With the temperatures getting chillier by the day, you’ll likely turn to a trusty appliance to keep you comfortable and healthy: your heater.
Though various systems may each have different fuel sources and air-distribution technology, conducting proper upkeep is essential to ensuring optimal performance, preventing safety concerns, and prolonging its life span. Take a look at some general heating-maintenance tips and potential upgrades that can help you stay cozy this season and beyond.
Thanks to technological advances, there are more heating systems to choose from than ever. Among the most common are forced-air units, which generate warmth from an electric, propane, oil, or gas furnace then distribute heated air through ducts or vents. Radiant heaters, alternatively, are powered by electricity or steam and use panels in floors, walls, or ceilings to radiate heat throughout a home. Meanwhile, hot-water baseboard heaters are easily recognizable for their low-placed vents, and boiler systems use heated water to direct warmth through radiators.
That said, it may be difficult to assess the exact type of heating unit and air-distribution system in your home, particularly if you own a mix of several units like wall-mounted ductless mini splits that each warm individual rooms. The best way to identify the technology you own, understand its fuel sources, and maintain it is to hire a heating-maintenance professional.
While you should turn over the direct mechanical work to a professional, some maintenance tasks will still fall to you. Of chief importance, replace air filters at least every ninety days to help reduce airborne pollutants and clear buildup that can clog your heating appliances. In addition, clean your indoor vent grates, the exterior of your radiator, and air registers (grates in your floor) weekly to clear obstructions like dust.
Just as important, you should address any warm-air-loss issues immediately. For example, drafty windows or doors, subpar insulation, and damaged ductwork can diffuse warmed air, which not only wastes money but also increases the workload on your heating system. You can attempt some DIY solutions, such as caulking the edges of windows and adding weather strips to exterior doors. But if you notice that certain areas still feel colder throughout the day or seem less responsive to heating cycles, notify an HVAC professional.
Unfortunately, even regular maintenance and occasional repairs won’t keep your unit running forever. Like all technology, heating systems eventually decline in performance—so in some cases, outright replacement may be a wise investment. Some common signs it’s time for an upgrade include:
If you notice any of the above, you should probably start planning to replace the unit. Determining the best heating system for your home requires considering numerous factors, including your budget, climate conditions in your region, the ductwork within your home, and your ideal replacement time frame. So if you’re seriously considering making an upgrade, reach out to an HVAC technician, who can help you weigh your options and arrive at the optimal decision.
Requesting to upgrade your thermostat to a programmable model can be another impactful improvement. Newer ones may produce more accurate temperature readings and allow you to adjust your heating needs based on your daily routine and cold-weather fluctuations. This both ensures efficient operation and prevents you from overusing your heater, potentially extending its life span.
Use the Energy Star directory as your go-to source when shopping for upgrades. It includes modern, high-efficiency appliances that have satisfied rigorous efficiency criteria and may even offer superior performance and more innovative features than standard products. A variety of heating equipment, such as furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and even thermostats, is listed there. As you weigh the benefits of improving your technology, prioritize these options to enjoy superior household heating and ongoing cost savings.
Ultimately, an effective heating system not only keeps you warm but also works efficiently, saves you money, and operates without issues that can shorten its life span. Before winter temperatures arrive and you feel the need to crank up your heater, get in touch with a maintenance professional, who will provide an in-depth inspection to diagnose and address any issues impacting your system and offer personalized advice for making the most of it.
Houston-based designer Bilal Rehman, known for his in-your-face takes on redecorating, shares his innovative tips for setting the table for the holidays.
Tell us about your design background:
I was raised by two immigrant parents who are both very analytical people. My mom works in banking and my dad is a businessman, and neither of them has a creative bone in their body. Our home was designed by necessity alone, and I think that really drove me to fix spaces—when I was a kid, I would get in trouble for rearranging things I wasn’t supposed to. In high school, I started interning for a full-service design agency. I advanced all the way up to senior designer a short time after graduating then started handling my own projects. I left that company in 2022 to launch my own studio, and the rest is history.
So interior design has always been important to me. Home is where people spend the most time; it needs to be a space that sparks creativity and represents your lifestyle, interests, and story. That’s always our goal at Bilal Rehman Studio.
How do you approach holiday decorating?
I believe that great design touches every sense. When you walk into a room, it shouldn’t just look pretty—it should feel good, smell good, and be well lit. With the holidays coming up, it’s the perfect time to try out these principles. For example, my biggest rule with lighting is to avoid relying on overhead lights because they wash people out. Everybody wants to feel young and lively, and layers of light help create a beautiful glow. Try mixing floor uplights and lamps, candles, and a ceiling fixture.
Would you walk us through your concept of “nonbasic tablescapes”?
To me, “basic” decor means doing what’s expected pertaining to the holiday. If it’s Thanksgiving, everybody has a turkey-shaped plate and yellow leaves or pumpkins decorating their tables. To elevate your holiday decor, find objects that work with the rest of your interiors and act as an extension of your spaces. My home is primarily black and white, so I also have black-and-white table settings in my dining room, but I incorporate something a little fancier like crystal or acrylic glasses. Play with materials and textures in such a way as to still have a beautiful table without a fake turkey sitting on it.
When you avoid hyperseasonal decor, you’re also more budget-friendly and eco-friendly because you’re not buying pieces that you’ll put away or throw out as soon as the holidays end. There’s a perception that high-end home design and affordability are in contrast with each other, but there are thousands of different ways to achieve a beautiful design that won’t break the bank: Go to thrift or vintage stores. Purchase $20 plates from Crate & Barrel rather than $1,000 china.
Choose pieces that you can mix into your home to keep all year round or pull out to use for multiple events or holidays. For example, a beautiful crystal serving platter would be perfect for Thanksgiving, but you can also use it for Christmas because it blends seamlessly with both holidays. If you want your tablescape to feel more like Thanksgiving, play with color by setting out fresh flowers in seasonal or less obvious but complementary hues.
How can people balance different elements when choosing holiday decor?
You definitely have to find a fine balance between new and old. If you have vintage plates that are more ornate, place them next to contemporary wine glasses or clean-lined and simple silverware. That juxtaposition creates a timeless design you’ll love.
You should also balance textures when curating your decor. I would say that for every two smooth surfaces you have, you want one rough surface. For example, put a pair of simple plates next to a ribbed glass.
How do you recommend people choose centerpieces?
A lot of people tend to overstuff centerpieces, which gets really annoying because most of the time they’re way too big and block the person across the table. Instead, I would opt for about three smaller centerpieces with lower profiles or a single long one so people feel comfortable conversing around the holiday table.
What do you think is the future of holiday decorating?
I’m glad maximalism is on its way out. Too much decor doesn’t allow you to appreciate your pieces individually because you’re overstimulated and nothing seems special anymore. People are beginning to curate quality goods by going to vintage stores or flea markets and, overall, being more mindful of what they introduce into their homes.
For more info, visit bilalrehmanstudio.com
Get ready to bake up some happiness this season! Both of these tasty treats have distinct textures and flavors, so they’ll be palate pleasing for everyone—whether you whip them up just for your family or as an addition to your holiday table to enjoy after a feast.
This fresh take on the classic cake is not only moist and fluffy but also bursting with fresh citrus flavor and a hint of poppy seed crunch.
These gooey, nutty, and chocolatey bars are a delicious cross between a pie and a cookie, making them a great option for a celebration.
Excerpted from Sweet Little Cakes from Mrs. Zabar’s Bakeshop: Perfect Desserts for Sharing © 2023 Tracey Zabar. Photography by Ellen Silverman. Used with permission of Rizzoli New York.
Poppy seed cake is often made with too much lemon and a sticky, overly sweet glaze. Try my take on this old favorite. If desired, substitute lemon, lime, clementine, or tangerine zest and juice for the orange. Serve with candied orange peel on the side.
Makes one 5-inch bundt cake (serves 4)
Is this a cake? Or a pie? Or some form of cookie? Is it a cousin of the brookie (part brownie, part cookie)? It doesn’t matter because these yummy squares are sweet and gooey. They are a favorite of my pecan pie–loving son Michael.
Makes ten 1½ by 4-inch bars or four 4-inch squares (serves 4 to 5)
There are many destinations and special holiday offerings across the country to consider, but one place you may want to move to the top of your list lies in the heart of San Francisco. The grand Fairmont Hotel is rich in history, beautiful architecture, and heartwarming experiences for visitors both young and old.
The Fairmont Hotel began in 1903 as the dream of two sisters, Theresa Fair Oelrichs and Virginia Fair Vanderbilt. The pair wanted to create a boutique hotel in the center of the city in honor of their father, Senator James Graham Fair. However, weeks before its debut in 1906, the hotel was destroyed by a fire following an earthquake that rocked much of San Francisco. It had to be built yet again from the ground up, and exactly one year later, it finally opened its doors.
In the 118 years since, the Fairmont has undergone several changes, including structural expansions, redesigns of the entire building, and shifts in hotel ownership. Through it all, its opulence has remained undeniable. Guests can visit the Cirque Room, the first bar to open in the city following the end of Prohibition, or stop in to see the elegant Venetian Room, which has hosted performances by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Marlene Dietrich, Joel Grey, Bobby Short, Vic Damone, and James Brown, to name a few. It’s best known, though, for being the ballroom where Tony Bennett first sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 1961. The hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
But while it’s a wonder to see at any time of year, the holiday season at the Fairmont is unlike any other, making it a must-visit for a luxurious getaway.
“For over a century, Fairmont San Francisco has enchanted guests with its joyful holiday festivities, dining, and exuberant seasonal ambience,” says Michelle Heston, executive regional director of public relations for Accor Hotels, who has worked with the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts for the last nineteen years. From the Saturday before Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, the hotel is transformed for the holidays, transporting guests to a magical and festive new world. The fun starts with a beautifully decorated twenty-three-foot-tall Christmas tree in the lobby and expands into a host of other wonderful and whimsical sights.
Each year, the Fairmont’s lobby becomes home to a life-sized gingerbread house during the holiday season. The hotel’s engineering and culinary teams meticulously plan the construction of the two-story structure, which stands more than twenty-five feet high and thirty-five feet wide and uses thousands of home-baked gingerbread bricks and more than one ton of royal icing and candy decor. The house typically takes more than 500 hours to build, light, and outfit each year.
To bring the glorious gingerbread house to life, the hotel’s pastry chefs decorate the baked bricks with lollipops, candy canes, and chocolate confections, adding color and vibrancy to the house. And then when the season comes to an end, the frame is recycled and its edible elements are composted.
However, the fun with the gingerbread house doesn’t stop there. If you’re looking for something a little extra special to do with your loved ones, you can book a private dining experience for up to eight people inside the house. Everyone can enjoy afternoon tea or dinner while taking in the delicious scents and sounds of the festive season.
Afternoon tea, featuring fine china and delicious accoutrements, has been a part of the magic of the Fairmont since the very beginning. During the holidays, guests can create new memories and traditions with Fairmont’s Holiday Tea at the Laurel Court Restaurant and Bar. Sit back and enjoy loose-leaf teas such as creamy Earl Grey and Egyptian chamomile, assorted fresh-baked pastries, tea sandwiches, and other delectable sweets including macarons and yule logs. Heston considers this her favorite tradition, and she regularly takes her mom, daughters, sister, and niece. “Everybody is feeling festive and thrilled to put on a fancy outfit during the holidays,” she says. It’s an opulent, sophisticated experience that all ages can enjoy.
For a one-of-a-kind experience, the Fairmont offers four specially decorated suites dubbed Santa and Mrs. Claus’s home away from home. Decked out in holiday decor, the whimsical wonder of the suites creates an unforgettable seasonal escape perfect for young children. If you feel inspired by the grandeur of the lobby’s life-sized gingerbread house, a stay in the suites also comes with the option of building your own while sipping on an array of holiday-themed hot chocolate—all within the comfort of your room.
A stay at the Fairmont in San Francisco is sure to delight anyone in your family, both young and old. From its historic halls to its charming holiday attractions, it offers visitors an opportunity to delight in all the magic of the season.
For more info, visit fairmont-san-francisco.com
