AireServ Heating & Air Conditioning - July/August 2021

AireServ Heating & Air Conditioning - July/August 2021

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

COMFORT CONNECTIONS

THE VALUE OF AN ICE CREAM CONE What My First Job Taught Me

I started my first job when I was 14 years old. That summer, I spent one hour every day walking around the parking lot of King Kone, a small ice cream shop in my hometown, with a big tub and picking up trash for maybe $5–$10 each day.

wanted to take care of our customers. I made sure to be deliberate and thoughtful as I counted up the cost and handed back change. Working at King Kone didn’t leave me with a distaste for ice cream or make me a math genius, but it did help me add context and value to the lessons my parents were teaching me. I learned how important jobs are and to take pride in the work I did. It wasn’t an important job like being an attorney, doctor, or HVAC technician, but everything we did was a direct reflection on the owner and on us as well. I may have come home every night with a stained white shirt, but I was proud of the work I did. Those values are still important to me today. My goal — and the goal I strive to teach our team members — is to always make sure the customer feels valued and respected. Taking care of our customers is our top priority at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley, and whether I’m serving up ice cream or servicing an air conditioning unit, I want the person I’m serving to know I’m in their corner. It’s a matter of pride, of course, but it’s also an important part of being human — treating each other right. As far as summer jobs go, I think I had a pretty good gig. Even better, I was given a valuable perspective that’s molded my outlook on businesses. That’s a tremendous value from ice cream cones.

It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a job.

My parents always instilled in me the value of having a job and working hard. For a lot of kids, summer jobs — no matter how boring or labor-intensive they may be — are the first real taste of hard work and the value of a dollar. Summer jobs are almost like a rite of passage on your journey to becoming an adult. After that first summer of trash collecting, I then moved up into the actual store. I would work the ice cream counter, taking orders and trying not to mess up anyone’s cone on a hot summer day. (Although, if we did mess up, we would stash the mistake in the freezer and eat it later. I promise I never made a mistake on purpose!) Because it was summer, we usually had a line of people waiting for ice cream. There wasn’t an opportunity for downtime, and we had to be quick on our feet and with our math. This was the time before cash registers that automatically spit out the cost of the order plus sales tax. So, we had to calculate the cost in our heads, add the sales tax, and make change — the old fashioned way — all without using a calculator. I’m sure everyone who worked in retail before digital cash registers remembers this!

Jim Serra

I always felt a sense of responsibility by doing our transactions this way. I never wanted to shortchange anyone, and I always

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AN OLYMPIC MEDAL — FOR ARTS

If you’re considering selling your home in this hot market, you might find that a fresh coat of paint or pulling some weeds will make your home sparkle in the eyes of potential homebuyers, but you may want to consider looking at your HVAC system, too. Your home’s HVAC unit is a big-ticket item. Like the water heater, stove, and roof, your HVAC system could impact who puts in an offer and what stipulations you have to abide by — such as repairing the HVAC system — before officially handing over the keys. So, before your home goes on the market, consider getting your HVAC system’s affairs in order. READY TO SELL? Three Ways to Prepare Your HVAC System From 1912 to 1952, the Olympics awarded medals for arts and sculpture, though most people do not remember this. In 2012, the first book in English on the topic was published, The Forgotten Olympic Art Competitions by Richard Stanton. Stanton dug through decades-old, crumbling files that were packed away in Switzerland in order to uncover the origin of this forgotten Olympic tradition. Apparently, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the modern Olympic Games, saw art competitions as integral to his vision of the Olympics. Stanton told Smithsonian Magazine of Coubertin, “He was raised and educated classically, and he was particularly impressed with the idea of what it meant to be a true Olympian — someone who was not only athletic, but skilled in music and literature.” Coubertin thought that without the arts, it couldn’t be a true Olympic event.

However, Coubertin had no luck convincing local organizers from Athens, St. Louis, or Paris that art competitions were necessary. At the 1912 Stockholm Games, Coubertin finally secured the Olympic fine art competitions. There were categories for architecture, music, painting, sculpture, and literature, but every work had to somehow be inspired by sports. Judges didn’t have to award gold medals if they were disappointed by all the submissions, but 1912 was a success. With 33 artists in participation, a gold medal was awarded in every category. (Coubertin even won for his poem, “Ode to Sport”! He disguised it with a pseudonym.) As the Olympics exploded into a beloved international event, the fine arts competitions rarely caught people’s attention. Not all categories won gold medals, if any at all. There were significant winners, however. John Russell Pope (the architect of the Jefferson Memorial) won a silver at the 1932

Los Angeles Games for his design of the Payne Whitney Gymnasium, constructed at Yale University. Other famous participants include Italian sculptor Rembrandt Bugatti, American illustrator

Percy Crosby, Irish author Oliver St. John Gogarty, and Dutch painter Isaac Israëls. Even if the art competitions are not a part of the games anymore, they are fascinating to learn about! We’ll definitely think about them the next time the Olympics (finally) roll around.

Have Your Unit Serviced A thorough inspection, cleaning, and repair job by an experienced technician can catch potential issues before the buyer can even raise a stink about them. If any large issues are caught during a homebuyer’s inspection, it could cause the buyers to pull out of the sale or create added — potentially more expensive — costs for you. Instead, having your HVAC system serviced before your home is on the market allows you to anticipate and fix any glaring issues beforehand. Gather Historical Records Potential homebuyers will want to know the details of your HVAC system. When was it installed? When was it last serviced? Have there been recent repairs? Gather installation information, maintenance records, and proof of any repairs made to the system — if possible — and be upfront. This honesty will establish a line of trust between you and those who want to purchase your home. Do Your Own Cleaning Your technician can take care of cleaning the ducts, fans, and so much more on your HVAC system, but consider what it looks like to passersby. Clean up any overgrowth by your outdoor unit and clear the space around your furnace. (Some potential homebuyers like to look at this equipment!) Regularly vacuum the registers and grills during the home viewing process, too. Despite how hot the market is, homebuyers can be picky!

Ready to jump into the market? Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley can ensure your HVAC system boosts your home’s marketability. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

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A HOT EBATE

DO I NEED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE MY AIR CONDITIONER?

It’s a question as old as time (or as old as air conditioning units): When your AC is on the fritz, is it better to sink more money into it, or should you shell out the cash for a new one? We know you would much rather have your unit work out the problem on its own, but the decision about repairing or replacing can boil down to a few factors.

younger, newer model. For starters, if the unit is 10 years old or older, it’s time for a new one. Wear and tear and buildup that can no longer be removed can cause older systems to be less energy-efficient over time, which could cost you more money. Furthermore, if you’re paying more than 50% of your unit’s value for repairs, that’s another sign that it’s time for an upgrade. Regular breakdowns or obvious signs of wear — like uneven temperatures and noise — could mean your AC is ready for retirement. Paying for a new unit may seem like a big expense, but it’s important to remember the benefits of replacement. You could save money on your energy bill, receive tax incentives, and protect yourself with a warranty. Plus, you can’t beat the comfort, air quality, and convenience of having a new system. When you’re ready to take the plunge — or need an expert opinion to help you weigh your options — our technicians can help. Call Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley today to schedule a consultation.

Here’s what you should consider.

The Argument for Repair Your first instinct when the HVAC system goes down should be to consider the ways in which it can be repaired. If your home’s system is newer or you’re planning to move soon, repairing it will likely be your best option. Plus, if the cost of repairing your air conditioning unit is less than 50% of its value, it’s not worth replacing it just yet. There are plenty of repair options available that can extend the life and functionality of your unit. Don’t jump to a shiny new unit without considering these options! Knowing When to Replace There are a few obvious signs that your air conditioner may need to be replaced by a

HAVE A LAUGH

CONGRATULATIONS, ERIC! ONE TECHNICIAN COMPLETES EXTRA TRAINING

We are proud to employ dedicated, hardworking technicians who are consistently working to improve their craft. Technician Eric Sottile is no different. This past May, Eric earned three certifications through the Ultimate Technical Academy — a rigorous, fast-tracked continuing education program for HVAC technicians.

In this short time, Eric earned his Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification for refrigerant handling and completed the electrical for HVAC course and the refrigeration AC/HP course. We are incredibly proud of Eric’s hard work and commitment to serve our clients with a growing skill set. Congratulations, Eric!

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

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The Value of Summer Jobs

An Olympic Medal — For Arts Three HVAC Tips When Selling Your Home To Repair or to Replace? Technician Eric Sottile Adds to His Expertise

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Fourth of July Fun Facts to Share with the Kids

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE FOURTH OF JULY

YOU CAN SHARE WITH YOUR KIDS

What do your kids know about the Fourth of July? Do they know it’s a day when you have a barbecue, spend time with friends and neighbors, and watch a fireworks show? These hallmarks of the holiday certainly do make it fun and memorable, but they don’t really exemplify why we celebrate the Fourth of July, the anniversary of when the United States declared its independence from Britain. So, along with the sparklers and hot dogs, here are a few fun facts about Independence Day you can share with your kids to help them understand the significance of the holiday. The Fourth of July marks our country’s independence because it’s when the Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence. This fact might seem like a no-brainer, but it contextualizes the holiday for kids. It’s a great jumping-off point to talk about why the United States wanted to be its own country, what the Continental Congress was, what the Declaration of Independence said, and what it means to “ratify” something. Two future presidents signed the Declaration of Independence: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. They both died exactly 50 years later, on July 4, 1826 . This fact is an interesting coincidence

sure to fascinate both kids and adults. It’s also a great way to introduce kids to some of the Founding Fathers and share how they helped shape the United States today. In 1776, the year the United States was founded, only 2.5 million people lived here. Today, the U.S. population is 331 million. Lots of people have been born in the United States since it was founded, and millions more came here from other places, hoping to find a better life. Many succeeded, too. Many people want to call this country home! On the Fourth of July, around 155 million hot dogs are eaten in the United States. Okay, so this fact might not have anything to do with American history, but it’s still

pretty funny! If anything, the fact that we have so many hot dogs to eat on this day is evidence of the prosperity so many people enjoy in the United States of America.

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