Harlem Funny you asked about the first prices on XL20i I received an email this morning telling me .we made mistake on pricing IS $8100 after rebates. Well I have another contract that will install a xl20i with tam8 ,cleaneffect 12 yr parts ,10yr labor ,surge protection at unit, permits etc for $7500.00 includes XL950 thermostat Harlem any experience with the XL950 Stat. looks like awesome unit. I might just spend the extra funds now and get top of the line unit. Otherwise I have feeling I will be kicking myself down the road. We plan on staying here next 7 to 10 yrs.... How much did your electric bill go down per month???? ... I am hoping to save $100 per months off my current monthly bill of $340.00 Thanks

@salonva preliminary picture of the new countertops and sink!!! I'm really enjoying the new countertops. The fabricator is coming to do a second layer of sealant on the countertops too. We really love how this color looks. We worked on replacing 1/2 of the hinges yesterday with invisible ones- I'm hoping the rest will be done by the end of the week and that we may be able to paint the cabinets this coming weekend (at least the uppers!!) With that in mind, after seeing the countertops installed and envisioning the pure white cabinets, I'm thinking a white backsplash will look too sterile. I think once we have the cabinets painted I will do a separate post asking for new backsplash tile recommendations! but I figured I would share how the new countertops came out, The river white really looks nice!

I like sliding windows over countertops. I am not fond of casements either. The experience I have with them is very difficult operation and undersized hardware. That being said, I think that high quality (expensive) casements probably don’t have the same issues as economy casement windows do. Which is my experience.

Hi, wOlley32, You're right to be concerned about sizing of any HVAC system--even a simple single zone mini split. An improperly sized unit may perform poorly and fail to provide the appropriate level of comfort across the range of expected outdoor conditions. In the U.S., residential HVAC equipment is sized according to ACCA manual S which is driven by ACCA manual J heating and cooling calculations. Given the proposed systems are single-zone with a single wall mounted indoor unit, I think the 12,000 Btu/hr. air conditioner performance is a good proxy for the calculations. You noted that the 12,000 Btu/hr air conditioner provided only a marginal comfort level on the hottest of days, so selecting a system with a capacity greater than 12,000 Btu/hr. would be appropriate. Mini splits are variable-speed systems which gives them the ability to adapt to a range of outdoor conditions. Some can produce cooling rates above their nominal rates. I like extended run times versus a lot of on/off operation, so I tend to look at turndown ratios. The 18,000 Btu/hr Mitsubishi operates from 5,800 to 22,000 Btu/hr; (turndown ratio of 3.8) the 18,000 Btu/hr Carrier operates from 8,870 to 19,400 Btu/hr (turndown ratio of 2.2) and the Fujitsu operates between 9,000 and 12,000 Btu/hr. (turndown ratio of 1.3) While the 18,000 Btu/hr. Mitsubishi may be oversized much of the time, it's greater turndown ratio will provide better performance and comfort over the range of outdoor conditions than the other two. Plus, it is capable of producing more heat in heating mode. It would be my pick.