Still no answer after 4 hrs troubleshooting today. Checked Orifice for blockage as recommended but clear and checked to make sure in correct way. Checked all supply and return duct again. Ran 2 vacuums. Followed liquid line throughout attic, except for about 6 ft down wall cannot check, and no crimps or change in temps. Blower motor is only 1 speed and checked amps, ok. I can hear freon flowing thru liquid line and makes a type of swooshing sound but cannot find any type of restriction or change in temp. Temp is holding about 90 degrees on both liquid and suction line. The compressor seems to take an abnormally amt of time to kick on. I know there is a bit of a delay when power is shut off and then on, but this compressor takes about 6-7 minutes. I called supply house and asked about this and could it be adjusted, and they said delay is controlled by thermostat. I think he must've mis-understood my question. I know the guages would indicate otherwise, but could the compressor be bad or the condensor be restricted even though brand new. I am about out of options. My next option is to re-run a new liquid line-set but my gut tells me that is not the problem. Let me know if you have any other ideas, and I will keep everyone updated with this mystery unit.

Given the info above, I would vote for installing duct work for the returns instead of using the ceiling as a plenum. My first concern would be that the ceiling-as-plenum idea would encourage air infiltration. BTW- you may want to consider using E85 spray foam on the entire rim joist/joist pocket/sill plate area before you install that ceiling. (the sill plate is the first piece of wood on top of the foundation. The joists are the beams that support the floor) This area is a source of air gaps that cause a lot of heat loss. See http://www.doityourself.com/stry/airleaksbasement It would be much easier to seal this now with the ceiling down than once it's up. The filter is going to be near the furnace, not in the grate. RE: Insulation in the walls. Just so you know, it's best to insulate first, and then size the furnace /AC properly. Otherwise you end up with equipment that's too large, expensive to run and not as comfortable as you would like. Hi density blow-in cellulose in the walls is another option that would be cheaper than foam. It also does a good job at sealing air - although not as good as foam. If you go foam, use the slow-rise closed cell polyurethane type with an R factor of 6-7 per inch. (same stuff as for spraying rim joist area). All of the insulation mentioned qualifies for the 30% tax credit up to $1500 for the property. Here is a link that might be useful: E85 DIY spray foam kits

Hi Kelly / Scott, A few quick question on sheer descents. Reading the specifications from Jandy, it basically states that descents require a dedicated line per descent, and a line diameter of 2" for runs over 60'. It also states that one needs about 10 gallons per minute per linear foot of sheer descent. Basically we are planning on (6) 24" descents spaced along the back wall of the pool with (1) 36" in the center, overlapping (2) of the 24" descents by 6". At 10 gpm/ft, it will be about 150GPM, or 75GPM per pump. Questions: **If I am just adding 24" descents, does it really require a 2" dedicated line for each descent, or will a 1.5" pipe be more than adequate? **Will it cause any issues to have the descents run off of the standard pool pumps with just an actuated valve to re-route water from the pool returns to the descents... or do I need a dedicated pump just for the descents? (It would ideal to be able to filter the water and power the water features at the same time - knocking out 2 birds with 1 stone...) I'm still working on sketching up piping lay-outs - will post once I have 1st drafts complete. Thanks! John

Thanks everyone. I was so nervous about requesting a second trash at the cabinet design meeting, but no one looked at me like I had two heads. The only thing I was disappointed to learn was that the 15" trash pull-out can only fit one bin. I was hoping to have trash and recycle at both places. Oh well. After posting a question about my desk area in the mudroom, I think I'll put a giant recycling bin in there. If we didn't have so many diapers in this house, our recycling would always be twice our trash. Right now it's about equal. (And no, I just can't go back to using cloth dipes right now. I can barely keep up on laundry as it is.) Thanks for all your feedback! And laughable- thank you for your floorplan feedback. I actually like the "maze-like" design because I like having a bit of separation between the disastrous mess of our mudroom (I know it will be), the bathoom (privacy), and the kitchen. However, I'll be sure to remember your comment, as well as several others, if I get tired of lugging groceries and such into the house in a few years. LOL!!! ;-)