Stay Warm This Winter Without Breaking the Bank
On a cold winter’s day, the idea of staying inside and cuddling up with piles of blankets while your heater provides additional warmth sounds like a dream come true. However, heat often takes up about 29% of the utility bill, leaving a massive dent in your bank account. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to lower your utility bill while staying warm and cozy this winter. 1. Close off unused rooms. Heat travels throughout your home and can warm up every area of your house. To save money on your heating bill, close off any rooms or spaces you don’t frequently use. 2. Use ceiling fans. For the colder months, you want the blades to turn clockwise during the winter. This direction pulls air upward and allows warm air trapped near the ceiling to travel down the walls and around rooms. 3. Cover your windows. Cold air and moisture can enter your home through doors and windows. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat loss through windows is responsible for 25%–30% of heating energy use. Replace the tension seal on your doors and windows to keep cold air out. You can
also place blankets over your windows and doors to keep warm air in.
4. Lower the temperature on your thermostat. Although you may want your home warm and toasty during the day, lower your thermostat 2 or 3 degrees at night or when you’re away from the house (except when the temperature will hit the teens or single digits). You will save energy and reduce your heating bill if you lower your heat when you don’t need it. 5. Change your filters. The filter in your heating system can get dirty with hair, dust, pet dander, and other small particles. Although it may not seem like much, it can affect your system’s efficiency because it must work a lot harder when the filter is dirty. Check your filter regularly until you get a feel for how often it needs changing. Depending on the type of filter and the number of people and pets living in your home, it may need to be replaced as often as once a month to ensure your HVAC system works properly all year round. If you have questions about your HVAC system, please allow your friends at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley to assist you. We will be happy to help you in any way we can.
Can You Find the Van? We have hidden a tiny van somewhere in this newsletter! Can you find it? If so, send your name, 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 AireServMHV@gmail.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 Gail K. of Fishkill. Congratulations, Gail!
ROASTED PORK LOIN WITH APPLES
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by MomFoodie.com
• 4 lbs boneless pork loin • 2 tsp garlic powder • 2 tsp salt, divided • 1 tsp black pepper • 8 apples • 2 red onions
• 3 garlic cloves • 1 tbsp brown sugar • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 tsp cinnamon • 3 tbsp butter, softened
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, season the pork loin with the garlic powder, 1½ tsp salt, and the pepper, then cover and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. 2. Preheat the oven to 425°F. 3. Slice the apples and onions, then chop the garlic cloves. Season with the brown sugar, olive oil, remaining salt, and cinnamon. 4. In a 9x13-inch baking dish, place a layer of apples and onions, put the
pork loin on top, then arrange the remaining apples and onions around it.
5. Break the butter into small pieces and place them on the pork loin and apples. Bake for 15 minutes. 6. Reduce the heat to 350°F, then continue to bake for 60 minutes. 7. Remove the dish from the oven and stir the apples and onions. 8. Increase the heat to 450°F and roast for 8–10 minutes, until the roast reaches 145°F.
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