The holidays are one of the best times of the year — family visiting, friends gathering, the smell of good food filling the house. But with extra people coming and going, doors opening constantly, and the Colorado winter settling in, your home’s heating system has to work extra hard.

Here are simple, budget-friendly ways to keep your home warm and comfortable without sending your energy bill into holiday-shock.

1. Use Your Smart Thermostat to Your Advantage

If you have a smart thermostat like a Trane ComfortLink, Trane XL824/850/1050, or any Wi-Fi-enabled model, December is the perfect time to lean on its features.

• Schedule heat setbacks when you're sleeping or away.

• Pre-heat the home before guests arrive so the house feels cozy without running the furnace constantly.

• Avoid big temperature swings — bumping the thermostat up 6–10° at once can make the furnace run harder (and longer) than needed.

A smart thermostat can easily save you 8–12% on heating costs, especially when used consistently.

2. Don’t Forget the Air Filter

This is the simplest, cheapest, most important thing you can do.

A dirty filter restricts airflow, making your furnace work much harder. With extra people in the home (and possibly pets inside more due to the cold), your filter can load up faster than usual.

• Check the filter before your guests arrive.

• Check it again after the holidays.

• If you’re at high altitude (hello, Colorado Springs), avoid super high-MERV filters unless your system is rated for them — they can restrict airflow and reduce efficiency.

Clean airflow = happy furnace = lower bills.

3. Keep Doors Closed and Drafts Controlled

This one’s so basic, but it works.

• Close unused rooms to keep the heat where it matters.

• Make sure exterior doors are fully shut — young kids, pets, and cookie-delivery elves are notorious for leaving them cracked.

• Add a draft stopper or weatherstrip around doors if you feel cold air sneaking in.

Even reducing drafts by a small amount can improve comfort dramatically.

4. Don’t Block Vents with Holiday Décor

During December, we all bring out: Trees, extra seating, festive blankets and pillows, holiday gifts and decorations everywhere! Just make sure none of these are covering supply or return vents.

When vents are blocked:

• Airflow drops

• Comfort suffers

• Energy bills rise

• The furnace runs longer than necessary

A quick walk-through of each room before guests arrive can solve this easily.

5. Set Your Fan Mode Correctly

Most thermostats have two options: Auto and On.

• Auto = fan runs only when the furnace does

• On = fan circulates air continuously

During holiday gatherings, running the fan on “On” or “Circulate” can help:

• Balance temperatures throughout the home

• Keep warm air moving

• Reduce hot/cold spots when there are lots of people inside

Just remember: “On” uses more energy than “Auto,” but it can improve comfort when the house is full.

6. Add Humidity to Feel Warmer

Colorado winters are dry, and dry air feels colder than properly humidified air.

A whole-home humidifier — like the AprilAire 700A or the AprilAire 800 Steam Humidifier — can make your home feel several degrees warmer at the same temperature setting.

Benefits of proper humidity include:

• Better comfort

• Less static electricity

• Reduced dry skin

• Protecting wood floors and furniture

• Helping your furnace cycle less

If your home feels dry, raising humidity to the 30–40% range can make a noticeable difference.

Final Tip: Don’t Wait for a Problem

If your furnace hasn’t had its annual precision tune-up yet, December is the time. The last thing you need is a no-heat call with a house full of guests.

A tune-up ensures:

• Safe operation

• Maximum efficiency

• Early detection of failing parts

• Lower long-term energy costs

Need Holiday-Ready Home Comfort? We’re Here.

Pendleton Heating & Cooling is always happy to help you prepare for the season — whether that means a quick checkup, filter delivery, thermostat programming help, or installing a whole-home humidifier.

Stay warm, stay cozy, and enjoy your holidays!