5 HVAC Tips for the Holiday Season
Key takeaways:
• Changing the air filter regularly is vital.
• HVAC maintenance can prevent untimely problems.
• A smart thermostat can enhance comfort and save energy.
By Anne Fonda
Whether you’re hosting family and friends for the holidays or you’re going away on a much-needed vacation, ensuring your HVAC system is well-cared for can make a big difference in your comfort and energy bills. It can also help you avoid unexpected breakdowns.
We’ve pulled together 5 quick tips to help you enjoy the holidays worry-free.
Tip #1: Change your air filter
One of the best ways to make sure your guests are comfortable and your HVAC system performs efficiently is to keep up with HVAC air filter replacement. A clogged filter cannot only exacerbate your guests’ allergies and asthma by impacting indoor air quality (IAQ), but it can also cause your HVAC system to work harder and less efficiently.
Severely clogged filters can also lead to a system breakdown, which is the last thing you need if you’re hosting a large group of people. Do yourself a favor and check the filter and change it if it’s dirty.
Tip #2: Ensure proper airflow indoors and out
In addition to changing the filter, make sure that your HVAC system isn’t suffering from restricted airflow. This means checking to make sure indoor air return vents and supply registers are clear and not blocked by furniture or drapes. If they’re dusty, you can vacuum them with a vacuum attachment.
If you have a heat pump or it’s still warm enough that you’re running the air conditioner, make sure the outdoor unit is free of debris. Remove any leaves or twigs from the top of the unit, and trim back any plant material that is within two feet of the unit. This will help prevent problems.
Tip #3: Schedule professional HVAC maintenance
If you didn’t already have a fall tune-up of your HVAC system, schedule HVAC maintenance now. A furnace tune-up for a heat pump tune-up will help ensure your system is running smoothly, safely, and efficiently.
Regular maintenance can help prolong the life of your cooling and heating system, saving you the cost of early system replacement. A maintenance call can range from $70-$200, depending on the type of system you have, the age and condition of the system, where you live, and more.
Consider signing up for an HVAC service contract, which can save you money on service calls, repairs, and potentially give you priority service.
Tip #4: Take advantage of your smart thermostat
If you have an American Standard smart thermostat, you can use the Home App, Alexa, or Google Home to raise or lower the temperature from the palm of your hand or with a simple voice command.
This can be important if you have a large gathering and it’s getting hot and stuffy in your home. You’re busy with meal prep or entertaining. You don’t have time to go to the thermostat and change it manually.
If you’re traveling for the holidays, you can lower the temperature while you’re away to save energy. If you forget to make changes before you leave, a few taps on your smartphone while you’re waiting to board a plane or embarking on a road trip is all it takes. You can also monitor your system’s performance remotely, giving you peace of mind.
Tip #5: Take advantage of American Standard Diagnostics
Finally, and this tip is good for year-round – if you have one of our smart thermostats, take advantage of American Standard Diagnostics. You can opt in via the Home App. Why do this?
Because it gives your American Standard dealer the ability to monitor your HVAC system’s health remotely. They’ll see trends and early warning signs of potential issues. They will also receive system alerts such as when it’s time for maintenance or if a part is in danger of failing.
In some cases, they can solve the problem remotely, if you enable one-time Dealer Remote Access. This can be especially beneficial if you’re away from home. If they can’t solve the problem remotely, they’ll send a technician to your home, armed with the knowledge gleaned during remote troubleshooting.
"Leveraging American Standard Diagnostics, dealers can provide a holistic analysis of your HVAC system before arriving to your doorstep. Technicians are prepared for an efficient repair, and with tools built into the Technician App, you can trust that your tech will restore your comfort quickly and without the unexpected costs."
– Carla Kandalaft, Associate Product Manager for Residential HVAC Software
Your American Standard dealer – here when you need us
Whether you want to schedule a quick heat pump or furnace tune-up before the company arrives, or you want to upgrade to an American Standard smart thermostat, contact your local American Standard dealer for help.
Many dealers also provide emergency HVAC repair if you need it.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Eric Weiss, Training Manager I, Residential HVAC
