Lewis Maclean's online newsletter for October 2017
OCTOBER 2017
The Big Freeze GETTING READY FOR COLDER TEMPERATURES
Living in Greater Vancouver, we don’t often get really cold weather, but when we do, it hits us hard. Last year was one of those seasons when it was particularly brutal. We learned many important lessons as the chill settled in and we had to deal with icy conditions. As I’ve said before, the hotter the summer, the colder the winter. This is why I’ve been telling you the importance of maintaining your heating system. However, with all the talk about heating systems and routine maintenance, there is another system in your home that can be overlooked as the cold weather sets in: the plumbing. When I talk about icy conditions, I’m not talking about roads and sidewalks. Last winter, we received a number of calls about frozen pipes. You might not realize it, but frozen and burst pipes can cause extensive damage to both your home and your wallet, especially in the dead of winter. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your plumbing system is protected and ready for freezing temperatures. The most at-risk parts of your plumbing system are exposed pipes. Pipes that are outside and in crawl spaces and attics need protection. Adding insulation to the pipes can significantly help, as can adding insulation to any interior spaces that aren’t currently insulated. If you don’t have frost-free outside faucets, make sure each line is isolated. Check for valves connected to outside pipes and make sure they are closed so water cannot flow out. Also, be sure to clear water out before the cold
temperatures set in to avoid costly ruptures.
On that note, I do recommend upgrading to frost-free or frost-proof outside faucets if your home does not already use them. When properly installed, frost-free faucets are designed to prevent the accumulation of ice inside the faucet and connected pipe. When ice does build up in pipes, the expansion of the ice can lead to serious damage and ruptures. When a pipe ruptures, water can pour into your home. According to insurance companies, water damage is at the top of their list for
insurance claims. This type of disaster is very costly for them, as well. If you do experience a rupture and water damage, you can expect your insurance premiums to go up. Before the cold sets in this winter, be sure to disconnect all hoses from your outside faucets, including frost-free faucets. As a side note, frost-free faucets are not nearly as effective if a hose is connected and freezing temperatures set in. At the same time, clear out any water that may have settled in your hoses. You can use gravity, or blow out the water with compressed air. Then, store your hoses in an insulated area where they will not freeze or deteriorate. After all, you spent good money on those hoses, not to mention your home.
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5 FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT FALL IT’S, WELL, FIVE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT FALL. IF YOU’RE A FALL BABY, NO. 2 WILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT.
The Many Benefits of Heat Pump Systems PUMP UP YOUR HEAT
Just because summer is over, that doesn’t signal an end to fun. How about those Halloween parties, sweater weather, and football season? The list goes on and on.
Energy costs are on the rise, and your heating bill will go up as a result. Over the next decade, hydroelectric prices will increase by 40 percent. This trend isn’t going to stop, and now is the perfect time to address it by considering installing a heat pump. Heat pumps offer many benefits and can be customized to meet the needs of your home.
In fact, fall might be the most interesting season of them all. Here are five facts you probably didn’t know about the season. 1. IT WAS ORIGINALLY CALLED “HARVEST”. In a world that was far more agricultural,
the season was defined by the harvesting of crops. It’s also a reference to the harvest moon, which was essential to farmers during the season.
2. FALL BABIES TEND TO BE IMPRESSIVE. Not only does the world’s most common birthday, October 5th, land in fall, but those babies have built an impressive resume. The British Department for Education found that they tend to do better in school, and also tend to live longer. 3. WEIGHT GAIN IS MOST COMMON IN THE FALL. It’s not only the Halloween candy or Thanksgiving turkey. Researchers believe it’s primarily caused by lower levels of vitamin D. As the days shorten and temperatures drop, we tend to get less sun. It’s another reason to be careful about diet and exercise this season. 4. AUTUMN IS GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY. “Leaf peeping,” which is a slang term for fall foliage tourism, is more than just a funny name. It’s also a 3 billion-dollar industry in New England alone. 5. PEOPLE FALL IN LOVE MORE IN THE FALL. Men and women’s testosterone levels tend to spike in the autumn, which makes women even more attractive to men. A data study on Facebook also found that more people change their relationship status from “single” to “in a relationship” during the fall than any other season.
In essence, a heat pump extracts heat from the air or ground and transfers it into another form of energy. Heat pumps use only a fractional amount of energy compared to other heating options because they don’t need to generate heat on their own. Even better, they can reverse the process in the summer, cooling your home by removing hot air rather than bringing it in. A heat pump system usually consists of indoor and outdoor units and looks similar to a central air conditioner. The energy is transferred from one temperature zone to the next via mechanical compression. They run electrically, so there’s no need for a fuel source. All of this adds up to big savings on your heating bill, and no need for separate heating and cooling systems. The expert technicians at Lewis MacLean can design the right heat pump system for your home today, allowing you to reap the benefits in no time. We also offer comprehensive maintenance programs, so you’ll never have to worry about fixing something on your own. All you have to do is enjoy warm air in the winter, cool air in the summer, and a slashed energy bill all year long.
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A Very Important Label
BUY ENERGY STAR, SAVE MONEY
use at least 6 percent less energy. For oil furnaces, that number increases to 9 percent. There is also a “Most Efficient” level, which requires an even higher standard of efficiency. To earn this recognition, a product must be the best in its class for energy consumption.
If you’ve purchased a home appliance in recent years, you may have noticed a badge that has nothing to do with the brand of the product you’ve chosen. This badge, which shows up on everything from refrigerators to washing machines, alerts you to the fact that you are buying an energy-efficient product. It’s called ENERGY STAR, and it can save you a lot of money, especially when it comes to residential furnaces. ENERGY STAR certification is a voluntary program that both the Canadian government and manufacturers participate in. It helps fight climate change, encourages companies to create efficient products, and will save you money on your bills. If you’re in the market for a new furnace, you should consider purchasing an ENERGY STAR- certified unit. On average, space heating accounts for 63 percent of energy costs in Canadian homes, far more than any other source. Opting for an ENERGY STAR furnace, then, can end up making a big difference. To achieve the ENERGY STAR designation, a gas furnace must
Some companies also include an EnerGuide label that shows the product’s consumption rates as compared to similar products. For all of these certifications, strict testing is mandated by the government, so you can be sure it’s not just hollow marketing. At Lewis MacLean, we believe that quality heating doesn’t have to come with sky-high energy costs. We also offer maintenance checks to guarantee your furnace is running smoothly long after your initial purchase. We wholeheartedly support the ENERGY STAR initiative, and we want to help you save on heating costs. Call us today to ask about ENERGY STAR options for your home.
Sausage and Barley Soup
It’s a great time of year to warm up with a cup of soup, and this comforting, guilt-free dish comes together in a flash.
INGREDIENTS
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1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Italian- style stewed tomatoes, undrained and chopped 1/4 cup uncooked quick- cooking barley 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh baby spinach tomatoes, and barley to sausage in pan. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in spinach; cook 1 minute or until spinach wilts.
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Cooking spray
6 ounces turkey breakfast sausage
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2 1/2 cups frozen bell pepper stir-fry
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2 cups water
DIRECTIONS
LEAVES FALL ACORNS WIND TREES APPLES PUMPKINS MAPLESYRUP
SCARECROW CORN RAKE SQUIRREL HAY TURKEY
3. Add stir-fry puree,
1. Heat a large saucepan
over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add sausage; cook 3 minutes or until browned. Remove from heat.
2. While sausage cooks, place stir-fry and 2 cups
water in a blender; process until smooth.
Recipe courtesy of CookingLight.com.
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23008 Fraser Highway Langley, BC V2Z 2V1 604-532-9625 www.lewismaclean.com
8087380
Inside
THIS ISSUE
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The Big Freeze
5 Fascinating Facts About Fall
Pump Up Your Heat
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Buy ENERGY STAR, Save Money Sausage and Barley Soup
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The Acropolis of Athens: Tips for Your Trip Back in Time
The Acropolis of Athens: TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP BACK IN TIME
When people think of a vacation to Greece, the first images that come to mind are often the picturesque beaches of Mykonos Island or plates of delicately layered moussaka. But no trip to the cradle of Western civilization would be complete without a visit to one of the most incredible historical sites in human history — the ancient Acropolis of Athens.
the Parthenon, both Temples of Athena and Zeus, and many other world-famous sites costs around 12 euro, but keep in mind you can visit each site only once per pass. Due to the scorching heat that hits the area in the summer, you may want to visit during late winter or early spring. To absorb the incredible history of this ancient monument, it’s a good idea to either pay for the audio guide as you enter or go to the “Watch, Read, Listen” section of ricksteves.com and download his audio guide for free. You can also get a full tour from a local guide. Head to toursbylocals.com/Athens-Tours to find the perfect guide for your trip.
Around 468 B.C., while Athens was enjoying its status as the greatest cultural hub of the era, Pericles initiated a robust reconstruction of the Acropolis. Almost half of the population was on the public payroll during the project, generating what would become many of the most memorable structures in history, including the famous Parthenon. Today, the ruins of the Acropolis still stand, a testament to the ingenuity of one of the most advanced civilizations of the classical age. If you plan on exploring the breathtaking ruins and the Acropolis Museum, which houses over 4,000 artifacts from the site, it’s a good idea to avoid the Mediterranean cruise hordes and get there early, as close to 8 a.m. as possible. A four-day pass to peruse
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