The holiday season is here! Time for parties galore. When it’s your turn to host a holiday get-together of your own, you will want to make sure that everything is perfect. The temperature will need to be just right in your home so that everyone will be comfortable. Here are some suggestions for making sure your home is perfectly heated for your holiday party:
Close Off Rooms that Aren’t Being Used to Conserve Heat
Chances are there are at least a few rooms in your home that won’t be used during your party. Instead of wasting resources heating these areas, close them off for the duration of the event. Not only will it redirect heat into the areas that will be occupied, but it will also discourage guests from wandering into other areas of your home you’d rather keep private.
Replace Your Furnace’s Air Filter
The day before your party, replace the air filter in your furnace. If it has very recently been changed, then all is well. However, if you have not yet replaced it for the season, you will want to do so now to be certain the air in your home will be fresh and healthy. The vibe will be warm and welcoming, and you can rest assured that no pollutants will find their way in via your heating system. Clean air vent covers and make sure they aren’t blocked. Thoroughly clean the air vent covers and heating grates in your home prior to party time. This will prevent any dust from lurking around waiting to be discovered, much to your embarrassment by your party guests. It will also prevent dust, dirt, and other debris from circulating throughout your home. Make sure furniture, curtains, etc. are not blocking the vents and ducts. If you are adding extra chairs for party guests, double-check to make sure you have not placed them directly in front of or close to heating ducts.
Light a Warm, Festive Fire
Nothing will set the mood for a holiday party quite like a crackling fire. Early in the day, make sure your fireplace is clean and set up for the evening ahead. Having a protective screen in place is a good idea for added safety. The fire will keep the temperature in your home just right so that you can turn the thermostat down a few degrees, and your guests will love the cozy holiday atmosphere.
Place Humidifiers Around Your Home
Humidifiers will add just the right amount of moisture to the air to retain heat and keep your home warm and cozy throughout your gathering. It will also make the air healthier to breathe as humidifiers help to kill bacteria. Rather than placing several small humidifiers around your house, you might want to consider purchasing a home humidifier that will be more convenient for you and your family to use all year long.
Turn Your Thermostat Down During Party Prep
Throughout the day, as you are getting everything ready for your party, turn the thermostat down. You will stay warm enough as you go about cooking, cleaning, decorating, and setting up for the festivities.
Use Ceiling Fans
Set your ceiling fans on “Reverse” and let them direct the rising heated air back down into the room. The fans will disperse the warm air without cooling it down. This trick will also allow you to reduce your thermostat’s temperature setting, as the fans will keep the warm air circulating throughout the rooms all evening, keeping things comfortable without making your home too warm.
Use Carefully Placed Space Heaters
Small, strategically-placed space heaters are great for keeping larger rooms warm without having to crank up the thermostat. Place them in out-of-the-way spots where they won’t be conspicuous, but where they will provide warmth, especially in remote areas where small groups of people may branch off from the crowd to chat. Remember to keep space heaters and cords out of walkways or busy traffic areas where they could cause accidents.
Have Your HVAC System Inspected and Cleaned
If you didn’t do so at the beginning of the cold-weather season, make an appointment about a week or so before your event to have your HVAC system professionally inspected and cleaned. An HVAC technician will perform a comprehensive inspection of your system, including checking for any potential problems that could rear their ugly heads at the worst possible time and also giving your system – including heating ducts – a thorough cleaning.
We at Pickerington Heating and Cooling are happy to be at your service to help make your holiday events comfortable and memorable. Call us at 614-837-4026 to schedule an appointment to have your HVAC system inspected and cleaned to get it Winter-ready. You can also visit us on the web at https://www.pickheat.com/appointments/.
