The holiday season is a great time to spend with family and friends. However, all those holiday gatherings, extra cooking, and extra people in your home can increase your heating demands. This can lead to unwanted surprises like sudden breakdowns, spikes in your bills, and uneven heating. Fortunately, we’re going to share with you some of our best holiday heating tips to optimize system efficiency.
Prep Your Heating System Before Guests Arrive
One of our best holiday heating tips to ensure efficient home heating is prepping your heating system before your guests arrive. This starts with checking your heating system’s air filter. Pull it out, and hold it up to a light. If you can’t see through the filter, replace it with a new one. Regularly replacing air filters not only improves efficiency but also protects your indoor air quality.
If you have household members with severe allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, consider a filter with a rating above 11. This offers the best filtration to reduce flare-ups during your holiday events. Additionally, take a few minutes to walk around your home and check all your air vents. Ensure that they are completely open and free from any obstructions. Unintentional obstructions can lead to uneven heating and discomfort throughout your home. Even furniture, curtains, or decorations placed in front of vents can reduce airflow. Take the time to reposition them before entertaining guests.
Program your thermostat for optimal comfort settings. Confirm that it’s set to Heat, and your blower fan is set to Auto, not On. Consider scheduling professional heating system maintenance. During this visit, one of our technicians will thoroughly assess all the components of your system. They’ll also provide tips to improve efficiency during the high-demand holiday period.
They’ll clean the components, lubricate them, and ensure they work efficiently. Heating system maintenance helps to catch small problems, so we can repair them before they turn into major breakdowns. It’s also necessary to maintain the warranty coverage on your heating system. Regular maintenance prolongs the lifespan of your furnace, heat pump, or ductless mini-split system, helping prevent unexpected repair costs.
If your existing heating system is nearing the end of its lifespan, consider a replacement before the holidays. In general, furnaces that burn fuel last 15 to 20 years, while those that run on electricity last 20 to 30 years. Heat pumps have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, while ductless mini-splits can last 15 to 20 years. Upgrading older systems can improve energy efficiency by 20% to 40%, which can offset replacement costs over time.
As your system ages, it will operate less efficiently and create issues like uneven heating. Your risk of experiencing a breakdown will increase, and it’s likely your warranty coverage will expire. We suggest upgrading to decrease your risk of having an HVAC emergency during the holiday season. Plus, you can have peace of mind knowing your warranty covers your system in case something goes wrong.
Set Your Thermostat for Comfort Without Overworking the System
Efficient home heating starts with ideal temperature settings. You need a good balance of optimal comfort while reducing energy usage. It’s important to know the ideal temperature range for daytime and overnight hours. One of the best ways to reduce heating bills in winter is to turn the temperature on your thermostat down during the overnight hours. Even a reduction of 2 or 3 degrees Fahrenheit can result in significant savings on your energy bills.
For example, opt to turn the temperature down by a few degrees when everyone’s getting ready for bed. The cooler temperature makes it easier to sleep and reduces energy consumption. If household members will be away from home, program the thermostat to lower the temperature during those times. This helps to further reduce heating bills, so you’re not dealing with unexpected bill increases. Smart thermostats make this process easy, allowing you to schedule changes automatically based on your routine.
One of our best holiday heating tips is to routinely assess your home comfort and adjust your thermostat settings accordingly. Far too often, homeowners believe they must make a major change to their thermostat settings to see energy savings. That’s not the case. A lot of the time, simply adjusting your thermostat slightly can add up. You’ll experience significant energy savings over the long term. We suggest checking in at least once a month. See if you can adjust your temperature down by a degree without noticing a difference in your comfort.
Reduce Heat Loss With Quick Home Efficiency Fixes
One of the biggest struggles during the winter is heat loss. Cold air can penetrate your home and reduce your indoor temperature. Fortunately, many ways exist to reduce heat loss with home efficiency fixes. This is a must for reducing heating bills during winter.
We suggest starting by sealing any drafts around your doors and windows. You can use weather stripping, caulking, or spray foam. The idea is to minimize any air coming into your home that could affect your interior temperature. Also, consider putting foam insert pads over your outlets and light switches on exterior walls. Additionally, check your attic access points and garage door for air leaks that need sealing. Even small gaps can significantly impact heating efficiency, so inspect your home thoroughly.
Natural sunlight is one of the most crucial ways to ensure efficient home heating during winter. Let as much direct sunlight into your home as possible during the day. Every degree that natural sunlight warms your rooms reduces the work your heating system must do. Open curtains and blinds during the day and close them at night to provide natural insulation. Sunlight can also help reduce humidity and make rooms feel more comfortable without adjusting the thermostat.
Use Fireplaces, Space Heaters, and Ceiling Fans the Right Way
One common holiday heating tip you’ll find online is to use supplemental heat. Supplemental heat can be helpful in some instances. However, it can sometimes drive up your heating bills instead of decreasing them. For example, using multiple space heaters throughout your home instead of adjusting your thermostat can increase energy costs. Space heaters also pose safety hazards, so use them sparingly.
If you have a fireplace, you may think it significantly reduces heating bills, but most of its heat goes out the chimney. We don’t recommend using it as a reliable supplemental heat source. Installing glass doors on your fireplace and using a fireplace blower can slightly improve efficiency, but it will never replace central heating.
Apart from heating system maintenance, one of our best tips for home efficiency is using ceiling fans properly. You may be familiar with using them during the summer. However, they benefit your winter heating when you set them to rotate clockwise at a low speed. This will recirculate air trapped at the top of your rooms back down to the floor. This recirculation of hot air keeps you comfortable without turning up the thermostat. We recommend installing ceiling fans in bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dens. Fans also improve airflow and reduce hot or cold spots, increasing overall comfort.
Know the Warning Signs of Holiday Heating Trouble
While heating system maintenance greatly minimizes your risk of a problem, it can’t completely eliminate it. From time to time, your heating system can experience a malfunction. As a homeowner, you must understand the early warning signs of an issue. Call us promptly as soon as you notice something is amiss. The sooner we repair your system, the less damage it will incur. Acting quickly can prevent minor issues from turning into expensive problems during the busy holiday season.
Some of the most common warning signs include unusual noises, odd odors, short cycling, and uneven heating. You may notice a sudden increase in your energy bill or weak airflow from your vents. Avoid continuing to run your heating unit, as doing so could make repairs costlier. Early detection allows our technicians to resolve problems efficiently and reduce downtime for your heating system.
Enjoy a Warm Holiday Season With Reliable, Efficient Heating
No one wants to deal with HVAC surprises during the holidays. Fortunately, following the holiday heating tips above greatly minimizes your risk of problems. From scheduling professional heating system maintenance to setting your thermostat appropriately, many things can help keep your home warm and stress-free. By taking a proactive approach, you can protect your household, improve your comfort, and reduce your energy costs.
To schedule a holiday heating tune-up in Centerville, UT or nearby, contact Call Climate Services today!
