HOW TO KEEP YOUR HEATING AT PEAK EFFICIENCY
You know winter has arrived when a layer of frost blankets your lawn and the clouds look heavy, gray, and full of snow. Luckily, you’re comfortable in your house with the heat cranked up and a warm cup of cocoa in your hands. But to make sure your house stays warm, it’s important that you keep your forced air heating system running smoothly and keep your air clean. To do that, you’ll need to practice proper air filter maintenance. The easiest thing you can do for your HVAC, whether temperatures are below zero or above 100, is to change the air filter regularly. Every three months is sufficient, but most people do it when the seasons change. If you slip up and forget, you may not notice, but it’s likely your system will run at lower efficiency, producing higher heating bills, an increased carbon footprint, and a lack of adequate coziness within the
home. The pressure of the clogged filter will strain the equipment and can easily lead to damage that will require repairs. If the filter gets bad enough it may even cease to work, welcoming dust and other contaminants into the house. But which filter should you use? They come in several different types, but your best bet is to pick a mid-range filter no higher than MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) 8. You can go higher and pay more for a filter that traps even smaller particles, but it’s not really necessary, and some equipment will need modifications to fit these high- efficiency filters. If you do need to modify your equipment to fit a filter (some systems will even need to be upgraded to be able to fit MERV 8), it’s best to leave it to the professionals at Aire Serv. We’re happy to help with any of your heating and cooling needs.
SLOW COOKER SWEET POTATO SOUP
HAVE A LAUGH!
INGREDIENTS
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced • 5 cups chicken or vegetable stock • 1 cup coconut milk • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 pounds sweet potatoes, roughly chopped • 1 onion, chopped • 2 stalks celery, sliced • 2 medium carrots, chopped
DIRECTIONS 1. Place all the ingredients except for the coconut milk in a slow cooker. 2. Season everything to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. 3. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours. 4. Puree everything until smooth, using a blender or an immersion blender. 5. Add the coconut milk, give everything a good stir, and cook for another 30 minutes. 6. Adjust the seasoning and serve warm.
Recipe courtesy of PaeloLeap.com.
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