Lewis Maclean May 2019

MAY 2019

The Secret to Efficient Cooling

There’s one big secret to keeping your home’s air system running efficiently during the summer months. We’ve talked about it in the past, but it’s something a lot of people tend to forget. That secret? Cleaning! I’m talking about keeping your air conditioner clean and free of dust and debris. Whether it’s replacing an air filter or clearing dust from the unit and vents, doing so can make a big difference. Within the home, dust can hinder your system’s performance. To make matters worse, all that dust and dander and other particles get blown around the home whenever the system is used. Outside the home, it’s always important to keep external units, such as the heat pump, clear of all outdoor debris. This includes everything: leaves, twigs, grass, weeds, dirt, rocks, bird nests (it happens!), cobwebs, and so on. In a few short months, outside units can become remarkably cluttered, and when they do, it lowers their efficiency — and blockages can cause serious damage when you fire up your A/C for the first time in the spring or summer. If your home lacks an A/C unit, we can help with that, too. Peak A/C maintenance and installation season is still a ways off, making May a great time to schedule an installation. Of course, we know a lot of people aren’t sure if they should go through with the install. They aren’t sure if it’s worth the upfront cost or the ongoing cost of energy consumption.

install an A/C unit. Most importantly, it cools you down in the summer. You don’t have to worry about spending time in an uncomfortably warm home, especially when you’re sleeping. On top of this, installing an A/C unit adds value to your home — how much value depends on the type of unit installed. Adding a window unit will add minimal value, while installing central air will add significant value. Another thing to keep in mind is that air conditioners

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(and entire HVAC systems in general) are more energy efficient than ever before. If energy efficiency is a concern, we can help you determine which air conditioner is right for your situation so you can balance a cool home with a manageable energy bill. One of the best reasons to have an A/C unit is something that often gets overlooked: Air conditioners help remove excess humidity from the home. That’s a major part of how air conditioners operate. I don’t know about you, but a warm, humid home is not a great place to be, and we can thank the invention of air conditioning for putting an end to that! If you have any questions about air conditioners, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re always standing by the phone, 24/7, ready to take your call, whether you have questions about air conditioning, heating, plumbing, or drainage. Until next time, I hope you’re having a great spring!

–Tyler Dillon

These are perfectly reasonable concerns. That said, there are a lot of good reasons to

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A Look at the Healthiest Building in New Delhi Growing Fresh Air 3 Questions to Ask

BEFORE INSTALLING AN AIR CONDITIONER

Imagine you are told you must leave the city you work and live in because it’s killing you. Hard to fathom, isn’t it? But this actually happened to Kamal Meattle, a researcher, activist, and New Delhi native, who was told by doctors that the city’s air quality was a threat to his health. His lung capacity had gone down 70 percent, and doctors suggested he leave New Delhi. Instead, Meattle chose to stay and find an innovative solution to his health problems and the city’s air quality crisis.

Though an air conditioner is considered a “must- have” in the modern home, the reality is that every home does not have A/C. This is especially true throughout the lower mainland and as you travel farther north. You may consider purchasing an A/C unit if your home does not currently have one installed. But you may be unsure if it’s really worth the investment. If you’re on the fence about A/C, here are three questions to ask yourself. How comfortable am I in my home during the warmer months? Some homeowners opt for a fan (ceiling or floor) to cool their home or bedroom during the summer. They may even set up a series of fans throughout their home. The problem is that a fan simply circulates air. It may feel cooler at first, and be effective in the spring and early summer, but as temperatures rise, you end up blowing around a lot of hot air. If you are uncomfortable, an A/C unit can help. What kind of air-cooling system should I get? Every home is different, and every homeowner has different needs. You may live in an area where the heat is manageable. Perhaps you may only need a smaller unit, such as for a bedroom with not much space. A smaller A/C unit will keep you cool while you sleep. Alternatively, you may want to keep your whole home cool, especially for family and guests. In that case, you’ll likely need a dedicated unit that can deliver cool air to every room. Is my home ready for an air conditioner? Not every home was built with an A/C unit in mind. When a unit is installed, whether it is a single- room unit or a whole-home option, windows need to be properly sealed, and any necessary duct work may need to be completed. It’s important to talk with a specialist to find a unit that will work in your home within your budget. There are a lot of options on the market today, so it’s worth it to ask questions and research what will or won’t work in your home.

New Delhi is no stranger to poor air quality. Sometimes pollution gets so bad it warrants a city-wide warning for kids to stay inside. Meattle, who studied engineering at MIT, turned to research by NASA and other organizations to address the issue. During his research, Meattle found that there are three common house plants that excel at removing dangerous chemical compounds, like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, from the air: the areca palm, the snake plant (or mother-in-law’s tongue), and the money plant. Using these plants, Meattle created an indoor plant-based air filtering system that allows his building, the Paharpur Business Center (PBC), to cultivate all the fresh air it needs. Air entering the building is cleaned by a scrubber, then is filtered through the building’s extensive greenhouse to remove chemicals and bacteria. The greenhouse, and the rest of the building, is filled with areca palms, snake plants, and money plants. Today, the PBC is the healthiest building in New Delhi. 20 years after Meattle rolled out his plant-based filter system, the results speak for themselves. Employee productivity has gone up 20 percent. Respiratory problems have gone down by 34 percent, headaches by 24 percent, and lung impairment by 12 percent, among other health benefits. Just stepping into Paharpur boosts your health: Blood oxygen levels go up by 1 percent after 10 hours in the PBC. Meattle has remained in New Delhi and is set on helping other Indian businesses replicate his plant-based system so they can grow their own fresh air. As he says of his decision to stay, “Either you are overwhelmed by the fact that there are so many problems and so many people, or you find solutions to help in any way you can.”

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Protect Your Move 3 RED FLAGS TO WATCH FOR WHEN HIRING A MOVING COMPANY

Red-Flag Details Pay attention to company names, addresses, and other contact information. Always look for a physical address on their website. If they don’t have one listed, that’s a big red flag. The same goes for a lack of insurance or registration. If you can’t track down this information, or if the company refuses to share it, walk away. Red-Flag Payment Disreputable movers may ask for payment upfront and in cash, or they may ask for an unusually large deposit. This gives the movers a chance to walk away with your money without completing the job. They may even take your belongings to dump or sell later. How Can You Protect Yourself? Before hiring a professional mover, check out Mover.net and ConsumerProtectionBC.ca/2013/07/

May is the start of moving season. From May to August, more people relocate than during any other time of the year. If you’re one of the many who are planning to find a new place to live, near or far, you may consider hiring a professional mover. The challenge, however, is finding the right moving company — one that offers reputable and reliable service. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of complaints against interprovincial movers. This is because the moving industry attracts disreputable contractors who just want to make a quick buck. To protect yourself, your family, your belongings, and your wallet, keep these red flags in mind when searching for the perfect mover. Red-Flag Pricing Some movers advertise questionably low prices. It’s tempting to hire a bargain

mover, but once these low-priced movers have your possessions, they might not give them back until you pay far more than the original asking price. Watch out for small, unlicensed companies advertising on roadsides or websites such as Craigslist.

choosing-a-moving-company. Both websites contain a host of information to help you find a reputable mover close to you.

STRAWBERRY MANGO PALETAS

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/4 cups strawberries, chopped • 1/2 cup granulated sugar • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 2 medium ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. In a saucepan, toss strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. 2. Add 1/4 cup water and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Cook strawberries until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. 3. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Let cool completely, about 45 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, in a blender, purée mangoes with 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. Scrape into a medium bowl and clean the

blender. Then, purée strawberry mixture until smooth. 5. Into 8 3-ounce ice pop molds, spoon 2 tablespoons mango purée. Add 2 tablespoons strawberry purée to each mold, then top with remaining mango purée, leaving 1/2 inch between filling and top of mold. 6. Using a small knife, gently swirl layers together. 7. Insert ice pop sticks and freeze until solid. 8. Dip molds in hot water for a few seconds, then unmold paletas and serve immediately.

GARDEN BLOOMING DAY GEMINI MOTHER

MEMORIAL NIGHTINGALE SPRING CINCO

MAYO EMERALD MAY REMEMBER

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

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THIS ISSUE

The Secret to Efficient Cooling The Healthiest Building in New Delhi Air Conditioners Aren’t for Every Home 3 Red Flags to Watch for When Moving Strawberry Mango Paletas How to Travel Sustainably

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Go Green

GET OUT THERE WITH THESE ECO-TOURISM TIPS

Vacations can come with great expense, and not just for your bank account. According to a 2018 study published in Nature Climate Change, travel accounts for 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Cut through the greenwashing and do your part to lessen these emissions by traveling sustainably. Travel Green When possible, trains, hybrid buses, and carpooling are great alternatives to larger, more environmentally intrusive travel methods. Large cruise liners are detrimental to oceans, and airplanes

laundry, and they struggle to reduce energy because guests leave their lights and televisions on. However, many luxury resorts, woodsy cabins, and even entire countries have opted to make eco-tourism easier. If you’re looking for a region of the world committed to preserving nature, look no further than Iceland, Finland, and Sweden, which are ranked the three most environmentally friendly places in the world. Do Green Man-made attractions like the Egyptian pyramids and Machu Picchu are some of the world’s greatest wonders, but Earth itself is pretty breathtaking. Check out natural attractions while hiking or camping in preserved forests, or soak up all the Caribbean has to offer by snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. When you’re mindful of your surroundings and remain unobtrusive, there are endless outdoor activities you can explore. Some locations even partner with environmentally conscious organizations you can donate to or volunteer with. Opt for a green vacation and know that while you relax, the earth is getting a little relief too.

Waterfall Skogafoss in Iceland

emit large amounts of toxins into the air. However, you can cruise and fly with the earth in mind. Some cruise lines are working to reduce their impact by installing more eco-friendly lighting and materials, and flight experts recommend using “green” airports, choosing fuel-efficient airlines, staying longer, and traveling less. If anything, it’s an excuse to extend your European vacation! Stay Green Where you stay impacts the environment as much as how you get there. Hotels use copious amounts of water for bathing and

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