Homeowner Tips
Tips & tricks for holiday hosting
Hosting the perfect holiday gathering takes a lot of planning and preparation. Even the most experienced party planner may overlook one vital consideration: the temperature. Comfort plays a critical role in sustaining a successful holiday get-together.
According to our latest survey, 50% of people would leave a party early if the temperature was too hot or too cold. And, as surprising as it may sound, more people would rather pretend to like the food at the party than be too hot or too cold at the dinner table.
So we’re sharing a few tips and tricks to ensure your guests are comfortable during your next holiday celebration – all while helping you save energy.
Set up a drink station
To limit the number of times the fridge is opened, set up a station with ready-to-serve drinks. This will save your fridge from working overtime, and make sure your guests have everything they need without having to ask.
Consider the heat from cooking
If there’s one thing everyone loves about holiday gatherings, it’s the food. Whether you’re cooking fresh pies or roasted turkeys, your oven will be working overtime during your next winter feast – so expect its heat to contribute to the temperature in your home. Before you heat up those cooking appliances – turn down your thermostat a few degrees and let heat from the appliances make up the difference.
Think about cooking ahead
Cooking some of your menu ahead of schedule will reduce your appliances’ impact on your home’s temperature. You’ll also have more time to socialize once guests arrive!
Use a meat thermometer
Ovenproof, digital thermometers can tell you what temperature your dish should be when it's done. By using one of these thermometers, you won’t need to open the oven door as often while you’re cooking, making sure the heat stays in the oven.
Cover your food
Covered foods limit moisture evaporation, so when your guests are finished feasting cover up the leftovers before placing them in the refrigerator. This way, your fridge doesn’t have to work as hard to cool extra moisture in the air and you can save on your energy bill.
Factor in body heat
Depending on the number of guests in your home, body heat is another factor to consider as you are planning. To make sure your home doesn’t get too warm when all your those guests pile in, you can also turn your thermostat down a few degrees before they arrive.
Transition your holiday lights to LEDs
Whether outside your home or on your tree, LED string lights will shine brighter and last ten times longer than outdated incandescent lights. LED lights come in a variety of colors, including a “warm white” for that old-time holiday glow. Switched to LED lights is also safer than using incandescent lights, because they operate at much lower temperatures.
Get a humidifier
In the winter, the cold weather can make the air in your home very dry. A humidifier puts moisture back into the air, which not only makes it feel warmer but holds heat better — so you can set your thermostat at a lower temperature and still feel comfortable.
Ensure guests can’t change the thermostat
Nobody wants Aunt Karen to take control of the thermostat, but if you aren’t careful, she will turn your home into a sauna. Be sure to activate your Sensi smart thermostat’s keypad lockout feature, which provides an easy and convenient way to prevent changes. You can lock the buttons on the thermostat, but maintain full control from your Sensi mobile app.
The Sensi smart thermostat can make sure your seasonal socials provide optimal comfort throughout the home. With flexible scheduling, remote access and geofencing, Sensi also offers extensive energy-saving capabilities.
If you’ve yet to hop on the smart thermostat bandwagon, now is a perfect time. Sensi smart thermostat has been named “Best Overall Smart Thermostat” and “Best Value Thermostat” for three straight years by USA Today’s Reviewed.com. Check with retailer or local contractor to find the deal that’s right for you, and then find a pro to install it!
Happy holiday hosting!
