The holiday season in Central Indiana means opening your doors to family and friends for warm gatherings and festive celebrations. More people means more body heat, extra cooking in the kitchen, and doors opening frequently as guests arrive—all of which can challenge your heating system during cold Indiana winters.
The good news? With a little preparation, you can keep your home comfortable, balanced, and welcoming—without worrying about temperature swings, stuffy air, or an unexpected furnace breakdown mid-party. Here are five practical HVAC tips to help you host with confidence this holiday season.
🔧 1. Schedule a Pre-Holiday Furnace Tune-Up
The last thing you want during a holiday gathering is a heating system that can’t keep up—or worse, one that stops working entirely. Before guests arrive, schedule a professional furnace inspection with Absolute Comfort.
A trained Central Indiana HVAC technician will inspect key components, clean essential parts, and identify small issues before they become costly problems. Regular maintenance helps your furnace run more efficiently and reliably during one of the busiest times of year.
Our technicians see this every winter—most holiday heating problems are completely preventable with routine maintenance.
🌬️ 2. Replace Your Air Filter Before Guests Arrive
Your air filter plays a big role in both comfort and system performance. When you’re hosting, it works overtime. More people means more dust, allergens, pet dander, and cooking odors circulating through your home.
A dirty filter restricts airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder and reducing efficiency. Before your holiday events, check your filter and replace it if it looks dirty. If you’re hosting multiple gatherings, plan to check it again afterward.
This simple step improves airflow, indoor air quality, and helps prevent unnecessary strain on your system.
🌡️ 3. Adjust Your Thermostat Strategically
Here’s something many homeowners don’t realize: people generate heat. Each guest adds approximately 300–400 BTUs per hour, and when you factor in cooking, your home can warm up quickly.
Before guests arrive, set your thermostat a few degrees lower than usual. Once everyone gathers and the kitchen gets busy, that added heat will naturally bring your home to a comfortable temperature. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, schedule these adjustments ahead of time so you don’t have to think about it during the festivities.
🚪 4. Keep Vents Clear and Airflow Unobstructed
Holiday decorating and hosting often mean rearranged furniture, extra coats, luggage, and gift bags—many of which end up blocking vents without anyone noticing.
Before guests arrive, do a quick walk-through to ensure all supply and return vents are clear. During your gathering, keep an eye out for items placed over vents in living and dining areas. Blocked airflow can create hot and cold spots and increase strain on your furnace.
Bonus tip: Set ceiling fans to rotate clockwise at a low speed. This gently pushes warm air down from the ceiling, helping rooms feel more comfortable without increasing thermostat settings.
đź’§ 5. Monitor Humidity and Indoor Air Quality
Indiana winters often bring dry air, but holiday hosting introduces added moisture from breathing, cooking, and frequent bathroom use. Ideal indoor humidity levels typically fall between 30–50% for comfort and health.
Run bathroom exhaust fans during gatherings and use your kitchen hood while cooking to help manage moisture and odors. This prevents that stuffy feeling that can make a home feel uncomfortable even when temperatures are right.
If your home tends to feel dry, a whole-home humidifier integrated with your HVAC system can maintain consistent humidity throughout the season—helping protect wood furniture, reduce dry skin, and improve overall comfort for you and your guests.
🏡 Keep Your Home Comfortable All Season Long
Holiday hosting should be about connection, warmth, and making memories—not worrying about your heating system. With a few simple steps, you can create a comfortable environment that keeps everyone relaxed and enjoying the moment.
If you haven’t scheduled your furnace maintenance in Central Indiana yet, now is the perfect time. Absolute Comfort proudly serves homeowners in Noblesville, Carmel, Fishers, and surrounding communities with dependable HVAC service you can trust.
📞 Contact Absolute Comfort today to schedule your furnace tune-up and enjoy worry-free holiday hosting. When your home is comfortable, everyone can focus on what truly matters—time together.