Maintenance•4 min read•December 8, 2025

Holiday Season HVAC Tips: Keep Your Home Comfortable

Rob Kloepfer

HVAC Expert

The holiday season brings family gatherings, festive celebrations, and increased activity in your home. With more people, more cooking, and more time spent indoors, your HVAC system faces unique challenges. These tips will help ensure your home stays comfortable and your system runs efficiently throughout the holidays.

Pre-Holiday HVAC Preparation

1. Schedule Pre-Holiday Maintenance

Before guests arrive, ensure your system is in top condition:

Replace air filters (especially important with increased indoor activity)
Test your heating system to ensure reliable operation
Check thermostat functionality
Inspect and clean vents and registers
Verify carbon monoxide detectors are working

2. Test Your System Early

Don't wait until the first cold snap or when guests arrive. Test your heating system in early December to identify any issues while you still have time for repairs.

Managing Increased Indoor Activity

Adjust Thermostat for Guests

With more people in your home, you may need to adjust your thermostat:

More bodies generate heat, so you might be able to lower the thermostat slightly
Use a smart thermostat to maintain consistent temperatures
Consider zone heating if you have guests in specific areas

Improve Air Circulation

With more people and cooking activities, air quality can suffer. Ensure proper ventilation by:

Using kitchen exhaust fans while cooking
Opening windows briefly for fresh air exchange
Ensuring return vents aren't blocked by furniture or decorations
Running bathroom exhaust fans to reduce humidity

Manage Humidity Levels

Holiday cooking, showers, and more people can increase indoor humidity. Monitor humidity levels (ideal: 30-50%) and use exhaust fans or a dehumidifier if needed to prevent condensation and mold growth.

Holiday-Specific Considerations

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Keep Decorations Away from Vents
Ensure holiday decorations, trees, and furniture don't block supply or return vents. Blocked vents reduce efficiency and can cause system strain.
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Fireplace Use
If using a fireplace, close the damper when not in use to prevent heat loss. Consider turning down your thermostat when the fireplace is active to save energy.
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Kitchen Heat Management
Oven and stovetop use generates significant heat. Use exhaust fans and consider slightly lowering your thermostat when cooking large meals.
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Minimize Door Opening
Frequent door opening lets cold air in. Use a door mat and try to minimize how long doors stay open, especially during cold weather.

Emergency Preparedness

Know Your Emergency Contacts

Keep RK Airsystems' contact information handy in case of heating emergencies during the holidays. We offer 24/7 emergency service to ensure your home stays warm.

Have Backup Heating Options

Consider having space heaters (used safely) or fireplace as backup options. Never use outdoor heating equipment indoors.

Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors

With increased heating system use and potential fireplace operation, ensure all carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries and are functioning properly.

🎁 Holiday Gift Idea

A smart thermostat makes a great gift and can help manage comfort and energy costs during the holidays. Many models allow remote control, so you can adjust temperatures even when away from home.

Energy Efficiency During the Holidays

While comfort is important during gatherings, you can still be energy-efficient:

Lower the thermostat when guests are active (body heat helps warm the space)
Use LED holiday lights (they generate less heat and use less energy)
Close curtains at night to retain heat
Don't overheat unused guest rooms
Use zone heating if available to heat only occupied areas

RK Airsystems: Your Holiday HVAC Partner

At RK Airsystems, we understand how important reliable heating is during the holiday season. Whether you need pre-holiday maintenance, emergency repairs, or system upgrades, we're here to ensure your home stays comfortable for all your celebrations.

Don't let HVAC issues disrupt your holiday plans. Schedule maintenance now, and rest easy knowing your system is ready for whatever winter brings.

🎅 Keep the warmth in and the cold out this holiday season. Contact RK Airsystems today for pre-holiday maintenance or emergency service when you need it most.