5 Things that will Lower the Humidity in your Home

Indoor humidity can have a huge impact on your comfort level in your home.  It also can affect your home itself.  Ideally, the humidity in your home should fall in the range of 30-50%.  If the humidity in your home is too high, it can not only be uncomfortable, it can also lead to condensation and mold growth.  High humidity can lead to wood rot and peeling paint in your home and can even contribute to respiratory problems.  To achieve that proper balance of 30-50%, here are a few things you can do.

Air Conditioning.

First, if you want to get an accurate reading of the humidity in your home you can purchase a hygrometer at your local hardware store. If your humidity is too high, using your air conditioner will help automatically.  By removing hot air and replacing it with cooler air (which holds less moisture), using your air conditioner will naturally help to reduce indoor humidity.  Properly maintaining your air conditioner and changing your filters frequently will help keep airflow unrestricted and reduce humidity as well.  

Exhaust/Ventilation.

Using exhaust fans that ventilate air outside (not into the attic) when cooking and showering can reduce humidity.  It is a good idea to leave them on a little longer than just when you are cooking or showering to reduce the humidity even more.  It can also make a difference to reduce the temperature slightly when you shower as it will introduce less steam into the air.

Fix Leaks.

Anything you can do to lower the amount of moisture that is introduced in your home is good.  If you have leaky or dripping pipes, fixing those, and insulating your pipes to prevent condensation will both help lower the indoor humidity. Also make sure that drip pans and drain lines on your air conditioner are clean and free flowing. Even checking your gutters and areas around your home to make sure there is no standing water is helpful.

Charcoal.

Did you know … that charcoal briquettes can work as a desiccant?  Place a few charcoal briquettes in a plastic coffee container with a vent holes cut in it and replace them every 2-3 months.  It is a great low cost and simple way to pull moisture out of the air.

Dehumidifier.

Of course, the most effective way to reduce indoor humidity is by using a dehumidifier.  You can get portable dehumidifiers that are inexpensive and work very well.  But they do have to be emptied daily.  An even more efficient way to control the humidity in your home is to have a whole-home dehumidifier installed.  A whole-home dehumidifier goes inside your furnace/air handler and will pull moisture out of the air as it passes through.  This brings cooler dryer air into your home and actually helps your air conditioner work less, saving you money on cooling bills.

If you would like to reduce the humidity in your home, Royal Heating and Air can help.  Give us a call or request a quote on our website to learn more about having a whole-home dehumidifier installed, or for routine HVAC maintenance to keep your system working at peak efficiency.  Helping you control your indoor humidity is just one more way that Royal Heating and Air is the King of Comfort!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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4 Ways to Help Improve Air Quality This Fall

We spend a significant amount of our time indoors without realizing what the quality of our air could be doing to our health. You may keep your home tidied up on a regular basis, but your home's air quality may still be worse than you think. Royal Heating & Air is the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks because we care. We know the importance of quality air and how to help you and your home. Read on to learn our important tips on how to help improve the air quality in your home, and give us a call to schedule your service.

Keep Your Floors Clean 

Dirty floors could dramatically affect the air quality in your home, particularly if you have a lot of rugs or carpeting. The pet hair, dust, dirt, dander, and dead skin cells that accumulate in your carpet do not stay there indefinitely. As traffic moves through your home, all that debris can get kicked up and start circulating in the air you breathe. For people who suffer from allergies and asthma, this could be a real health hazard by making it more difficult to breath.

Change Air Filters Regularly

The air filter in your HVAC system is a barrier that helps decrease the amount of dust, hair, and debris circulating in your home. However, if the filter becomes overloaded, it won't be able to do its job as well, and your HVAC system will likely have to work harder as it tries to push air through the clogged filter.

Four-inch filters need to be checked every 6 months and replaced at least every year. One-inch filters should be checked monthly and replaced as needed. Help keep your HVAC system operating at its best - set a reminder in your calendar to keep track of your filter's next check.

Consider a Whole-Home Humidifier

Winter air feels dry because the heating process tends to remove moisture from the air. Dry air can affect the health of your skin, sinuses, and overall well-being if it persists for too long. There are numerous benefits to installing a whole-home humidifying system (read our blog on the topic, here). Help improve the quality of the air in your home by calling Royal Heating & Air today and scheduling an appointment for your system.

Check the Airflow in Your Vents 

If the airflow in your home is inefficient, you could have to deal with stale, stagnant air. This could cause bad odors and allergens to settle in your home. Gross!

Your HVAC system could simply be too dirty to efficiently move air through the duct-work. A dirty unit could also decrease the airflow in your home. It can be important to have a professional check on your system to ensure everything is functioning appropriately and that there isn't anything blocking the flow of air. Schedule a Home Comfort Check with Royal Heating & Air to check-in on the HVAC systems in your home.

More seriously, your duct-work could be ill-fitted to the layout of your home. Standard duct-work can sometimes move air less efficiently than a custom system. At Royal Heating & Air, we set ourselves apart with the only HVAC custom sheet metal fabrication at the Lake of the Ozarks. You could be losing vital airflow through leaks in your current system.

Help Improve Your Air Quality with Royal Heating & Air

If you still feel like the quality of the air in your home is lacking after regularly changing your system's air filters and keeping your carpets clean, it might be time to call a professional. Royal Heating & Air is the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we have your back. Our experts would be happy to check the efficiency of your HVAC system and install a whole-home humidifier to help improve the air quality in your home. Give us a call today 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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How a Whole-Home Humidifier Could Improve Your Winter

Winter air is notorious for feeling dry... ‘Tis the season for moisturizing! There are a few things you can do, though, to help keep your home comfortable throughout the dry season. One of those things is to call the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks - Royal Heating & Air. We can install a whole-home humidifying system to optimize your health, comfort, and the efficiency and cleanliness of your home. Read on to learn more about whole-home humidifiers and how one could benefit you!

What Are the Negative Effects of Dry Air?

Cold air isn’t drier than warm air on its own. As cold air is warmed up by our heaters, it tends to lose moisture and dry out. That’s why winter feels drier than other seasons - heaters can sap the moisture out of the air. Humidifiers add moisture back into the air but, other than needing less hand lotion, why is that important?

Health Consequences

Dry air can be damaging to your comfort and possibly even your health. When your body is regularly subjected to dry air, your eyes, nose, and throat can all become dehydrated and irritated. Dry eyes feel scratchy and uncomfortable and can make it hard to focus. If your sinuses get dehydrated, they can feel tight and even sore at times. If your nasal passages get too dry, it can be hard for your system to fight bacteria and viruses due to the lack of mucus that captures and disposes of those pathogens. If you suffer from dry coughing and snoring, your throat may be too dry.

Effects on Your Home

Your home can also suffer from dry air. A lack of moisture in the air can cause wooden floors, furniture, and instruments to dry out and crack. This could cause expensive repairs that may have been avoided with the use of a humidifier. Humidified air could also help save on your heating bill in the winter. Moisturized air feels warmer than dry air, so you may not feel the need to turn up the heat as high.

What Kind of Humidifier is Best?

Evaporators, steam vaporizers, and central humidifiers are the most common types of home humidifiers and each one has its own unique method of adding moisture to the air.

Evaporators

Evaporators use a fan to push air through a moistened filter, expelling humidified air into the room. These systems, unfortunately, do not have sensors to let you know when enough moisture has been added to the air and it’s time to turn them off. They are also confined to humidifying one room at a time.

Steam Vaporizers

Steam vaporizers are perhaps one of the most common types of humidifiers. They can be purchased in local drug stores and are relatively affordable. Steam vaporizers function by heating water into a vapor. The vapor is then cooled before the machine expels it into the room like a mist. These humidifiers are also confined to working in one room at a time.

Central Humidifiers

Central humidifiers are whole-home systems installed inside your HVAC ductwork. These function by utilizing the airflow already in your HVAC system, directing the air through a water pad treated with anti-bacterial enzymes and placed in the ductwork. This water pad is moistened directly by a line from your water pipes. The system uses water only as needed and doesn’t have to keep a reserve of water that could grow mildew or mold, and the water pads simply need to be replaced once per year. These systems humidify the whole home evenly for a more balanced and effective result.

Set Up Your Installation Today

Whole-home humidifiers could help improve your air quality, protect valuable wooden items in your home, and possibly even help improve your sense of well-being during the driest season of the year.

To start enjoying the possible benefits of humidified air throughout your home - call the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks, Royal Heating & Air!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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How To Add Humidity To Your Home This Winter!

The air inside our homes becomes dry in the cooler months. The cool air will try to absorb moisture leaving our homes dry and uncomfortable.  The low humidity levels in the winter can become too dry causing damage to your paint, wood, and siding.  A dry home can cause your skin to become dry and make it easier to catch a cold or infection. Your Lake of the Ozarks HVAC company knows how important it is to keep the level of humidity in your home at an optimal amount this winter.   Royal Heating & Air has a few tips on how to control the humidity in your home this winter.

Humidity Levels In A Home

Your home's humidity levels should be around 30 - 50 percent for optimum comfort. When the humidity in your home begins to decrease, it starts to get uncomfortable and things can begin to happen in your home. The question is, "How do you know if the humidity in your home is at the right level?"  Here are a few indications that your levels are off in your home.

Condensation or excess fogging on windows is a sign you have too much humidity in your home.  This usually occurs in the summer months when our AC unit are on. At this point, you need to take humidity out of the air.

Static Electricity, dried and cracking millwork, as well as, cracking paint are signs of low humidity levels.  Low humidity can also cause dry skin, dry nasal passages and increase your chance of catching an infection. These will be the signs you will see in the winter and an indication you need to add moisture into the air.

How To Add Humidity To Your Home

- Hang Dry Your Clothes Indoors. Dry your clothes indoors this winter.  The added moisture on your clothes will evaporate adding more moisture into the air of your home.

- Add Steam.  Taking long hot showers can produce steam that can help add moisture into the air.  You can also add steam by boiling a pot of water on the stove. This will help add moisture into the air, but only in an isolated area of the home.  

- Add A Whole House Humidifier. Installing a whole house humidifier can ensure the vapor is distributed evenly throughout your home.  Portable systems only cover a certain range of space and a whole home will disperse vapor to the entire home. The whole home system creates the most consistency and can be controlled easily with its own device. Give us a call and we can discuss all of the details.

- Add A Portable Humidifier. A humidifier offers extra moisture to be released into the air. You can get a cool mist or warm mist, but both will work to add moisture. These systems are easy to use and can be affordable.  Make sure the humidifier is large enough to cover the square footage of the room you are using it in.  In the winter, you may need more than one in your home depending on the size. These systems will need to have the water tanks filled every day and possibly more frequently than that.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can feel more comfortable in your home, call the "King of Comfort" at 573-480-4313. Give us a call Royal Heating & Air can help you with everything from preventative maintenance to complete furnace and air conditioning installations. The best heating and cooling company at the Lake of the Ozarks can provide you with affordable, dependable and trustworthy service.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com
CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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4 Benefits Of A Whole House Humidifier

During the summer months, you and your home may suffer from too much humidity. However, in the winter months, most people have the opposite problem. Adding humidity to your home could increase your comfort, improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Although we still have a few more weeks of warm, summer weather, now's the time to prepare for the winter season. Your Lake of the Ozarks HVAC company is here to explain the benefits of installing a whole house humidifier. 

1. Health

Overly dry environments can increase the likelihood of infections. In addition, many viruses thrive in low-humidity environments. Installing a whole house humidifier can decrease your chances of catching the flu, colds and other respiratory ailments. Add humidity to the air and improve your health and well-being.  

2. Comfort

The winter months can really take a toll on our bodies. The cold weather can make our skin dry and itchy. Overly dry air can also aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms and lead to dry noses and sore throats. Adding moisture to the air with a whole house humidifier can help eliminate these problems. 

3. Protect Your Home

Dry air can do a lot of damage to your home. It can split wood floors, crack paint, peel wallpaper, ruin furniture and dry out instruments like pianos. Supplying your home with the proper amount of humidity can protect the contents of your home from the adverse effects of dry air. 

4. Energy Efficiency 

Turning up the thermostat will raise the temperature in your home, but it may not make your feel warmer. Installing a whole house humidifier in your home can help you feel warmer at lower temperatures. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, you can save up to 4 percent on your heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat. 

Types of Whole House Humidifiers

Preferred Series Steam Humidifier

This steam humidifier offers a more "dialed-in" level of humidity control to better protect fine furnishings and keep you comfortable for those dry seasons. With up to 34 gallons daily output, you can enjoy the comfort with confidence knowing it's built to handle higher square footage interiors. 

Preferred Series Large Fan-powered Humidifier

This quiet, high-capacity humidifier can help keep your winter heating costs down because humidified air feels warmer-letting you enjoy comfort at cooler temperature settings. It's a logical alternative to simple bypass-style models, perfect for larger homes with its high output and improved moisture dispersal. 

Preferred Series Small Fan-powered Humidifier

Because the air inside your home can be drier than a desert, whole home humidification is important for comfort and for the care of wood furnishings. Overly dry indoor air can also cause static, sore throats and dry skin and sinuses. This quiet, mid-capacity humidifier is ideal for smaller homes. As a fan-powered unit, it is more effective at delivering moisture into your duct work. 

Preferred Series Large Bypass Humidifier 

This unit works as a value-add to your heating system, relying on the furnace or fan coil blower to deliver up to 17 gallons of moisture vapor throughout your home per day. It improves your whole-home comfort by reducing the effects of dry, indoor air, including static, sore throats, dry skin and sinuses. 

Preferred Series Small Bypass Humidifier

Perfect for smaller homes, this 12 gallon per day bypass humidifier adds moisture to dry, indoor air with an assist from your heating and cooling system's blower fan.

Preferred Series Water Saver Bypass Humidifier

This water-saver model is 100 percent efficient with its ability to convert water into comfort-enhancing relief from dry, heated indoor air. It's a value-add to your heating system as well, relying on the furnace or fan coil blower to deliver moisture vapor throughout your home. With the ability to deliver up to 17 gallons of moisture a day, it helps provide whole-home comfort by reducing the effects of dryness including static, sore throats, dry skin and sinuses. 

Home Comfort With Royal Heating & Air

There are only a few more weeks of summer left, so now's the time to prepare your home for the winter months. Make sure your home is prepped for the winter seasons by having a professional HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks install a whole house humidifier in your home today. Royal Heating & Air is your source for your AC and heating repair and maintenance.

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com
CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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