Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley - November December 2021

Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley - November December 2021

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

COMFORT CONNECTIONS

REMEMBERING THE GOOD Looking Back on 2021 and All That I’m Grateful For

I like to take the end of each year to reflect on the past 365 days. There is always something to be grateful for, no matter what we endured, and last year was a great example of that. As we all climbed our way out of a pandemic-riddled year at the end of 2020, I encouraged our newsletter readers to consider what they felt most grateful for. Practicing gratitude is a healthy habit that I believe is foundational to creating “luck” or good things in your life. It’s nothing mystical or magical. But when you approach everything with a positive or grateful mindset, you’re more likely to see and create the good out of any situation you stumble upon. You can manifest great results just by being grateful. I hope this year has held everything you’ve longed for. It certainly wasn’t an easy year; labeling it as “better” is subjective. But much like last year, I still feel very blessed and can say I have a number of things to be grateful for. I hope you can say the same. One of the things I am most appreciative of is that Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley once again surpassed its yearly revenue goal! I’m always hesitant to share this news with readers because I worry it can come across the wrong way, as an unnecessary

peek behind the Aire Serv curtain. But then I remember this is something worth celebrating — for multiple reasons. For starters, this achievement is in no small part thanks to our technicians and office staff. They worked incredibly hard this year, especially when the heat and inclement weather made their jobs very difficult. There were long days and some challenging projects. However, our team hung in there, and we accomplished a lot as a result. We would be remiss if we didn’t recognize our clients and their role in allowing us to exceed our goals. We are especially grateful for the clients who booked early-year appointments with us — a time when we are usually slow. This allowed us to start the year on a hot track, and we didn’t slow down. Because of your trust in our services and expertise year in and year out, we’ve grown our locally owned small business into the company that it is today. We wouldn’t have achieved this goal without you. You, too, are as much a part of this celebration as our internal team. I’m proud of the people who work at this company, and I am honored to serve the community we represent. Thank you to our employees, clients, and community for

helping Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley reach this impressive milestone.

Outside of work, I have a lot to be thankful for, too. As the pandemic continues, I’m grateful for my health and the health of our team, and the fact that almost everyone I love has been able to avoid a COVID-19 diagnosis. Of course, I’m always thankful for Andrea, too, and more recently, I was grateful to have the opportunity to have a dog in our home again when Andrea’s sister asked us to puppy-sit for a few weeks. While it was a little bit of extra work, it was also really fun. We’re not ready to have another pet of our own just yet, but there was something nice about having a dog in our home. I’m grateful to have had that opportunity. This year, I hope you’ll spend a few moments remembering what you have to be grateful for. It can be as big as meeting your revenue goal or as small as watching a puppy. But don’t let this year end without reflecting on all the good it included.

Jim Serra

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HAVE A LOW-STRESS HOLIDAY

Three Tips for a Merrier Time

GET STARTED EARLY

The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer.

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Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety.

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RECHARGE FIRST

DON’T EXPECT PERFECTION

Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on.

The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections.

Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but they will be a lot of fun.

Hot Habits

blinds or curtains! Sunlight naturally adds heat to your home, allowing your HVAC system to take a breather. GIVE IT SOME SPACE Many heating systems are located in spots where items tend to collect, like in the basement or the corner of a room. Try to avoid crowding the area around your unit, especially during heating season. Items that are too close for comfort could damage your HVAC system should they tip over or leak onto your unit; heat-sensitive items, like paper or plastic, could catch fire or melt. Instead, store items a few feet away from your unit to ensure it can do its job safely and efficiently, keeping your home comfortable for years to come. If you are worried about your heating system’s abilities this winter, our technicians at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley can help. Give us a call today at 845-256-6158 to learn more about our services or to schedule your appointment.

IMPROVE YOUR HEATING SYSTEM’S EFFICIENCY

We all have our own ideal temperature in the winter. Some prefer to bundle up with blankets and sweaters, while others want to relax in shorts no matter the season! Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, living in New York means your heating system will have to work this winter, and there are a few ways you can ensure it does so efficiently. PICK A TEMPERATURE — AND STICK TO IT! There’s a common myth that dramatically increasing the temperature will heat your home more quickly after you come inside from the cold. However, doing this forces your HVAC system to work in overdrive, pushing its limits past what you typically ask it to do. And it may all be for naught.

HVAC systems heat and cool a home at one pace, regardless of the temperature you set. So, choose your ideal inside temperature, set your thermostat to it, and let the heating system roll along happily at a steady pace all winter. CHECK YOUR WINDOWS AND OPEN YOUR BLINDS Your windows can work both for and against your home. Start by examining them. If there are gaps — or if your windows are 20 years old or older — you may need to repair or replace them and their seals to ensure the cold air stays outside and the warm air your heating system produces stays inside. (Note: A professional can help you make this determination.) Regardless of the condition of your windows, open those

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Crank It Up — Or Wait? KNOW WHEN TO TURN ON THE HEAT?

York residents rely on some form of heating or cooling ut most of the year. However, there’s a sweet spot in the fall ng when heat would be too warm but the air conditioning is . This is a great time to rely on nature to keep your home at al temperature, allowing open windows to let in cool, natural, esh air. en it comes to the right time to turn on your air conditioning it, the answer is easy. You do so when you’re hot! But turning n your heating system at the right time can make the difference between having a dry, warm home or a house that has bursting pipes, flooding, and freezing temperatures.

home’s heat may also protect your appliances and electronic devices from poor functionality.)

Thankfully, the answer as to when you should turn on your heat to avoid these potential issues is easier than you may think. As temperatures continue to trend downward, monitor your thermostat. Once temperatures inside your home start to dip below 64°F, it’s time to turn on the heat to avoid cold weather–related issues.

So, how can you take advantage of the cool air without getting too cold?

While it’s unlikely (impossible, probably) that your pipes will freeze at — or that any other items in your home will be affected by — this temperature, it is likely that the temperature outside will continue to drop. It’s better to keep your pipes warm while you have this buffer time than to wait until it’s freezing outside. Your heating system is a vital component of your home’s functionality, and our team can help! Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley has fall maintenance appointments available as well as emergency service should you need it. Learn more by giving us a call or by visiting AireServ.com/mid-hudson-valley.

First of all, let’s start with why this matters. Your home’s heating system does much more than keep you comfortable when it’s blustery outside. It also ensures the pipes that carry water to and waste from your home don’t burst due to the matter in the pipes freezing in the cool temperatures. Essentially, your heating system keeps things moving! (Your

HAVE A LAUGH

ROASTED TURKEY

• 1 whole turkey, thawed • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth • Salt and pepper, to taste DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. 2. Remove the packaging and giblets from the inside of the turkey. 3. Place the turkey, breast-side up, in a broiling pan and rub the breast with salt and pepper. Pour the broth around the turkey. 4. Place the pan in the oven and turn the temperature down to 350°F. Turkey should cook for 12–15 minutes per pound, typically 3–4 hours for a 12- to 16-pound turkey, basting with the broth every 45 minutes. 5. Once a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F, let the turkey rest for 15–20 minutes before carving and serving. INGREDIENTS Impress your Thanksgiving guests with this perfectly roasted — and easy — turkey! Plan on 1 to 1-1/2 pounds of turkey for each guest and be sure to allow 24 hours of thawing time for every 5 pounds of turkey.

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Inspired by TheKitchn.com.

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392 Masten Rd. | Pleasant Valley, NY 12569 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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What I Am Most Grateful for in 2021

Lowering Holiday Stress Improve Your Heating System’s Efficiency This is When You Know It’s Time to Turn On the Heat Roasted Turkey

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Traveling with Kids Made Easy

BON VOYAGE! The holidays are here, and that calls for some cheer! However, traveling with your kids can be a hassle, especially while trying to remain healthy and safe! Getting out of town should be fun and exciting, so here outdoor area or sightseeing on foot, you’ll thank yourself later for bringing along a

Traveling with Kids Made Easy

events. The one thing about kids is that you never know when someone will need to use the bathroom, be sick, throw a tantrum, or need your assistance. Everything takes longer with kiddos! You can even set a false deadline for when you want to leave the house to ensure you get out on time. CHARGE UP Make sure all of your electronic devices are charged up well before you leave. You should also have some games and movies downloaded to entertain your children in the car or airplane. Even though most airlines have TVs, it’s better to always be prepared — and don’t forget the headphones! HAVE A QUALITY STROLLER You won’t understand how helpful it is to have a good, quality stroller along with you on vacation until you have one. If you are visiting a theme park or other

are some tips to make traveling a little easier and less anxiety inducing. Unruly kids don’t stand a chance with these tricks! DEPARTURE MATTERS Aim for late morning or early afternoon when booking flights or deciding what time to hit the road. The last thing you want is the added stress of being late or hitting rush-hour traffic when you're already worrying about making sure everyone packed the essentials. Also, waking the kids up super early for travel can be difficult, and nobody wants grumpy children. TIME IS YOUR FRIEND When putting together a vacation itinerary, allow for lots of extra time in between

lightweight, foldable, and reliable stroller.

BRING THE SNACKS Nothing is worse than

hungry, cranky kids! Before your trip, it’s a good idea to take the kids along with you to the store to pick out an abundance of their favorite snacks — this adds a level of excitement for them too! Going out of town with kids is never an easy feat, but these tips can help create a trip to remember this holiday season! Bon voyage!

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