Does Your Air Conditioner Smell?

With the weather being so warm, most people have their air conditioner working overtime. Have you all of a sudden noticed a weird and unpleasant smell in your home? Does it seem to get worse when your air conditioner is running? Royal Heating & Air knows that while these smells can seem gross, they can also present serious health issues. The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks has some information about those weird smells that may be coming from your air conditioner and what might be causing them.

Causes of a Smelly Air Conditioner

Mold or Mildew Smell

If your HVAC system has excessive humidity or moisture, there’s a possibility of mold or mildew flowing through your ductwork. To help prevent mold and mildew, you should check for and fix all water leaks, improve drainage, replace your filters frequently, and make sure you have your HVAC system serviced by Royal Heating & Air. You should also look into a whole-home humidifier. Not only will it protect your belongings, but it will help prevent mildew and mold from forming in your HVAC system.

Rotten Eggs or Sulfur Smell

If your home smells like rotten eggs you should never ignore it. That smell can be a sign of leaking gas. Natural gas is naturally odorless; however, manufacturers are required to add a chemical called mercaptan to give it a distinctive rotten-egg gas smell. If you smell rotten eggs in your home:

• Don’t use any matches or lighters
• Don’t operate anything electrical
• If you have any candles or open flames, but them out immediately
• Open your doors and windows
• Evacuate your home
• Turn off your gas supply at the meter (if possible)
• Contact the gas company
• Don’t turn the gas back on by yourself. Have the gas company turn the gas back on for you.

A Burning Smell

Like the saying goes, where there’s smoke there’s usually fire. The same goes for your HVAC system. If something smells like it’s burning, it probably is. This could be caused by a motor overheating, a wiring issue, or a different mechanical problem. The best thing to do is turn your HVAC system off immediately from your breaker box.

If the air smells like gunpowder, that could indicate a short from the AC’s fan motor or circuit board.

Stinky Feet Smell

If your home smells like stinky feet or dirty socks, then dirty evaporator coils, clogged condensate drain pans, or stagnant water might be the cause. A professional cleaning of your HVAC system should usually fix the problem.

Give Royal Heating & Air a Call

If your HVAC system is causing some unpleasant smells, it usually means there is a much larger problem going on behind the scenes. With the weather we’ve been having, don’t wait for your HVAC system to break down to have it serviced. Royal Heating & Air knows that there’s nothing worse than your air conditioner not working during the hottest months of the year. Give the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks a call and schedule your HVAC maintenance today. 

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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Are You Ready for the Summer Heat?

We can officially say goodbye to winter and the cold weather. Spring is here, but the weather feels more like summer. With the weather quickly getting warmer, now's the perfect time to contact the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks for routine service. Manufactures recommend getting your heating and cooling systems serviced to ensure it's working at its optimum efficiency. At Royal Heating & Air, we recommend having your system checked twice per year - once in the spring and once in the fall. Servicing will help extend the life of your equipment, lower your utility bills and help provide consistent performance for your equipment. Nobody wants to get stuck on the hottest day of the year without air conditioning! Make sure your HVAC system is in tip-top shape by having it serviced by Lake of the Ozarks' best heating & cooling company.

Importance of Preventative Maintenance

If you've turned on your air conditioning system for the season and it's working fine, you may think you don't need to have it serviced. However, AC units can continue to cool your home even if they have mechanical problems. There are many working parts that make up your cooling system. If one of these parts develops an issue, the problem will only get worse over time. It's possible for the other parts of your AC unit to run longer to make up for the malfunctioning part. This additional strain on your HVAC system can cause even more parts to break down.

When you call Royal Heating & Air to service your HVAC system, we can detect small and developing problems and address them before they become expensive or difficult to resolve. Preventative maintenance can also ensure your system is able to keep your home at a comfortable temperature no matter what the weather is like outside. When your HVAC system is working properly, it will run more efficiently, which can help decrease your heating and cooling costs.

When your HVAC system is properly maintained, it could help extend its life. Preventative maintenance helps reduce the wear and tear on your HVAC system, which means you shouldn't have to replace parts as often.

What Does Royal Heating & Air Do?

When you have Royal Heating & Air come to your home, we'll inspect your AC unit in the spring and your heater in the fall. During the spring service check, we will ensure you have enough refrigerant, and that the coils are clean and that there are no leaks. If the refrigerant is leaking or the coils are dirty, it's harder for your AC unit to cool your home. We will also do a standard check of your thermostat to make sure it's accurately reading and keeping your home at the temperature you set it at. We will also ensure your air filters are clean and change them if necessary.

Call the Best HVAC Company at the Lake of the Ozarks

Royal Heating & Air recommends that you have your HVAC serviced at the Lake of the Ozarks twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Preventative maintenance will help extend the life, lower your utility bills, and help provide consistent performance from your equipment. Schedule an appointment with the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks today!

Royal Heating & Air - "The King of Comfort"

Visit our website: www.RoyalHeatandAir.com

CALL TODAY! (573) 480-4313

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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

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Don't Wait To Have Your AC Serviced

Spring is officially here and the warmer weather is just around the corner. Royal Heating and Air knows that now is a great time to turn your attention towards spring maintenance and your HVAC system. Your HVAC system doesn’t only regulate your home’s temperature, but it also cleans the air you breathe. It's important to make sure it's serviced and maintained properly so you can live comfortably without any issues.

Spring is an ideal time to have your AC routinely serviced. Even if you don't suspect any problems with your AC unit, it's still a good idea to have the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks inspect it. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn't wait to have your HVAC unit serviced this spring.

Make Sure It's Clean

As your HVAC system runs, it accumulates dust and dirt in key areas that affect its efficiency, like the condensing coils and air filters. If this is left unchecked, your AC system can lose 5 percent of its operating efficiency each year because of the buildup. This means that your AC won’t be able to cool your house as well as it could if it were clean.

Ensure It's Working Efficiently

When the best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks services your AC, we can ensure it is working at its peak energy efficiency level. Although you may think it's working fine, there may be an issue that you are unaware of. A professional can also catch the early warning signs of an issue and fix it before it becomes a bigger problem.

Keep It Running Longer

Having your HVAC system serviced twice a year can ensure it's in great shape, which can help improve its lifespan. While a typical AC unit usually lasts around 15 years, if it's not properly maintained, its lifespan can easily be shortened. Having your system regularly maintained can help minimize the need for emergency repairs later on in the year, as the technician can spot the signs of problems before they turn into big issues.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

The best HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks can ensure your system is ready to keep your home cool and comfortable during the months you need it most. Don't wait to schedule your service appointment. The busy summer season of emergency cooling repairs is quickly approaching, so make sure your AC is working properly by calling Royal Heating & Air today. We may be a dealer for Byant Heating & Cooling systems, but we service all makes and models. From preventative maintenance to complete furnace and AC installations, we 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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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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