Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley - September/October 2021

Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley - September/October 2021

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

COMFORT CONNECTIONS

TWENTY YEARS LATER Remembering 9/11

Twenty years ago this September was a major turning point, both for our country and in my life. On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 militants hijacked planes bound for California and flew them into the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania field. It was a tragic, horrific event, and every year, New York residents (and the nation) remember the pain, fear, and devastation of this time as if it happened only recently. I’ve recounted this day in this newsletter before, but I was actually in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the time of these attacks. I was working in insurance and attending a conference when we heard about the attacks that morning. I’ll always remember the fear and horror of some of my colleagues, whose entire companies were located in the World Trade Center. I can’t begin to imagine what that was like for them. After the attack, I spent days trying to get home. Flights across the country were grounded, and flights into New York were impossible. I ended up flying to Atlanta, Georgia, from Salt Lake City and then to Cleveland, Ohio. From Cleveland, I rented a car and drove home, but I can remember the fear in the airport. Military personnel with large machine guns could be seen at the gates as our country scrambled for a sense of protection. It was pretty scary to walk through an airport knowing the heightened security was actually warranted. In the weeks that followed, our country was united in a way that it never has been before or since. First responders from across the country came to New York City to help with the cleanup and care for survivors, while many of us — regardless of our personal beliefs — came together to support one another. In today’s divisive world, I wish we could all remember that feeling of working together toward a common goal.

Our country changed that day. We often categorize time as pre-9/11 and post-9/11. (Some young adults today weren’t even alive when 9/11 happened!) It’s hard to believe our post-9/11 world began 20 years ago already, but, as with anything in life, we had to find ways to try to cope and attempt to move on. Personally, as well, 2001 was a pivotal year for me. It’s the year I met Andrea. In fact, we met only one month after 9/11! We bonded over our shared experiences of that day. Andrea was working in New York City at the time and became stranded at her office after the attacks happened since all the trains had stopped running. This was also the year I decided to leave the insurance industry and pursue a career in HVAC. Today, I’m much happier than when I was selling insurance and have no regrets about the change of career path. It was strange to have two big, happy life events occur after something so tragic, but I guess that can serve as a powerful reminder. Despite what happened, we continue to be blessed, even when we least expect it and even if we don’t always realize it at the time. We will never forget the attacks on 9/11, but we can also remember that even when things are really dark, we can choose to keep going, leaning on each other for support and searching for the good things that await us when we do.

Jim Serra

845-256-6158 1

GOODBYE, SHOE CHAOS! Three Storage Ideas to Save You from Tripping

Stay C

H

2. The Over-the-Door Shoe Bag If you don’t have the floor space for a traditional shoe rack, consider investing in an over-the-door shoe bag. These fabric, clear plastic, or upscale mesh bags hook over the top of a door and are covered in pockets for shoes. Many can hold up to 36 pairs! Best of all, when they’re hanging on the back of your mudroom or closet door, your shoes will be both easy to access and tucked out of sight. You can find affordable racks on Amazon.com for less than $10 or fancier models at Walmart for under $20. 3. The Hanging Closet ‘Shoe File’ Speaking of closets, the “shoe file” is the perfect storage solution for a coat closet or any other closet near your main door. Instead of hanging on the door, this pocket-filled organizer cascades from a hanger! Many of the pockets are conveniently located at eye level; you can load up your closet with as many files as you need, and each file can hold up to 18 pairs of shoes. ContainerStore.com sells elegant shoe files starting at $12.99.

It's that time of year again: The kids are charging inside, kicking off their shoes wherever they please, and tearing into the house! If you've already tripped over a dozen pairs of sneakers, it’s time to create and enforce a better shoe storage solution. Here are three functional and attractive methods to try. 1. The DIY PVC Pipe Shoe Cubby This shoe storage project is all the rage on Pinterest! It turns out that when you cut a large PVC pipe into sections, paint them your preferred color(s), and glue them together with PVC glue, the honeycomb effect looks both fun and elegant. You can try this in your mudroom or in your kids’ rooms to make putting away their shoes feel like a game. Check out the video “PVC Pipe Shoe Rack” by Home Made Simple on YouTube for a step-by-step guide to building a floor rack or Instructables. com for tips on mounting your rack to the wall. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=U3LvaNqvjXw.

This past sprin in the use of the environm in the refrig found in b

In some the pro Here

Zo

Th h

Responsible homeowners schedule their HVAC maintenance twice a year, typically as the weather is heating up or cooling down. This can protect your system from unexpected failures and minimize the amount of money you may need to shell out for repairs while you’re stuck in a freezing or sweltering home. As we approach cooler temperatures, it’s time to schedule your heating system maintenance with Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley. During this simple inspection, our technician will look for signs of damage and wear. Here’s what you can expect. Cleaning and Clearing After a whole summer of not being used, your home’s heating system may need a little TLC. The technician will clear away debris, clean out the dust and grime that can naturally become caked on the unit’s components, and change dirty air filters. This increases the efficiency of your unit, saving you money on your energy bill and keeping your home at the perfect temperature all season long. It’s That Time of Year Again! SCHEDULE YOUR HEATING SYSTEM TUNEUP

Testing and Checking Your technician will inspect each component of your home’s heating system, from the blower to the electrical connections. The objective is to keep your system running as efficiently as it can and to prevent small problems from turning into a major problem. While not every issue can be caught — sometimes technology just fails — regular maintenance can help prolong the life of your unit. Improving Reliability and Safety Components in your HVAC system can fail for a litany of reasons, but these can often be small fixes that, if completed sooner rather than later, could minimize bigger issues down the road. Your technician will tighten anything that may have loosened over time and, with your permission, will fix any damaged or nonworking parts to ensure your heating system is running at its fullest capacity. Not only can this extend the life of your home’s equipment, it can also greatly improve the reliability, efficiency, and safety of your system. Don’t wait for the temperatures to drop too low before scheduling your heating system maintenance! Call Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley today to schedule your fall season tuneup.

aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley 2

Comfortable and Protect the Environment HOW THE HVAC INDUSTRY CAN HELP YOU GO GREEN

ng, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered a reduction hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) due to the compound’s impact on ment, specifically on the ozone layer. HFCs are commonly found gerant used in air conditioners and refrigerators but can also be building insulation, fire extinguishing systems, and aerosols. e instances, states and individual companies have already begun ocess of opting for more environmentally friendly refrigerants. are three more ways the HVAC industry is going green. oning his isn’t a new concept, but it can be a powerful tool for large homes or buildings. Zoning divides a larger building into smaller areas that can then be controlled independently. So, if the conference room at the office is only used once each month, you can adjust the temperature in that room for the days it’s not being used while still keeping the main workspace comfortable. This provides greater control over how much energy is used to heat or cool a building. High-Efficiency Heat Pumps Energy suppliers have partnered with state agencies to provide incentives for switching to high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. A heat pump provides heating and cooling from a single unit

without the use of fossil fuels, so it not only keeps you comfortable year-round, but it can also save you money and reduce your carbon footprint. No ductwork? No worries! Heat pumps also come in a mini-split version that requires no ductwork at all! So if going green is on your radar and you wouldn’t mind a nice rebate check arriving in your mailbox, it’s certainly worth considering.

Smart Homes This is probably the most accessible way to go green with your HVAC system. Smart-home technology allows you to customize your heating and cooling experience based on your habits, schedule, and preferences. It can automatically adjust to changes in temperature outside, optimizing your heating or cooling system’s operations, or minimizing them when they’re not needed. Plus, you can adjust your thermostat just by talking to it or by using an app on your smartphone!

If you would like to learn more about improving the efficiency and environmental impact of your HVAC system, contact Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley today.

Inspired by WellPlated.com ONE-PAN APPLE CIDER CHICKEN

HAVE A LAUGH

Bring the taste of fall into your kitchen with this sizzling single-skillet meal.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs • 1 tsp salt, divided • 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided • 1/2 cup apple cider

• 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 4 tsp olive oil, divided

• 3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2-inch slices • 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish

DIRECTIONS 1. Season chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside.

3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top-side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean. 4. Heat the remaining 2 tsp oil; add the sliced apples, remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, and the rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken to the skillet and add the apple cider-mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve garnished with rosemary.

845-256-6158 3

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

392 Masten Rd. | Pleasant Valley, NY 12569 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 2

Looking Back on 20 Years since 9/11

Three Shoe Storage Ideas That Will Save You from Tripping What to Expect at Your Home Heating System Maintenance Check The HVAC Industry Is Environmentally Conscious One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken

3

4

Nothing to See Here: Mystery Spot Tourism

NOTHING TO SEE HERE A History of the Mystery Spot

The most famous mystery spot is in Santa Cruz, California, but it has cousins in Oregon, West Virginia, and Michigan. Each one is inexplicable — drawing thousands of people every year to come and spend their tourist dollars. And for many, the whole thing is just one big hoax, designed to take in suckers and generate cash. Although Santa Cruz has the most visitors, it was “inspired” by the Oregon Vortex, which was a spot that had odd occurrences “documented” back to the early frontier days. From a mining office sliding off its foundation to the high presence of optical illusions, the Vortex was the home to some odd events. Naturally, the thing to do was build a structure there and start taking people’s money! It’s not a coincidence that these locations began to pop up at the same time as the average American got access to automobiles — “roadside attractions” of all kinds have been the rage since people began to tour America by car, and it’s pretty clear that, real or not, these mystery spots fall into that category. That’s why many of them have updated over the years to suit changing tastes — such as the St. Ignace, Michigan, Mystery Spot’s addition of zip lines and other attractions.

And unlike many other roadside attractions, mystery spots continue to draw attention. Something in the American psyche loves the idea of the paranormal; Google “Europe mystery spots” and you’re likely to discover lists of unique vacation destinations. Perhaps they recapture the “paradise is just over the hill” mystery that in part drove colonization of the American West. Or perhaps it’s all a bunch of hooey. The best way to decide, of course, is to visit one of these mystery spots for yourself!

4

aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley

WANTED! $500 REWARD *

Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley is always on the lookout for dedicated

individuals who have a passion for technology and a desire to

recommend solutions and provide quality service to our customers. Do you know someone who would enjoy training with and learning from our team of seasoned professionals? Please encourage them to call or text our office at 845-256-6158 or apply online today! If it turns out that they’re a great fit for our Aire Serv team, that would be a win-win! And a win for you too! *$500 referral reward paid upon successful completion of on-boarding and new hire probationary period.

aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley

Thank You for Your Trust in Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley!

We Have a Gift to Show Our Appreciation

1. Refer Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley to a friend or a family member. They can schedule any service with our team — regular maintenance, repair services, or replacement. 2. Make sure your friend or family member mentions that you referred them! 3. As our way of saying thank you, you will receive a $50 gift card! It’s that simple. Just refer, schedule, and accept our thanks! But don’t wait to take advantage of this extra- special thank-you offer. Have your friends or family call 845-256-6158 today — this offer is only for a limited time.

Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley is grateful to have such committed, loyal customers. It’s our privilege to come into your homes and provide quality service, repairs, and upgrades for your heating and cooling systems. And we want to provide that same great service to more people like you! That’s why, for a limited time, we are offering a special gift to those who refer our services to others. Here’s how it works!