During the fall season, many people start to prepare their home for holiday gatherings. They might decorate, plan warm meals and dust off the guest room. Still, before friends and family arrive, it is also important to prepare your home in other ways, such as taking a look at your heating, cooling and ventilation systems. To fully prepare your home for the holidays, there are a few important steps to take.
Check Vents for Blockage
Many homeowners make the mistake of having curtains or certain furniture pieces block vents in the home, which can waste energy. Vents that are blocked will cause the heating and cooling system to work harder and will increase your energy bill.
Put Portable Heaters Away
Portable heaters may be convenient to use for extra warm air in a specific area of the house, especially in Florida where temperatures can fluctuate and homeowners might not want to switch from AC to heat. However, heaters can cause an air flow imbalance. Plus, unattended portable heaters can also be a fire hazard. If temperatures dip and you are tempted to turn on the heat, it’s best to contact a professional who can inspect the home’s furnace.
Schedule Your Showers
Sharing a bathroom gets even more inconvenient if you must take a cold shower. Unfortunately, tank water heaters will run out of hot water after several back-to-back showers. Sticking to a “shower schedule” will help conserve water, reduce chaos and keep the peace. Before guests arrive, get into the habit of taking shorter showers and/or spacing out showers if more than one person occupies the home. It might sound silly, but solidifying these habits now will help prevent the disruption of not having enough hot water for a shower once guests arrive. And don’t forget to communicate the plan with guests, too.
Program Your Thermostat
If you have a programmable thermostat, take advantage of the timed settings. Managing your home’s heating and cooling system will be one less thing to worry about, and this can help conserve energy while keeping the home at a comfortable temperature. During colder days, avoid using heat or AC entirely. Instead, open a window and embrace the brisk air. Resist running the AC during the evening and encourage guests to use ceiling fans and light blankets to stay comfortable. Alternatively, if it’s colder, have extra blankets available. Go the extra mile and pick up some warm socks for guests in case they forgot to pack for chilly weather. Relatives from up north might not realize that Florida temperatures can dip into the 30s and 40s.
Contact Colman Air for Professional Service
Before you start receiving an influx of visitors, contact Colman Heating and Air Conditioning. We can help to service your heater, or air conditioner, and make any necessary repairs. We also specialize in HVAC installation, indoor air quality control solutions and total system maintenance throughout the year.
