December is the season of twinkling lights, garland-draped railings, and living rooms that somehow become both cozier and more cluttered overnight. Between the Christmas tree, gift bags, wreaths, candles, and that one inflatable snowman you swore you’d put outside this year, your home starts to feel like a festive maze.
But in the middle of all this decorating magic, there’s something homeowners often forget: your HVAC system still needs room to do its job.
One of the biggest holiday mistakes people make? Covering or blocking vents with décor.
Let’s walk through why that’s a problem—and a few other HVAC safety tips to keep your home safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient this holiday season.
Don’t Cover Your Vents (Even If They Don’t “Match the Aesthetic”)
We all have that one awkwardly placed vent that ruins the perfect spot for the Christmas tree or the new holiday décor. But covering a vent, even a little, messes with the airflow that keeps your home comfortable.
When a vent is blocked:
- Air can’t circulate the way it’s supposed to
- Your furnace ends up running longer
- Pressure builds inside your ductwork
- Rooms start heating unevenly
- Your energy bill quietly creeps up
And in more extreme cases, restricting airflow can lead to overheating inside the system. Nobody wants to deal with furnace repairs when guests are on the way.
So if a vent feels “in the way” this month, it’s better to move the décor than risk creating HVAC issues.
2. Be Mindful of Where the Christmas Tree Goes
Real or artificial, trees don’t belong right up against a heat register or vent. A real tree can dry out quicker, which is a serious fire hazard. Artificial trees may block a vent or get too warm.
Giving your tree a few feet of space from any heat source helps with both safety and airflow—and it also helps it stay looking fresh longer.
3. Stockings + Heat Sources = Not the Best Combination
We all love the traditional look of stockings hanging by the fireplace, but if your fireplace or heat register is active, make sure the stockings aren’t dangling close enough to get warm.
The same goes for vent areas—keep fabric décor well away from them. Holiday decorations burn far more easily than people realize, and it only takes a few seconds of too much heat to become a problem.
4. Be Extra Careful with Space Heaters
If you use a space heater in a drafty room, remember that the holidays bring more flammable items into your home—wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons, greenery, and so on.
Keep space heaters several feet away from anything that could ignite, plug them directly into a wall outlet, and never leave them running when you’re not in the room.
5. Don’t Close Vents in Unused Rooms
It feels like closing vents in rooms you don’t use should save energy, but heating systems aren’t designed for that. Closing vents increases pressure in your ductwork and forces the system to work harder.
A better option? Leave vents open, but keep the doors closed to rooms nobody will be using. You’ll still help direct the warmth where people are gathering without creating extra strain on the system.
6. Keep an Eye on the Thermostat When You’re Hosting
If you’re cooking a big meal or have a full house, your home will naturally warm up. Instead of letting the heat build until everyone is sweating around the dinner table, lower the thermostat a couple of degrees before guests arrive.
With the oven going, doors opening and closing, and extra bodies in the house, you’ll still stay plenty warm—without making your furnace cycle nonstop.
7. Make Sure Your Smoke and CO Detectors Are Ready for the Season
December brings more cooking, more candles, more plugged-in lights, and more heating equipment running. It’s the perfect time to double-check that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries and are working correctly.
If you have a gas furnace, a CO detector is essential—especially during the winter.
8. A Quick HVAC Check-Up Can Save You a Holiday Headache
If it’s been a while since your heating system was serviced, scheduling a tune-up with our team before the holidays can help make sure everything is running safely and efficiently. It’s a simple way to avoid surprises when your home is full and your heat is running around the clock.