Decorating for Halloween is a lot of fun. Whether you go all out and do a Clair Dunphy-worthy haunted house decor, or keep things low key with a carved pumpkin or two, we all get caught up in the festive spookiness of the day.
To keep things safe around the house for yourself and those trick-and-treaters, however, some precautions must be taken. Because all those fake webs, tiny plastic ghouls, and dripping candles can not only damage your HVAC unit but also blast your energy bill.
Here are a few little safety tips that will keep everything running smoothly as you get ready to enjoy your halloween.
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1. Do Not Block Vents
The vents of your HVAC unit ensure the proper airflow around your house. Putting any decorations over your vents obstructs the free flowing air. Such obstructions not only pose physical damage to the vents but also diminish the flow of the air, forcing your unit to work even harder to keep the temperatures warm.
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So, as you start planning your decorations, make sure the vents are uncovered and open. Do not place any decorative items around or near the vents to make sure the proper supply of air.
2. Reconsider Fake Webs
One of the most popular items of Halloween decoration are those creepy fake spiderwebs that we see everywhere. While they do properly spook the spectators, they carry fibers that can cause allergies and can get into HVAC vents, clogging up the filters and damaging the equipment.
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When you are decorating, plan the walk up in a way that no plastic webs are placed near your unit or vents. It may affect the overlook of your decor but your expensive HVAC unit will thank you in the long run.
3. Keep The Decorations Away From Your Outdoor Unit
Let’s talk about the outdoor unit. If your house is visible from front and sides, too, you might be tempted to include your outdoor unit in your Halloween decor.
But fight the temptation.
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The outdoor HVAC unit is expensive and valuable equipment. Putting things like candles, webs, or small toys around the unit can hamper its performance. Like with a vent, if anything slips inside the unit, you may stand to incur additional repair expense trying to mend the unit.
Typical decor items like twigs, branches, tiny toy ghosts, stretchy spider webs, and things like that should be kept far away from your energy unit.
4. Think Of Safer Alternatives To Candles
Candles are notorious fire hazards. You don’t want a lit candle falling off and creating an accident. The dripping wax can also be a real mess and potential hazard especially if you keep it around your unit.
But we understand that candle light adds a certain eerie feeling to Halloween’s hauntedness that nothing else does.
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Therefore, in the spirit of celebrating the holiday with care and responsibility, think of other ways you can get the eeriness of candles without lighting anything.
5. Use Safety-Approved Lighting
Lighting safety is of crucial importance when you consider your decor. If you are using extension cords, do not overextend them. You also need to make sure that you are using the right cords for indoor and outdoor needs. If you use them without these considerations, the cords can malfunction and cause accidents.
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Also, you should make sure to buy UL-approved lighting that is built for safety. These wires can take the load that you are going to use them for and won’t trip or overheat.
Another lighting safety precaution to consider is to always check the cables and plugs that have been sitting in the storage for the year. Before you use them for Halloween again, see for frayed corners and similar damage. These issues can cause electrical malfunction.
Here is a quick and handy guide on how to keep your space lighting-safe this spooky season.
6. Keep The Decor Out And Warmth In
Most importantly, when you get ready for Halloween, make sure to plan the decor for the outdoor areas. If you decorate the indoor space too, the constant opening and closing of the door will keep interrupting the warm temperature inside the house and hiking up your energy bill.
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Keeping the decor out will also ensure that your Halloween decor is away from your HVAC vents, unable to damage the air filter and the rest of the equipment.
Just make sure not to get too caught up in the decor rush and keep your outdoor unit away from all the hoopla.
Conclusion
Halloween is one of the most fun holidays of the year, especially for those who like to get into the spirit of the holiday and try to turn it into a memorable event of the year.
If you think that sounds like you, it would also be worth noting that carefree handling of your halloween decor can also cause hazards and headaches. Following these safety precautions will ensure the smooth running of your HVAC installation NJ, ensuring a toasty warm environment and a feather-light energy bill.