Heating Plumbing

The holidays are here, and with them come family gatherings, festive meals, overnight guests, and—let’s be honest—extra strain on your home’s heating, plumbing, and electrical systems. A house full of loved ones is wonderful, but nothing spoils the joy faster than a cold living room, no hot water for showers, or a clogged drain mid-Christmas dinner.

At DorMar, we want your Central Ohio home to stay cozy, comfortable, and problem-free this Christmas. Follow these practical tips to keep your heating running efficiently, your plumbing flowing smoothly, and your holiday lights shining brightly—all while avoiding costly emergencies during the most wonderful (and busiest) time of the year.

From our family to yours: Merry Christmas!

Keep Everyone Warm: Heating Tips for Holiday Gatherings and Cold Snaps

Christmas in Ohio often means sub-freezing temperatures and surprise snowstorms. Make sure your furnace or heat pump is ready for the extra demand. Looks like we’re getting a break in 2025, but frigid weather is soon returning!

Optimize Thermostat Settings for Comfort and Savings

  • During gatherings: Set to 68–70°F for comfort when the house is full (body heat from guests adds warmth!).

  • Overnight with guests: Bump to 68°F—everyone sleeps better in a cooler room, but not too cold.

  • When traveling: Never drop below 55°F to prevent frozen pipes. Use a smart thermostat for remote monitoring and adjustments.

Pro Tip: If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, create a “holiday” schedule that boosts heat an hour before guests arrive.

Maintain Even Heat and Air Quality

  • Change furnace filters now—a dirty filter restricts airflow, makes your system work harder, and circulates dust.
  • Keep vents and registers clear of furniture, decorations, or wrapped gifts.
  • Run your furnace fan on “on” (not “auto”) during parties to circulate warm air and reduce hot/cold spots.

If your furnace is struggling to keep up, schedule a quick tune-up with DorMar before Christmas Eve—we still have appointments available!

Plumbing Ready for Extra Guests and Holiday Cooking

More people means more showers, more dishwashing, and more toilet flushes. Prepare your plumbing to handle the load without backups or shortages.

Ensure Plenty of Hot Water

  • Lower your water heater thermostat to 120°F a few days ahead—it’s safer (reduces scald risk with kids around) and actually provides more usable hot water by reducing standby loss.
  • Stagger showers and dishwasher/laundry loads to avoid running out.
  • If your tank is over 8–10 years old or you frequently run short, consider a tankless upgrade—perfect for large gatherings.

Prevent Drain Clogs During Christmas Feasts

  • Never pour grease, fats, or oils down the drain—even if you run hot water. Collect in a jar and trash it.
  • Scrape plates into the trash before rinsing—avoid overloading the garbage disposal with turkey skin, gravy solids, or fibrous veggies.
  • Run cold water (not hot) when using the disposal, and only feed small amounts at a time.

Bonus: Place a small trash bin in guest bathrooms and remind everyone: only toilet paper in the toilet—no wipes, tissues, or feminine products, even if labeled “flushable.”

Holiday Lights and Electrical Safety

While DorMar specializes in heating and plumbing, we often see electrical overloads from holiday decorations cause tripped breakers—or worse.

Safe Lighting Practices

  • Use LED lights—they use 80–90% less energy and produce less heat.
  • Don’t overload circuits: a typical 15-amp circuit can safely handle about 1,400 watts (check light wattage). Spread displays across multiple outlets.
  • Inspect cords for fraying and use outdoor-rated extension cords outside.
  • Turn off lights when away or sleeping to save energy and reduce fire risk.

If breakers keep tripping or outlets feel warm, call a licensed electrician—better safe than sorry.

Emergency Preparedness: Don’t Let a Breakdown Ruin Christmas

Even with preparation, emergencies happen. Be ready:

  • Know your main water shut-off location (usually near the water meter).
  • Locate your electrical panel and label breakers if not already done.
  • Save DorMar’s 24/7 emergency line: 844.712.4822—we answer real humans, no automated menus, and dispatch plumbers fast, even on Christmas Day.

Common Christmas calls we handle: no heat during a cold snap, water heater failures from high demand, and drain backups from festive cooking.

Quick Holiday Home Checklist

Task

Why It Matters

Done?

Change furnace filter

Better airflow & efficiency

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Test smoke/CO detectors

Safety with extra candles & cooking

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Insulate or drip faucets if traveling

Prevent frozen pipes

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Stock a plunger & drain snake

Quick fixes for minor clogs

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Schedule DorMar winter check-up

Peace of mind all season

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Wishing You a Warm, Worry-Free Christmas

This holiday season, focus on what matters most: time with family, good food, and making memories. Let DorMar handle the behind-the-scenes work to keep your home merry and bright.

From all of us at DorMar — Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May your home be filled with warmth, laughter, and perfectly functioning plumbing.

Call DorMar at (866) 947-1800 or book online using the BOOK NOW button on this page.

Warmest wishes,

The DorMar Team

Proudly serving Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Reynoldsburg, Grove City, Newark, Zanesville, and all Central Ohio families

P.S. Heading out of town? Schedule a “vacation watch” service—we’ll check heat settings, drip faucets, and ensure everything is secure while you’re away.

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