December 3, 2022
Happy holidays! As we head into winter territory, Parker & Sons is here to help with tons of tips!
Here are 10 heating and cooling tips to keep in mind this holiday season:
- Make sure your guests don’t do anything silly. If you have friends or family coming to stay with you for the holidays, educate them on some basic “HVAC facts”! Such as, there is no point in keeping a door closed in an “unused room,” hoping it will save money. In reality, keeping the door shut and vents shut in that room actually strains your heating system, making it work harder and costing you more money in the long run.
- Lower your thermostat at night or when you’re away. You can save energy and money by turning your thermostat down at night, or when you know nobody will be home for a while. This simple trick saves a lot of money because for every one degree you lower your thermostat for eight hours a day, you can save up to 1% on your energy bill!
- Make use of your ceiling fans! Ceiling fans are a great way to keep your home comfortable without cranking up the heat or air conditioning. In the winter, set your ceiling fans to run clockwise, so they push warm air down from the ceiling. (In the summer, set them to run counterclockwise, so they pull hot air up and out of the room.)
- Take advantage of daylight hours. During the winter months, the sun sets earlier and rises later. This can make it feel like your home is dark and dreary. Take advantage of the daylight hours by opening your curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. Not only will this help brighten your home, but it will also help you save on energy costs by heating up your home!
- Use space heaters sparingly. Space heaters can be a great way to supplement your heating, but they can also be a fire hazard if misused. Use space heaters only when necessary, and ensure they’re turned off when you leave the room.
- Don’t block vents with furniture or decorations. Vents must be clear so air can circulate properly throughout your home. Be mindful of where you place furniture and decorations so they don’t block any vents.
- Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible. Every time you open a door or window, warm air escapes, and cold air rushes in. To keep your home at a comfortable temperature, try to keep doors and windows closed as much as possible.
- Make sure your fireplace is vented adequately before lighting it. If you have a fireplace and plan to use it during the holidays, make sure it’s properly vented before lighting it. A build-up of carbon monoxide can be dangerous, so it’s important to take this precautionary measure.
- Check all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors before guests arrive. Ensure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home are working properly before guests arrive. This will help ensure everyone’s safety in case of an emergency.
- Get your heating system serviced before the holidays. The last thing you want is your furnace to go out in the middle of a cold snap. Schedule a tune-up for your furnace so you can be sure it’s running efficiently!
If you have questions about your furnace or want to schedule a tune-up, please give Parker & Sons a call today! We’re always happy to help keep our customers’ homes in Phoenix and Tucson comfortable.
