Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley - September/October 2020

Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley - September/October 2020

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

COMFORT CONNECTIONS

UNITED IN PERIL

Remembering 9/11

On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people boarded one of four planes headed to California or went to work that morning at the World Trade Center in New York. They fully expected to go to bed that night unharmed and with their families. Instead, our country — and the rest of the world — was thrown into despair and heartbreak when 19 terrorists hijacked those four airplanes and flew two of them into the Twin Towers in New York City and one into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane’s destructive path was thwarted by passengers, and it eventually crashed in a field in Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board. September always brings about painful and vivid memories for this New York resident. When these events happened, I was actually in Salt Lake City attending a convention for insurance sales. After our morning meetings, we quickly learned about the horror that was happening back home, and I’ll never forget the angst of my fellow insurance salespeople who realized the offices they were set to return to the next day were engulfed in a fiery inferno or had collapsed 110 stories to the city streets. The next few days were a blur. We were all scrambling to get home, but the airlines had grounded many flights and rental cars were scooped up quickly. Any flights we could find were not direct to New York. I can remember eventually catching a flight from Salt Lake City to Atlanta, then another flight to Cleveland, and then driving the rest of the way home from there. It was surreal being on a plane just days after that very vehicle was used as a weapon in our country. It was a huge relief to walk through the doors of my home again. In the weeks following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I experienced many big life changes. I left insurance sales — it wasn’t my calling — and decided to begin working in HVAC. As the story goes, that led me to start my own business, which eventually became Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley and allowed me the privilege of helping the many loyal customers we serve to this day.

My personal life saw some changes, too. About a month after the attack, Andrea and I met on a hike with the Sierra Club. (Neither of us has ever been a member, so this was quite the fluke.) If you are a longtime reader of our newsletter, you may remember from our February 2018 cover story that our similar experiences during 9/11 were what initially connected Andrea and me. She had gotten stranded at her book publishing job after the city’s trains were shut down. Our initial connection led to further conversation, and the rest, as they say, is history. It's probably no coincidence that such a pivotal time in our country’s history was also a turning point in my life. Celebrating these positive changes after so much turmoil reminds me that life continues to march on, even today during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our lives might be turned upside down by grief or fear, but we can’t predict what the future will hold. I believe there’s a lesson from the aftermath of 9/11 that we can apply to today, a time when we are more divided as a nation than ever before. The weeks and months after 9/11 weren’t punctuated by grandiose political stances or division, at least not at first. In the time immediately following the attacks, people came together. We reached out to each other. We helped each other through as best we could. I would encourage us all to learn a little more about our history and what unites us, rather than focusing on what divides us. As we remember 9/11, I hope we can find a way to be proud of our nation and work together. Learning about where we’ve all come from and about the hardships we’ve endured to get to where we are today can unite us.

Jim Serra

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SHOP ONLINE LIKE A PRO

GOLD PA

S hopping online is tricky in the best of times, but it’s doubly trying when your kids’ opinions are involved. If back-to-school shopping is challenging in your house, try these tricks to hunt down the backpack, pencil bag, and lunchbox the kiddos are begging for without going over budget. Opt for secondhand or refurbished items. If your kid is dying to have the same Parkland Kingston Plus backpack that celebrities’ kids were flaunting last year, you might be able to snag one secondhand for half the price. The same goes for the popular PLAE Max shoes or even electronics like iPads. Check out online retailers like JemJem or Gazelle for refurbished electronics, and try the Poshmark app for bags, shoes, and clothes. If you really want to get fancy, visit TheRealReal.com for luxury-brand clothing. Always check discount apps and websites. If you’re not at least Googling “[store name] coupon code” before checking out online, you’re probably missing out on big savings. Visit popular coupon websites like RetailMeNot and Groupon, or streamline your search by downloading a money-saving browser extension or app like Honey, which automatically checks for coupon codes and offers price comparisons. Other apps, like Flipp, let you view deals from dozens of stores in one place. Remember to see if your favorite store has its own Three Ways to Save on Back-to-School Buys

app, too — downloading it could grant you access to exclusive deals.

Don’t forget to factor in shipping. If you shop internationally, shipping can sometimes double the cost of an order. To save money, choose domestic retailers and check each website or app for shipping specials and discounts. Many websites offer free or reduced shipping for first-time customers or orders over a certain dollar amount. If you choose to shop somewhere without such a discount, check the shipping costs and factor them into your budget before you shop to avoid nasty surprises. If your kids are old enough, consider talking them through this process as you shop. Who knows, this could be a great back-to- school lesson in budgeting!

STAY WARM THIS WINTER

SCHEDULE YOUR WINTER TUNEUP TODAY!

It’s that time of the year again! As we bring our sweaters out of storage and prepare to hand out treats to little ghosts and goblins, it’s time to schedule our bi-annual HVAC system tuneup. We recommend having your HVAC system inspected twice each year — once in the spring before the weather gets hot and again in the fall before the autumn and winter chill. It’s likely been nearly seven months since you have run the heater in your home, and a number of things can happen during this intermission. The summer storms and humidity may have taken their toll on some of your heating system’s components, or dust accumulation could mean your system will have to work harder to produce heat, making it less efficient (and more costly to run). Furthermore, compromised heaters could produce carbon monoxide, leaving your loved ones vulnerable.

Before you turn on your home’s heat, call Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley for a heating inspection. Below are just a few of the benefits you can expect from this appointment. 1. Inspection: Your technician will observe and test the parts of your furnace or heating system. Technicians are listening and looking for faulty parts, odd sounds, or signs that there could be something wrong. 2. Cleaning: Perhaps there is buildup from last year’s use or a particularly volatile storm resulted in damage. Regardless of the situation, an HVAC technician can clean the unit to ensure your heating system is functioning at its best.

schedule a follow-up appointment. Taking care to make any repairs in a timely fashion could save you from having to make a much costlier repair in the future and will likely prolong the life of your existing system. 4. Peace of Mind: This check-in also gives your technician an opportunity to spot potential problems your system may face during the coming winter. This kind of preparation is invaluable and can give you peace of mind that your heating system is running smoothly. Don’t let winter arrive without getting a thorough heating system tuneup. Call our team at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley today at 845-256-6158. P.S. Worried about COVID-19? Ask about our safety precautions and protocols when you schedule your tuneup.

3. Repairs: If any problems are found, your HVAC technician can repair them that day or

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THE DILOCKS ARADOX

HOW YOUR HOME’S HUMIDITY MAY BE PROTECTING — OR ENDANGERING — YOUR FAMILY

As we enjoy our final days of summer heat and humidity, you may be looking forward to cool, crisp fall nights, colorful leaves, and fresh apples. But you’re not the only one anxious for fall to start; viruses also love when the temperatures drop and New York’s air becomes dry. For years, studies have tried to pinpoint why it is exactly that viruses, such as influenza and possibly COVID-19, love the cold weather, and researchers seem to agree on a few theories. To start, as the weather gets colder, many of us spend more time together indoors. This closeness can cause the transmission of diseases to increase. Others point to a lack of vitamin D. The sun keeps us healthy, and without its constant and long presence in the winter, our bodies’ ability to combat illness is weakened. The last theory is that it may just be pure bad luck. Studies show that viruses may have a better chance at thriving in colder and drier temperatures simply because of the way our bodies respond in cold, dry climates. In a 2019 Yale study, researchers found that our airways and the cells designed to protect us don’t work as well in cold, dry weather. Our cilia, the structures in our airways that catch and remove germs and other particles, may not function as effectively in cold temperatures. While our airways struggle to repair the damage these viruses

Who says a loaded potato has to clog your arteries? In this healthy version that serves four, a sweet potato base is topped with fiber-rich bean salsa. EASY STUFFED SWEET POTATOES Inspired by EatingWell.com This winter, balancing your home’s humidity can be one way to defend against a flu season that will accompany the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2013 study found that viral particles in a room with 43% humidity had an infectability rate of 14%, compared to an infectability rate of greater than 70% when the room's humidity was 23% or less. If an ideal humidity rate feels impossible to achieve in your home, the team at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley can help. We may be able to add a humidifier onto your existing HVAC equipment or update an older system to include humidification. Learn more by giving our team a call to discuss how we can improve your chances for a healthier home and family this winter. do, messaging among cells is diminished. This might explain why, as the temperature and dew point drop, our chance of catching the sniffles jumps. Now, before you resign yourself to the steam room this winter, keep in mind that high humidity can also be a viral breeding ground. Studies have found that high humidity allows water droplets carrying viruses to cling in the air longer, which makes them more easily transferrable. However, the risk in high humidity is much lower than in low humidity.

DID YOU KNOW?

INGREDIENTS

• 4 medium sweet potatoes • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed • 2 medium tomatoes, diced • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp coriander • 3/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

DIRECTIONS 1. With a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. Microwave the potatoes on high 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through. 2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and salt. When the potatoes are done, microwave the mixture on high for 2–3 minutes. 3. Cool the potatoes slightly, then cut each potato open lengthwise. Pull the halves apart to create space to spoon the warm bean salsa inside. 4. Top each potato with a tablespoon of sour cream, garnish with cilantro, and serve!

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392 Masten Rd. Pleasant Valley, NY 12569

Jim Remembers Sept. 11, 2001 INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 Shop Back-to-School Online Like a Pro 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley

Why NOW Is the Perfect Time for a Winter Tuneup!

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Just the Right Level of Humidity Can Protect Your Family from Viruses

Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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Three Fun Family Activities for Fall

GARDENING, GOLD, AND PHOTO SHOOTS

THREE FUN FAMILY ACTIVITIES FOR FALL

a gold panning operation at home! Visit MessForLess.net/ panning-for-gold-activity for a great step-by-step guide on how to go panning for gold in your own backyard.

It’s fall, which means social media will soon be saturated with pictures of your friends enjoying “classic” fall activities. Photos of leaf peeping, apple picking, and the occasional scarecrow run rampant. But rather than following the herd, you can make your family the trendsetter of unique fall activities! Here are a few outdoor endeavors your family will love.

PLAN A FALL PHOTO SHOOT

It’s time to freshen up those family pictures hanging around the house. The changing leaves provide a beautiful background for any family portrait. Better yet, the cooler temperatures mean that an outdoor photo shoot won’t be nearly as uncomfortable as it would be in the summer. You can take your

GET GARDENING

Fall is the time for harvest, but if you want to enjoy flowers in the spring, it’s also a time for planting. The cooler autumn air is easier on plants, but the soil is still warm enough for roots to grow before the ground freezes for winter. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are all spring bulbs that need to be planted in the fall. Do a little research with your family to determine the best time to start planting in your area.

pictures by the trees in the front yard or make a day trip of it. What about pictures at the corn maze or pumpkin patch? It’s never too soon to start planning this year’s holiday card.

PAN FOR GOLD

Here’s one that’s really off the beaten path: Take your family on an adventure panning for gold! Start by planning a road trip out to an old ghost town. Many of them have great tourist attractions that include gold panning. You probably won't get rich, but it will still be a fun story. If you’re not able to make the trip, you can always create

Spend this fall outdoors and create great new memories with your family!

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