The holidays are a popular time for friends and guests to come over for gatherings. The comfort of your guests all depends on how well-maintained your HVAC system is. There will be lots of extra heat from preparing your holiday meals, which can quickly make the kitchen stuffy and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are several heating, cooling, and ventilation tips you can follow to keep a pleasant indoor environment.
Keep a Clean Filter
Keeping a clean air filter makes it easier for the heater to keep you warm during winter holidays. A clean filter in the AC improves cooling efficiency for summer holidays like Fourth of July celebrations. Dirty filters reduce airflow in HVAC systems and increase energy use. They also compromise indoor air quality and worsen allergies. Changing the filter once a month is a great way to prevent air quality and airflow problems throughout your holiday festivities. If you or your guests suffer from allergies, you may want to consider using a HEPA filter. These filters capture even the tiniest of allergens and help reduce sneezing and itchy eyes.
Seal Leaks in Ductwork
Properly sealed ducting is essential for heating efficiency, particularly during winter holidays when you use the heater more. Heat loss from duct leaks can be substantial. They make your HVAC system work harder to keep your home at the set temperature. Both your comfort and your energy bills will take a hit because of this. An expert duct inspection and leak repair is the best approach to evenly circulating warm air throughout your home.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
Getting a smart thermostat is a terrific way to improve your home heating management skills before, during, and after the hectic Christmas season. These gadgets let you design heating schedules according to your family’s patterns. An additional feature of many smart thermostats is remote access. This function lets you change the temperature using your phone. It’s handy for those times when you need to leave the house, like when you’re out shopping or at a holiday party. Thermostats with features like geofencing can learn your routine and change the temperature while you’re not there.
Be Smart With Ceiling Fans
There’s a common misconception that ceiling fans are only worth using during the summer. In all actuality, they are very useful for keeping you warm during winter as well. Turning the ceiling fans on a low setting and setting them to spin clockwise will distribute warm air evenly throughout the room during holiday gatherings. This not only improves comfort but also reduces your reliance on a furnace.
Consider Zoned Systems
If your house has more than one story, a zoned system might be the best way to keep everyone comfortable over the holidays. You can set the temperature in each area separately with this type of system. This keeps your whole house comfortable and conducive to your preferred activities. You may find it best to set a lower temperature in the kitchen while cooking to help offset the extra heat from the appliances.
Use a Humidifier
During winter holidays, the cold air’s inability to retain moisture can aggravate sinuses and dry your skin out. Using a humidifier can combat the dry air and make the home more pleasant. A relative indoor humidity level of 30% to 50% works best. Keeping a balanced humidity level affects much more than the comfort of your holiday guests. It also prevents dryness from damaging wooden flooring and pieces of furniture. Many experts recommend installing a whole-home humidifier to get rid of dry air problems.
Use Heavy Curtains
Thick thermal drapes or heavy curtains can drastically improve your home’s heating throughout the winter months. You can open the curtains during the day to bring in natural light and warmth. Keep in mind that a room with south-facing windows will feel the heat of the sun more intensely. If you close these curtains at night, less heat will escape through the windows and more will stay inside. They can also act as a barrier to heat gain during summer holidays.
Adjust for Holiday Cooking
Over the holidays, there’s usually more cooking than normal. This can make your kitchen hotter than usual. To keep your house from being too hot when you’re cooking, make sure to turn the thermostat down while you’re using the oven or cooktop. You can keep the temperature more stable and save your HVAC system some labor by adjusting the thermostat a few degrees. A well-ventilated kitchen is also essential for controlling the humidity and heat that comes from cooking. If you don’t have one, you may want to install an exhaust fan in the kitchen.
Add Extra Insulation
Get a professional to look at your home’s insulation if you think it could be inadequate. Adding insulation to your house will make a huge difference in how efficiently it heats up during winter holidays. Insulate not just the walls and attics but also the crawl space, the basement, and even the areas surrounding the pipes. With enough insulation, you can save money on energy expenses. Proper insulation also eases the load on your HVAC system.
Stay Informed About Weather Changes
Preparing your HVAC system for impending weather conditions is much easier when you keep an eye on the weather forecast. Make sure to modify your heater appropriately for sudden decreases in temperature since they increase strain on the unit. To make sure your house is cozy for visitors’ arrival, you may want to crank up the thermostat a little sooner if a cold front is on its way. If you keep yourself informed, you can foresee a problem before it becomes a big issue.
Check for Closed Air Vents
Walk around your house before the holidays to ensure that all the vents are unobstructed and open. Closed vents will make the heater or AC work harder. This is because the system will struggle to maintain optimal airflow. The system will experience unnecessary wear and tear, and your home will have hot and cold spots. Holiday guests are more likely to gather in rooms with better airflow, which can cause overcrowding.
Schedule Seasonal Maintenance
One of the best methods to make sure your house is warm over the holidays is to have your HVAC system serviced periodically. A skilled technician can inspect the whole system, pinpointing problems and applying appropriate fixes. Cleaning and lubricating the moving parts of the HVAC will reduce friction and help the unit perform better.
Regular maintenance does much more than keep you comfortable during the holidays. It prolongs the life span of the HVAC and helps you enjoy lower energy bills.
True Climate Heat + Air is here to help you get your HVAC ready for the holidays. We offer HVAC maintenance and inspections as well as repairs, and we handle commercial HVAC as well . Our plumbing services are also great for making sure your pipes and fixtures are ready for holiday gatherings. Contact us at True Climate Heat + Air today to schedule HVAC maintenance for your home in Oklahoma City, OK.
