Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley - September/October 2023

Check out our latest newsletter!

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COMFORT CONNECTIONS

Coffee Is the Ultimate Pick-Me-Up POUR ME A CUP OF JOE!

When you were a kid, did you ever dress, talk, or act a certain way to try to seem grown-up? One thing I thought made someone seem more grown-up was drinking coffee. I remember sitting at the breakfast table and seeing my parents holding a mug of coffee or tea. I wanted to be like them, but my mug, if I had one, was more likely to be filled with hot cocoa!

Although connecting with others over a cup of joe is a wonderful thing, I also enjoy coffee because it’s a great energy booster! If you’re groggy or having difficulty focusing, coffee is an excellent pick-me-up!

A couple of years ago, I purchased a company van. But there was a catch: The van was in Florida. So, I had to fly down south to get the vehicle and drive it all the way up the coast back to New York. I know that when you’re driving for extended

Little did I know then, that as I got older, coffee would become my go-to when I needed a boost of energy. Judging by the drive-thru lines I’ve noticed at the local Dunkin’ or Starbucks on my way to work each day, I know I’m not the only one who enjoys having a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. In fact, 66% of Americans drink coffee daily, and 65% enjoy a cup during breakfast. Andrea and I always have a pot brewing in the mornings — there’s nothing like enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee at home (especially on a weekend when there’s more time to linger at the breakfast table)!

periods, you can get extremely tired behind the wheel. I did get a good night’s sleep so I would be well rested, but I wanted to make as few stops as possible, so I fortified myself with a large cup of coffee to help keep me firing on all cylinders as long as possible. It worked great!

Do you have a fond coffee memory from a long road trip, pulling an all-nighter in college, or staying up for that late-night concert? Energy drinks didn’t exist when I was growing up. All we had was coffee and great memories!

Coffee is also one of my favorite beverages because of its social aspect. Andrea and I will discuss what our day ahead looks like over coffee every morning. My team and I might have coffee at an occasional morning meeting — sometimes even with bagels or baked goods. Who knew a simple cup of brew could both perfectly enhance a quiet, relaxing moment or encourage conversation and great ideas, all while rekindling fond childhood memories and creating new memories in the process?

Happy International Coffee Day, everyone!

Jim Serra

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GET YOUR HOME FALL-READY Simple, Affordable DIY Projects You’ll Love

Housewares stores are currently full of cute autumn decor, but the cost of refreshing your house’s look each season adds up quickly. Fortunately, you can do a lot for less. Many DIY crafts are not as complicated as you might think. In addition to saving money, you’ll create personalized charm none of your neighbors can match.

fabric leaves on the outside of

mason jars with craft glue. Then add decorative stones and a wax or battery- operated tealight for a seasonal twinkle.

Repurpose your pumpkins. Small gourds are incredibly versatile. Just sprinkling a few around your dining room table or mantle makes it feel like fall. But you can quickly elevate them using metallic paint to add cute designs, phrases, or names. Another option is to wrap seasonal fabric around them like a pouch, gathered at the stem. If you feel more ambitious, you can also use pumpkins to make succulent planters. Cut a crater in the top of the pumpkin, pop in the succulent and soil, and press the dirt until snug. Light up the night. The soft glow of a lantern or candle is the perfect way to get the cozy vibes started. Instead of succulents in the top of your pumpkin, you can set wax and a candle wick to create something unique. If you’re bored with pumpkins, try the same with acorn caps. An even simpler idea involves glazing real or

Decorate your door. Wreaths are a DIY staple for several reasons. They’re easy for beginners to make and can set the tone for your

home by offering visitors an autumnal focal point. You can buy a variety of starter wreaths at the craft store, so find one that suits your taste. Then pick up other supplies like leaves, pine cones, dried corn, and ribbon. Now you’re ready to hot glue to your heart’s content and create something distinctive. If you need further ideas, look closer the next time you shop. Many of the fun fall items for sale aren’t very difficult to make yourself with a few minor adjustments and a little creativity.

DRIVE-BY DRAWING

How to Win Every month, we will randomly select one customer’s name. Then, someone from our team will drive past your home to see if our sign is in your yard. If it is, congratulations! You won our contest!

When you drive around your neighborhood, you may notice homeowners with signs in their front yards. These signs might feature a family member graduating high school or college, cheer

for a favorite sports team, or advertise a product, service, or business. Some of you may even have one of our yard signs on display! And if you do, you now have a chance to win some cash! How to Enter When one of our technicians visits your home for an appointment, they will give you a complimentary yard sign.

However, if we pick your name, drive by your house, and don’t see our yard sign prominently displayed, we will select another customer and repeat the process until we have a winner. If your name wasn’t selected, don’t worry! We will hold this contest every month, so you always have a chance at winning! Our technicians will visit many homes this season because HVAC system tune-ups are due. So when you schedule your annual maintenance visit, be sure to get a yard sign from the technician!

Enter Our Yard Sign Contest and Win!

Everyone with a yard sign will automatically be entered into our drawing. We will choose one lucky winner to receive a $100 gift card every month!

We’ve already seen our signs in some of your yards and are grateful for your support and participation in our contest. We wish you the best of luck in the drawing!

If you do not have a yard sign, please call us at 845-256-6158 , and we will bring you one.

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ech Talk Dave Answers Some FAQs

A: Yes. You can make sure the emergency switch hasn't accidentally been turned off and that the thermostat batteries are good. Check to be sure you have fuel, too. Before you turn off the power, you can also look for any lights flashing in a pattern on the bottom panel. This may help give us a hint as to what we’ll be dealing with when we come out. Q: What indoor air quality issues should I be concerned about during heating season? A: The most common indoor air pollutants people think about are allergens and off-gassing from carpets, furniture, and drywall. But homeowners also mention pet and cooking odors as another concern. And if you're bothered by the drier air in the winter or are susceptible to nosebleeds, colds, or the flu, adding a humidifier to your system can address this issue. Also, it’s the perfect time to test those CO detectors, changing the batteries if needed. Meet Dave! Dave entered the trade as an apprentice when a friend referred him to an HVAC company. His favorite thing about this line of work is the opportunity to learn new things and improve his abilities constantly. When he’s not working, you can find him fishing, enjoying barbecue ribs, or rooting for the NY Jets. In July, we celebrated Dave's sixth year as part of our team!

We're fortunate to have amazing and knowledgeable technicians on our team — we can learn so much from them! In this month's edition of Tech Talk, Dave allowed us to pick his brain as he answered four commonly asked HVAC questions! Q: Should I get HVAC maintenance even if my unit works fine? A: Absolutely! HVAC units get dirty and need cleaning periodically. Also, there could be issues just starting that you can't see or hear yet. Maintenance is the best way to ensure your unit's running as safely, reliably, and efficiently as possible. Q: Why is there a burning smell when I turn on the heat? A: The first time you turn on the heat, there may be an odor from dust (or even skin cells and hair, which is kind of gross) that accumulated while the system wasn't running, and this is its first chance to burn that debris off. It's not usually a cause for concern, but we can take a look to be sure everything is working correctly. Better filtration can prevent this from happening in the future. Q: If I turn on the heat and it doesn't work, are there things I can check myself before calling?

Inspired by TasteOfHome.com CHICKEN BREASTS HONEY- PECAN

Can You Find the Van? We have hidden a tiny van somewhere in this newsletter! Can you find it? If so, send your name, mailing address, phone number, email address, and where in the newsletter you spotted the van to Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley, 392 Masten Rd., Pleasant Valley, NY 12569, or email us at office@aireservmidhudson.com . One entry will be drawn at random from all correct entries received. The winner will be contacted by phone and announced in the next newsletter. Prize will be mailed to the winner. Limit one entry per household. Last issue’s winner is Lois K. of Wappingers Falls. Congratulations, Lois!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 6-oz boneless, skinless chicken breast halves • 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper • 1 tbsp butter • 3 tbsp honey • 2 tbsp finely chopped pecans

• 1/4 tsp garlic powder • 1/8 tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS 1. Pound chicken with a meat mallet to 1/2-inch thickness. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. 2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat butter over medium heat; brown chicken on both sides. Cook covered until chicken is no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes, turning once. 3. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with pecans. Cook covered until chicken is glazed, about 2–3 minutes.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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

Coffee Brews Connections! INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 Simple, Affordable DIY Projects You’ll Love You Could Win $100!

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Tech Talk With Dave S. Honey-Pecan Chicken Breasts

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Keep Yourself Safe While Traveling Alone

KEEP YOURSELF SAFE WHILE TRAVELING ALONE

Keep your eyes peeled. Any time you leave your room, even if it’s just to scope out the vending machines, be alert for anyone watching or following you, and always keep your room number discreet. If you ever feel like someone is following you, get off on a different floor and avoid going to your room. Use the deadbolt. If the door in your room comes equipped with a deadbolt, use it! This extra safety measure keeps even those with a key from entering your room without your knowing! Share the hotel information . Let your family and friends know where you are staying! Provide them with the hotel name, address, and phone number in case an emergency arises! Traveling solo is a thrilling experience, but it comes with some extra steps to stay safe! Trust your instincts and use these tips to ensure your trip goes down in the memory books as safe and exciting!

Traveling alone can be a memorable and adventurous experience — it’s a great way to step outside your comfort zone and continue learning about yourself. While solo travel is chock-full of exciting perks, staying alone in a hotel can be dangerous if you aren’t careful to take certain safety precautions. The next time you take a trip by yourself, keep these tips in mind! Check in the smart way. When you check in to your hotel, always ask for two room keys — this way, hotel staff and anyone else in earshot will automatically assume someone else is traveling with you. If they ask how many guests will be staying with you, don’t admit you are alone. If you have the option, request a room that isn’t on the ground floor, as research shows they are the easiest to break into! Inspect your room. As soon as you enter the room, make a quick sweep to ensure no one is present in closets, in the shower, or under the bed and that nothing appears to be amiss. It’s always best to be safe rather than sorry!

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