Royal Heating & Air: Lake of the Ozarks AC company

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Keeping Your Home Cool Without Overworking Your AC

The summer months at the Lake of the Ozarks are hot! There's no better feeling than walking into a nice cool home after being out in the heat. Constantly blasting your AC though, can cause high electric bills and can shorten your HVAC system's life. Keep reading for a few ideas on how to keep your home cool without overworking your Lake of the Ozarks AC system.

1. Switch Out Your Light Bulbs.

Incandescent bulbs waste about 90% of their energy through the heat that they emit. By switching to LED or CFL bulbs, you'll not only be able to keep your home cooler, but also lower your electric bill.

2. Put Ice in Front of a Fan.

Fans, in conjunction with your AC, are a great way to get cool air circulating throughout your home. Fill a bowl with ice or grab an ice pack to sit in front of a large fan. This will help keep the room much cooler and get that cool air circulating around the room, allowing the AC to work less.

3. Cook Outdoors Instead of Inside.

Appliances, such as your oven and range, emit quite a bit of heat. Grilling out during the summer months is not only fun, but also a way to keep your home cooler. Cook outside when possible or prepare meals that don't require cooking.

4. Cool Down From the Inside Out.

Cooling down your body temperature can make it feel cooler inside without actually changing the temperature of the air around you. Drink plenty of ice water throughout the day, and apply a cold cloth to your neck and wrists. Drinking a glass of cold water before bed will lower your body temperature and reduce the likelihood of you sweating during the night.

5. Swap Out Your Bedding.

During the hot summer months, consider swapping out your bedding. Cotton sheets breathe easier and stay cooler than flannel, fleece or polyester linens. Cotton bedding will also transfer moisture away from the skin. Buckwheat pillows are also cooler, as the buckwheat hulls have a naturally occurring air space between them. They also won't hold in your body heat like conventional pillows.

6. Close the Blinds During the Day.

By simply closing your blinds to keep the sun's rays from entering your home, you can keep your home cooler and allow your AC system to work a little less hard. Most of the unwanted heat during the summer months comes from your windows. Therefore, utilizing blinds and curtains can lower the temperature inside your home drastically.

7. Open the Windows at Night.

The Lake area typically cools off quite a bit during the night hours. Take advantage of this cooler time of day by opening the windows to let the naturally chilled air flow indoors and lower the temperature in your home. Just make sure that you close them in the morning before it gets too hot.

Another way to ensure your home stays cool and your system isn't overworked is to schedule regular maintenance with your Lake of the Ozarks HVAC company. Keeping your unit clean and changing the filters regularly will help in the effort of keeping your equipment working efficiently. For all your AC needs at the Lake, give Royal Heating and Air a call at 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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Friday, June 29, 2018

Your Air Conditioning FAQs Answered

Air conditioning may be one of the greatest inventions of all time. There's nothing better than walking into a cool home or business after being outside on a hot summer day. For someone who's not familiar with AC systems aside from their magical cooling properties, you might have some questions. The best air conditioning company at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to answer some of those FAQs.

1. How Does An Air Conditioner Work?

In order to cool a home, air conditioners use a refrigerant that absorbs and discharges heat. Warm air moves across the evaporator coils. Then the refrigerant in the coils absorb's the air's heat and "cools" the air. The refrigerant turns from a cool liquid into a hot gas that is transferred to the outside unit, where it's compressed and condensed back into liquid form. The hot air is released outdoors and then the refrigerant travels back to the indoor unit to continue the cooling process.

2. How Often Should I Have My AC System Maintained?

For a residential AC system, it's recommended that you have your AC serviced 1-2 times per year, especially in the spring before the summer heat hits. For areas with high levels of contaminants in the air such as kitchens, hair salons or workshops, additional service may be needed to keep your AC system in tip-top shape!

3. Why Should I Service My AC System Regularly?

Routine maintenance on your AC system keeps your unit running at maximum efficiency. This can significantly extend the lifetime of your unit and reduce your operating costs. In addition, if your system is under warranty, routine maintenance is often required to keep that warranty.

4. Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Water?

There are several reasons why an AC unit could be leaking water. Condensation on the coils should fall into a drip pan that is then drained away or pumped outside. If excess water is finding it's way into your home, that condensate is likely not being drained away properly. The most common reason is that dirt and grime clog up the drainage system. Another issue could be that the pump is broken, in which case that would need to be replaced. If cleaning your coils doesn't fix the issue, it's time to call in a professional HVAC repair technician at the Lake of the Ozarks to determine and resolve the issue.

5. How Often Should I Change My AC Filter?

The single most important thing you can do to maintain your AC system is replace the filter regularly. It's recommended that you check your filters monthly, especially during the hot summer months when the system is working extra hard to cool your home. Some higher efficiency filters can last up to three months, but it's still a good idea to check them. If you have a disposable filter and you see that it's covered in dirt, you can easily replace it yourself. You can get filters at your local home improvement store, just make sure you get the correct size for your unit.

6. How Long Does The Average HVAC System Last?

On average, most HVAC systems will last anywhere from 10-20 years. As your unit starts to age though, the efficiency can decrease. Your unit may get louder and require more frequent maintenance and repairs. When this happens, you'll need to make the decision to continue repairing it or invest in a new HVAC system.

7. How Do I Know If My AC Unit Needs Replaced?

If your AC system is more than 10 years old and you're having to repair it frequently, you might consider replacing your system. While it may seem like a big investment now, it can save you money in both repair costs and energy costs over time. Find a trusted Lake of the Ozarks AC company to schedule a consultation for an estimate on a new system. Do the math and see what the best option is for you at the time. You don't want to keep throwing money at repairs to turn around and have to replace it soon after because it entirely breaks down.

If you have other questions about your AC unit, don't hesitate to reach out to us at 573-480-4313. Royal Heating & Air is your full-service, locally owned and operated HVAC company at the Lake of the Ozarks. From installation to preventative maintenance, we've got all your HVAC needs covered!