One of the things I’m looking forward to about getting really old is that old folks always seem to be cold. I can’t remember the last time I was cold.
When we built the sewing room, we knew we wanted to go with the mini-split unit for the air and heat. The air conditioner man in MO had recommended one of these for the downstairs kitchen we were going to build but thankfully, never built. He highly recommended the mini-splits. Then when we talked to the a/c guy here, he recommended the same thing. The more we read, the more sold we were on the mini-split units. Based on the square feet, the a/c guy recommended a 24,000 BTU unit but apparently, at that time everyone else wanted a 24,000 BTU. The 18,000 BTU was rated in the barely acceptable range for the square feet of my room but since the sewing room is built inside of another building and we had lots of the spray in foam insulation, we discussed the situation with the a/c guy and we all thought the 18,000 BTU unit might work. It did . . til it gets up in the high 90’s and then it never could bring the temp down below about 78º, and to keep the temp there, the a/c ran non-stop. The mini-splits are so darned energy efficient but I still didn’t want it running all the time.
The a/c guy told us that if the unit didn’t work well enough, he would replace it. We called him, he came out and checked everything and said he would order the bigger unit and would hopefully have it by the end of that week. It’s been over a month and I was beginning to worry that he wasn’t going to change it and I had quit going out to the sewing room because it was just too hot to be comfortable out there. Yesterday the air conditioner guy called and said they were on their way to install my bigger air conditioner.
I can’t tell you how happy I was to see these guys! And . . who wouldn’t be happy to see your air conditioner guy wearing a cowboy hat? Yep, we’re in Texas! And look at that gorgeous sky. And, what about some green . . even if it’s weeds . . in July? Sure didn’t see much of that last year.
Out with the little one, in with the big one! That’s a monster air conditioner unit compared to the smaller one! I can also see from that picture that they took me up on my offer to grab drinks out of the fridge.
Now I have to spend a day or two cleaning up in the sewing room. It had become a dumping ground for things I moved out of the house but didn’t take time to put away because . . it was just too hot in there. Maybe I’ll get some sewing done this weekend.
As far as the mini-split units, I live them. They’re so quiet, you cool only the rooms that need to be cooled. If ever we build a house or even a new kitchen, I’ll go with the mini-splits and not traditional central air and heat.
Doreen says
Never heard of those units but am so glad to ‘hear’ that you finally got the larger one and it’s installed….yay! Stay cool!;-)
Debbie Harmon says
I freeze all summer. Everywhere is over-airconditioned, all stores and restaurants. I take a sweater everywhere I go. I have been sitting outside in the heat all summer.
By the way, this is the first time I’ve been able to access your blog for a week. I checked on several Suddenlink computers and none of them would do it. Then today it worked! I know they have been doing some upgrades around here so maybe that fixed it.
Debbie in WV
Linda in NE says
YES!!! Thank Goodness for air conditioners. I’m trying to remember a day when it hasn’t been a 100*. Now I see by the forecast in the paper that tomorrow is supposed to be 102*, Sunday 106*, Monday 102*. Insane. I just hope our window AC keeps on roaring, the fan’s been making some funny noise today. Nobody could ever accuse it of being quiet like your mini-splits.
JanetB says
Great a/c. I wish I could attribute the mess in my studio to the a/c, but mine is holding steady at 74 degrees. I just need to take the time to straighten up things. It’s much more fun to sew. Love your blog. Really enjoying reading about your life in TX.
Ida in Central PA says
I’m headed to Blue Mound, KS (near Ft. Scott) this coming week. I’ll either be in Blue Mound, or the KC area — Olathe, Overland Park, etc. One of my sisters is ill. ;( Very ill. Heart transplant ill. 🙁
Anyway … I just saw a blog talking about a “walkabout retreat center” that just opened in Baldwin City, KS — near Lawrence. I won’t have time to visit it, but thought I’d pass it along to you. (I know you’re not there now, but if you return to the Nevada ‘area’ it might be something to visit.)
https://www.facebook.com/WalkaboutRetreatAndHistoryCenter
Ida
Carol says
We have two split AC and love them. Size is based on square footage you need to cool. They are very quiet. We don’t need them all the time but they do work well and are quiet and efficient.