The holiday season is here. And while most people don’t think about their house’s HVAC system or plumbing, it’s a good idea to do a final check to make sure your home is in good shape for the holidays. There’s nothing worse than your furnace breaking down or a pipe bursting during a holiday party because you neglected warning signs of impending trouble.
The following is a quick guide to get you ready for a worry-free holiday season.
HVAC Tips
Change your furnace’s air filter. If you haven’t done this already, now is a good time. If you plan on having a lot of guests over to your house, they’ll appreciate the cleaner air. Additionally, having more people in your house can clog your filter faster. When the holidays are over, you should check your air filter again and replace if necessary.
Get your furnace tuned-up. This is something that should be done in the early fall, but it’s never too late. Having a professional HVAC technician inspect and tune-up your furnace will prevent unexpected problems in the future. The technician will carefully inspect the furnace, inside and out, to ensure it’s in proper working order. Any problems found in the early stages are much easier (and less expensive!) to handle than when they become a full-blown emergency.
Program your thermostat for maximum efficiency. Does your house really need to be toasty warm when you’re gone? Probably not. Program your thermostat so that your house is cooler when you’re away, and warmer when you’re home. This will save you money over the long run.
Plumbing Tips
Keep your pipes warm. If you’re going to be on vacation over the holiday season, take a few steps to prevent your pipes from freezing (and potentially bursting!). Open the cabinet doors under the sink to allow warm air to circulate around the water pipes. If it’s really cold, turn on faucets so there’s a slight drip to keep the water moving and prevent freezing. And consider having pipes that are prone to freezing insulated.
Don’t clog your sink drains. Grease, fats and oils from a lot of the foods we cook over the holidays should never be poured down your sink drain. Why? It can coagulate and clog your pipes. A good alternative is to pour those liquids into an empty can, freeze it and then throw it away in the garbage.
Disconnect all outdoor hoses from spigot. This is one that many people neglect because it doesn’t seem like a big deal. But if there is water in the hose that freezes, it could back up into the spigot and burst the pipe, then you have a big mess on your hands. Walk around the outside of your house and make sure no hoses are attached to the spigot. Even better, coil your hoses up and store them in a dry place, like your garage or a garden shed so they don’t crack from the ice during the winter.
Never hesitate to call a plumber or HVAC technician
You can do a lot of little stuff yourself to keep your home in good shape over the holiday season. But if you notice anything out of the ordinary, like strange sounds coming from your furnace (for example), it’s better to call a pro who can properly diagnose and fix the problem. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will become and the more expensive it will be to fix.
Whether you need a furnace tune-up or have problems with your home’s plumbing, we’re here to help. Call us today to schedule an appointment and we can help you stay safe during the holidays.
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