Atel Air Blog
GET IN TOUCH

As our long winter slowly comes to an end…yes it is coming to an end. We need to think about the warm months ahead. With energy cost continuing to rise it is more important than ever to properly maintain and possibly even replace old systems.

Before you go blasting the cool air from your A/C, make sure you’ve given your trusty appliance it’s yearly check-up. Air conditioners require regular maintenance to work at their peak. If you follow our tips each year, you’ll be staying cool and saving cash—in energy bills and unexpected repair costs.

  • Clean dust or move objects away from the grates that supply air into each room. Do the same to the large return grate, usually in a hallway, to ensure proper air flow.
  • Clear leaves and debris from the system’s outdoor condenser unit grille. If the interior unit is dirty, contact your contractor to perform a power wash that will not bend the fins of the grille.
  • Examine ducts in attic or crawl space for holes, loose tape or separated sections that might leak air.
  • Trim shrubbery to allow at least two feet of clearance from the unit.
  • Set the thermostat mode to cooling to make sure it’s working. Contact the dealer for service if you hear any unusual noises.
  • Replace your filter to reduce airflow restrictions and wasted energy
  •  Set up annual checkup of your system

Ask for Help With Your Heating and Cooling

Bacon Maple Cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup of minced bacon, cooked and drained
  • 4 1/2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 tablespoon bacon drippings (left in the fridge to become solid)
  • 1 egg
  • 5 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 1/4 cups self rising flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • tiny pinch kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup milk

What you’ll do–

  1. Cook some bacon in a fry pan (about 6 thick strips). Reserve the drippings and place in the fridge to solidify. Mince 1/4 a cup of the bacon. The chef should eat whatever is left to assure that the bacon is tasty.
  2. Beat the crud out of the butter and solidified bacon fat ’till light and creamy. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup and beat well until combined.
  3. Add the egg and beat until incorporated.
  4. Sift the flour, salt, baking soda and powder together.
  5. Add some of the flour and mix, then some of the milk, then continue to alternate the dry and wet ingredients, ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in the bacon. Taste and add more maple syrup, flour, or milk if needed for desired taste. Keep in mind the maple frosting is very sweet, and to add in very small increments for alterations as maple syrup in large amounts can break a cake batter.
  6. Scoop into cupcake papers and bake at 350 F for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Be sure to rotate the pan after the first 15 minutes for even baking.

Maple Syrup Frosting

  • 4 tablespoons of butter.
  • 2 tablespoons of maple syrup.
  • 1 cup of powdered sugar.
  • turbinado sugar (optional, but recommended).
  • coarse grain sea salt (optional, but recommended).

What You’ll Do —

Combine the syrup and butter until combined. Add the sugar, a bit at a time, and whip at high speeds until combined. Pipe or spread onto cupcakes. Sprinkle on sea salt and turbinado sugar for decoration and a lot of added flavour.
(add some crumbled or small pieces BACON TOO!)