MrFujicaman
Well-known
Cal, before you rake the leaves to the "back-back" yard, pile them up so Creature Jr. can jump in them.
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
MFM,
The “Ceature-Junior” is mighty high maintenance. That little girl can eat though.
The game I don’t like is one called “Torture Calvin.” LOL.
She likes to stand on my feet and for me to try and walk around.
“Let’s go up and down the stairs again,” she says.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Day care for the 8 week old “Critter” is a full time job. That kid is a big eater and not only had he a belly but he needs a bigger diaper already.
He has Irish and Scotish blood in him, and I have a feeling that he could be one of those guys that throws around telephone poles for fun, meaning a huge guy.
Cal
He has Irish and Scotish blood in him, and I have a feeling that he could be one of those guys that throws around telephone poles for fun, meaning a huge guy.
Cal
ptpdprinter
Veteran
Don't worry. One day she will leave for college and you can get back to setting up your bicycles. Of course, you'll be 83 by then, but as you say, you're still in pretty good shape, so it shouldn't be a problem.
Whose going to watch the Critter when you are in Barcelona on a modeling gig? I'd say take her along and let your agent deal with her while you're sipping champagne poolside. Another canape, sir?
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
PTP,
Vanessa already met the “Critter” during the photo shoot.
Have not been to Barcelona yet, but we basically stayed at a separate palace (Palace of the Dukes) in Mad-Rid (Madrid) that was converted into an UBER lux hotel a few blocks away from the King’s and Queen’s Palace of 375 rooms. The King and Queen Palace is so gigantic that it makes anything we have in Washington DC seem like a bungalow. The scale is beyond grand.
Anyways I know the life of perhaps Jay-Z and Beyoncé from that trip. Had handlers, and even an on-tour-Rodge. The Mercedes limo that picked us up at the airport and drove us around was an experience in itself worth the trip. Everything was off the scale…
Anyways I had a taste of that life, way over the top.
BTW one of the reasons why I think I look so young is that I don’t drink. About 30% of Asians can’t break down alcohol, and for me it is a crappy high.
Also I saw what 40 years of drinking did to my high school friends. All these Irish and Italian kids that were a lot bigger than me shrunk to the point wher I’m now taller than them. 40 years was not so kind to them.
Cal
ptpdprinter
Veteran
I have never been to Madrid. My wife has been to Madrid and says we should go there. We like visiting art museums and the Prado beckons. So I checked out the Palace of Dukes to see if it is a place we might want to stay. It definitely looks like a lux hotel, but at $385/night standard rate it also sounds like a bargain. Of course, it is probably in high demand and you can't get get a reservation unless you are rich and famous. We'll probably end up at the hostel anyway. We like to travel incognito. Saves having to outrun the throngs of our adoring fans.
I also checked out the King and Queen Palace. It has more than 1,000,000 square feet, and is the largest royal palace in Europe. I wonder how many Roombas you would need to keep it clean.
I am so out of touch I don't even know Jay-Z's and Beyonce's music. I would probably recognize it if you played it for me, but I couldn't identify it blind. Also since I don't watch football for the reasons mentioned above, I didn't see their Super Bowl halftime shows, so I don't have those memories imprinted on my brain. Is Beyonce the one who had the wardrobe malfunction or was that someone else? Anyway, I know they are pretty famous. I can't image their lifestyle, but they probably run through a lot of money keeping it up. It is a good thing they are famous or they wouldn't be able to afford it.
Maybe, maybe not. I don't drink and I don't look all that great. Just ask my wife. I keep telling her brains over beauty but I have this nagging suspicion that she is not buying it. But I'm not dead yet, so I have that going for me. Always stay positive.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
PTP,
Beyonce is likely one of the most beautiful woman in the world.
I’m not so up to date with today’s music either. This lifestyle is very high maintenance, and that’s not what I’m about.
The Palace of the Dukes is about 3-4 blocks away from the King and Queen’s Palace.
At the Prado while we were there outside it was a mob scene because of a Vazquez exhibit, but there was no line for us as our handler and our entourage were granted privileged access.
The Mercedes Limo took us to lunch where we had this very rich food that was pretty deadly. A small amount of food, but so much flavor and calories that a trip to the ER to get a stent might be required later in the day.
Then was the excursion to the National Library. We were told by security that they were closed, we started to walk away, when this woman came running after us and asked us who we were. We had thought there was some misunderstanding or screw up, but the mistake was that we were a few minutes early for the appointed time.
We had a personal tour and were shown some of Spain’s treasures. Effectively we were in their Library of Congress and given a private showing.
Then there was the black tie event at the palace…
Everything was way over the top on that trip.
Another trip involved a river cruise that started in the Netherlands, and followed the Rhine River through Germany, France and ended in Basil Switzerland. Pretty much a free vacation. Not only did we stop at cities, but we also had layovers in Amsterdam and Basil.
Our travels have not been so low-key…
I likely got my looks from my mother, but my dad was a brute of a man even though he was short. I’m an interesting hybrid of high and low.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Installing a set of pull down attic stairs ended up being a tough job because of a plaster ceiling hidden under Sheetrock. Pretty much somewhere in history an owner just covered any plaster damage, so basically now it involves “double-demo.”
Anyways the stairs are in place, but not secured yet. They are cradled in the 2x8 framing I installed and some temporary supports. I still have to deal with the parts of missing ceiling.
Working through a shoulder wide hatch in the bath made everything difficult and require lots of cat like moves, and great care had to be performed at all times to prevent falling through a ceiling.
The Baby-Victorian has a mucho complicated series of merging rooflines and only part of the attic is of standup height, so usage for storage is kinda limited. The fiberglass R-30 is likely compressed to only a R-21 buy now, so it seems like adding a R-38 of rock wool is the way to go.
Devil Christian suggests insulating the roof rafters since I have access, and because they are physically 6 3/4 inches on 24 inch centers I can fit a R-30 and add a vapor barrier. Interesting that in 1912 they kinda used 24 inch centers, also this is a great thing because it cuts down on “thermal-bridging” where the studs or rafters become effectively conductors to a certain extent.
We should be getting delivery of a new custom front door and sidelights to dress up the front enclosed porch. Expected arrival is sometime in the beginning of November. This will dress up the house a lot, and will be a bit of a statement because the front stoop and wrought iron railings are all new.
There were two days of frost, and I brought into the house a Magnolia tree that now resides in our dining room. It grew over a foot since “Maggie’s” mom’s passing and stands about as tall as Maggie. Getting it into the house was not too easy… I don’t think it will be too long before the tree will not fit in the house… but until then…
Still have to install the cedar roof on the shed. Right now all I have is tarpaper and drip edge. The cedar shed is kinda fancy and smells great.
I recently bought a bunch of Milwaukee tools: framing sized skill saw; flash light; work lantern; extra battery and Edison plug and USB outlet/adapter. These add onto a pretty big selection of other Milwaukee pack out tools. What I did figure out that next year when I build out the 8x12 garden shed as a remote workspace that not having electricity is no handicap because I have mobile power and lighting that my stockpile of Milwaukee batteries can provide as a bonus that is clever. I will surely buy the work fan as the garden shed has 6 windows as well as Dutch doors.
Cal
Anyways the stairs are in place, but not secured yet. They are cradled in the 2x8 framing I installed and some temporary supports. I still have to deal with the parts of missing ceiling.
Working through a shoulder wide hatch in the bath made everything difficult and require lots of cat like moves, and great care had to be performed at all times to prevent falling through a ceiling.
The Baby-Victorian has a mucho complicated series of merging rooflines and only part of the attic is of standup height, so usage for storage is kinda limited. The fiberglass R-30 is likely compressed to only a R-21 buy now, so it seems like adding a R-38 of rock wool is the way to go.
Devil Christian suggests insulating the roof rafters since I have access, and because they are physically 6 3/4 inches on 24 inch centers I can fit a R-30 and add a vapor barrier. Interesting that in 1912 they kinda used 24 inch centers, also this is a great thing because it cuts down on “thermal-bridging” where the studs or rafters become effectively conductors to a certain extent.
We should be getting delivery of a new custom front door and sidelights to dress up the front enclosed porch. Expected arrival is sometime in the beginning of November. This will dress up the house a lot, and will be a bit of a statement because the front stoop and wrought iron railings are all new.
There were two days of frost, and I brought into the house a Magnolia tree that now resides in our dining room. It grew over a foot since “Maggie’s” mom’s passing and stands about as tall as Maggie. Getting it into the house was not too easy… I don’t think it will be too long before the tree will not fit in the house… but until then…
Still have to install the cedar roof on the shed. Right now all I have is tarpaper and drip edge. The cedar shed is kinda fancy and smells great.
I recently bought a bunch of Milwaukee tools: framing sized skill saw; flash light; work lantern; extra battery and Edison plug and USB outlet/adapter. These add onto a pretty big selection of other Milwaukee pack out tools. What I did figure out that next year when I build out the 8x12 garden shed as a remote workspace that not having electricity is no handicap because I have mobile power and lighting that my stockpile of Milwaukee batteries can provide as a bonus that is clever. I will surely buy the work fan as the garden shed has 6 windows as well as Dutch doors.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Worked on the pull down attic stairs again today.
The thing with an old house is it seems like back in the day they did not use levels and squares, and perhaps they eyeballed things.
In the days of plaster and lath it seems they masked and smoothed over careless construction.
My case in point are the rafters that are not parallel, nor level in my attic. So putting in a set of attic stairs kinda got complicated. I decided to make my frame for the stairs out of 2x8’s and to make it level. One joist in the upstairs hallway is about 2 inches higher, and 2 joists away the joist is 2 inches lower. Split the difference? Pick the high, no pick the low.
Then compound that anywhere the original plaster is not showing is damaged plaster behind sheet rock, paneling or a drop ceiling.
So the upstairs hallway had sheet rock, but underneath was the original plaster and lath, and because of the forgiving nature of plaster where a craftsman could smooth out a wall or ceiling, and mask all the out of square, and crooked rooms.
So I decided to go high, but that means I have an uneven recess because the ceiling is tilted. So plaster and lath is one tolerance, and then Joe home owner used ferrying strips to make a drip ceiling out of sheet rock.
So I also decided to go level. There is a recess, So I tell “Maggie” I can add a panel to the trap part of the door that lines up with the tilted ceiling. Pretty much you would see this when you drop the stairs to use them, but in everyday life the tilted ceiling would kinda be hidden.
Anyways what I have and what I did is kinda crazy, and perhaps the only thing crazier would be to demo the entire hallway ceiling, and try to remove one of the variables by getting rid of the entire sheet rock dropped ceiling mask, but at this point that is mucho work and kinda destroys the house.
I hate spac-EL-ing. I guess I am accustom to precision, and also I like perfection. In the end I’m pretty good at it, remember I went to art school, but I tend to get bogged down into it because I’m not sloppy and I will know it was done in a half-butt manner.
So I know the carpenter would do this job rapidly, but he would not have articulated the installation the way I did.
Stopped by my over 100 year old lumber yard to get some sheet rock screws, but also to order insulation. I now can get a contractor pricing and discount because I am ordering a lot. Also I get great service.
Cal
The thing with an old house is it seems like back in the day they did not use levels and squares, and perhaps they eyeballed things.
In the days of plaster and lath it seems they masked and smoothed over careless construction.
My case in point are the rafters that are not parallel, nor level in my attic. So putting in a set of attic stairs kinda got complicated. I decided to make my frame for the stairs out of 2x8’s and to make it level. One joist in the upstairs hallway is about 2 inches higher, and 2 joists away the joist is 2 inches lower. Split the difference? Pick the high, no pick the low.
Then compound that anywhere the original plaster is not showing is damaged plaster behind sheet rock, paneling or a drop ceiling.
So the upstairs hallway had sheet rock, but underneath was the original plaster and lath, and because of the forgiving nature of plaster where a craftsman could smooth out a wall or ceiling, and mask all the out of square, and crooked rooms.
So I decided to go high, but that means I have an uneven recess because the ceiling is tilted. So plaster and lath is one tolerance, and then Joe home owner used ferrying strips to make a drip ceiling out of sheet rock.
So I also decided to go level. There is a recess, So I tell “Maggie” I can add a panel to the trap part of the door that lines up with the tilted ceiling. Pretty much you would see this when you drop the stairs to use them, but in everyday life the tilted ceiling would kinda be hidden.
Anyways what I have and what I did is kinda crazy, and perhaps the only thing crazier would be to demo the entire hallway ceiling, and try to remove one of the variables by getting rid of the entire sheet rock dropped ceiling mask, but at this point that is mucho work and kinda destroys the house.
I hate spac-EL-ing. I guess I am accustom to precision, and also I like perfection. In the end I’m pretty good at it, remember I went to art school, but I tend to get bogged down into it because I’m not sloppy and I will know it was done in a half-butt manner.
So I know the carpenter would do this job rapidly, but he would not have articulated the installation the way I did.
Stopped by my over 100 year old lumber yard to get some sheet rock screws, but also to order insulation. I now can get a contractor pricing and discount because I am ordering a lot. Also I get great service.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Got a call from Jack Hi-Vac yesterday to let me know that we have a line on a Mitsubishi two zone mini-split compressor. We had ordered and locked down a price in January when we placed the order, and I ordered a “Hyper-Heat” unit.
The one that is now available is a non Hyper-Heat unit which buys you about 6-7 degrees lower operating range, but understand that the primary purpose for this two zone mini-split is to have AC on the first floor of the house which is about 700 square feet.
Our primary heater is an oil burner, but for savings and efficiency we likely could use the mini-split till about Christmas and save money, but for January and February oil heat is best.
So pretty much an 11 month delay. Also the ETA of the Hyper-Heat compressor is unknown.
Insulating the attic now will be EZ-PZ. After living in Manhattan I’m kinda use to confined spaces. LOL.
Cal
The one that is now available is a non Hyper-Heat unit which buys you about 6-7 degrees lower operating range, but understand that the primary purpose for this two zone mini-split is to have AC on the first floor of the house which is about 700 square feet.
Our primary heater is an oil burner, but for savings and efficiency we likely could use the mini-split till about Christmas and save money, but for January and February oil heat is best.
So pretty much an 11 month delay. Also the ETA of the Hyper-Heat compressor is unknown.
Insulating the attic now will be EZ-PZ. After living in Manhattan I’m kinda use to confined spaces. LOL.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Removed some antique telephone land lines and some cable TV lines from the attic.
I did a good exploration of the attic which was an adventure and presented with the danger of falling through the ceiling.
For lunch I’m cooking some wild boar spare ribs. I learned from a fiend that the meat is naturally salty so you need to add some sweetness. I used some sweet ginger chili sauce I bought in a health food store. The other thing I learned from cooking ground wild boar is that it is best to cook at low temps and for a long time. Low and slow is best.
So forensics, exploration and an eating experiment that has adventure.
Life is rich.
Kinda funny that my contractor just sent me an e-mail about possibly installing the attic stairs tomorrow. I informed her that I ended up doing the job myself. I wonder if this came off as rude, but its just business…
Cal
I did a good exploration of the attic which was an adventure and presented with the danger of falling through the ceiling.
For lunch I’m cooking some wild boar spare ribs. I learned from a fiend that the meat is naturally salty so you need to add some sweetness. I used some sweet ginger chili sauce I bought in a health food store. The other thing I learned from cooking ground wild boar is that it is best to cook at low temps and for a long time. Low and slow is best.
So forensics, exploration and an eating experiment that has adventure.
Life is rich.
Kinda funny that my contractor just sent me an e-mail about possibly installing the attic stairs tomorrow. I informed her that I ended up doing the job myself. I wonder if this came off as rude, but its just business…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Wild boar spare ribs are mighty great. Took about an hour on the Webber grill at a temperature of 360 degrees, which happened to be the lowest setting. The meat was very flavorful, moist, and tender.
Anyways it makes me want to hunt to have a supply of meat.
The ginger sweet chili sauce was a good marinade. Also it carmelized nice.
So not photograph related, but then again I used time and temperature, and it was as if I was developing film.
I wonder how many Master Chefs we have in our group. Does the photographic skill transpose over to cooking? I wonder?
Cal
Anyways it makes me want to hunt to have a supply of meat.
The ginger sweet chili sauce was a good marinade. Also it carmelized nice.
So not photograph related, but then again I used time and temperature, and it was as if I was developing film.
I wonder how many Master Chefs we have in our group. Does the photographic skill transpose over to cooking? I wonder?
Cal
ptpdprinter
Veteran
I am not a master chef. A couple of years ago I had a steak, and it didn't make me want to become a rancher. I don't get hunting. Using rifles with telescopic scopes on baited fields seems like target practice on live animals. Very manly. And who wants to deal with the aftermath? If I ever eat another steak, I am going to go up to the grocery store and get one already cut and displayed on an styrofoam tray. Also, I don't look good in camo.
Speaking of master chefs, in case those upscale Italian kitchen appliances you installed don't hold up, you can get some MasterChef appliances at Walmart. They won't hold up either, but they are a hell of lot cheaper. They even have some junior cooking sets you can give Creature for Christmas.
https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/master-...r-cooking-sets
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
PTP,
The Bertazonni are kinda known to be durable. One reason to buy them or pay more.
The dishwasher today I opened while it was running. Pretty easy to do because unlike other dishwashers it is quiet when running. Many times I know it is washing a load because I hear the gurgle of water in my sink drain. No big deal if I interrupt a washing cycle, just press start and close the door within 3 seconds and all is well.
So silent operation is another reason to spend the extra money.
Also worth fixing if it breaks, better for the environment, and do you think the world becomes a better place by buying cheap crap from China that are throw away?
Am I reading into your tone or misunderstanding?
Anyways I’m kinda banking on the durability and thinking a decade out I will still be enjoying them. Snarky Joe says that one can spend a lot of money on a kitchen, but our kitchen is kinda small so it is a still remains humble. The fridge is only 30 inches wide and is small, the stove with convection oven only has 4 burners, and we don’t have the space for a microwave.
I also know that we kinda have a retro kitchen that kinda goes with the 1912 Baby-Victorian. Say two decades from now it really won’t be dated or need a remodel. “Spend your money once,” I say.
Which would you rather buy 2 1980 Chevies, or a Saab 900? Pretty much the costs are the same. Which choice will last longer, again about the same. Which is the better car? I pick the Saab, but many people would argue or think I’m crazy.
With hunting it is illegal to use semi-automatic rifles. Shotguns can be automatic. The use of military weapons is kinda prohibited.
I use to be an avid fisherman, and I like to eat. Nothing like fresh fish.
Wild game is not raised in pens, fed antibiotics, and hormones. Anyways in my book there is something rather primal about fishing, and I assume hunting likely is much of the same. Read Hemingway’s “The Old Man And The Sea,” or some Zane Grey.
I think going back to nature, exploring the environment, and enjoying the outdoors is kinda manly.
Anyways there’s something pure about it, it is an experience, and perhaps it is not for everyone.
Cal
ptpdprinter
Veteran
I think going back to nature, exploring the environment, and enjoying the outdoors is fun, not manly. My wife usually goes with me. She doesn't think it is manly either. The idea that going back to nature, exploring the environment, and enjoying the outdoors is manly is ludicrous.
I don't think hunting with high powered rifles and telescopic scopes is manly. Unless you use a stone implement and wear a loin cloth, I don't think hunting is pure either. It is just shooting animals and getting off on it.
Do you know what I like about Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea? Santiago's marlin wasn't strapped to the side of a big old twin engine charter boat with Cap'n Pete at the helm and a iced cooler of beer at the ready for the trip back to port. Did I mention no sonar either?
Our appliances are a good brand but not designer and are over 26 years old, except we are on our third dishwasher. The second one was German and the most expensive, and lasted the shortest period of time. I hope your Bertazonnis last a long time, and if they break years from now, the logic boards will still be available.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
PTP.
Good for you.
I assume that you bought your appliances at Walmart from your other post.
Cal
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Oooooooohhh. Shade.
Phil Forrest
Phil Forrest
Out to Lunch
Ventor
"We are on our third dishwasher. The second one was German and the most expensive, and lasted the shortest period of time."
Our first dishwasher died after 22 years of infrequent use. I was thinking of buying 'the German' one but now I'm not so sure. Perhaps, a run-of-the-mill brand and model will do. Cheers, OtL
Our first dishwasher died after 22 years of infrequent use. I was thinking of buying 'the German' one but now I'm not so sure. Perhaps, a run-of-the-mill brand and model will do. Cheers, OtL
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
I hear you on appliances. I dread the day I need to buy something new and microprocessor controlled. I don't know where to begin research and if anything fully analog and manual still exits?
I am still fortunate (knock on wood) that my 30+ year old Sears Kenmore washer and dryer, and Kenmore refrigerator are still running. The washer and dryer have needed small repairs (motor, belts, heating element, transmission clutch coupler) but so far the 'fridge is still humming along. Sears still offers home repairs: https://www.searshomeservices.com/repair/kenmore
My repairman told me to hold on to them until parts are no longer available as the quality is higher on these machines than newer units.
My 30+ year old GE dishwasher is all manual also (came with my condo) and runs fine although I don't use it that often except to air- dry things 🙂
There's an interesting appliance forum I will bookmark to research:
https://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/
And an older but informative - Most and Least Reliable Manufacturers? thread with input from an experienced repairman:
https://www.applianceblog.com/mainfo...cturers.52165/
I am still fortunate (knock on wood) that my 30+ year old Sears Kenmore washer and dryer, and Kenmore refrigerator are still running. The washer and dryer have needed small repairs (motor, belts, heating element, transmission clutch coupler) but so far the 'fridge is still humming along. Sears still offers home repairs: https://www.searshomeservices.com/repair/kenmore
My repairman told me to hold on to them until parts are no longer available as the quality is higher on these machines than newer units.
My 30+ year old GE dishwasher is all manual also (came with my condo) and runs fine although I don't use it that often except to air- dry things 🙂
There's an interesting appliance forum I will bookmark to research:
https://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/
And an older but informative - Most and Least Reliable Manufacturers? thread with input from an experienced repairman:
https://www.applianceblog.com/mainfo...cturers.52165/
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I was told the Mitsubishi Mini-Split will have to be replaced when the electronics fail, but pretty much they are designed to mechanically run 100% of the time.
Pretty much the electronics are the weak point is the takeaway and the unit could last 8-12 years was the range. Best to use all the time. Could be longer or shorter…
Generally air conditioning window units get taken to the curb or replaced after 4-5 years. Intermittent use/ then heavy duty seems to be abusive.
Mini-splits are very efficient within an envelope of temperatures, but at extreme ends like polar vortex or heat wave they loose their efficiency.
They also are quiet/silent.
Air purifier options and anti microbe filters are additional options and are add ons as the features are built in.
Mini-splits use the refrigeration cycle and can provide heat as well as AC by reversing refrigeration flow. Moving from heating to cooling is simply moving a switch.
In my case the Mini-Split is my secondary heating system.
Seems like I can save money by using the Mini-Split for home heating for at least 9 months of the year. I expect around Christmas that I will use my oil furnace as my primary source of heat when it gets to be the coldest part of winter. No worries about intermittent use of my oil burner or issues of neglect because I have tankless hot water provided by my oil furnace, so it is used all year round.
We bought the 2 zone Mini-Split to heat and cool the first floor which is only about 700 square feet (small), but our primary interest is/was for AC, and the heating and saving money are just really two bonuses.
Since heat rises we will see how comfortable the second floor becomes with just heated air rising. If I’m lucky the temperature gradient between the two floors will not be too great. Presently using just the oil burner its about 5 degrees which is very tolerable, but as colder weather happens there will be a tipping point.
Sadly climate change is real and winters here in the northeast are getting shorter and milder. Some climate experts say that within a decade Toronto, Canada will have the climate of NYC.
Also the shift in climate is already making deciduous hardwood trees in Pennsylvania die off and southern conerfers and evergreens are migrating northward and are invading.
They predict that Maple trees in Canada might become extinct because they might not be able to propagate fast enough and climate change will outpace them.
So I waited for 11 months to get a key component of my system. Devil Christian told me that Mitsubishi has the best offering on the small modular scale like I need. Pretty much I got a Pro’s advice.
For “Maggie” and I, I figure that having AC will be like life support as we age. The ability to regulate body heat suffers with age and elderly folks are more vulnerable to heat exhaustion and dehydration.
In Maggie’s case she is northern Euro extraction, fair skinned, and does not do well in the hellish New York summers.
Cal
Pretty much the electronics are the weak point is the takeaway and the unit could last 8-12 years was the range. Best to use all the time. Could be longer or shorter…
Generally air conditioning window units get taken to the curb or replaced after 4-5 years. Intermittent use/ then heavy duty seems to be abusive.
Mini-splits are very efficient within an envelope of temperatures, but at extreme ends like polar vortex or heat wave they loose their efficiency.
They also are quiet/silent.
Air purifier options and anti microbe filters are additional options and are add ons as the features are built in.
Mini-splits use the refrigeration cycle and can provide heat as well as AC by reversing refrigeration flow. Moving from heating to cooling is simply moving a switch.
In my case the Mini-Split is my secondary heating system.
Seems like I can save money by using the Mini-Split for home heating for at least 9 months of the year. I expect around Christmas that I will use my oil furnace as my primary source of heat when it gets to be the coldest part of winter. No worries about intermittent use of my oil burner or issues of neglect because I have tankless hot water provided by my oil furnace, so it is used all year round.
We bought the 2 zone Mini-Split to heat and cool the first floor which is only about 700 square feet (small), but our primary interest is/was for AC, and the heating and saving money are just really two bonuses.
Since heat rises we will see how comfortable the second floor becomes with just heated air rising. If I’m lucky the temperature gradient between the two floors will not be too great. Presently using just the oil burner its about 5 degrees which is very tolerable, but as colder weather happens there will be a tipping point.
Sadly climate change is real and winters here in the northeast are getting shorter and milder. Some climate experts say that within a decade Toronto, Canada will have the climate of NYC.
Also the shift in climate is already making deciduous hardwood trees in Pennsylvania die off and southern conerfers and evergreens are migrating northward and are invading.
They predict that Maple trees in Canada might become extinct because they might not be able to propagate fast enough and climate change will outpace them.
So I waited for 11 months to get a key component of my system. Devil Christian told me that Mitsubishi has the best offering on the small modular scale like I need. Pretty much I got a Pro’s advice.
For “Maggie” and I, I figure that having AC will be like life support as we age. The ability to regulate body heat suffers with age and elderly folks are more vulnerable to heat exhaustion and dehydration.
In Maggie’s case she is northern Euro extraction, fair skinned, and does not do well in the hellish New York summers.
Cal