Safety Tips for Your HVAC System for the Holidays

You’re probably neck-deep in year-end reports, last-minute gift shopping, trying to figure out who’s covering holiday shifts, and wondering if that office holiday party is really worth the hassle. (Spoiler: it usually is.) But here’s something that might not be on your radar yet – your building’s HVAC system.

At Service de Mise au Point LeBlanc, we usually deal with massive commercial systems – you know, the kind that keeps malls, offices, and hotels running smoothly. But this holiday season, we’re feeling a bit like Santa. We want to share some insider knowledge that could save you from that dreaded holiday emergency call.

Truth is, December is when things get weird for commercial buildings. Maybe you’re shutting down for a week or you’re ramping up for your busiest season. Either way, your HVAC system needs to keep up with plans that are anything but business as usual. 

The last thing you want is to come back from the holidays to find the office too cold, or worse, dealing with a broken system. We’ve put together a simple list of safety tips to help you avoid any unexpected heating or cooling issues this season, no matter where you are. 

If You’re Closing for the Holidays:

The holiday shutdown isn’t just about turning off the lights and locking the doors. Your building needs some attention to stay safe while you’re away. Here’s your shutdown checklist:

Keep the Heat On

Your empty building still needs warmth – just not as much. Set your thermostat to 15-18°C. This sweet spot keeps your pipes from freezing while keeping your energy bills manageable. We’ve seen way too many January disasters from people who completely turned off their heat. Trust us, pipe repairs cost way more than keeping minimal heat running. 

Check Those Empty Spaces

You know those rooms nobody ever thinks about? The storage closets, emergency stairwells, and back hallways? They need heat too. These spaces often have water pipes running through them, and they’re usually the first places where problems start. Take a walk through these forgotten spaces before you leave. A frozen pipe in a stairwell can flood multiple floors before anyone notices.

Schedule Building Check-Ins

Leaving your building empty for days or weeks? Have someone stop by every few days to do a quick walkthrough. If you have a security team, they’re perfect for this job since they’re already on-site. Give them a simple checklist: look out for odd noises, leaks, or anything that feels off. Early problem spotting can save you from massive headaches later.

Inspect Doors and Windows

Before you lock up, check for drafts or improperly sealed windows and doors. A little cold air sneaking in can push your HVAC system harder than necessary, even at lower temperatures. Use weather stripping or door sweeps for a quick fix.

Inspect Air Filters and Vents

Before you close up shop, replace dirty filters and make sure vents aren’t blocked by furniture or seasonal decorations. Dirty filters reduce air quality, strain the system, and can lead to higher energy bills. Clean filters not only improve air quality but also keep your HVAC system running efficiently while you’re away.

Schedule Post-Holiday System Recovery

When a building sits empty for days, the HVAC system may need extra time to normalize temperatures before employees or tenants return. Schedule the heating or cooling system to turn on a few hours early to ensure the space is comfortable when everyone gets back. This small step helps avoid complaints and ensures a smooth return to work.

If You’re Staying Open:

Running through the holidays brings its own set of challenges. Your HVAC system needs to handle irregular hours, varying occupancy levels, and winter weather – all while keeping everyone comfortable. Here’s how to keep things running smoothly:

Change Those Filters Now 

Holiday decorations and increased foot traffic can unintentionally block vents or clog filters. Dirty filters make your system work harder than it needs to, especially during peak holiday times. Change them now, before the rush hits. Your system will run better, your air will be cleaner, and your energy bills will thank you.

Find out how often you need to change your air filters here: Air Balancing Myths and Facts.

Adjust Your HVAC Schedule

Holiday hours aren’t like your usual hours, right? Adjust your system’s schedule to match your actual operating hours. No need to heat or cool spaces at full blast when they’re not in use. Even small adjustments to your system’s timing can save you a ton on energy costs.

Clear Your Outdoor Units

Outdoor HVAC units tend to collect all kinds of things like leaves, branches, and trash. A quick cleanup can go a long way. Think of it as giving your HVAC system room to breathe. And while you’re at it, make sure the area around the unit is clear so it can do its job properly.

Plan for Unexpected Weather

Winter can be unpredictable. Ensure your heating system is prepared for sudden cold snaps, and consider having a backup power plan in place if snowstorms or power outages are common in your area. No one wants to deal with frozen offices or downtime during a busy season.

Communicate with Tenants or Employees

If you manage a commercial building with multiple tenants or have staff returning after the holidays, make sure everyone is on the same page. 

Share quick tips on how to adjust thermostats responsibly and remind them who to contact if HVAC issues arise. A little preparation can save you from getting dozens of phone calls about minor problems when you’re trying to relax.

Emergency HVAC Prep for this Christmas Season

The last thing you want is a panicked call about a freezing office while you’re in the middle of your holiday dinner. We’ve seen it happen too many times: building managers skipping maintenance checks because “everything seems fine,” only to face system failures during the worst possible moments. This year, let’s break that cycle.

A little preparation now can save you from those dreaded emergency calls and keep your building running smoothly through the season. Here’s your essential checklist:

Get an HVAC Tune-Up Before the Holidays

Think of your HVAC system as your car before a road trip – it needs a check-up to run smoothly. Schedule a professional tune-up to inspect for wear and tear, clean key components, and fix small issues before they become big problems. For commercial buildings, a malfunctioning system could disrupt operations or tenant comfort during a critical time.

Air Balancing for Commercial Buildings

Test Your Backup Heat

Your backup heating system is like a spare tire – you hope you’ll never need it, but you’ll be glad it works when you do. Test it now. Run it for a bit to make sure it kicks in when needed. If there’s an issue, fixing it now is a lot cheaper and less stressful than dealing with emergency repairs during the holidays.

Set Up Smart Monitoring Systems

If you don’t have one already, install a smart thermostat or HVAC monitoring device. These systems track temperature changes, detect irregularities, and let you adjust settings remotely. This way, you can act quickly if something goes wrong while you’re away.

More about the advanced HVAC tools we use at SMP LeBlanc: Our High-Tech HVAC Tools and The “Why” Behind the Tools.

Update Your Emergency Contact List

Put together a list of key contacts: your HVAC service team, backup technicians, and on-call staff. Share this list with anyone who might be in the building during the holidays. Knowing who to call in an emergency can save precious time.

As a trusted name in HVAC services across Quebec, we’ve helped businesses save on energy costs while keeping employees and tenants comfortable year-round.