Metro West & Worcester County East, MA
HOME & LIFESTYLE GUIDE Volume 39, Issue 1
Nicholson offers these five tips to make sure the home is ready for colder weather and holiday visitors:
HEAT AND AN D AIR MAINTENANCE for the Holidays
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Now that the holiday season is in full swing, your home is likely seeing more foot traffic from guests and family. From friends stopping by with gifts, to parties and that yearly visit from the in-laws, your heating and air units may be working overtime. “Attention to a few items in the home can help prepare you for visiting family and friends during the holidays,” says Mike Nicholson, owner of Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. “Now is the time to take action on winterizing certain things in and around the home. It will give you peace of mind as the weather turns colder and holiday guests visit your home.”
TUNE UP THE HEATING
CHECK THE PLUMBING AS WELL
Winter often brings extremely cold temperatures, so you want to be sure your heating unit is working at peak efficiency. To make sure everyone is warm during the cold weather, try changing out your filters to give your system the best chance of success. You may also need a comprehensive heating system check from a trusted HVAC company. A system tune-up and filter replacement can go a long way toward preventing problems from putting a chill on your holiday plans.
With the influx of visitors, toilets and fixtures will get a lot of use. If a lot of hot water is being used, it can also put a strain on your heating system. Now is the best time to take care of any maintenance and repairs. If drains aren’t flowing well and freely, plunge water into the drain first before you try to remove the trap in an attempt to clear it. Be mindful that some do-it-yourself, chemical drain cleaners can be harmful to your pipes. Instead, consider trying a natural remedy: pour equal parts salt, baking soda and vinegar to clean out a partial clog. If the weather gets really cold, keep the cabinet doors in front of your sink open, so that the warm air from your heating system can flow in easier, keeping your pipes warm.
CLEAN AIR DUCTS To provide fresh, allergen-free air to your holiday houseguests, you will want to perform a thorough duct cleaning. When your ducts are filthy, your filters clog up faster and force your system to work harder to distribute air. This decreased efficiency leads to higher energy bills and excessive wear and tear on your system. Removing the registers and vacuuming the outlet is a good start, but you may want to opt for a whole-house duct cleaning to really do the job. Having a HVAC technician give your ducts a thorough inspection can help guide you in the proper direction.
SEAL DRAFTY WINDOWS AND DOORS Applying caulk or weather stripping where cold air creeps in will help with energy savings. If cold air creeps in, that too will put a strain on the heating system’s ability to keep your house warm and cozy for the holidays. Also put a draft guard under doors that lead to the exterior, and make sure the doors stay closed after people go in and out!
WINTERIZE THE EXTERIOR To prevent pipes from bursting, ensure outdoor spigots are shut off as freezing weather approaches. Have some rock salt on hand to de-ice sidewalks and driveways to make sure your holiday visitors are safe. Inspect the exterior as well to make sure there are no cracks that could let air inside, forcing your heating system to work overtime.
By following these tips, and contacting your local HVAC company to provide an inspection of your system, you will be well prepared to handle the influx of visitors and whatever mother nature throws at you this holiday season. Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2018. All rights reserved.
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