The weather is still balmy here in Tampa Bay, but for the north, things are cooling down. This doesn’t change our awareness of the calendar however; we all know Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Maybe the extended family is gathering at your place to escape the chilly weather? No matter who is coming, whether you have a large or small family, the staff at Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric wants you to have a healthy and happy Thanksgiving – with as little stress as possible. Here are a few helpful ideas as the holiday draws closer:
- Plan Ahead
There’s no need to have every hour filled with an activity. However, having a few things available for entertainment, especially for the kids, can help give you the space needed to prepare meals. For the festive feast, be sure to check ahead of time with family members, especially new ones, for any food allergies or diet restrictions. If you have pets, it’s also helpful to check for pet allergies.
- Make Plans Indoors
If everyone runs outside for an impromptu game of tag or “hide and seek”, wonderful! However, it is always wise to make an alternate plan in case the weather conspires against you. If an outdoor feast is on the agenda, make sure that the dining room table is also available in a pinch. Try planning your outdoor dinner underneath a shelter if possible, which would alleviate some concern about an impending storm. Save yourself the headache and unnecessary improvisation!
- Cut the Dust
Save yourself from the holiday sniffles and sneezing. Even in a warmer climate, there are plenty of factors to cause these symptoms, including allergens and dusty home interiors. While it’s common sense to tidy your home, make dusting and vacuuming a priority. Clean areas in the home that normally get neglected, like entertainment centers and bookshelves.
Keeping your air fresh should be a priority as well, even more so if your family is staying overnight. Check your air filter, and change it should it be dirty or dusty. Your standard filter will be enough to cut down on dust in the air, which is helpful since you just cleaned all the dust off the surfaces! If you have more sickly family members, allergen-catching HEPA filters could prove extra beneficial, particularly for those prone to allergies and asthma. Having a new filter will also help your HVAC equipment work more efficiently.
- Preset Your Thermostat
With guests, comes extra body heat. If you have a large family, your home can get very warm, very quickly. Add in the oven and stovetop cooking combined in the kitchen and the temperature can get plain toasty. Have your temperature turned down as soon as you fire the oven up, and maybe turn it down a few more degrees as you start seeing family arrive. It may take a few visits to the thermostat to find that sweet spot! Once you find it though, program your thermostat to that temperature for the remainder of your family’s visit; cooler for the daytime when doors are opening and closing, and a second higher temperature or even off/fan only for the nighttime to save energy. Make sure your thermostat has fresh batteries, because unwanted heat with no relief is the last thing you want with a home full of people!
- Use Ceiling Fans
Utilize your fans in tandem with the air conditioning and maybe you’ll be able to set your thermostat a couple degrees up. Plus, ceiling fans are not only for cooling. They help circulate the air in your home, keeping it fresh. A ceiling fan will also help keep food odors at bay, which can become overwhelming by the end of the day after endless cooking.
If you have a suspicion that your HVAC equipment might be breaking down, now’s the time to have it assessed. Contact the experts at Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric today! A live person is on the line from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day of the week, ready to schedule a technician to address the issue before the crowd arrives. Call us at (813) 530-9061 to schedule an appointment today!
All of us at Acree Plumbing, Air & Electric wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!
