Family gatherings are ideal for summer, but residential air conditioners were not designed with parties in mind. You can’t purchase a more powerful unit for your gatherings, but you can take extra steps like clearing the vents and closing the doors. While these steps seem minor, you’re going the extra mile to keep your guests comfortable during your event.
Inspect Your Air Conditioner
Start by scheduling annual maintenance to ensure the unit works properly. An HVAC technician can identify and address issues before your party, from dirty air filters to faulty thermostats. It’s important to schedule the maintenance with enough time for potential repairs or installations. Furthermore, you want to alert your technician of any recent repairs on your unit.
Ensure Vents Are Clear
Once your AC receives a clean bill of health, prepare for your event by ensuring the vents are clear. A walkthrough of your home can help you find toys, blankets, pet beds and other items blocking the vents. You may also need to rearrange the furniture to ensure the vents are uncovered and working properly. Finally, dust the vents the morning of your party as a precaution.
Run the AC in Advance
It’s not uncommon for humidity to rise during parties. This is because every guest’s exhalations raise the moisture levels. Fortunately, running the AC a few days in advance can help remove the moisture and lower indoor humidity. It also helps to invest in a portable dehumidifier or have a whole-house dehumidifier installed.
Adjust the Thermostat Accordingly
You may keep the thermostat at a specific temperature for comfort and energy conservation. However, adjusting the temperature during a party is not a bad idea. One suggestion is to lower the thermostat by five degrees before your guests arrive. While this may seem chilly, multiple bodies can quickly raise the temperature.
Enhance Air Circulation
Sometimes, running the air conditioner is not enough to cool down a gathering. Luckily, there are ways to enhance air circulation and keep your guests comfortable. If your home has ceiling fans, keep them running during your event. Additionally, you can set up a few portable fans around the kitchen and living spaces to circulate the cool air.
Close Up Unused Rooms
On a normal day, you keep the windows and doors closed to ensure your space stays cool. You want to do the same during a family gathering. Ask your household to close the doors to unused rooms, like bedrooms and your home office. This way, you can keep the cool air inside the party areas. You can also ask guests not to hold the front and back doors open for too long.
A family gathering doesn’t have to be an uncomfortable event. With proper maintenance and a few additional steps, you can keep guests cool and comfortable. If you need a new AC installation service before your party, contact Superior in Eatonton, GA.