Lewis Maclean June 2017

Lewis Maclean June 2017

JUNE 2017

Your Home: A PLACE OF SAFETY AND SECURITY

Your home is your castle. It’s your safety net from the world around you. Every day, as you drive to work, run errands, go shopping or walk the dog, you’re surrounded by unpredictability. You place your trust in others to keep you safe. When you step out of your home, your guard goes up, and when you return home, you find solace in knowing that you’re in the one place where you don’t have to worry about a thing. While this may seem like an idealised way to look at the home, it’s true for a lot of people. You can relax at home and know that things are simply going to work — until they don’t. A lot of people take their plumbing, heating and air- conditioning systems for granted. When it works, we don’t think about it. It’s out of sight and out of mind. These are systems that can work for years without issue, and we get used to it. But when any one of these systems stops running as it should, that feeling of security goes away. Suddenly, your home isn’t the sanctuary it once was. And in some cases, it’s more than security that goes away — it’s safety . When your heating system, for example, isn’t working properly, it can pose a serious health risk to you and your family, especially if it’s leaking carbon monoxide. When that feeling of safety and security goes away, that’s when we get the call. People want that feeling back, and that’s understandable. It’s a good feeling to have. But when we get the call, it’s almost always in reaction to a problem, rather than prevention of a problem.

That, too, is understandable. Most homeowners don’t do routine checks of their systems. They don’t check pipes for corrosion or mineral buildup, they don’t check their furnace for leaks and so on. When things are working, or seem to be working, we don’t worry about it. I recently worked with a new client who wanted to upgrade his water softener. I asked why, and he said the hard water was becoming a problem. When I went to turn off the water, the valve under the sink wouldn’t budge. The calcium buildup, coupled with the age of the valve, prevented it from turning, and we needed to get a pair of pliers to move it. This house had been built in the 1960s, and so had the valve. No one had ever gone under the sink to check the valve to ensure it was working properly. What a lot of people forget is that valves, along with pipes, furnaces and air conditioners, all have life expectancies. At some point, they are not going to work as intended. Because these systems are tucked away in closets, cabinets, walls and basements, they are easy to forget about. With proper maintenance, the average heat pump should last 8 to 10 years before failing; air conditioners generally last 15 years; furnaces and boilers can last 18 to 22 years. Copper pipe has a life expectancy of about 75 years, with Pex Pipe at about 25 years, max. As homes age, any unchecked systems can quickly become major issues. This is one of the reasons that, as part of our maintenance program, we touch every system in the home. If we see something not working according to our standards or we’re concerned about the age of an appliance, we’ll bring it up with the homeowner and make recommendations. We want our clients, and homeowners everywhere, to go to bed at night feeling safe and secure. When you’re in your own home, that feeling should never go away. But sometimes, it’s going to; it’s a fact of life. But you can rest assured, because we’ll be there for you when it does.

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AVOID THE SUMMER SLIDE SUMMER READING PROGRAMS FOR KIDS

Temperatures are on the rise. You may have already flipped the switch on your thermostat to bring cool air into your home, but is your air conditioner up to the task? There are two steps many homeowners forget to take before turning their A/C on for the first time in the spring and summer. Not doing these two things can mean your A/C is vulnerable. They can mean your system isn’t running at peak performance, and they can lead to costly repairs. Even if you’re already running your system, it’s not too late to take action. Clear debris outside. Outdoor condenser units are notorious for collecting debris. Over the autumn and winter months, your A/C unit became cluttered with all sorts of yard waste. They’re magnets for leaves, tree branches, weeds and dirt. Clear out all debris and make sure your condenser has plenty of room to breathe (we recommend at least two feet of unobstructed airflow). This applies to both outdoor condensers and compressors, as well as window- mounted and wall units. Clear ducts inside. In the home, if you have a central air system with ductwork, do the same — check for and clear debris. Your cooling system cannot do its job if anything is getting in the way of delivering cool, refreshing air throughout the home. Be sure to move rugs and furniture that may be covering registers. Families with kids should be sure to check for toys. Open registers and inspect the ducts. Check for signs of dust buildup and mold. These can be signs of improper airflow. In most cases, you may be able to vacuum excess dust, but significant dust buildup, as well as mold, may require a professional hand. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns about your air-conditioning system, give us a call. As always, we are standing by to make sure you have a cool and energy efficient summer! for a Cool Summer 2 EASY STEPS

Having the kids home from school can be awesome, but how do you keep them busy and mentally engaged? You

might find yourself eyeing expensive summer camps or wondering about private tutors. But that’s not necessary.

Instead, check out some of these great summer reading rewards programs. All these programs are free, they’ll get your kids reading and they’ll give you some time to yourself to boot! The local library is the best place to start. Most city libraries have great summer reading programs that will reward kids for their hard work with prizes, awards and even free books. Libraries are also great places to get suggestions for kids, and they offer fun activities during the day and night that will foster a love of learning and reading — and lead to more ideas on what to read! But libraries aren’t the only places that reward summer reading. National businesses also get in on the fun. Barnes & Noble will give a free book to any child who completes their summer reading triathlon journal (barnesandnoble.com/ summerreading). Chuck E. Cheese will give any child 10 free tokens if they read every day and record their progress on their reading calendar (chuckecheese.com). Pizza Hut will also reward young readers for filling out a passport (bookitprogram. com), and there are other companies that offer incentives. Remember, reading is about more than just learning. It’s also about keeping minds active to fight the “summer slide” that educators dread every new school year. If you want your kids to have fun, stay sharp and win cool prizes, get them involved in summer reading!

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A Chilling History

The first car company to offer air conditioning was Packard in 1939. The option was not popular with consumers. It was bulky, taking up most of the available trunk space, and expensive at $274 ($4,800 today). By 1941, Packard took the option off the market. It wasn’t until the 1950s that A/C returned as an option and more car companies began to offer the luxury. In the 1940s, while A/C hadn’t yet taken off in automobiles, it was becoming slightly more common in the home. Window-mounted units were showing up in stores, and while it was still a luxury item, it was more practical than ever before, though few families could afford one. The average window-mounted A/C unit cost about $350, almost $6,000 today. Jumping ahead several decades, in 2013, Statistics Canada’s Households and the Environment Survey revealed that 55 percent of Canadian households had an air conditioner. Manitoba was the A/C leader with about 80 percent of homes containing a unit. British Columbia was on the lower end with 21 percent, and Newfoundland and Labrador had the fewest, with 9 percent.

5 COOL FACTS ABOUT AIR CONDITIONING

Willis Haviland Carrier is considered the father of modern air conditioning, thanks to his inventions, patents and research. This Carrier Corporation founder developed the first electric A/C unit in 1902. He is credited with the discovery of one of the key principles of cool air: humidity control. Air conditioning was one of the driving forces behind the success of cinemas in the 1920s. At the time, air conditioning had yet to come to the home market. It was still an extreme luxury, very expensive and very bulky. Many film historians thank A/C for establishing the summer movie season. When it was hot outside, patrons could see a movie to cool off. In fact, many theaters advertised cool air as part of the movie-going experience.

Summer Salad SENSATIONAL

It’s officially the season of salads, and fruit salads are summer’s specialty! Enjoy this tasty dish as a side or main course. For some added protein, toss in a handful of slivered almonds or chopped pecans.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound strawberries, thinly sliced • 3 medium peaches, thinly sliced • 1 cup blueberries

• 1 heaping tablespoon fresh basil or mint, chopped • 2 tablespoons lemon juice • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONS

3. Gently toss to combine. 4. Serve immediately, or chill for later.

1. In a medium serving bowl, combine the strawberries, peaches, blueberries and basil. 2. Drizzle lemon juice, maple syrup and balsamic vinegar on top.

Recipe inspired by CookieAndKate.com.

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

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Inside

THIS ISSUE

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A Place of Safety and Security

Avoid the Summer Slide

2 Easy Steps for a Cool Summer

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5 Cool Facts About Air Conditioning Sensational Summer Salad

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Yellowstone: Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are THE UNSPOILED NATURAL MAJESTY OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

every direction, are unlike any other. Also, be sure to investigate the Grand Prismatic Spring, which, besides its otherworldly rainbow waters, is known for being the largest hot spring in the U.S. For many, though, the biggest draw of the park is the wildlife. Yellowstone is home to the largest bison population on public land. It houses more mammals than anywhere else in the lower 48 states, 150 species of birds and huge populations of native fish, to name a few. Just driving around the park, you’re apt to see moose, deer, elk, mountain goats and, if you’re lucky, grizzly bears, mountain lions or wolves. Go boating, catch a fish, scale a mountain, ride a horse — the things to do vary as much as the breathtaking landscape. If you’re looking for an affordable, relaxed and wide-open family vacation this summer, Yellowstone is a no-brainer.

This summer, skip the expensive hustle and bustle of an overcrowded theme park. After a vacation like that, you’ll feel like you need another. As far as getaway destinations go, Yellowstone National Park, sprawling across Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, is a little more expansive. More than 3 million visitors flock to its astonishing peaks, multicoloured pools and dramatic geothermal geysers each year, but as you travel across Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres, it’s unlikely you’ll see much of them. And the sheer variety of unparalleled activities to explore means fun for the whole family. Make sure to check out Old Faithful, the most famous geothermal geyser in the world, with eruptions averaging a whopping 130 vertical feet. Or if it’s majesty and exploration you’re itching for, hike one of the many trails along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. The views, with clay cliff faces and tree-covered mountains in

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