HVAC Tips for the Winter Holidays
It’s Holiday! While it’s time to purchase gifts for your loved ones and plan your holiday food, you shouldn’t forget your HVAC system in your Washington, DC home. Don’t leave your house uncomfortable for your guests and increase the risk of fire and health hazards, especially if you’re out of town.
Here are a few things you can do to ensure your home will be safe and comfortable during the holidays!
Change Your Filters
As the young generation says, we hope your holiday party is “lit.” Maybe, “not too lit.” That’s because the number one cause of a furnace fire is a dirty filter. You don’t need to sweat it out because it only requires a simple fix: change your furnace filter. This tip is a preventative measure to keep your holiday celebration from any accident.
Also, replacing the filters in your heating equipment will ensure you won’t have any problem with your indoor air quality. If you need professional help, please don’t hesitate to contact your local HVAC technician like Island Comfort.
Adjust Your Thermostat Setting
When there are more people in your house and you do continuous cooking, it can create a warmer environment, reducing your furnace’s need to work hard. You should keep your heat on to prevent your pipes from bursting if you’re going out of town. Also, decrease the temperature a little bit to help keep your energy costs down.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
You’ll probably have no time to worry about your indoor temperature. However, with a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature and let it do its job, eliminating the need for your constant attention. It even enables you to choose your preferred temperatures for up to four different times a day. We highly recommend setting your thermostat at a slightly cooler temperature in the middle of the party when things start to heat up.
Dust Your Home
Many homeowners don’t realize that dusting can boost the efficiency of their heating system. The more you dust, the fewer dust particles will go through your home’s vents and spread throughout your home. It will also improve your indoor air quality. All it takes is to regularly use a dry rag and wipe down your home’s surfaces.
Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Did you know that carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of your gas furnace? It doesn’t have any odor and color, and it is usually safely combusted and vented away from your house. However, if your vents are too old or get clogged up, it can lead to carbon monoxide build-up, which can be fatal. We suggest you make sure your monoxide detectors are up and running in case of any emergency.
Keep Flammable Objects in Safe Places
This tip is obvious, but it can get tremendously hectic with children running around, especially in the kitchen. That’s why you need to be sure to keep your blankets, wrapping paper, and other flammable materials away from your heating system to prevent fire hazards. If you’re traveling, do a quick check before leaving.
Consider Alternative Methods for Heating
Did you know that you can use your ceiling fans and keep your shades open to keep your home warm? On your fan switch, turn it so that its blades rotate in the opposite direction. It helps circulate warm air trapped near the ceiling and push it downwards into the rest of the area. And then keep your blinds open to allow more natural light to get in. Both of these simple methods can help your HVAC system from working too hard.
Get an HVAC Inspection
If you haven’t scheduled an inspection yet, we recommend doing it as soon as possible before it gets too cold and the holidays start. A professional HVAC inspection can catch minor issues before they become serious problems. Call an HVAC expert for inspection, so you won’t need to worry if you’re traveling for the holidays.
Need an HVAC professional’s in Washington, DC? Contact Hugee Corporation online to get started. Their HVAC technicians will provide the best service in town. Talk to their experts today!
