What Should You Do Before Holiday Guests Arrive?

A professional inspection combined with basic maintenance ensures your system handles increased demand without unexpected breakdowns.

• Schedule professional maintenance: HVAC companies experience high demand during winter, so book your inspection 2-3 weeks before major gatherings to ensure availability and catch potential problems early.
• Replace air filters: Install a fresh, high-quality filter (MERV 11-13 rated) before guests arrive to improve indoor air quality and prevent airflow restrictions that force your system to work harder.
• Test your thermostat: Verify it accurately reads temperature and responds to adjustments—faulty thermostats cause uneven heating and wasted energy.
• Clear all vents and returns: Walk through your home, ensuring furniture, holiday decorations, or stored items don’t block supply vents or return air grilles, which significantly reduces system efficiency.
• Check outdoor unit clearance: Remove leaves, decorations, and debris from around your heat pump or furnace exhaust, maintaining at least 2 feet of clearance on all sides

How Should You Adjust Your Thermostat for Holiday Gatherings?

Strategic thermostat management balances guest comfort with energy efficiency during increased home occupancy.

• Lower temperature before guests arrive: Set your thermostat 2-3 degrees below your normal setting about an hour before guests arrive—body heat from multiple people will naturally raise the temperature.
• Maintain 68-72°F for comfort: This range accommodates most preferences while managing energy costs, though you may find the lower end sufficient during large gatherings.
• Use programmable scheduling: Set your thermostat to warm guest bedrooms 2-3 hours before overnight visitors arrive, then reduce temperatures during sleeping hours when blankets provide warmth.
• Avoid dramatic temperature swings: Frequent large adjustments force your system to work harder and consume more energy than maintaining relatively steady temperatures.

How Can You Maintain Good Indoor Air Quality With Extra Guests?

More people in your home means more airborne particles, cooking odors, and humidity that impact comfort and health.

• Upgrade to higher-rated filters: MERV 11-13 filters capture smaller particles, including dust, pollen, and pet dander, without restricting airflow, particularly important for guests with allergies.
• Run kitchen exhaust fans: Use ventilation during cooking to remove excess moisture, odors, and airborne particles before they circulate through your HVAC system.
• Monitor humidity levels: Maintaining humidity between 30–50% keeps guests comfortable while protecting your home from mold and allergens.
• Vacuum and dust several days early: Deep clean before guests arrive, giving your HVAC system time to filter out particles disturbed during cleaning

Why Do Holiday Guests Increase HVAC System Strain?

Understanding these factors helps you prepare appropriately and avoid system overload. 

• Additional body heat: Each person generates approximately 250-400 BTUs per hour, depending on activity level, which can raise indoor temperatures several degrees during large gatherings.
• Frequent door traffic: Guests entering and exiting allows conditioned air to escape, forcing your system to run longer cycles to maintain set temperatures.
• Extended cooking times: Holiday meal preparation generates substantial heat and humidity, requiring your HVAC system to work harder to maintain comfortable conditions.
• Blocked vents from temporary arrangements: Holiday decorations, extra seating, and rearranged furniture can inadvertently obstruct airflow, reducing system efficiency by 25% or more per blocked vent.

What Last-Minute Checks Should You Make?

A quick final walkthrough the day before guests arrive catches any overlooked issues.

• Run a 30-minute test: Start your system and verify it produces adequate heat and operates without unusual noises like rattling, grinding, or squealing that indicate mechanical problems.
• Replace thermostat batteries: Prevent unexpected shutdowns during gatherings by installing fresh batteries in programmable thermostats.
• Verify vent accessibility: Make a final check that wrapped gifts, decorations, or last-minute furniture moves haven’t blocked any vents.
• Have backup plans ready: Know where space heaters and extra blankets are stored, and keep your HVAC company’s emergency number easily accessible

Keep Your Home Comfortable This Holiday Season

Preparing your HVAC system for holiday guests doesn’t require complicated steps. A professional inspection, clean air filter, and strategic thermostat management ensure your heating system handles increased demands reliably while maintaining good indoor air quality and comfortable temperatures for everyone.

“Homeowners often don’t realize how much extra strain holiday guests put on their HVAC systems,” says Bill Kanipe, President and CEO of Patriot Air Comfort Systems. “Between the additional body heat, constant door traffic, and extended cooking times, your system works much harder during the holidays. A pre-season inspection and a few simple preparations can prevent breakdowns and ensure everyone stays comfortable throughout your celebrations.”

Contact Patriot Air Comfort Systems today to schedule your pre-holiday inspection. Our expert technicians will ensure your heating system is ready for the season’s demands, helping you avoid unexpected breakdowns and keep your home warm and welcoming throughout all your holiday festivities