mnk716 (My Page) on Wed, Jan 15, 14 at 16:56 I have a one zone 3ton unit AC system for a 2400sqft house built in 2006. House is very tight. I was very concerned when it was proposed and the HVAC contractors said it would not be a problem to maintain a temperature i am comfortable with. i like it at 70-71 degrees during the summer and it has always maintained that temperature. the thermostat is one 2nd floor in the hallway by the stairway. no complaints and the 1st floor gets about 1-2 degrees cooler than upstairs. i am convinced that one unit can maintain the temperature if it is installed correctly. I live in CT and spend about $160-180 @ month during the summer with AC. Wow - that's what I am talking about! Has it ever broken down? Or if it did what is your philosophy? Posted by countryboymo: I upgraded my system and downgraded the size to 3tons and my strips to 10kw. At zero the heat pump might be off but it still cycles on the strips. At 10 below the strips run constantly but maintain temp. I still have a considerable amount of sealing to do in the attic and more insulating....A quality envelope and decent system that is zoned will keep money in your pockets. Again - inspirational!

Thanks, cmarlin and palimpsest. As far as I can tell it's owner-occupied by a single woman, but perhaps her work schedule is difficult. I was particularly surprised by their sticking to the Saturday schedule this week, since tomorrow is the annual sold-out walking tour of cottages in an adjoining neighborhood, which is always a bonanza for sellers in the area. However, it's good for me. I'm not that interested in this particular house but in a very similar one a couple of blocks down the street that isn't on the market yet. (Other house has a pool, more easily fixable kitchen layout, and it's one of the very few that never enclosed the back porch.)

2x3 is the way some window companies (like Andersen) designate the “grilles” In an individual sash. The more common way is to describe the lites or panes. For a double-hung it would be 6 over 1. Whatever you buy check the written order carefully and make the contractor do it too. The drawing that usually accompanies the description is the safest way to verify the pattern. Make sure the glass is tempered and there are fall prevention devices where required. Check the direction of the operable panel of sliding doors. Also inside and outside finishes and hardware. Places like Home Depot are notoriously bad at ordering properly.

Some shrubs across the front, from the porch over to the end of the fence would help. Maybe an ornamental tree centered on the white fencing with a shrub on either side and under the window of the house. Some shrubs that grow to a medium size, 3 ft or so. You can plant in front of the shrubs with colorful annuals or perennials.