Rol Air Plumbing & Heating - September 2021

Rol Air Plumbing & Heating - September 2021

A B R E A T H OF FRESH AIR

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SEPTEMBER 2021

763.515.6411 ROLAIRREPAIR.COM

208-459-3388

WELCOME TO FALL! 2 IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR EVERY HOMEOWNER THIS AUTUMN

And if you have ever considered updating your home’s heating or cooling system, this fall is the perfect time to do it. The price will never be more affordable than it is now — seriously! We are currently in the middle of a “perfect storm.” There is a national shortage of metal and other materials used to create heating and cooling systems. Prices for materials are up 60% compared to last year. Couple that with a shortage of available workers who can create devices with the materials companies do have and the fact that there are not enough available truck drivers to haul and ship the materials and products across the country, and the result is a shortage of new HVAC systems across all seven of the national brands. This drives up the cost, lengthens timelines, and can ultimately create challenges when you need to replace your HVAC system. The prices will likely be much higher, and you won’t be able to pick your top brand choice. When it’s -20 degrees F outside, you need whatever heating system you can get! In anticipation of this exact problem, we have a six-month inventory of supplies ready for installation in our customers’ homes. We know potential customers are still considering these upgrades because it’s a big cost to take on, but given how much more affordable this process could be today compared to six months from now, my professional advice is to act now! Both your bank account today and the savings you’ll incur on your energy bill will be thanks enough. After you schedule your tuneup or replacement consultation, I hope you and your family find time to get outside this fall before the weather gets too cold. Catch a high school ball game, visit an

Autumn in Minnesota is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather cools down, we move back into a routine after a busy summer, and — perhaps most exciting of all — high school football is back! Is there any better way to spend a Friday night than under the lights at the local football field, cheering on your favorite team and local players? Well, if you were to ask my family, only one thing can beat a Friday night football game: a fall day at the local apple orchard. We are lucky to have a long history of apple production in Minnesota, which means we have access to some of the best and most unique flavors in the country. Plus, you can’t beat a fresh apple from your local orchard. This season also brings about an important reminder for all homeowners: It’s time for a fall tuneup! Like scheduling dentist appointments, you may procrastinate getting an annual maintenance check for your HVAC system. It’s often not considered until something goes wrong, but this can be a dangerous game. The time to discover a problem with your furnace isn’t when the weather dips below freezing. Tuneups can help you prevent the mad scramble for heat. Technicians are trained to clean your heating system, fix small repairs, and provide a diagnostic check-up. With this knowledge, you can be better prepared for potential failures and plan for upgrades.

Ready for a replacement? This fall is the BEST time to do it! Call us today at 763-515-6411 or use the QR code to schedule service (or an HVAC tune-up)!

orchard, or walk through one of our many great state parks to see breathtaking views of fall colors. It’s a great time to live in Minnesota!

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HERE COMES THE SUN! THE PROS AND CONS OF HOME SOLAR PANELS

Solar power has been all over the news, and odds are good that at least one door-to-door salesperson came knocking this summer to sing their praises. Celebrities like Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, and Pierce Brosnan have invested in solar or installed it on their homes to convert to green energy — but is following in their famous footsteps the right move for your family? The Pros of Powering Up The biggest selling point for solar panels is that they’re a quick, easy source of green energy. They can reduce or replace fossil fuels in your home, decrease your family’s carbon footprint, and help fight climate change. They’re also a proven technology dating back to 1954, and individual panels can last 25–30 years before they need replacing. Switching to solar also increases the independence of the whole U.S. electricity grid, and covering your roof with panels can boost the value of your home by as much as $15,000. The Cons No One Talks About The biggest downside of solar is that it simply doesn’t work for every home. If your roof is consistently shaded by trees or poorly oriented for panels, or you live in a rainy

Goodbye, Shoe Chaos! 3 Storage Ideas That Will Save You From Tripping

It’s that time of year again: The kids are charging inside, kicking off their shoes wherever they please, and tearing into the house! If you’ve already tripped over a dozen pairs of sneakers, it’s time to create and enforce a better shoe storage solution. Here are three functional and attractive methods to try.

1. The DIY PVC Pipe Shoe Cubby

This shoe storage project is all the rage on Pinterest! It turns out that when you cut a large PVC pipe into sections, paint them your preferred color(s), and glue them together with PVC glue, the honeycomb effect looks both fun and elegant. You can try this in your mudroom or in your kids’ rooms to make putting away their shoes feel like a game. Check out the video “PVC Pipe Shoe Rack” by Home Made Simple on YouTube for a step-by-step guide to building a floor rack or Instructables.com for tips on mounting your rack to the wall.

climate, your panels might only generate 10%–25% of their energy potential. If you have the space, ground-installed solar panels may work to avoid some of these issues, but they won’t solve weather problems.

2. The Over-the-Door Shoe Bag

Solar can also be expensive. Installing it will cost you $15,000–$20,000 on average. For some homeowners, this investment is offset by lower long-term

If you don’t have the floor space for a traditional shoe rack, consider investing in an over-the-door shoe bag. These fabric, clear plastic, or upscale mesh bags hook over the top of a door and are covered in pockets for shoes. Many can hold up to 36 pairs! Best of all, when they’re hanging on the back of your mudroom or closet door, your shoes will be both easy to access and tucked out of sight. You can find affordable racks on Amazon.com for less than $10 or fancier models at Walmart for under $20.

electricity costs, but it might not be affordable for you or make sense if your electricity bill is already low.

3. The Hanging Closet ‘Shoe File’

CO2-Saving Alternatives If you want to dip your toes into the world of solar but can’t afford to power your whole home, you can start small with solar lights for your yard, a solar oven, or a solar-powered water heater. You can even explore wind power! Small wind energy systems cost under $500 on Amazon.com or at Home Depot and can lower your electricity bill by 50%–90%.

Speaking of closets, the “shoe file” is the perfect storage solution for a coat closet or any other closet near your main door. Instead of hanging on the door, this pocket-filled organizer cascades from a hanger! Many of the pockets are conveniently located at eye level; you can load up your closet with as many files as you need, and each file can hold up to 18 pairs of shoes. ContainerStore. com sells elegant shoe files starting at $12.99.

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WILLIE THE PARROT: THE ULTIMATE DANGER ALARM Willie the Quaker parrot was a pretty remarkable bird. Like many parrots, he had a knack for mimicking certain sounds and words, including barking dog noises, human kissing noises, and a fair share of swear words. However, what made Willie a hero one day was not just what he said, but also when he said it. Meagan Howard, Willie’s owner, brought him over to her friend Samantha Kuusk’s house while she babysat Kuusk’s little daughter, Hannah. Hannah and Willie were both in the kitchen while Meagan prepared a Pop-Tart for Hannah’s breakfast. After placing the Pop-Tart on the table, Meagan stepped away to use the bathroom. While she was away, however, Hannah got her hands on the Pop-Tart and began to scarf it down, lodging a piece in her windpipe. She started choking and was unable to signal to Meagan that something was wrong. Luckily, Willie came to the rescue. Willie began squawking and shrieking, saying the words “Mama! Baby!” over and over again. In a matter of moments, Meagan knew something was wrong. She rushed to the kitchen to find a very frantic Willie and a very blue Hannah. Meagan jumped into action. She grabbed Hannah and performed the Heimlich maneuver until the Pop-Tart piece dislodged itself and shot out of her mouth.

Meagan may have been the one to stop Hannah from choking, but she insists that Willie was the real hero of the story. If he hadn’t used his unique mimicking skills to get Meagan’s attention, she doesn’t know what would have happened. It’s worth noting that before that incident, Willie had never used the phrase “Mama! Baby!” before. He knew something was wrong, and he knew how to get help. Shortly after the incident, Willie received the local Red Cross chapter’s Animal Lifesaver Award for his heroic actions.

TAKE A BREAK

EASY PEACH COBBLER

Inspired by MyRecipes.com

Ingredients

Directions

• 1/2 cup

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, add butter and place in oven. Remove when melted. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then pour in milk and stir until the mixture is smooth. 3. Pour the batter over the melted butter, but don’t stir! 4. In a pot, bring peaches, lemon juice, and remaining sugar to a boil. Stir constantly. 5. Pour peaches over batter, but once again, don’t stir! 6. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg, then bake at 375 F for 45 minutes.

unsalted butter

• 1 cup flour • 2 cups sugar, divided • 1 tbsp baking powder • Dash of salt • 1 cup milk • 4 cups peaches (fresh is best!) • 1 tbsp lemon juice • Ground cinnamon or nutmeg to taste

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26069 2ND ST. W. ZIMMERMAN, MN 55398 763.515.6411 ROLAIRREPAIR.COM

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INSIDE

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2 Tips for Autumn

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3 Shoe Storage Ideas That Will Save You From Tripping

The Pros and Cons of Home Solar Panels

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Willie the Parrot: The Ultimate Danger Alarm

Easy Peach Cobbler

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How to Create an Eye-Catching Gallery Wall

HOW TO CREATE AN EYE-CATCHING GALLERY WALL 3 Tips to Try Today

A “gallery wall” is a collection of framed art, photos, and personal treasures hung in a group. It’s also a major home trend of 2021! These designs are a great way to show off your style, but how do you create one without it looking like a busy mess? 1. Choose a color palette. Having a cohesive color scheme or consistent accent color throughout your artwork will make everything feel like it belongs together.

2. Mix things up. You don’t want everything to look too similar. Combine horizontal and vertical pieces, a variety of frame types, and a 3D object or two. 3. Prep with a floor layout. Try arranging all of your pieces on the floor before you hang them. Then you can tweak your arrangement before displaying them at eye level.

When all else fails, use a template! PotteryBarn.com offers a wide selection — just look up “Pottery Barn Gallery Wall Layout” online.

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