Thanks Lyfia! All three ideas could work well. The closet wall currently would be between the two transom windows, so it wouldn't block either. Still, I especially like your idea of putting in a nice PAX closet, at least initially. A 59" (or 49") PAX closet, with a bench or plant in front of the left sidelite. I think that could work very well (if DH will be willing to be unconventional. I'm from Europe, so I'm quite used to wardrobes and no closets). I've been wanting to do a closet organizer anyway, so PAX could accomplish that. And, as you'd said, it means we could see what the space really feels like after we move in. This makes me wonder whether the entry door should be 2'8" rather than 3'0" wide. A smaller door might make the space feel larger ... and would leave more of the closet accessible. I'd assumed that 3' was more practical for bringing in fridges, couches, etc. But if 2'8" is a standard, then there must be other ways movers cope with massive furniture. Thanks! Very interesting ideas for me to sleep on. :-) (Yawn).

Ideally we would like heating and cooling equipment to run 100% of the time and be perfectly matched to the load all the time. It would be painfully complicated and expensive to achieve this. Instead we use thermostats most often in a 'bang-bang' configuration (on or off are the only options) though a few higher end systems can alter the system output (AKA 'staging') to try and match the load). The 'dea zone' in the control (the thermostat) is designed to eliminate short cycling while providing an acceptable comfort level. Short cycling of compressor systems can be a real problem. The compressor may try to start with a lot of refrigerant almost fully compressed and take LOT of current as it tries to finish the compression stroke. Given longer intervals between starts the partially compressed refrigerant leaks out of the cylinder (or scroll) so the motor starting load is not nearly as high. Even with no load, induction motors pull a lot of current at start-up. With a load things get even worse. Motor life is sometime rated in 'starts' and the starting capacitors used ARE rated in 'starts.' This is the expected number of starting cycles the device is expected to provide before failing. More starts shortens the lifetime.

WaaLaa !! Well I fixed (reversed) the swing damper and it appears to be working a-ok. I still have a little delayed ignition problem about every 4-5 starts but now when that occurs there is No smoke forced thru the damper opening because it's closed and will only open inwards after the furnace ignites (takes about 5 seconds to open). It also seems that the furnace now runs for a bit shorter duration before cutting off so you were right Baymee (again) about not getting top heating efficiency with the damper swinging out. Next time my furnace guy comes over for the annual tune-up I'll chide him on it, ha. Thanks for the good advice!!!

Cute: Showed it to my kittie, Charlotte, and she watched so intensely as I told her "dogs" which she loves but she was just watching because I asked her. Mommy nuts. Anywho, those dogs look very happy on the swings that were moving pretty fast.