As the cooler weather approaches, it’s time to start preparing your home for the holidays. Whether you’re expecting guests or planning to spend the holidays quietly at home, there are things you can do to stay warm and comfortable while saving money and keeping energy costs low. Here’s a list of reminders and tips to help you get ready to enjoy what is sure to be another wonderful holiday season.
Basic Tips
- Let the sunlight in. Take advantage of the free heat from the sun. When it’s shining in your windows, open the blinds or curtains and allow the warmth to enter your home. Getting in this habit can allow your furnace to work less and save you on energy cost. The sunlight will also have the added benefit of reducing cabin fever and perking up everyone’s mood!
- Use your ceiling fans. Many people don’t realize that ceiling fans are not just for cooling a room; they can help keep it warm, too. Cool air sinks and warm air rises. Switch your fans into reverse, and they will help push warm air down from the ceiling. Using ceiling fans in conjunction with your heating unit can help a room to feel warmer without having to adjust the thermostat.
- Avoid using portable heaters. Portable heating units can be dangerous if not used properly or if left unattended. If you notice some rooms in your home are colder than others, this might be indicative of a larger issue with your home heating system.
- Keep the damper closed. If you have a fireplace, and you’re not using it, keep the damper in your chimney closed. When open, it is very easy for warm air to escape and cold air to enter which can create a drafty feeling inside your home.
Your HVAC System
- Use a programmable thermostat. Help conserve energy and keep everyone comfortable with a programmable thermostat. Set the thermostat at a lower temperature at night when everyone is sleeping and comfortable under blankets. Then have it set to warm the house up a few degrees by the time people are waking up. Depending on the level of activity and people in your home, you may plan on setting your thermostat a couple degrees lower than normal to keep your house comfortable.
- Get a furnace tune-up. If you haven’t already, schedule your annual furnace maintenance. Nobody wants the furnace to quit unexpectedly, especially when you’re entertaining a house full of guests. With annual maintenance, a trained technician can inspect and tune-up your furnace to help you guarantee it’s running efficiently and effectively when you’ll need it most. Well maintained units run better, use less power and lower energy costs.
- Keep your registers and vents free and clear. Give your home a one-over and make sure curtains and/or furniture aren’t blocking your heating registers in any way. If guests are staying in your home make sure their suitcases and other belongings are clear from the vents and registers. If the air supply is hindered in any way, this can cause your furnace to work harder to compensate for the imbalance.
Especially during the holidays, it’s good to feel confident in your home’s heating system and know you’ll be warm and cozy. Following these tips can help you be sure you and your guests will enjoy the holiday as planned.
For more on how you can be preparing your home for the holidays or for questions, Bradbury Brothers is your leading HVAC specialist. Give us a call at 281-651-5484 or on our website at www.BradburyBrothers.com.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems). Bradbury Brothers services most of southern Montgomery County including The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia, and other surrounding areas.
