Prepping Your Home for the Holidays: Plumbing & HVAC Essentials

The holidays are right around the corner, which means it’s almost time for cozy family gatherings, festive dinners and friends stopping by. But, as any seasoned holiday host knows, it’s also prime time for household “surprises” like a clogged sink or an underperforming heating system. Here are some quick, easy ways to prepare your plumbing and HVAC systems to keep your home warm, inviting and stress free for the holiday season.

1. Clear Your Drains Before the Feast Begins

With all the cooking and extra dishes the last thing you need is a slow or clogged drain. Give your kitchen sink some love by running hot water through it, followed by baking soda and vinegar for a simple DIY clean. If it’s been a while since your drains were professionally cleaned consider scheduling a service. It’s a small step that can save you from dealing with a backup in the middle of dinner prep!

2. Get Your Water Heater Ready for Guests

When you’ve got extra guests, hot water can run out fast. Make sure your water heater is up to the challenge by setting it to the recommended 120°F. Hot enough for everyone’s showers but still safe and energy efficient. If your water heater has been a little sluggish lately, this might be a good time to call in a pro to check it out. And if it’s over 10 years old, you may want to consider an upgrade to avoid any chilly surprises.

3. Tune Up Your Heating System

There’s nothing like stepping into a warm house after being out in the cold! Ensure your heating system is working smoothly by scheduling a quick HVAC checkup. A professional tune up will help your system run more efficiently and catch any small issues before they turn into bigger more costly repairs. Plus, it’s a smart way to keep heating costs down during the coldest months.

4. Insulate Those Pipes

Winter weather can wreak havoc on exposed pipes. Take some time to check for exposed pipes in unheated areas, think basements, garages and crawl spaces, and wrap them with insulation sleeves. This small investment can help prevent pipes from freezing which can be a major and messy headache during the holidays.

5. Test Your Thermostat & Optimize Airflow

For many of us, holiday gatherings mean more people, which can warm up the house on its own. Make sure your thermostat is working properly and if you have a programmable one, set it to automatically lower the temperature slightly when you have a full house. It’ll save energy and keep everyone comfortable. Also, check that vents aren’t blocked by furniture as this can restrict airflow and make your system work harder than necessary.

6. Know Your Main Shutoff Valve

Here’s a little holiday hack that every host should know: make sure you know where your home’s main water shutoff valve is! In the hopefully unlikely event of a plumbing emergency, shutting off the water quickly can save a lot of hassle and potential damage.

Bonus Tip: Consider an Air Purifier

If you want to go the extra mile, consider installing an air purifier. With everyone spending more time indoors, it’s nice to have that extra boost in air quality. Many HVAC systems can be outfitted with a built-in purifier, which can help keep everyone breathing easier especially if there’s a lot of holiday baking going on!

Final Thoughts

Getting your plumbing and HVAC systems holiday ready doesn’t have to be a huge project, but a few simple steps now can help ensure your home is comfortable and welcoming for all your holiday celebrations. And if you need a hand with anything on this list, remember that our team at Mile High Plumbing, Electric and Air is here to help! From heating tune ups to plumbing check ups, we’re just a call away.