The holidays are always the perfect time for people to get together and celebrate. It’s also the perfect time to host parties and if you are planning on a group celebration, it is important that you create a relaxed and comfortable environment that lets your guests enjoy themselves. Since it’s winter, remember to keep the house warm. It doesn’t matter how cold it gets outdoors as long as your home is comfortable with the help of a properly-working heating system. If you have prepared well for the winter, you should be enjoying the holidays without any hiccups. Use these holiday heating tips to make sure your home is prepped for the winter parties this season.
Top Heating Tips for the Holidays
Contents
- 1 Top Heating Tips for the Holidays
- 1.1 1. Keep Gaps Sealed To Prevent Air Leaks
- 1.2 2. Change Your HVAC Air Filters
- 1.3 3. Install a Programmable Thermostat
- 1.4 4. Schedule Your Annual HVAC Maintenance
- 1.5 5. Consider Getting a Tankless Water Heater
- 1.6 6. Consider HVAC Zoning
- 1.7 7. Check The HVAC Air Vents
- 1.8 8. Be Careful With Space Heaters
- 1.9 9. Reverse the Spinning Direction of the Ceiling Fan
- 1.10 Conclusion
- 2 Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
1. Keep Gaps Sealed To Prevent Air Leaks
If your house has gaps, holes, or cracks, it does not matter how well your heating system is working. It will fail to keep the indoor temperature at the desired level. Gaps allow warm air indoors to escape outdoors. To prevent or correct this, inspect all doors leading outdoors, walls (particularly perpendicular areas), and windows. If you find any cracks, holes, or gaps, use weather stripping or caulking to seal the spots and keep warm air in. If you have a more complicated problem, consider calling a professional to help you. Making sure that your home is properly sealed will help increase its energy efficiency and keep your energy bills low.
2. Change Your HVAC Air Filters
Furnace air filters perform an important job in keeping indoor air safe to breathe in. Air filters trap particulates such as dirt, pet, and human dander, ensuring that the heating system works properly and efficiently. HVAC air filters, however, do get clogged over time and must be cleaned thoroughly or replaced. If it has been a while since your HVAC air filter was replaced, this may be the perfect time to change it. Periodically check your air filter to determine if it needs to be replaced. Ensuring that your filters are in good condition means that they can keep your furnace working efficiently while improving indoor air quality.
3. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Over the course of a day, temperatures can and will change. This can happen due to outdoor temperatures, the number of people present, and household activities. To adapt to the changes in temperature, most people would simply change the setting on the thermostat. This can be a hassle, however, especially if you are busy doing other tasks at home.
A great solution would be to have a programmable thermostat installed instead. A programmable thermostat can be set at specific temperature settings at different times of the day, based on the expected schedule changes. Programmable thermostats are more consistent and reliable compared to manual units. With programmable models installed, you can focus on other tasks around the house without worrying whether the temperature inside your home is in the right setting.
4. Schedule Your Annual HVAC Maintenance
One of the best ways to ensure that your heating system is in the best working condition and to prolong its lifespan is to have it checked by a professional HVAC technician regularly. A technician will perform a complete inspection of the system, including the vents, ducts, and furnace unit to identify any potential problems. They can then correct these issues early. Without regular or timely maintenance checks, your heating system becomes more susceptible to premature damage and wear-and-tear. An HVAC technician can check it, make the necessary heater repairs, and ensure that your heating system is working properly. Regular maintenance checkups will also help reduce energy costs and provide you with the best level of comfort that is perfect for the holidays.
5. Consider Getting a Tankless Water Heater
If you have guests who will be staying for several days, you might want to consider getting a tankless water heater system. More household occupants equate to a higher demand for hot water. The problem is that your water heating system may not be able to handle the sudden spike in the demand. A tankless water heater, on the other hand, can provide you with an uninterrupted supply of hot water regardless of the number of people you have at home.
6. Consider HVAC Zoning
One of the main issues that many household owners have to contend with during the holidays is uneven heating. This occurs when the furnace fails to deliver warm air to certain areas of the house. As a result, some rooms feel warmer while others are uncomfortably cold. With zoning, you can set certain rooms at a higher or lower temperature depending on the needs of the occupants. You can even turn off the heat in certain rooms if they are unoccupied. To find out how you can transition to a zoning system, call your local contractor for advice.
7. Check The HVAC Air Vents
If you experience a sudden drop in temperature indoors, the problem may be due to a blocked vent. This usually happens when an object is placed or positioned on top or in front of a warm air vent, preventing warm air from being released properly into the room. If you have furniture that has to be positioned near an air vent, make sure there is enough space between them to allow the air through.
8. Be Careful With Space Heaters
There are times when your best option is to use a space heater. These are quite effective in keeping an enclosed space warm but you need to use them carefully. Space heaters tend to consume a lot of energy and some models are fire hazards. If you intend to use space heaters, make sure that they are placed in a safe space away from flammable items and that they are checked regularly. Make sure to turn off the space heater if you are leaving the room for a prolonged period of time or are going to sleep.
9. Reverse the Spinning Direction of the Ceiling Fan
Grade school science class taught us that cold air sinks and warm air rises. This is just fine during the hot summer season when you want lower temperatures but not desired during winter. If you have ceiling fans, you can help your heating system by turning on your ceiling fans and switching the direction of the blades in reverse or clockwise. This helps distribute warm air throughout the room and is a cheaper option compared to cranking up your thermostat.
Conclusion
The holidays should be fun and relaxing. The days leading to the holidays do not have to be frustrating and expensive. Try the suggestions above to help your heating system perform at its best. If you need additional help, call your local HVAC contractor and schedule an inspection or consultation. Also, don’t forget to order fuel when your tank is about 30% full. This way, you won’t run out of fuel when you are busy entertaining guests. You want to be ready for the holidays and with the right advice, your home will be in its best condition as well.
Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
PFO Heating & Air Conditioning is the leading heating and cooling service provider in the Greater Princeton, NJ area. All our technicians are professionally certified so you are assured that they are the best in the business, capable of providing you top-notch tune-ups, installations, replacements, and repairs. Our service costs are also the most competitive in the area. If you want better comfort, increased energy efficiency, and lower heating and cooling costs, give PFO Heating & Air Conditioning a call today. We also offer in-home estimates at no cost to you, so you will have a worry-free holiday season.
Click here to contact us now or call us at (800) 253-9001 to find out more!