As the cold winter season blankets the US, homeowners are turning up the furnace to keep their loved ones warm and safe. But the energy bill is likely to skyrocket as well. Fortunately, there are ways to efficiently heat the home without sacrificing comfort for low cost.

There’s never a good time to have an HVAC emergency, but the holiday season is an especially bad time for household crises. Fortunately, there are steps homeowners can take to reduce the likelihood of an HVAC emergency any time of year.

Roger The Plumber, a residential plumbing and HVAC services company, advises homeowners to schedule holiday drain cleaning to prevent plumbing emergencies like sewage backup and stubborn clogs.

In the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, decorating, and celebrating, the needs of the home’s plumbing system often get overlooked. Though your schedule may be full, take an hour out of your day to run through the following plumbing checklist items to avoid any emergencies this busy season.