Today has been one of those “when it rains, it pours” days!
First, this house is mostly rock but the peaks on the sides (I don’t know what you call that stuff) is cheap wood and it needed to be painted. We waited a bit too long and now it needs to be replaced .. which kinda is happening at a good time because it would need to at least partially come down to replace the a/c unit in the attic.
Mini-Split
It seems like every day it’s harder to keep the house cool. I so love the mini-split in the sewing room.
The plan was to put in a couple of mini split units, which I thought would cost $2,000 to $2,500 each. Surprise! We’ll have to have 220 outlets run and not even counting the cost of that, the mini-split, along with installation will be at least $5,000 each. Uhh .. no!
The guy took some readings. We have some insulation issues, of course . . over the cathedral ceiling. We have some duct work issues . . probably sucking hot attic air in through our vents. Our main outside unit is on its last leg so the inside unit (in the attic) and the outside unit need to be replaced. So, here’s the plan . . some time in October . . too hot to get in the attic and work now.
- The guy who is replacing the siding is going to cut a big ugly hole in the siding so the a/c guys can access the attic.
- The a/c guys will then come and pull out the old unit, re-do all the duct work and add some larger vents in the rooms where needed. Put in larger return air vents. Put in new inside and outside heat and air units.
- The wood replacement guy will then come back and pull off enough siding that we can get someone out to blow in more insulation.
- Once they come, then wood guy will come back and put up new wood.
I’m thinking I need to be sitting on the street corner with a sign that reads “Will Work For Food!”
The real problem (though it could be answered prayer!) is that the last three times we’ve put in a new a/c system, we’ve moved within 6 months. We always thought we’d be staying, put in a top of the line system . . then left it for someone else to enjoy.
Seriously, that’s all a huge expense that we didn’t plan on having but I’m thankful that we can do it and hopefully nothing else major will need to be replaced for a while.
Rebecca in SoCal says
You are sounding more and more ready to leave. I hope you stay long enough to enjoy the fruits of your labors, and trees!
Carolyn says
Don’t feel bad…we have lived far enough out of town in the last two houses that a septic system was used. The first house needed new lateral lines and less than a year later we sold the property to move across the state. Purchased another house that also used a septic system. I had it replaced and a little over a year later we moved back across this beautiful state. I put my foot down and said …city sewer.
JudyL says
And I would about give up air conditioning to keep from having to be on city sewer and/or city water. We have wells as our only water supply, a septic tank as our only sewer, and no trash pickup. Don’t ever give me the city and I’ll be happy.
Sue in Desert Hills (Phoenix), AZ (formerly in Scottsdale, AZ) says
Judy, several years ago my husband put several mini-split units into a house he was renovating and then sold. He said he paid between $650 – $700 for ¾ and 1 ton units out of a place in Florida. They run on 110 volt. Since they all draw the same amount of current there is no advantage to put in 220 volts. He had them trucked in and was able to install them himself because they come pre-charged -freon is already in them. All he needed was a vacuum pump to check for leaks – he paid less than $100 for his. If you want more info, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with Eric.
Eric says look on Amazon – Pioneer mini-split A/C with heat pump – 15 seer, $699 plus shipping. (Look up mini split AC on Amazon). Prime is $738.20 for a 1 ton unit.
Donna says
You can always eat pumpkin since you have enough to feed the county! (lol)