Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley - March/April 2020

Check out our March/April newsletter!

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COMFORT CONNECTIONS

T hey say rain on your wedding day is good luck. If that’s really the case, then my son Nick and his new wife, Carly, have a lot of luck headed their way. Nick and Carly were married on Oct. 27, 2019 — the day the northeast was battered with pouring rain. And they had planned an outdoor ceremony! Thankfully, the ceremony took place under a pavilion at a local restaurant, so all 80 guests and the bride and groom were sheltered from the rain. Aside from the weather, the day went very smoothly, and we all had a lot of fun. It was great to see family we hadn’t seen in a long time, and of course, we were all very happy for Nick and Carly. They have been together for a while now and were engaged in September 2018. As a parent, there’s nothing you want more than to see your child happy and healthy. It was a bittersweet moment to watch Nick get married. I couldn’t believe he was actually old enough to make this commitment, but then I remembered I was his age when I got married. It’s crazy how fast time flies. On the one hand, I will always A LOT OF LOVE AND A LITTLE LUCK Celebrating my Son’s Wedding Day!

think of Nick as a little boy, but on the other, I can’t wait to watch how he continues to grow.

And now we have a daughter-in-law! Even though Carly has been around our family for a while, it has taken us a little time to get used to the idea that we have a daughter-in-law. Nick and Carly did a great job of bringing our families together — doing so in a way that is perfectly in theme for them. Before the wedding, Nick gave me a "Lord of the Rings" tie that featured a map of the great journey in the stories. Meanwhile, they gave Andrea a bracelet that was inscribed with a saying in Elvish lettering. (Elvish is a language in the "Lord of the Rings" series, for those who don’t know the story.) These were really nice touches, especially since they were gifts that are completely like Nick and Carly. It’s a great symbol of their relationship. After surviving the soaking-wet ceremony, the reception took place inside the restaurant. The food was great and we were able to reconnect with family. Personally, I enjoyed seeing Nick’s uncle, my first wife’s brother, again. I hadn’t seen him in ages, but it was really nice to catch up with him and the family. Overall, it was a great day to celebrate my son and new daughter-in-law. Sure, the rain may have dampened things a bit, but we like to think of it as a special blessing. Plus it’s a great story to tell! It’s nice to know they have a little bit of luck (and extra blessings) on their side.

Congratulations, again, Nick and Carly!

Jim Serra

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ANOTHER SLICE OF PI(E)

The Sweetest Ways to Celebrate Pi Day

Break out your calculators and grab your aprons because it’s almost Pi Day! This holiday has gained popularity among mathematicians and bakers alike — two groups that rarely overlap. Pi Day is March 14, which when written numerically is 3/14, the first three digits of the mathematical constant pi. Pi is special because it’s used to calculate the circumference of a circle. This might not sound like a big deal, but pi is used in engineering, construction, GPS, motors, power generation, television, and, yes, even HVAC! If we hadn’t calculated pi, none of these achievements would be possible. Pi is pretty important, and it’s definitely worth celebrating! Here are two ways you can get in on the fun. LEARN TO RECITE PI Pi has fascinated mathematicians for centuries because it’s an irrational number, meaning the digits go on forever. If you want to try your hand at memorizing some of the numbers, here are the first 50 decimal digits of pi (with spaces, so they’re easier to remember!).

Rajveer Meena, who recited pi to the 70,000th digit on March 21, 2015. And he did it all while blindfolded!

EAT SOME PIE Another popular way to enjoy Pi Day is to bake and eat pie. This dessert is perfect because it’s both a homophone (same pronunciation as “pi” but with a different spelling and meaning) and a circle. Challenge your friends to a pie-baking contest, or buy your favorite pie from the store and have a pie- eating contest. And, while this may be a controversial stance, we believe pizza pie deserves a place in Pi Day celebrations, too.

3.14159 26535 89793 23846 26433 83279 50288 41971 69399 37510

To make things simple, we often round pi up to 3.14, but many people have challenged themselves to memorize and recite as many digits as possible. In the Guinness Book of World Records, the record is currently held by

Here’s to Pi Day: the tastiest, nerdiest holiday of the year!

DON’T FORGET YOUR HVAC SYSTEM WHEN YOU SPRING CLEAN

EXPLORING OUTSIDE Now that you can see green grass again, you may not need anything more than a few minutes outside to refresh. If that’s you, volunteer for this quick chore! Winter storms and melting snow can wreak havoc on your HVAC unit. Debris can become jammed, and melting ice can impact the functionality of electrical systems. Give the unit a good once-over, carefully removing debris and cleaning away the mud. If you see anything suspicious, give us a call at Aire Serv and we can take a look. SCHEDULING A TUNEUP You may have seen this one coming, but why not have one of our experts perform a regular maintenance check on your heating or cooling system so you can focus on the chores you prefer to do, like cleaning out your closet, organizing your bookshelves, or doing yardwork? Our HVAC technician can monitor the life of your heating and cooling system at a regular tuneup. They will check the ductwork, internal systems, and unit components for damage or other repairs that might be needed. In addition, they can clean around your unit and give you the peace of mind that it’s working properly. Trust the experts this spring! Check off another item on your spring cleaning to-do list by giving our team at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley a call at 845-256-6158.

The nearly universal urge to spruce up your space after a long, cold winter has prompted the popular phrase “spring-cleaning.” But as you sort through your stuff and clean up the dust the sunlight is exposing, don’t forget about your HVAC unit. CHANGING YOUR FILTER Thanks to seasonal illnesses that swept through your home, dry air, and holiday parties, your

A LITTLE FRESH AIR NEVER HURT

HVAC’s filter has had to do a lot of work to keep your air clean this past winter. Now that spring is here and your unit is getting a much-deserved break, use this time to clean its filter. When temperatures climb to unbearable degrees — yes, that’s coming, too — you can breathe easier knowing your air conditioning unit isn’t working overtime to

clean your air. (Pro Tip: Your Aire Serv technician will change your system's filter as part of your regular maintenance check.)

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BEFORE YOU BUY Buying a house is like a fresh slate! You can create the house of your dreams with just a few touches of paint and a little bit of sprucing in the yard. But, don’t let your new home’s aesthetic cause you to overlook something much more vital: its function. DON’T SIGN FOR YOUR DREAM HOME UNTIL YOU CHECK THE HVAC UNIT

skilled technician from Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley before you buy the home. Similar to what happens during a regular maintenance check, the technician will perform diagnostic tests to determine the condition of the unit, potential dangers to watch for, and a maintenance plan specific to your new home’s system. In addition, as the expert on all things heating and cooling, your technician can provide you with a detailed understanding of the basics of your unit. While your old home may have been running on an old boiler system, the heat pump in your new home may seem like a foreign language to you. With a technician’s help, you will gain an understanding of how to properly care for your unit and know the signs to watch for. A home is a large investment, but when you find the one you love, protect it with a proper, full inspection. Our team can swing by to give you the rundown on your dream home’s HVAC system. Schedule an appointment today by calling 845-256-6158. EASY IRISH SODA BREAD

Plumbing, electricity, and heating and cooling systems should be some of the most important pieces you consider when purchasing your new pad. Inspections can take the grunt work out of looking for problems or identifying a home’s needs, but not all inspectors are fully versed in the inner workings of an HVAC system. They will have baseline knowledge but may not know about all of the problems that could be lurking in your HVAC system. Instead of only choosing paint colors and pillows, you could be rolling the dice with your new HVAC unit and potentially spending thousands of dollars on repairs just months after moving into your dream home.

Avoid the strain on both your wallet and your comfort by having the house’s HVAC unit inspected by a

HAVE A LAUGH!

Inspired by AllRecipes.com

Irish soda bread is a staple of many St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, but it was born out of necessity. Celebrate Irish ingenuity and grit with this easy, modern version.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups all-purpose flour • 4 tbsp sugar • 1 tbsp baking powder • 1 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup margarine, softened • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, divided • 1 egg • 1/4 cup butter, melted

DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a large baking sheet. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and margarine. 3. Stir in 1 cup buttermilk and egg, and mix until dough comes together. 4. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface, then form dough into a round and place it on baking sheet. 5. In a small bowl, combine melted butter and remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk. 6. Brush the raw loaf with this mixture and cut an “X” into the top. 7. Bake loaf for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, brushing the loaf with the butter mixture as needed during baking.

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392 Masten Rd. Pleasant Valley, NY 12569

Nick and Carly Get Married! INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 3 Would You Like Some Pi? Spring Cleaning Your HVAC System The Importance of an HVAC Inspection Before You Buy 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley

Easy Irish Soda Bread

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Stay Stateside With These Little-Known St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

STAYING STATESIDE FOR ST. PADDY’S?

CELEBRATE WITH THESE LITTLE-KNOWN FESTIVITIES

There’s no place quite like Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day. What began as a purely religious holiday to honor the life and legacy of St. Patrick has turned into a global celebration. But if a trip to Ireland isn’t in the budget, check out these three little-known stateside destinations that are just as festive. SHORT AND SWEET IN ARKANSAS Thanks to the clever thinking of some Irish friends meeting for a pint at a bar on one of the shortest streets in the world, Bridge Street in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the First Ever 17th Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade will travel 98 feet once again this year. Don’t assume the turnout isn’t robust just

because the distance is staggeringly short. The parade lasts for hours, drawing thousands of people to watch celebrities, musicians, bands, floats, and Miss Arkansas glide by. The event also features a Blarney Stone kissing contest and a parade king and queen. A LITTLE LUCK IN AMERICA’S HEARTLAND O’Neill, Nebraska, is home to the world’s largest shamrock and more unique St. Patrick’s Day traditions. This Irish community doubles down on its heritage every March with a traditional parade, music, and Irish dancing. But the town also hosts a popular dodgeball tournament and donkey basketball. What could be better than pummeling your opponents in dodgeball and

outpacing the competition while riding a donkey in the school gymnasium? Perhaps enjoying a pint or two with your teammates afterward. And O’Neill is just the spot to do it. OHIO’S LITTLE PIECE OF IRELAND You may not be able to fly to Ireland, but you can visit a little piece of it right in the U.S. Head to Dublin, Ohio, this St. Patrick’s Day for a traditional celebration sure to put a wee bit o’ pep in your step. Partake in a traditional Irish breakfast or enjoy a parade complete with bagpipers and Irish dancers. Boasting one of the largest celebrations in the U.S., Dublin is an affordable alternative for those looking to celebrate the Irish way stateside.

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