Hostess with the Mostess: Keeping Your Guests Comfortable this Holiday Season

Most people know there are certain things you shouldn’t discuss during the holidays, including politics and religion – but there is another topic you want to be avoided at the dinner table – the uncomfortable temperature of your home. If you want to be the “hostess with the mostess,” here are some tips on making sure your guests are nice and toasty (or comfortably cool) this holiday season.

1. Keep your home at a recommended temperature. While these ideal temperatures don’t only apply to holiday entertaining, they become increasingly important around the holiday season. Lots of money is already being spent on presents and other goodies, and, in the spirit of giving back, there is an opportunity to reduce energy usage. According to Energy Direct if someone is at home in the daytime in the cooler holiday months, 72° F (22° C) is a good start, but try to aim for 68° F (20° C). If no one is home, or when you are sleeping, 66° F (19° C) to 62° F (17° C) is best for home comfort and your electric bill if it is cold outside.
2. Control the temperature in the kitchen. For many families, gathering in the kitchen and preparing meals together is a cherished family tradition, though all the heat from the oven and other electronics can result in an uncomfortable temperature. One way to control the heat is to improve the circulation of air in the kitchen by using a small standing fan facing the heat source or a ceiling fan. Another tip is to draw the curtains in the space, keeping the sun from barreling down on the kitchen, which can drop the temperature by up to 10 degrees.
3. Cool down rooms lots of people are gathered in. While we always hope for a cool holiday party, that’s not always the case in our southern climate. If you find your party room is becoming too warm, here are a few tips to cool it down:
   • Draw the curtains to keep the sun from producing more heat and blinding guests.
   • Crack a window to let cooler air in, especially in the cool evening hours.
   • If you have a ceiling fan, make sure you have it turned on.
   • Turn off unnecessary electronics (including computers, TVs, etc.).
   • Open doors to the room to keep cool air circulating through the house.
4. Make sure your heating and cooling system is working properly. Nothing can take a party from fab to drab faster than an uncomfortable temperature. North Florida and South Georgia weather around the holidays can be very unpredictable. While Thanksgiving may be a brisk 50 degrees, it can be 80 degrees on Christmas! Therefore, it’s important to make sure your home comfort system is working properly for both possibilities. When guests begin to arrive, the temperature may need to be adjusted based on the number of people in a space – make sure it’s able to do so. If you suspect your home comfort system may need a tune-up before the big day due to a strange noise or other issue, schedule an appointment with a Barineau specialist online today.

By following these tips to help keep your guests comfortable this holiday season, you can bet they’ll already be RSVPing for next year. If you’re expecting company and it has been a while since you’ve had a tune-up on your heating and air conditioning system, you should consider scheduling maintenance as soon as possible. Barineau Heating and Air Conditioning’s Total Comfort Service Plans offer a once-or twice-yearly 28-point inspections, discounts on duct cleanings and other great perks to ensure you – and your friends and family  – are always comfortable, no matter the season.