4 HVAC Tips for Holiday Hosting

You’ve wrapped the gifts, decked the halls and trimmed the tree. With all the holiday preparations, your HVAC system likely wasn’t top of mind.

While your furnace may not have the wow factor of 10,000 twinkling LEDs, it’s a crucial component of holiday get-togethers nonetheless. After all, it’s difficult to spread warmth and good cheer when your HVAC unit is broken.

Here’s how to ensure your guests’ comfort this holiday season.

1. Schedule a Tune-Up for Your Heating System

Proper maintenance is key to an efficient system. It will also help prevent a breakdown, which would certainly give your guests an icy reception. A professional tune-up covers the basics such as:

• Thermostat calibration
• Coil cleaning
• Belt adjustment
• Air filter replacement

Not only does a well-maintained system improve comfort, but it also slashes heating costs.

2. Program Your Thermostat

Programmable thermostats give you the ability to create a heating schedule based on when you're awake and when you're inside your home.

A step up from a programmable thermostat is a smart thermostat, which allows you to control settings remotely from your smartphone. If, say, you're picking up someone from the airport, you can switch on the heater before coming home so that it’s just as comfortable as you left it.

3. Seal Drafts

In drafty homes, warm air escapes through cracks in the doors and windows as well as through the attic. Sealing these up will help you maintain a comfortable interior without requiring the heater to run constantly. Vinyl and metal weatherstripping are the most durable, according to the Department of Energy.

4. Opening and Closing the Draperies

Thermal curtains reduce heat loss by as much as 25%, provided that they are correctly installed. Open the curtains and shades in the daytime for solar warmth, but close them at night to keep heat in.

For all of your heating needs this holiday season, contact Tom's Mechanical at 972-388-3669.