser coil: The condenser coil is a portion of the outdoor unit that removes heat from the refrigerant. Over time, dirt can build up on the surface which can hinder the coil from working properly. Eventually, this will cause the system to work harder than it was built to and will waste energy. Most coils can simply be rinsed off will a hose or power washer. 
Clean the Filter: This part is key in keeping your home cool! A dirty filter makes it hard for your unit to cool down the room. Check this filter once a month and replace it every three months. 
Clean the outside of the unit: Check that the outside of the unit is also clean from debris and dirt. Remove any leaves or other grimy objects that might have collected over the winter months. Follow up with spraying down with water for a final rinse.
Check the Refrigerant Levels: The levels need to be checked by a technician every year. This will ensure the levels aren’t too low and will prevent a leak or failure of the compressor. 

Schedule an AC Tune-up in Lake of the Ozarks, MO

Having a properly working air conditioning system can make all the difference in your home this summer. If you do not have a maintenance plan in place, now is a perfect time! Royal Heating and Air offer routine maintenance for air conditioning systems! Call today to schedule a technician for your air conditioning tune-up near Lake of the Ozarks, MO!


Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"


Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com



CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313



Thursday, April 7, 2022

Simple Mistakes at the Lake that Could Ruin the Weekend!

Royal Heating & Air has been at the Lake of the Ozarks for nearly 11 years, installing and servicing your HVAC systems with pride and joy! As lake locals, we have a few tips to share to make sure you don't make a mistake that ruins your weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks. Keep reading to learn all about it!


Sunscreen


Sunscreen is a super important thing to remember when you're visiting the Lake of the Ozarks. Even if you're not swimming in the lake, you're probably going to be spending a good amount of time outside in the sun. Make sure to choose a good sunscreen that is resistant to coming off from sweat or water and has an SPF of at least 50. (Pro Tip: Do not use banana-scented sunscreen if you're going to be on a boat. The smell will stick to the seats and attract critters like racoons that will tear up the seats looking for some tasty bananas!)

Water


Don't forget to make sure you have enough water when you're at the Lake of the Ozarks. It can get pretty hot and humid in the summer, and you're going to need the extra hydration. Traveling is already dehydrating to your body. When you add hot weather, direct sun, alcohol, saltier food, swimming, and maybe even hiking to that, you could end up getting pretty dehydrated. You may even experience overheating if you're not careful. A great way to make sure you have water is to pack your food coolers with frozen bottles of water. That way your lunch and snacks stay cold, and you'll have cold water to drink later in the day when your water bottle runs dry. 


Hats & Sunglasses... More Than One! 


Countless people lose their hats and their sunglasses when they're out on the water. Maybe the wind catches them just right or you accidentally drop them overboard. Whatever the reason, you're going to want to have some backups to protect your eyes from the sun glaring off the water. Pack a couple of cheap extras just in case!

Boater's License


In that state of Missouri, if you were born after January 1st of 1984, you must have a boater's license to operate watercraft. If you don't already have yours, then you can study for and take the test with Missouri's Official Online Boating Safety Course. Be sure to follow the rules of he water and stay safe out there! 

Explore! 


Sometimes it's easy to get stuck in a rut, always going the same places and ordering the same things. At the Lake of the Ozarks, there are so many things to explore! Don't get bored doing and eating the same things over and over. Check out the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau website to find new activities and places to explore! 


Get the Lake House Ready


One big mistake a lot of people make is not getting their lake house ready for summer. They come down ready to have a great time only to find that the house needs a lot of attention first. That's precious lake time being wasted! Instead of using part of your weekend to clean and prep the house, get experts to come take care of it for you NOW before the season even starts! You can find great cleaning companies, pest control services, and lawncare companies to make sure the house is all tidied up and clean before you even get there. Don't forget to schedule your favorite HVAC technicians! Royal Heating & Air can come out and inspect your HVAC system to make sure everything is working the way it should so you can enjoy a worry-free summer at the lake. Call today! 


Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"


Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com



CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313



Friday, April 1, 2022

How Much Do Windows Affect Home Comfort?

Windows serve a lot of important purposes in your home... natural light, fresh air flow, fire escape, etc. They can also cause a few issues that are less beneficial like temperature fluctuation. Royal Heating and Air cares about you and your family, and we work hard to make sure your HVAC system is working the way it should so your home is as safe and comfortable as possible. Keep reading to learn how windows affect the comfort and safety of your home, and how to make the most of your windows!



Natural Light


One of the biggest benefits of having a lot of windows in your home is how much beautiful natural light they let in. Natural light has been shown to be better for you than artificial light (incandescent, fluorescent, etc.) It can actually help boost your mood. That's why a lot of people tend to feel more sadness in the winter when there's very little sunlight. It's actually called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Open up the curtains in the morning to let sunlight into your house and make the most of the mental health benefits of natural light. 


Fresh Air Flow


Being able to open up the house is another huge plus to windows. (Read all about the pros and cons of opening up the house in our blog post "It's So Nice Out! Should I Open My Windows?") When the air in your house gets stale, you can open up all the windows and let the cross-breeze freshen up the house. Or, if you leave the pan on the stovetop a little too long, you can crack a window to get the smoke out. Opening windows in the spring and fall months can actually be a great benefit to your home's indoor air quality and energy savings if you do it right. 


Safety Concerns - Good & Bad


Another important aspect of windows is their level of safety. Most of the time, in order to be counted as a bedroom in a floorplan, a room MUST have at least one window. This is a safety precaution in case there is a fire - The occupant of that bedroom needs to have a way to escape. Windows can also add a little bit of a safety concern. If you forget to lock them, they are an easy way for intruders to get into your house. It's also easier for intruders to break a window than it is to break down a door. Installing a good home security system with alarms and/or cameras can help give you the peace of mind you need.



Temperature Fluctuation


One con to windows is that they can tend to "leak" temperature. That's why sitting next to a window feels so cold in the winter and so hot in the summer. If you don't have energy efficient windows, then they are likely allowing the air inside your home to escape. This causes your thermostat to kick in more often and costs you more energy. If you can't get energy efficient windows right away, it's important to at least make sure the seals on your windows are in good condition. A bad seal can leak a lot of air and make it harder for your HVAC to keep the house at the right temperature. 


Your Home Comfort


At Royal Heating and Air, we are passionate about making sure your home is comfortable year-round! Give us a call to schedule a Home Comfort Check and one of our experienced technicians will come out to your house and make sure your HVAC system is running efficiently. We can also help with whole home humidifiers, HVAC UV light systems, programmable thermostats, and more. We can't wait to serve you! 


Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"


Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com



CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313