The holidays are full of exciting–and sometimes hectic—moments, many of which happen right within your home. With so much going on—parties, out of town guests arriving, and other holiday related activities—the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not your home is comfy enough for you and your guests! Be sure to make this holiday season extra special by implementing these easy tips to keep your home comfortable.
Weather Proof Your Home
Before guests arrive, be sure to weather proof your home with simple upgrades, such as new weather stripping where needed. Add caulking to plug any leaks around windows, doors, and outlets on external walls. Also, use fabric draft blockers on the bottoms of your doors to prevent cold air from entering your home and warm air from seeping out.
This goes for larger areas too. If you have an attic, be sure that the attic is properly insulated and the door leading back into the home isn’t leaking any drafts. Any air-leaks around the edges can be sealed with weather-stripping, insulation, or a bit of caulk, depending on where the leak is. If your home has a fireplace, be sure to seal off the flue, which will help to keep the cold outside air from entering your home. Be sure this is done each time you are not actively using your fireplace to ensure that the warm air stays where you want it, rather than escaping out the chimney. If your fireplace runs on natural gas, be sure to turn off the pilot light when it’s not in use.
Don’t Heat Rooms that Aren’t in Use
This is a great tip for those times when you are hosting holiday parties and get-togethers. Of course you want to keep your guests comfortable, but you don’t want to break the bank! Since you’ll probably be isolating guests to only a few rooms, go ahead and close the heating vents to any rooms not in use. This includes any bedrooms, guest rooms, and storage areas. By concentrating the heat only on the areas you’ll be entertaining, you can easily cut down a bit on energy costs.
For Overnight Guests, Mind Your Thermostat
According to the National Sleep Foundation, an indoor temperature set to 65 ºF makes for the perfect sleeping atmosphere. During the nights when your guests sleep over, by setting your thermostat to a lower temperature, you can help keep them comfortable while saving on energy costs. It is estimated that by each degree you reduce your thermostat during the winter, you could save up to 4 to 5% in energy costs. Also, keep your guest’s rooms stocked with extra blankets in case they are sensitive to chills.
Don’t Forget Those Special Touches!
Keeping a cozy home during the holidays isn’t just about making sure your home’s temperature is comfortable. Pay attention to smaller details around your home and your guests will be forever grateful. For both drop in guests and those who stay overnight, be sure to keep a well-stocked kitchen. Have both coffee and tea available in the mornings, and fill your refrigerator with typical kitchen essentials, like milk, veggies, butter, eggs, cheese, and coffee creamer. Have a variety of “grab and go” type foods on hand, so that people can fill their bellies with little effort on either their or your part. Options such as well stocked fruit bowls on the counter, a few varieties of cereal, snack foods in the cupboard, and easy grab and go foods, such as yogurt, in the fridge are always a great choice.
Also, make sure your bathroom is inviting! Have hand soap, clean hand-towels, and a few air fresheners available for guests. For those who are staying overnight, offer them plenty of clean fluffy towels, some travel sized toiletries, and fresh clean linens to make their stay with you extra enjoyable.
If you need help ensuring that your HVAC system is up and running smoothly to keep you and your guests comfortable this holiday season, contact us today. Whether you just need a tune-up or a more complicated repair, we are ready to help you maintain home comfort.
