For many people, Christmas is the perfect opportunity to reunite with friends and family. Maybe your parents want to stop by for a few weeks, or your college-aged children are planning to visit in between semesters. Perhaps your cousins can’t wait to see you, or the entire extended family is flying in for the big party.

Whatever the reason, your home will likely host a few extra people in the guest bedrooms or on the couches. Though you love and adore your family, your HVAC system might not be ready to handle a crowd. To accommodate everyone, be sure to follow these HVAC tips for the holidays to avoid needing HVAC repair in Denver, CO.

1. Schedule Showers Ahead of Time

Your average water heater or boiler heats enough water for two or three hot showers before the water supply needs to be replenished. For most people, that’s more than enough. But when you add five or six family members to the mix, you need to carefully schedule shower time to ensure everyone has enough hot water. Encourage some family members to shower in the evenings and tell others to shower in the mornings. There should be enough of a gap between them so your water heater’s storage tank can be replenished.

Some people try to “increase” their supply of hot water by adjusting the water heater’s thermostat to a much higher temperature. But remember that a higher setting doesn’t mean more hot water. Instead, it just spikes energy use as the water heater tries to accommodate. It could even cause burns. Frequent hosts should consider installing a water heater with a larger storage tank to make sure there’s enough hot water to go around.

2. Replace Air Filters and Clean Ductwork

Do any of your guests suffer from allergies, asthma or another respiratory condition? You’ll want to give your home a thorough cleaning from top to bottom to remove pollen, dust mites and other allergens. As you clean up, don’t forget to replace your furnace’s air filters and vacuum the ductwork, as they’re important tasks for pre-winter furnace maintenance.

New, high-quality air filters are more effective at catching many of the airborne contaminants responsible for symptoms like sneezing, coughing and asthma attacks. And when you clean the ducts, you’re preventing any dust or debris from moving through them to every room in the house.

With enough time and the proper budget, you could invest in a whole-house humidifier as well. Humidifiers provide lasting relief to those who suffer from sinus irritation or dry skin. A portable model may be adequate for holiday visitors, especially if they only need the extra humidity at night.

3. Use Extra Surge Protectors

You and your spouse probably have multiple electronics recharging every day, such as your phones, tablets and laptops. They all need a reliable outlet to keep their batteries at full power. Now, multiply the number of devices by the number of guests visiting your home this Christmas.

Unfortunately, the most common answer is overcrowded outlets and more than a few electronics still needing to recharge.

Before you overload the circuit breaker with extension cords and power strips, consider investing in a few extra surge protectors. They’ll enable you to charge more devices at the same time without overworking the outlet, which can create a fire hazard. And when devices have finished charging, you can simply flip the switch to avoid wasting electricity.

4. Adjust the Thermostat According to Your Guests

Many couples like to lower the thermostat in winter and snuggle up together under some cozy blankets. Others prefer to keep the heat on so they can enjoy shorts and t-shirts even in winter. But just because the two of you feel comfortable at a certain setting doesn’t mean the rest of your guests will feel the same way.

Learn what temperatures your friends and family members prefer before adjusting the thermostat accordingly. You may have to compromise with a few relatives by providing alternative ways for everyone to stay warm (or cool). But when a majority of people can agree on a common temperature up front, you can often avoid an expensive “thermostat war” that puts extra strain on your HVAC system, your bank account and everyone’s holiday cheer.

5. Schedule Furnace Maintenance

Remember what we mentioned about routine furnace maintenance? If you haven’t scheduled preventive maintenance in a while, now’s the perfect time. Your technician can perform a comprehensive inspection during a maintenance call, looking for signs of trouble that could lead to furnace repair in Denver, CO, or even premature furnace installation in Denver, CO. Anything we find could have caused a problem while your holiday guests are in town.

Instead, the technician can resolve things right then and there. We’ll also provide a thorough cleaning and lubricate or fasten any components that need extra attention. Not only can routine maintenance improve the effectiveness of your furnace during the holidays, but for years to come.

Enjoy the Holidays with Support from Lakeside Heating & Air Conditioning

When you follow these five steps, your home will be better prepared to handle family guests and keep everyone comfortable this holiday season. But if you need additional tips and advice, don’t hesitate to talk to a professional technician from Lakeside Heating & Air Conditioning. They can advise you about the best ways to maintain your home before and after your guests come for a visit. And when you need heating and cooling repair in Denver, CO, our HVAC company is here to help!