Lewis Maclean - October 2019

OCTOBER 2019

Is It Time for a New Furnace?

We’re in the thick of it! As temperatures drop, we get more calls from folks whose boilers and furnaces aren’t working like they used to. As these systems age, their output can slowly degrade. Then one day, you reach to turn up the heat and you’re met with disappointment — no warm air! Your typical furnace lasts about 15 years. With proper care and annual tuneups by a qualified technician, you will get a lot out of your system in those 15 years. On average, around the 15-year mark, that’s when we see efficiency drop off. It has to work harder to push warm air through your home. On top of that, certain components may not work as well as they used to, even if they have been replaced. Boilers typically last long, between 15 and 20 years (again, with routine maintenance). Some homeowners try to squeeze a few more years out of their heating systems, but it can come at a cost. Your heating bill will climb, and you may end up spending more to keep it serviced (the cost of parts and labour). We often forget just how much work HVAC systems do. Year-round, these systems go through a lot to keep us comfortable. These systems have moving parts (fans, motors, belts, etc.) that are necessary for optimal function. In heating systems, you have a pilot light or other heating elements that work very hard to warm the air to your set temperature. These systems deserve a lot of credit! Of course, we realize replacing these systems isn’t an easy decision, but it is a decision many homeowners need to make at some point. When that time comes, working with qualified

technicians and a reputable company can make a huge difference. Just as the Lewis MacLean technicians are highly skilled at servicing your furnace or boiler every year, they are just as experienced with new installs. This is a job you want done right

the first time. We have, in the past, had to fix the work done by someone else who had no idea what they were doing. They attempted an install and walked away, leaving the customer with the bill — and a brand-new furnace that didn’t work. I bring this up because as we get into peak heating system season over the next few months, people go online or scan through the yellow pages to find someone to service their system or to take care of a new install. There are a lot of individuals and businesses saying they’re the best. But you have to be careful. Always work with qualified and certified technicians. You want a company that has a track record of high-quality work. And when I say certified, I mean it. If you ask us for certification or proof of insurance, we will show you. You can’t say that about every company. One of the best pieces of advice we have is to ask. Ask for proof of certification before anyone steps foot in your home to do work. (This applies to any kind of contractor.) If they can’t produce a certification or you can’t verify any of their credentials, walk away. If you have any questions, or you’re thinking about getting a new furnace or boiler, we’re standing by the phone, ready to take your call 24/7, no matter your heating, cooling, plumbing, or drainage needs! P.S. Don’t forget to send us your nominations for our furnace giveaway! Tell us the story of a deserving family who is in need of a new furnace. Please send your submission to [email protected] — and be sure to include your name, your nomination’s name, and why you feel they deserve a new furnace. We are accepting submissions until the end of the month — Thursday, Oct. 31! 1 604-532-9625 • –Tyler Dillon

For theWhole Family! Scary Movies

As more people begin using gas heating systems during the fall and winter months, we want to turn our attention to an important topic we cover every year: carbon monoxide. According to the Canada Safety Council, deaths related to carbon monoxide, or CO, climb in October before reaching their peak in December. Most CO-related fatalities are caused by smoke inhalation but come from a number of other sources as well, including malfunctioning gas appliances. CO can leak into living spaces without smoke being present. When CO leaks into the home, it’s often due to an improperly utilised or maintained appliance, such as a fireplace, furnace, water heater, or generator. Essentially, if an appliance combusts fuel — wood, pellets, natural gas, propane, etc. — it produces CO. This exhaust gas is usually vented out of the home through a chimney or exhaust duct. In rare cases, CO is not properly vented. It may be due to a blockage, malfunction, lack of maintenance, or user error. Then, when CO does get into the home, it’s not always apparent. CO is completely odourless, tasteless, and colourless. Many homeowners are not aware there is a problem until they begin to experience the symptoms of CO poisoning. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, disorientation, and shortness of breath. The longer a person is exposed to CO, the worse the symptoms will get. After some time or high concentration exposure, CO poisoning will result in loss of consciousness, brain damage, and, eventually, death. AN IMPORTANT REMINDER ABOUT THE DANGERS OF CARBON MONOXIDE It’s That Time of Year

With the spookiest day of the year fast

approaching, there’s nothing like a scary movie night to get the whole family into the Halloween spirit. The only

problem is most frightful films really aren’t for kids, and the ones that are often fall flat. But, if you’re looking for a flick that will have the whole

family on the edge of their seats (without traumatizing anyone), consider our top three picks for scary, family- friendly movies. No. 3: ‘Ghostbusters’ “Who you gonna call” to be high on this list? The 1984 spectral classic, “Ghostbusters.” While this may be more of an action-

comedy, plenty of scares and creepy imagery still get a jump out of first-time watchers young and old alike. If you’re looking for a lighthearted movie night that still captures a Halloween feel, “Ghostbusters” is a great choice. No. 2: ‘Coraline’ Few authors weave creepiness with coming-of-age stories together better than Neil Gaiman, and his 2009 film “Coraline” proves just that. Based on Gaiman’s book of the same name, director Henry Selick uses his signature stop-motion animation style to bring the script to life. While young children may find the doll-like imagery too unsettling, this is a great introductory thriller for preteens. No. 1: ‘Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island’

Yes, a Scooby-Doo movie is at the top of this list — and it deserves to be. As the feature-length debut of Scooby, Shaggy, and the rest of the Mystery Gang,

The single best way to protect yourself and your family from CO exposure is to install a CO detector if you do not already have

this 1998 film doesn’t pull any punches. While the hand-drawn animation and slapstick high jinks

one (or several, as is recommended). CO poisoning is preventable. Routine inspections can

of the original Hanna-Barbera cartoon are all there, make no mistake: There are some creepy moments in this movie. Between scary zombie elements and a spooky Voodoo doll scene, this is the perfect film to get your kids into the Halloween spirit.

help detect potential problems with your

heating system to ensure you have nothing to worry

about. If you haven’t already, call us at 604-532-9625 to book your fall heating system inspection.

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Make Sure Your Home Is Fire-Safe

Fire safety and prevention is always something you should keep in mind. While most of us will never experience a home fire firsthand, the risk is always present. From electrical fires and gas fires to freak accidents, a flame can spark any number of ways. Of course, there are many methods to ensure the safety of your family and your home. The best thing every homeowner can do is have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors ready to go. While most modern home builders install smoke detectors, there is no guarantee an older home will have them. If your home doesn’t have any, make the investment. Additionally, check the batteries, or if your smoke detectors are hard-wired, test them monthly. Batteries should be replaced every six months, even if the detector is in working order. You also need to determine the correct number of smoke detectors for your home. The bigger your home, the more detectors you need. For starters, there should be a smoke detector in every bedroom. There should also be one installed directly outside of each sleeping area, such as in a hallway leading to the bedrooms. In multilevel homes, there needs to be at least one smoke detector on every level, from the basement to the attic. There should also be

one at the bottom of every staircase. The one room that doesn’t need a smoke detector? The kitchen. Instead, the detector should be just outside of the kitchen, about 10 feet from the cooking area. This distance helps reduce false alarms from cooking. Yet another smoke detector should be placed near any heating or air unit, such as a furnace. This may seem like a lot of smoke detectors, but they are all well-worth installing. Don’t forget about carbon monoxide (CO) detectors if they aren’t already built into your smoke detectors — these dual units are very convenient. Homes with a gas line, an oil or gas furnace, a gas stove, a gas water heater, generators, space heaters, fireplaces, or garaged motor vehicles are all at risk for CO exposure. Many people are poisoned by CO because they forget to turn off a gas appliance. Because CO is odourless and colourless, it can be hard to detect on your own before it’s too late, and the consequences can be substantial, often leading to illness, brain damage, or death. Fronting the bill to install your home with proper smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors is more than worth the peace of mind you’ll gain from knowing your family will be properly alerted in case of an accident.

MISO CARAMEL APPLES

This silky caramel recipe is spiked with miso for a complex, rich snack that won’t hurt your teeth.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 Granny Smith apples • 1/2 cup raw pistachios • 1 1/2 tsp plus 1 cup sugar • 3 tbsp sesame seeds

• 2 tbsp white miso, divided • 4 Popsicle sticks • 2 tbsp light corn syrup • 1/4 cup heavy cream • 1/4 tsp kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 275 F. 2. In a food processor, pulse pistachios and 1 1/2 tsp sugar. Add sesame seeds and 1 tbsp miso, pulsing until miso is fully broken up. Spread evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes and let cool. 3. Meanwhile, insert a Popsicle stick into the center of each apple. 4. In a saucepan, bring corn syrup, 1 cup sugar, and 2 tbsp water to a boil. Boil for 5–7 minutes, swirling infrequently, until caramel is a light amber color. 5. Add cream and salt to caramel, whisking to combine. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and quickly whisk in remaining miso. 6. To assemble, first roll apple in caramel, then in pistachio mixture, before resting on greased baking sheet. 7. Let cool 30 minutes and serve. Inspired by Bon Appétit

AUTUMN CANDY CARVE COSTUME

SCARECROW HALLOWEEN OCTOBER ORANGE

PUMPKIN FOOTBALL HARVEST LEAVES

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

8087380

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THIS ISSUE

Is It Time for a New Furnace? Frightful Films for Families An Important Note on Carbon Monoxide Check Your Smoke Detectors! Miso Caramel Apples Origins of Oktoberfest and Popular Events

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Roots of Oktoberfest

With Oktoberfest right around the corner, you may start hearing some of these fun sayings: “I don’t give a Schnitzel,” “Keep calm, and Prost on,” or “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy beer.” But what exactly is Oktoberfest, and why do so many people celebrate it? Here are some fun facts about it. Royal Beginnings Oktoberfest is deeply rooted in Munich culture. It all started with the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen on Oct. 12, 1810, and the citizens of Munich were invited to attend the celebration just outside the gates of the city. The celebration’s main attraction was horse racing, which was also a staple event for the next year but has since been removed from the current celebrations. In 1811, a large agricultural fair was mixed into the event, and in 1817, beer pubs and performers were added. Perhaps one of the most famous events during Oktoberfest is the costume parade, where men and women alike dress in old-fashioned garb and march through the streets in honour of Ludwig and Therese’s marriage. The rest you could say is history, or geschichte! OKTOBERFESTOUTSIDEMUNICH

Oktoberfest in … Canada? While Oktoberfest in Munich traditionally starts on Sept. 22, in Canada,

we celebrate during the week of Oct. 6–14. The twin cities Kitchener-Waterloo

host the largest Oktoberfest outside of Munich, boasting more than 700,000 people in attendance each year. The event has a musical concert dubbed “Rocktober” and a dog parade known as “Dogtober.” Even though the Ontario area is becoming more and more popular, you can still enjoy Oktoberfest on a budget. You can find hotels in the area and surrounding cities for well under $100 per night. Not everyone can make their way to Munich to celebrate the fantastical event, but most areas will have something going on. If you love German culture, do a little bit of digging, and you’re sure to find an Oktoberfest event near you!

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