Post-Thanksgiving HVAC Care: Preparing Your Arizona Home for December

The turkey’s gone, the leftovers are stacked in the fridge, and the last of your Thanksgiving guests have headed home. Now that the house is quiet again, it’s the perfect time to focus on something less festive but extremely important: your heating system.

December brings Mohave Valley’s coolest nights, so reliable heat is a must. At Horizon Air Conditioning, we’re here to help you get ready for the rest of winter with expert heating maintenance and repair you can rely on.

Why the Week After Thanksgiving Matters

Thanksgiving is rough on your HVAC system. Extra guests, doors opening and closing, and a constantly running oven all add up to more runtime and more wear and tear.

• Catch heater issues early, before you’re relying on it every cold night.
• Give your system a break after the heavy Thanksgiving workload.
• Reduce the chance of a no-heat emergency during December gatherings.

If your home felt chilly, uneven, or noisy over the holiday, this week is your warning window to act.

1. Start with the Simple Win: Change Your Filter

Cooking, extra foot traffic, and longer runtimes during Thanksgiving load your air filter with dust and particles. A dirty filter restricts airflow and can drive up your energy use while stressing your system.

• Pull the filter and hold it up to the light.
• If you can’t see light through it, replace it right away.
• For 1-inch filters, check monthly and replace every 1–3 months (more often with pets or heavy use).

This quick, low-cost task helps your heater run efficiently, reduces wear, and keeps rooms more evenly warm.

2. Run a “Heater Stress Test”

Don’t wait for the next cold snap to find out your heater won’t run. Give it a controlled test now, while you still have time to schedule service before the holiday rush.

• Set your thermostat a few degrees higher than normal and let the system run for 30–60 minutes.
• Walk through the home and check for uneven heating between rooms.
• Listen for grinding, banging, squealing, or frequent clicking.
• Watch for burning or musty smells that don’t fade after the first few minutes.

Any of these signs means your system needs attention now—before a small issue becomes a full heater failure.

3. Schedule a Professional Winter Tune-Up

If you skipped a pre-Thanksgiving tune-up, the first couple of weeks after the holiday are your next best window. A professional visit gets your heater ready for cold nights and busy December calendars.

• Inspect and clean burners, blower, and internal components.
• Check electrical connections, safety controls, and thermostat calibration.
• Look for combustion or carbon monoxide issues on gas systems.
• Review ductwork for obvious leaks or blockages.

When you book with Horizon Air Conditioning, our technicians will walk you through any repair or upgrade options and help you choose what fits your home and budget.

4. Optimize Your Thermostat for Winter

Arizona winter days can be mild, but nights cool down quickly. Smart thermostat settings can keep you comfortable without wasting energy.

• Set 68–70°F when you’re home and awake.
• Lower the temperature 7–10°F while you sleep or are away to save on heating costs.
• Use a programmable or smart thermostat to automate these changes.
• Ask about thermostat upgrades if you’re still using an old manual model.

With the right schedule, you’ll feel cozy at night and still keep your utility bills under control.

5. Stop Heat Loss: Seal Drafts and Check Vents

Even a well-tuned heater can struggle if warm air is escaping or blocked. A quick “draft hunt” now can pay off all winter.

• Check exterior doors and windows for drafts or visible gaps.
• Add basic weatherstripping, caulk, or door sweeps where you feel cold air.
• Move furniture, rugs, and boxes away from supply vents and return grilles.
• Reopen any vents you closed in guest rooms or little-used areas.

These small fixes help your heater warm the home more evenly and reduce unnecessary strain on the system.

6. Use Ceiling Fans to Prevent Cold Spots

Ceiling fans aren’t just for summer. Used correctly, they’re a powerful winter comfort tool.

• Set fans to rotate clockwise on low speed in winter.
• Use fans in living rooms and high-ceiling areas to push warm air down.
• Combine gentle fan use with slightly lower thermostat settings to save energy.

You’ll feel more comfortable in your main living spaces without asking your heater to work overtime.

7. Safety Check: Carbon Monoxide & Prep

Winter is prime time for gas furnaces, fireplaces, and other combustion appliances. A quick safety check protects your family as you head into the rest of the season.

Set Yourself Up for a Comfortable December

The week after Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reset and get your home ready for the coldest nights of the year. A little attention now—changing filters, testing your heater, sealing drafts, and scheduling a tune-up—can prevent breakdowns and surprise repair bills later.