Lewis Maclean - April

Lewis Maclean - April

APRIL 2020

You Never Have to Panic Again

How do you know when it’s time for a new air conditioner? Many homeowners wait until their air conditioner stops working before deciding to get a new system. They turn it on and, lo and behold, it doesn’t work or doesn’t produce any cold air. The truth is that even when these things happen, it might not quite be time for a new A/C. Just because your unit doesn’t turn on or cool your home doesn’t mean it’s time to buy a new one. This is especially true if your air conditioner is less than 10 years old. We don’t want you to have to go out of your way to buy a new A/C because yours isn’t working right. In the spring and early summer, people in the Lower Mainland turn their air on for the first time in several months. Temperatures are rising and they want cool, fresh air running through the house. When something goes wrong or if you get your power bill and the charges are much higher than they were this time last year, this can send you into panic mode. Suddenly, you find yourself with a problem that needs to be solved — a problem you certainly didn’t want or ask for. We don’t want you to worry. We’re helping our customers get ready for summer right now, and we’ve seen plenty of systems that weren’t working right. Our guys can take a look and solve the problem and hopefully save you from having to buy a new unit. If you hear loud banging coming from anywhere in your HVAC system, smell odd odours when you turn the air on, notice a lack of cool air, or find that your unit simply doesn’t turn on, we can figure out what’s going on and give you a report.

If you need a new part — or if you do need a new A/C unit — then we’ll be upfront with you. If a system is really old (15 years or more) or we know we can’t restore its cooling efficiency, we’ll tell you and give you our honest recommendations so you can make the best choice for yourself and your home. One of the most common signs it’s time to get a new A/C is when repair costs start to mount. If the repairs cost more than half the price of a new unit, it may not be worth it to make repairs. Instead, it might make more sense to put that money toward a new system rather than spending more on continued repairs. As the warmer temperatures roll in, think about getting a routine checkup for your HVAC system. Even if things are okay, a routine checkup will give you an update on the overall health of your system. There’s even a chance we’ll catch something that might be a problem later but isn’t necessarily pressing today. For instance, we might spot some minor wear and tear that you’ll want to keep an eye on in the months or years to come. No matter your current A/C situation, we’re here to check up on your system and repair and replace anything your system needs. Just give us a call and we’ll get it taken care of!

–Tyler Dillon

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Laugh It Up With Your Loved Ones

2 Common Air Conditioner Questions Answered! It’s the first warm day of the year, so you decide to turn on your air conditioner to bring a little fresh, cool air into your home. But when you turn it on, it doesn’t work like you expect. There’s a strange noise coming from within the A/C unit itself, and you’re left scratching your head. What could it be? Well, here’s the answer (along with the answer to another common question)! Why does my air conditioner make a loud banging noise when I turn it on? If you hear a loud banging, slamming, or humming coming from within your A/C or HVAC system, it can be a sign that there is a loose or broken part inside the system. Sometimes it’s a broken part in the compressor, or it may be a fan. No matter the source, it’s unlikely that the noise will go away on its own. If your A/C begins to make an odd or loud noise, turn it off immediately. Letting it continue to run can cause more damage. If the damage becomes significant, the entire unit may need to be replaced. Get an inspection to determine the source of the sound and repair or replace faulty parts before this becomes a bigger problem. Why Does My A/C Smell?

CLASSIC COMEDIES FOR TWEENS AND TEENS

For parents, movie selection can

sometimes seem pretty limited.

When your kids are young, you may feel shackled to the latest Disney animated features. But as they get a little older, you might want to introduce them to some real classic comedies. After all, who doesn’t like to have a laugh

with their loved ones? Here’s a look at just a few side- splitting films that still hold up.

Why does my air conditioner give off an unpleasant odour when I turn it on?

‘The Princess Bride’ Endlessly quotable and full of heart, this 1987 irreverent fantasy story is perfect for kids looking to graduate from fairy tales. While the dialogue contains a handful of swears and enough mild innuendo to earn a PG rating, most of the violence is played up for comedy rather than appearing gritty and real. Be prepared for your kids to repeat Inigo Montoya’s lines again and again. ‘School of Rock’ According to Common Sense Media, many parents choose to ignore the PG-13 rating on this 2003 comedy and show it to their tweens. Besides brief strong language and a few scenes with adults consuming alcohol, this Jack Black movie is surprisingly tame for being about rock ‘n’ roll. Beyond the endearing characters, Black’s hilarious antics, and an amped-up soundtrack, the movie lands its message of self-acceptance so well that you’ll be clamouring for an encore. ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ There’s nothing quite like the comedy of Monty Python. Surreal, witty, and unabashedly ridiculous, “Holy Grail” defies nearly every convention of storytelling and revels in doing so. That said, this film is recommended for teens since it has some strong elements of innuendo in one particular scene. Another scene contains over-the-top violence that is intentionally made to look fake, but it may still scare younger viewers. If you’re looking to show your teens a whole new world of comedy, then this 1975 classic will make their imaginations run wild.

When an A/C sits unused for an extended period of time, moisture and dust can accumulate in the unit and ducts. When you turn the unit back on and air begins to circulate again, it can make your home smell like feet or dirty socks. Sometimes, this will go away on its own with constant air circulation, but it often means the air filters and A/C unit need to be inspected and cleaned. Another common odour is the smell of mildew. This almost always indicates moisture buildup and can be a sign that the air filter is dirty or blocked. However, if moisture has been present in the unit for a long period of time, mold may be present. If mold is in or near the A/C, it should not be used, as this may contaminate the air and cause respiratory problems. The A/C should be inspected to ensure it’s working correctly and your home should be inspected for mold. If you smell burning or gunpowder, this can mean the fan motor has burnt out. It can also mean the board circuitry has shorted out. If you do smell a burnt odour coming from your air system, turn it off immediately and call our emergency number.

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Block the Flu

5 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Catching the Flu and Other Illnesses Get a flu shot.

overreaction to the flu virus and make symptoms much worse, should you get ill. By cutting back or eliminating smoking, as well as alcohol consumption, you can better protect yourself from sickness.

This helps build your immunity right out of the gate so that when the flu hits in your neck of the woods, your immune system is ready. It’s not always guaranteed protection, but

it’s worth it. High-risk groups such as young children, pregnant women, and adults over 65, as well as those with chronic medical conditions, should always get a flu shot. Keep your immune system healthy. Drink more water, reduce your stress, get better sleep, eat a nutritious diet, and get regular exercise to keep your immune system functioning. Going on a daily 30–60-minute walk is a great way to get some physical activity and lower your stress levels. Practice healthy habits. Smoking and drinking alcohol, for example, can increase your

Wash your hands. Washing your hands is one of the best things you can do to stop the spread of germs, whether it’s the flu, common cold, or the coronavirus (COVID-19). Always wash your hands before and after eating, touching your face, using the restroom, and touching potentially germy surfaces like drawer handles, doorknobs, countertops, shopping carts, and so on. Wash with warm, soapy water for a minimum of 20 seconds.

Use sanitizer. Keep sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer on your person whenever you go out or travel. Wipe down surfaces you’re going to touch, such as tables and armrests, and public items, like shopping carts and baskets.

susceptibility to the flu and many other illnesses. Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine found that smoking can cause an

SESAME ZUCCHINI NOODLES

When you’re craving takeout but want to keep your dinner healthy and refreshing, reach for this comforting, flavorful recipe instead of the phone.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tbsp coconut aminos • 3 tbsp pure sesame oil • 3/4 tsp fresh ginger, grated • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 3 scallions, thinly sliced • 1/4 cup chopped almonds

• 4 medium zucchini • Salt, to taste • 3 medjool dates, pitted and softened in warm water for 5 minutes • 3 1/2 tbsp creamy, unsweetened almond butter

DIRECTIONS

1. If you have a spiralizer, use it to cut zucchini into noodles. Otherwise, use a peeler. Salt zucchini. Allow zucchini to “sweat” out water for 1 hour, wrap in a paper towel, and squeeze the water out. 2. In a food processor, blend dates with almond butter and aminos until smooth. 3. Add sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and vinegar and pulse until sauce is smooth. 4. In a pan, sauté zucchini noodles until heated and slightly softened. 5. Toss zucchini noodles with prepared sauce and top with scallions and almonds. Inspired by PaleoRunningMomma.com

EGGS FOOL GARDEN PASSOVER

BUNNY DAISY EARTH EASTER

POLLEN PRANK RAMADAN TAXES

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23008 Fraser Highway Langley, BC V2Z 2V1 604-532-9625 www.lewismaclean.com

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THIS ISSUE

Don’t Panic! We’re Here to Help Classic Comedies for Tweens and Teens 2 Common Air Conditioner Questions Answered 5 Things You Can Do to Protect Yourself from the Flu Sesame Zucchini Noodles The Top 3 NHL Players of All Time

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The Top 3 NHL Players of All Time

Bobby Orr Bobby Orr holds the record for the most points and assists by a defender in one season, with 139 and 102 recorded, respectively. He was

Since April is traditionally the month NHL teams duel in the playoffs, now is the perfect time of year to reflect on some of the greatest NHL players of all time. Though NHL history is full of outstanding players, three individuals always enter the discussion: Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, and of course, the one and only Wayne Gretzky. Here are some interesting facts about these legendary players! Gordie Howe

known for surging forward to assist offense, and his

Gordie Howe, also known as “Mr. Hockey,” played professional hockey for 32 seasons between the NHL and the World Hockey Association, and he

style remains the gold standard for defensive

play in the NHL. After retiring, Orr was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy in recognition of his contributions to the sport. Wayne Gretzky

achieved some impressive numbers during his career. Howe was known for being tough, and the term “Gordie Howe hat trick ‘’ was coined in his honour and is used when a player

Often labelled as the best hockey player of all time, Gretzky holds a long and storied list of records as an offensive player. He remains the only NHL player to record 200 points in a single season, which is a feat he accomplished not once, not twice, but four times. Gretzky also holds the record for most goals in a single season (92) and for being the fastest to reach 50 goals in a season in just 39 games.

scores a goal, makes an assist, and gets into a fight all in one game. Aside from Wayne Gretzky, Howe is the only player in NHL history to record 800-plus goals.

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