Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley - March/April 2021

Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley - March/April 2021

aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley | 845-256-6158

COMFORT CONNECTIONS

DEDICATED TO IMPROVEMENT

E very April since 1897, runners from all backgrounds conquer the Massachusetts landscape, and more than 500,000 people show up to watch them compete in one of the world’s most well-known competitions. The Boston Marathon has been a tradition for avid runners for more than a century, and it takes tremendous dedication and grit to complete it. As a former amateur athlete, I’ve always admired those brave enough to take it on. I joined the track and field team in high school as a way to prepare to join the soccer team the next fall, but I grew to really enjoy track. I eventually gave up on my soccer dreams and focused on track instead. I was never really fast, and frankly, I wasn’t that good at the sport, but I was always drawn to the competition I had to have within myself to succeed. Up until that point, I had only played team sports, but track offered me a chance to challenge and improve myself. If I lost, it was because of something I did, not my team. If another athlete lost, it was because of something they did. We all had our goals and were taught how to achieve them by doing what was best for us — not just the team. That’s not to say there wasn’t camaraderie. We always encouraged each other to keep improving and practicing as best as we could. Despite track not being my calling, I did end up coming in third once! That was a great feeling, and it instilled a drive in me. I learned that I wasn’t going to be great at everything I tried, but if I put my mind to something and remain dedicated, I can improve. That drive to compete and stay in shape led me to do something I had always been interested in but was too nervous to try before. Finally, in college, I worked up the courage to enter a bodybuilding What I Learned as an Athlete

competition. This is something I rarely share with others because I’m not one for attention, but I learned a lot about myself while training for that competition. I had to dedicate a whole year of my life to lifting weights and working out to get into a position where I felt comfortable enough to pose on stage and be judged. It was daunting! But I kept the date of the competition in front of me on the days when my motivation waned, dug deep, and did it! I competed in a bodybuilding competition, and it felt great, albeit a little strange for someone like me. But I was proud of myself. I may no longer run sprints or enter bodybuilding competitions, but those experiences have taught me the power of goal-setting and practicing. When I first started this business, I had a vision for what I wanted it to be, and that idea has grown with the business. It didn’t come easy. I had to overcome hurdles and practice to get to this point, and there will be more obstacles to overcome to get to our next goal. But if there’s one thing a marathon athlete and a kid just running sprints to join the soccer team have in common, it’s that we can’t achieve that next step without the dedication to keep going.

Jim Serra

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WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS ...

Scrub the Microwave

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Lemons don’t just add a tart flavor to your favorite desserts or cool you down in a refreshing drink on a hot summer day. In addition to bold flavors, lemons also have powerful cleaning properties. Their acidity and oils cut through grease and can sanitize many of your household items. The best place to clean with a lemon is in the kitchen. For the microwave, simply juice a whole lemon into a bowl of water, then plop the used peels into the bowl. Microwave the mixture for a few minutes, let the bowl cool before removing it, then wipe away the grease in the microwave. You can also use this method for your oven. For odor-blocking properties, you can use a lemon as an air freshener. Leave half of a lemon in your refrigerator to trap and block potential smells. Toss old lemon rinds down the garbage disposal, then run the disposal to clean the blades and freshen up the sink. As for your kitchen tools, don’t toss them out without trying this lemon trick first. Start by sprinkling salt on a wooden cutting board, then slice a lemon in half. Using half the lemon (flesh-side down) like a sponge, scrub the board really well. Wipe and remove the leftover lemon juice and rinse the board before using it again. Not only will the board appear cleaner, but thanks to citric acid's antibacterial properties, it will smell better too. You can also use

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this method to polish flatware, spruce up copper, and even remove stuck-on food from plates.

Now, here’s the real secret: Once you master kitchen cleaning a la lemon, you can use these same principles to clean other parts of your house. For example, salt and lemon can be used to scrub grimy sinks and faucets, while a few squeezes of lemon juice in a cup of water makes an excellent cleaning solution for mirrors and windows. You can even make your own homemade cleaning spray by steeping lemon peels — and the peels of other citrus fruits — in white vinegar for two weeks. Remove the peels after two weeks and spritz the mixture over surfaces you need to clean!

Most of us don’t even notice it, but the small hum of your HVAC system as it kicks on is a sign that your system is doing its job to keep your home cool or warm. Some people prefer to keep the fan that creates that hum running all day, every day, but it doesn’t matter what you do. Just like the temperature of your home may not be the same as your neighbor’s home, whether or not you let your HVAC system’s fan run 24/7 is a matter of preference.

However, it is more expensive to run your fan constantly. It may also result in cold air coming through your vents periodically in the winter, as the fan is continuing to blow air, even when the house is at its ideal temperature. Also, your air filter will get dirtier more quickly. Let It Relax If you choose to let your HVAC system’s fan kick on and off as needed, you will save money. Since the fan doesn’t have to run all the time — especially during milder months in the spring and fall — your energy bill will dip in accordance with the weather. This option is also better for the environment, and your furnace filter will last much longer, too. However, the frequent starting and stopping of your HVAC’s fan will cause more wear and tear than if you let the fan run constantly. Dust will easily settle due to the lack of constant air circulation, and your home’s temperature may also be uneven in some spots. Still not sure? Our technicians can help. On your next maintenance visit or tuneup, ask what your technician would advise you do in your home. Schedule your appointment today by calling Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley at 845-256-6158.

Take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of each option before choosing a mode for your home.

Keep It Running The biggest benefit to running your HVAC all day is that it continually purifies and cleans your air. This can be especially beneficial for people with allergies or those whose homes are more prone to dust. Operating an HVAC system this way can also circulate warm or cool air through spots in your home whose temperatures are difficult to control. The constant motion could also extend the life of your HVAC system, as it doesn’t have to start and stop frequently.

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OUR-LEAF CLOVERS REQUIRED PREVENT BAD LUCK ROM HAPPENING TO YOUR HVAC SYSTEM

Whether you avoid stepping on sidewalk cracks or wear a special jersey when your favorite team plays, we all have superstitions. Try as we might, our brains often pick up on patterns of “good luck” and identify little acts we have to do — just in case. But when it comes to your HVAC system, there’s no salt throwing or rabbit’s foot that will protect it from “bad luck.” Instead, proper maintenance, like the following examples, can prevent damage and costly repairs. Schedule Regular Tuneups The many components of an HVAC system regulate your home’s temperature, ensure the air is safe to breathe, and control your home’s humidity. There’s a lot that can go wrong because there are so many pieces working together. During regular maintenance checks or tuneups, experienced technicians can monitor the health of your unit, clear debris and dust, and repair minor issues before they cause more damage. The best cycle for maintenance is to have your heating system inspected in the fall and your air conditioner inspected in the spring. Keep It Clean The dust and bacteria your HVAC system collects as it purifies the air has to go somewhere, and that place is your air filter. After a while, the air filter can become dirty and ineffective, and this can often lead to poor air quality and higher energy bills, as your system is working overtime to compensate. You should change your air filter every 1–6 months, depending on the type, quality, and usage. This will extend the life of your HVAC system. Be Vigilant If you hear or see something, say something! Clunks, squealing, thuds, and other strange noises coming from your HVAC system are a sign that something is wrong. The sooner the sources of these strange noises are identified, the less likely you are to incur costly damage to your HVAC system. In addition to keeping your ears perked, inspect the outside of your system regularly. Look for leaks and ensure the space around the unit is clear so it can function without hindrance.

Schedule your spring tuneup to prevent “bad luck” from befalling your HVAC system. Call Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley at 845-256-6158 to schedule your next appointment.

HAVE A LAUGH

ENGLISH GROUND BEEF PASTIES

Inspired by AllRecipes.com

In lieu of corned beef this year, try this spin on authentic English pasties — savory pockets of pastry dough stuffed with seasoned ground beef.

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 lb ground beef • 1 medium onion, diced

• 1 tsp dried parsley • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/4 cup beef broth

• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced • 2 sheets store-bought puff pastry dough

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, onion, and potatoes. 3. Roll out the pastry dough into roughly 10-inch circles or squares. 4. Spoon 1/2 of the beef mixture onto each sheet of dough, then top the mixture with parsley, salt, and pepper. 5. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pinching each pasty shut and tucking in both ends. 6. Transfer the pasties to the prepared baking sheet, then cut six small slits in each pasty for ventilation. Bake for 45 minutes. 7. Remove the pasties from the oven and reduce the heat to 350°F. Spoon 1 tsp beef broth into each slit, then bake for an additional 15 minutes. 8. Serve and enjoy!

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845-256-6158

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392 Masten Rd. Pleasant Valley, NY 12569

Practice Makes You Better, Not Perfect 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 The Best Cleaning Tool Can Be Found in Your Kitchen Should My Fan Run All the Time?

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Three Ways to Prevent Bad Luck with Your HVAC

English Ground Beef Pasties

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The Easiest Anti-Aging Tactic? Laughter

WHY LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOU LAUGH MORE, AGE LESS A s we age, we’re told to wear sunscreen, eat more vegetables, take vitamins, and even walk more — all in hope that our internal clocks will slow down and we will age better. But something as simple as laughter could actually be one of the easiest ways to slow the ticking clock of aging. In addition to your body, laughter is also good for your social life. (And we don’t mean that people will want to spend time with you if you have all the good jokes!) Throughout history, laughter has been an evolutionary sign of understanding. When there are language barriers, laughing together can create camaraderie and a tighter bond between people of different cultures.

Scientists have long known that laughter can be therapeutic and help us live longer. It has been shown to reduce wear and tear on our bodies and improve our relationships. A Norwegian study found that those who prioritized humor were more likely to live past 70 than those who didn’t laugh often. At a biological level, laughter can reduce tension in your muscles and activate a powerful stress-relief response from your brain by releasing dopamine. Just one chuckle may even improve your breathing and heart function! In fact, laughing can work wonders for the heart. One study showed that laughter therapy helped reduce the blood pressure and cholesterol levels of its participants. Their blood circulation improved, too. Studies have also found that regular laughter can help strengthen your immune system, and it has long-term benefits for those with respiratory conditions.

The dopamine release that comes with laughter aids in stress relief and creates powerful memories that can improve your mood and strengthen friendships. Of course, laughter has its downfalls, too. Laughing at someone else’s expense is detrimental to their health and can harm your relationships. So, stick to light jokes and actively seek shows, cartoons, or people who make you laugh. You’ll feel good, and your body will be pretty happy, too.

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