Acker Heating & Cooling

Most people don’t give their HVAC system any thought whatsoever over the holidays. It’s usually one of the happiest times of the year, but it’s also incredibly busy, with entertaining guests, visiting family, traveling, and generally enjoying the time off. With so much to do, who has time to worry about their HVAC system?

While you may not want to dampen the holiday spirit by worrying about your HVAC system, neglecting it could lead to disruptions or uncomfortable conditions for you and your guests. That’s why we have five HVAC tips that will ensure your holidays are filled with tons of festivity and no HVAC grief.

Adjust Your Thermostat

If you’re entertaining over the holidays, consider turning your thermostat down a bit. Having more people in the house and cooking massive festive meals can create a lot of extra heat, and if you leave your thermostat on its default setting, it may become too hot. Give your system a little break by taking advantage of all of that internally generated heat.

It’s also a good idea to keep your heating turned on if you’re going away for the holiday. This prevents pipes from freezing (and possibly bursting) while you’re away. You can get away with relatively low heat to save energy. Just make sure it’s high enough to keep the pipes warm and prevent the water from freezing.

Change Your Filters

Your air filter will have to work overtime if you have guests and family over, so it’s a good idea to change it before the holiday season really kicks in. By changing or cleaning your filter, you can be confident that the air quality in your home remains consistent, ensuring the health and wellbeing of you and your guests.

Check for Drafts

Drafts can have a huge impact on your HVAC, putting a lot of extra strain on the system as it has to work extra hard to keep temperatures constant. The most common places to check are the caulking around windows and doors, as well as any new cracks in the walls. If you notice any drafts or cold air leaks, seal them up with a bit of caulking or weather-stripping. This will help keep your home toasty and welcoming.

Consider Alternative Heating Methods

There are many ways in which you can give your HVAC system a break during this season. If you live in an area that gets sun during the winter, open up the blinds to take advantage of the radiating heat that sunlight provides. You will also benefit from any cooking that you do since ovens and stoves generate a lot of extra heat.

If you have ceiling fans, you can reverse them from their factory setting, which will move air downwards. This can help circulate any warm air that’s trapped near the ceiling, pushing it back down into the room.

Get Your System Inspected

We always recommend regular maintenance and inspections to keep your system in excellent shape year-round. This is especially important during the festive season when an HVAC failure can be painfully disruptive. So give us a call today and get your system inspected before you start celebrating the holidays in earnest.