Ensuring your HVAC is in excellent condition for the holidays is critical whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or renting out your home while you traipse off to Hawaii for an unorthodox winter getaway.
It’s the time of year when the heating and venting aspect of HVAC has a big job: Keeping you warm and toasty so you can enjoy that eggnog in comfort. The best times to schedule an HVAC inspection and maintenance check are in the autumn and spring. However, if you didn’t do it, it’s not too late — and there are some DIY tricks you can manage yourself.
Swapping out the air filter is especially important in the summer and winter. A clogged filter can overwork your HVAC, making it difficult to pump out more heat. A severely clogged filter can even be a fire hazard.
How often you change your filter depends on your home and usage, but it’s not uncommon to need a swap once per month. The more people are in a home, the greater the need, so hosting holiday guests can dirty filters faster.
Give Santa the All-Clear
Vents should never be covered, even when they’re below windows (where drapes or couches are regularly placed). When you hang new curtains or move furniture, make sure vents stay unobstructed.
This is especially important during the holidays, as this is the time when you might be stringing lights, garlands, setting out seasonal decorations and putting up a Christmas tree. Clear vents allow your HVAC to do its best job.
Also keep in mind that pine needles can make their way into just about anywhere — including inside your vents. Cleaning up daily around holiday trees if and when needles start to drop is the best way to keep your home tidy.
Find a safe place to put up your tree, as far away from heating sources as possible. Putting a tree close to a heat source is a fire risk, and also dries out the tree faster.
Diversify Your Heating Sources
If you have fireplaces, make use of them. Test out new holiday cookie recipes, and use the stovetop as much as possible to create another heat source while also filling up on hot, comforting treats.
This holiday season, you might want to add a smart home device to your wish list. A home that knows your preferred temperatures and the times you are home can help you lighten your carbon footprint and even extend the life of your heat source. For more holiday tips, contact Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning, where HVAC maintenance helps keep you cozy, even in a winter wonderland.