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COMFORT CONNECTIONS
If I had to sum up 2019 in one word, it would be “adventure.” This year took me across the country more than most as I crisscrossed the U.S. for both work and fun. On the home front, the adventure continues as we try to grow our team and see how we can do better every day. It’s always powerful when you can connect with people in the same business as you. I often experience this at our annual franchise meeting, this year held in San Antonio, Texas, which I attend each year. As in previous years, this was a great opportunity for me to connect with those facing similar challenges in the HVAC industry. It was also the kick in the pants I needed to remind myself of the work to be done beyond the day- to-day in order to maintain a healthy business that's in a strong position to grow. When things get busy, it’s easy to drop the internal work I need to do on the business and step into a technician role. Of course, sometimes it needs to be that way. But this trip provided the perfect reminder of why it’s important to avoid that tendency when possible, to grow and strengthen our team, and to focus on making the business the best it can be. The franchise meeting wasn’t the only business trip I took this year. I also visited Boise, Idaho, for a couple of mastermind boot camps. These trips were different than the annual franchise meeting that I attend because instead of collaborating with other HVAC professionals and business owners, I met with a diverse group of entrepreneurs from across the country. We each have our own unique problems to solve and employ a variety of techniques specific to our industries, but I was able to learn a great deal from the group members about how to improve our operations here at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley. AN ADVENTUROUS YEAR Celebrating 2019 as a Year of Exploration and Change
As part of the program that hosted the Boise boot camps, I also attended a business-related trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. Now, Vegas may not be the first place you’d think of for business planning and engagement events, but it was the perfect opportunity to connect with the group of entrepreneurs with whom I’ve been troubleshooting and brainstorming. I enjoyed my first visit to this famous desert city, even if it was for work! I even found some time for nonbusiness travel this year! My wife Andrea and I ventured down to Williamsburg, Virginia, for a visit to Colonial Williamsburg this spring. As you may remember from a previous cover article, this trip was filled with plenty of walking, relaxing, and adventures “back in time.” It was a nice change of pace from the business trips I took this year. Back home, armed with new knowledge from my business engagements, my team and I continue to work diligently to help Aire Serv of the Mid- Hudson Valley grow. We are currently on the hunt for another technician to join our growing team, and I’m excited to see where the techniques and advice I gained from fellow entrepreneurs take our team. It’s hard to believe that we are closing out another decade and inching closer to 2020. I am so grateful for your patience as we learn and try new things and for your feedback, which is instrumental in helping us get better every day. This past year has been full of many adventures, and I look forward to whatever 2020 holds.
–Jim Serra
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(According to Science) How to Build the Perfect Snowman
If you’re lucky enough to get a good snow day this year, building a snowman is a great way to spend it. That said, building a snowman isn’t all fun and games. It’s hard work, and you want to make sure the end result is worth the sore legs and soggy pants. Here are some science- backed strategies for building the perfect snowman. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SNOW Snow is your artistic medium, so make sure you have the right material for your project. Yes, there is a wrong kind of snow to use when building a snowman. You want the snow to be moist enough that it packs well but not so slushy that it collapses under pressure. The ideal snow for building your masterpiece is freshly fallen snow when the temperature is around 32°F. If the snow isn’t quite right, you can moisten it a little by spraying water on it. LOCATION IS EVERYTHING Before you start stacking your snowman, pick the right location for it to hang out. Asphalt will heat up faster, so stick Frosty on a snowy lawn. If you can find a place that will be in the shade when the sun comes out, all the better. PAY ATTENTION TO PROPORTION As you roll the snowballs to form the head and body pieces, keep proportions in mind. This is important for the visual aesthetic of your snowman and overall stability.
Mathematician Dr. James Hind from Nottingham Trent University developed a
formula for building the perfect snowman. He recommended that a snowman be 64 inches tall, while the sections of the snowman should be 31 inches in diameter for the base, 20 inches in diameter for the middle, and 12 inches in diameter for the head.
Once your snowman is built, science has just one rule for decorating: Have fun. Grab a scarf and a top hat, a carrot nose and radish eyes,
or a fancy bow tie. Building the perfect snowman means building a snowman that will make you smile when you see it.
CLEAR THE WAY!
KEEP YOUR HVAC SYSTEM FREE OF SNOW
While you may not be able to control the weather, you can control how much it will affect your home, furnace, and wallet. (And we promise this is easier than shoveling your sidewalk!) As snow accumulates this winter, make sure your home’s HVAC system is protected. Heavy snow or ice buildup on or around the system can cause damage from excessive weight or leakage. Prevent this by using a brush or broom to sweep the snow, slush, and ice away from these pipes. If the accumulation is too thick or is frozen onto your HVAC system, do not attempt to chisel it off. You can crack or damage the entire system, which could leave you without heat and scrambling for a repair.
As you gently brush the snow off your system, clear a path around the heat pump and ventilation systems of your heating system. This will allow for proper air ventilation, which will keep your family safe inside, but it’s also a smart preventive move. Clearing a path and keeping your HVAC system free of snow, ice, and winter debris help your technician do their job more easily should your heating system need servicing. Back indoors, keep the area near your furnace or boiler free of flammable materials, clutter, or debris. These items could pose a safety hazard inside your home. Winter inspections can also be advantageous to your HVAC system by helping you avoid a dangerous wintertime disaster or major repairs. Aire Serv technicians can monitor your system for unhealthy signs and change the air filter for better, safer functionality. As you clear the sidewalk this winter, don’t forget to take a pass at your HVAC unit. But if, after you carefully clear your HVAC unit, winter storms still cause some damage or leave your family shivering this winter, give our Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley team a call at 845-256-6158.
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LEAVE IT TO SANTA
Stories of People Failing to Slide Down the Chimney
No one knows exactly how Santa Claus does it, but we all have our theories about how the jolly man shimmies his way down millions of chimneys every Christmas Eve. Some claim the same magic that propels Santa’s reindeer across the globe helps him slide down the chimney, while others believe he uses advanced technology to become small enough to fit. Regardless of how the big man makes it work, one thing is obvious: He’s the only one who should be using a chimney as a door. Below are a few stories of people who thought otherwise. A young man was celebrating his friends’ birthday on the rooftop terrace of a London apartment building. After settling onto the edge of the chimney, the young man stood up, slipped into it, and became stuck. His friends thought he was playing a silly prank, and the man was “too proud” to admit he could not move, according to the story told to The Guardian. But then his friends didn’t notice when he slid another 7 feet down the chimney, leaving this young lad Ain’t No Party Like a Chimney Party
trapped for hours. Contorting his body to reach his cell phone, the young man finally contacted emergency services and was freed. Today, his friends make light of the dangerous situation, and he feels lucky to have lived through it.
‘I’ll Take My Steak Well-Done’
In 2014, emergency officials were called to Mount Ebenezer Roadhouse in Australia after employees heard cries for help from the walls of the establishment. The source of the pleas was found to be coming from the chimney, where officials found a man wedged inside. According to officials, the man was attempting to rob the restaurant by slithering down the chimney when he became trapped. Ninety minutes after emergency crews arrived on scene, the man was freed and treated for his injuries. While these stories all have happy endings, many stories of people climbing through chimneys do not. It’s actually very dangerous. Don’t be a wannabe Santa — avoid sliding down the chimney this holiday season.
HAVE A LAUGH!
CRANBERRY GINGERBREAD
An Extra-Sweet Take on a Christmas Classic
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
Gingerbread is a holiday classic of the very first order, but it’s often a construction material rather than a treat. This recipe, on the contrary, is purely for eating.
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup canola oil, plus more for greasing • 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar • 2 large eggs • 1 tbsp finely grated peeled fresh ginger • 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 tsp ground cloves • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat oven to 350°F. 2. Grease a loaf pan with canola oil.
3. In a large mixing bowl, mix together 1/2 cup canola oil, molasses, brown sugar, eggs, ginger, and cranberries. In a separate bowl, sift and combine flour with baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until blended. 4. Scrape batter into loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes, until cake tester comes out clean. 5. Transfer to a rack to cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely before serving.
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Jim Serra Explores the U.S. in 2019 INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 Build a Snowman with Science! The Benefit of Keeping the Snow and Ice Off Your HVAC System This Winter 845-256-6158 | aireserv.com/mid-hudson-valley
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Why You Shouldn’t Attempt to Enter Your House Like Santa Does
Cranberry Gingerbread
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Yurts: Glamping at Its Finest
YURT SWEET YURT
GLAMPING IN BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS
Spruce Hole Yurt, Colorado Nestled in the San Juan Mountains about 10 miles north of New Mexico, this yurt is a snow-lover’s paradise. Skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking trails are plentiful in this backcountry location. At the end of a chilly day, come home to comfy beds, cooking supplies, and decor made to feel like you’re camping — but with sturdy walls to keep out the cold. Falls Brook Yurts, New York For the glampers who truly want to get away, hike just under 1 mile into the woods of the Adirondack Mountains to discover rustic yurts beckoning you to cook over a fire or bundle up with a book. At night, the yurt’s domed skylight offers excellent stargazing. For those keen on winter activities, skiing and snowshoeing trails start right outside the front door. In the summer, enjoy hiking, fishing, and swimming.
The allure of the great outdoors calls to many, but pitching a tent and cooking over a fire isn’t for everyone. If that describes you, consider the yurt: a small, permanent structure often outfitted with electricity, plumbing, and other modern amenities. Expertly nestled in remote locations, they provide comforts of home in the midst of nature. Here are just a few around the United States available for rent. Treebones Resort, California For those new to the glamping scene, this is a great choice for an easy transition. With picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, the Treebones Resort in Big Sur has an array of spaciously comfortable yurts to choose from. The resort has heated pools, a cozy lodge, and even a sushi bar. About an hour up the coastline, you can find a few shops, restaurants, and art galleries if you decide you’ve gotten your dose of nature for the day.
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