WINTER 2015-2016
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My Word by <<Name>> Hello Friends, I’ve had the chance to talk with many of you in recent months, and I’m always glad to get to know our customers better. The more I hear, the more I realize that we all have a lot in common. There may be exceptions, but most of the people I talk to like to save money. Most enjoy being comfortable in their homes. And most would like for the home itself to be a healthy, safe environment. This is what we want for you too. Well-maintained electrical systems with updated energy-efficient fixtures help save energy
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Hudson, Ink Corp ©2015
How Boredom Builds Skills …page 2
The Fans of Wintertime …page 2
Put a Stop to These Winter Chills …page 3
<<Company>>’s
Smart & simple ways to enrich your home living.
— Hot News Now — The Risks of Winter
You wouldn’t have a very
comfortable or safe wintertime without electricity. But, the misuse of electrical products can create serious discomfort, increasing the risk of fire, electrocution and injury. Home fires are more likely to occur in the winter months than any other time of year. Take the comforts of heating pads and electric blankets, for instance. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, these conveniences are the cause of about 500 fires a year. The problems usually occur when the items are more than 10 years old. So replace yours if it’s worn or showing signs of fraying in the cord. Cooking up big meals for family and friends is a great way to share warm hospitality on a cold night. Yet, cooking fires can be quite common.
Unattended cooking is the most likely cause. Stay near the stove if you’ve got something on the burner. When winter storms cause power outages, portable generators are often put into service. However, statistics show that 50% of carbon monoxide deaths related to portable generators occur during the winter months. Take great care when purchasing and operating one in your home. Stick to this guideline. When shopping for electrical products, avoid any that seem to have safety issues. Low-cost brands may use inferior materials and manufacturing. Check for the manufacturer’s name and contact information on the packaging and read warning labels with care. For reassurance, call us to conduct an electrical safety inspection in your home.
Visit www.<<yourcompany>>.comfort-tips.com for more great ideas for home & life, including: MONEY-SAVING TIPS | HOME & ORGANIZING | HEALTH & FOOD
— SOCIALLY SPEAKING —
How Boredom Builds Skills — SECRETS —
The Fans of Wintertime If you want to stay warm in the winter, should you abandon all use of fans? Not exactly. But you’d be wise to know how to use them to maximum effect and minimum waste.
Ceiling fans are well known for producing cool comfort in the summertime. Did you also know that, in winter, they’re suited for a change in direction? Here’s how that works: In the summer, your ceiling fan blades run counterclockwise to produce the wind chill effect that makes you feel cooler. Most fans come with a directional switch, however, and as winter arrives, you can flip the switch at the ceiling fan’s base and allow those blades to run clockwise on low. Blades moving in the clockwise direction will produce a gentle updraft. That updraft will send the warm air that’s near the ceiling down into your living space. You feel the warmth and use less energy dollars. Speaking of fans, what about those exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom? Don’t they send your nice warm air straight outdoors? In a word, yes. They can pull the heated air out of your house.
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That doesn’t mean don’t use them to maintain your indoor air quality;
that’s important too. But it does mean to use them sparingly. Turn them off after they’ve done their job. If they run longer than needed, you’re wasting electricity, as well as the warm air your heating system is providing. Fans really can help keep you comfortable year round, while cutting your monthly utility costs. Call us to see how you can save even more on your utility bills this season.
Get Connected • Don’t have enough outlets to run your equipment? • Care to review the possibilities of a home theater? Let us run the wires, make the connections, install the switches and “turn you on” to greater convenience and safety… starting with one phone call. Just call <<Company>> at <<Phone>>. ©2015
In this totally in-touch world
that keeps us buzzing, binging, pinging and ringing, we’re never a millisecond away from news across the globe. Or in another room. Like when you’re downstairs reading what your teen just posted upstairs. Maybe there’s a better way? Or someone across the table you might finally notice if you look up from the screen?
— I T ’S ABOU T T IME —
Saving in Starbucks
Did you know you there are
ways to save at Starbucks? Try these tips before you pony up to the barista: ●● Discover the mystery menu. You may not know it exists, but it’s a menu that offers options
well under $4, such as iced coffee or the caffé misto. ●● If you don’t think the Tall is tall enough, remember, you can get endless refills for just 50 cents a piece. ●● Bring your own cup, and you’ll save 10 cents for every drink.
These are issues for so many of us. But your surroundings can be fascinating when you take a moment to let yourself be bored. Yes, bored. In fact, studies show that boredom actually enhances creativity. By letting yourself put down the smartphone or tablet, you are allowing your brain to rest, leaving room for creative thinking. A few final points: • Become friends with the silence, let your mind run free and enjoy the insight that comes. • When bored, do a boring task, like folding laundry or slicing apples. This will help spur a few creative thoughts or maybe help you figure out that math equation you’ve been working on all day. • When you’re at the store, letting your five-year-old play with your phone seems like a better alternative to listening to him whine. But experts disagree. Kids need to learn how to be still and cope when there is nothing to do. It’s an important skill for anyone to have.
Dim Lighting Isn’t Always Romantic. Especially when it turns into a full blackout. There’s nothing convenient about a power outage. But with a home generator, you can keep things humming no matter what’s going on with the electrical grid. Call <<Company>> at <<Phone>> to get the generator solution that’s right for you.
<<Company>> at <<Phone>> ©2015
— HOME HE ALT H —
Put a Stop to These Winter Chills
Your doors and windows are shut.
Yet, you just have this feeling that something else is lurking inside. Maybe it brushes up against your shoulders and gives you the chills. It’s time to check to see if a draft is flowing through your house attacking your warm, comfy air.
Take a lit candle and place it along each windowsill and baseboard. If it flickers, you’ve got a draft. Here’s what to do to help increase energyefficiency by eliminating each draft one step at a time:
1. Clean and dry the baseboards with a paper towel. 2. Use white or clear paintable caulking to fill in the gaps between the trim and the floor. 3. Smooth out the caulking with a wet finger. 4. Get rid of the remains with a damp cloth. 5. Place weather stripping around the frames of your windows and doors to really seal-up tight.
— T HE GOOD LIFE —
The Good Effects of Having a Pet
If you or someone in your
family is suffering from the winter blues this season, you might be surprised how much a furry friend can make a difference. Studies show that living with pets can provide certain health benefits. Not only can they boost your immune system, but they can also turn that frown upside down.
Pets are good for the mind and soul, experts say. In fact, you may have heard of “therapy pets” that give comfort to the sick or homebound. They do the same for pretty much everyone. Pets offer affection and comfort and help relieve the stress of life. If you’ve got little ones in the home, you may be thinking you don’t want them to be around animals when they’re so young. While a parent’s concern is understandable, you may also want to consider that studies have determined that kids who grow up with pets will be less likely to have allergies and asthma.
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My Word dollars and provide continued comfortable service. Adding ambience in lighting, plus more support in electrical outlets, are good improvement options as well. Electrical safety, of course, is of paramount importance to the well-being of everyone in your household. If you haven’t had a
! e M n a c S
…continued from page 1 system safety check lately, just call and we’ll take a look. Sincerely, <<Name>> P.S. Please use the discounts in this newsletter – or feel free to share them with friends.
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Wanted: Gift Experts
Connect
You may be a gift expert, but sometimes, you just don’t know what to give. And as your electricians, ceiling fans don’t make great stocking stuffers. But hey, we CAN give you a gift certificate. That’s something you can really use. (Plus it is a heck of a lot easier to mail!) So, where’s the certificate? You’re holding it. Actually, it serves 3 purposes… First to say “Thank you” for being a great customer. Second, to wish you a joyous Holiday. And lastly, please accept this card as a gift certificate for $20 off your next service. If you can’t use it, just share it with a friend. Maybe sharing is the best Holiday present of all. We look forward to serving you and your home again soon.
<Company> at <Phone>
©2015
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M O R E S AV I N G S A N D G R E AT N E W S
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Want to see more home and savings
tips? Visit our HomeSense website portal
at <<yourcompany>>.comfort-tips.com.
You’ll find energy saving tips for the coming season, plus articles covering the hottest
topics in home, health and savings news.
You may even find a recipe or two! So visit <<yourcompany>>.comfort-tips.com.