In addition to creating a festive experience, birthday party considerations must include keeping every guest comfortable, too, no matter what the season. Since your HVAC system is sized to accommodate a routine number of persons, parties or other events held indoors may present a challenge as guests outnumber the usual occupants. Special adjustments to heating and cooling may be required to compensate.
The potential for an overly warm indoor environment—or a room that’s uncomfortably cool—are definite possibilities, depending on the season. Here are some party considerations to keep in mind when making HVAC adjustments.
Clearing the air helps.
Changing the system air filter to promote optimum airflow plus healthy air quality is a good idea before hosting a large number of guests
Body heat matters.
Each person adds about the same amount of heat to a room as a 100 watt light bulb. That’s a considerable increase, when you think of the combined effect of many multiple 100-watt bulbs burning at the same time. Particularly during summer, keep this in mind when selecting a comfortable thermostat setting for the party.
Humidity also increases.
Because humans exhale water vapor with every breath, indoor humidity rises as more persons arrive. Operating the A/C for several hours helps dry out the air in advance of the party (air conditioners extract water vapor from indoor air). Temporarily running a portable dehumidifier in the room during the party also keeps humidity lower.
Candles on the cake won’t keep the room warm.
Guests coming and going means exterior doors opening and closing more often than normal. In winter, this can cause excessive heat loss from the house, which could make the event a chilly occasion. If you have a programmable digital thermostat, relying on the normal programmed daily setting may not deliver adequate heat. Utilize the thermostat’s temporary override function, instead, to fine-tune the furnace temperature setting while guests are present.
For more about birthday party considerations for a comfortable, festive event, ask the HVAC pros at Paitson Bros. Since 1922, we’ve been celebrating our company birthday and serving the homeowners of Terre Haute.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Terre Haute, Indiana about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 812-645-6859.
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922