Cold weather and family gatherings loom as the holiday season approaches. As events ranging from Halloween parties to Christmas dinners start to fill up your calendar, it’s a good idea to make sure that your HVAC system is ready to keep things comfortable and provide the best indoor air quality for you and your guests. 

How Do You Prepare Your HVAC for the Holiday Season?

While the most important safety tips are to have regular inspections and maintenance, there are a number of steps you can take on your own to prepare your HVAC for the holiday season. This checklist of HVAC holiday tips is a good start:

• Clear vents and registers of any blockages – even if there is no furniture or other objects impeding airflow, vents and registers can accumulate enough dust and debris to impede airflow. Pay attention to blockages both large and small. 
• Clean and clear the area around your outside unit – Lawn debris ranging from grass clippings to sticks and branches can impede your unit’s airflow. Clear an area around the unit and remove any detritus to ensure proper airflow to the unit. You can also use a soft brush and gentle application of water to clean the coils while doing so. 
• Clean or replace your air filters – Grit and particulates are constantly removed from the air by these filters and, as they accumulate, they block airflow and put a strain on your HVAC system. These filters should be checked and replaced on a regular schedule even when not preparing for the holidays. 
• Check your ductwork – Use foil tape to seal any small leaks or gaps that you find. You should also clean out any accumulated dust and debris… not only in order to increase airflow, but also to reduce the amount of such debris in the air. 
• Check for and seal any leaks around windows and doors – It is surprising how often homes lose heat due to it escaping around doors and windows. Look for drafts in your home. Once discovered, a small amount of caulk can usually solve the issue. If you have an old house with single pane windows that get very cold, consider closing the drapes during your party to act as a barrier to the cold window glass.
• Check your furnace – Is it burning with a blue flame? If so, you’re in good shape. The presence of an orange or yellow flame is an indicator of dirt / debris build-up and can potentially introduce carbon monoxide into the air. If you see any color other than blue, give us a call.

Ensure that you’re ready for guests this season with a toasty island of warmth as refuge against the chill. 

Tragar Home Services – Long Island’s HVAC Holiday Heroes

Before the real cold arrives, let our highly trained professional team perform an evaluation of your HVAC systems so that any maintenance or repair needs can be dealt with before winter arrives. For more than six and a half decades, Tragar Home Services has delivered 5-star service to Nassau and Suffolk Counties both during and after business hours. With a two-hour average response time, our emergency responses time is faster than any in the area. Contact us today and ensure your comfort through the winter!