I think it would vary from machine to machine..You will have to have the exact measurements to be sure..

Glad to see your replies to our ideas. Sparking ideas in you is the best thing that we could hope to happen. I was thinking too, you might put a short sort of picket fence with a low gate to the LEFT side of the garage, as a way to make a barrier to keep the kids from getting to the drive or to the street. It would mostly be a visual barrier, and a reminder to them. For guests or passersby, it would be a way to stop their eye, and the big concentration of playground equipment would mostly disappear for them. The fence itself would become the focus. It would also serve to make the end of the house wider and more substantial. I would make the gate if you put one sort of disappear and not confuse folks into wondering WHICH WAY is the front door. With the garage door closed, that sunburst design is even more beautiful. I'd definitely use that design in the first arbor/archway to indicate the way to the front door. If your wife is a gardener, she will know how to trick out the series of arches with plants. I wish I had the picture of such a series of arches all in a line, leading the eye and the feet onward to the end. It would be outstanding and a great architectural element to add to your home. I see that you have an option to make the path to the front door go up the closer set of steps (advantage: get out of the rain quicker) or lead them outside the skinny porch area to make a turn for the front door at the second set of steps. With the first set of steps, you might put timbers overhead to be attached to the eave if they are strong enough. And then have posts only on the outer side. That post could be the location for a climbing rose, or maybe a climbing hydrangea--both of which would look pretty good but not in the winter. Or some kind of tall skinny evergreen at each post, which WOULD look good in the winter if you did not pick a type that would turn into a monster to overwhelm your front area. Anyway, just another thought. We'll be here if you want to come visit again. :)

My thanks to everyone who has responded. The reason that I am looking into this is for safety. Yes, the former homeowner was a do it yourself-er - and he was my late Dad. Now, Dad was great with wood, but not so great with electricity. I want to make sure this house is safe. Price is not a concern (well, it's a concern, but you know what I mean); I just want to make sure we are compliant with up-to-date codes, and that the house isn't going to burn down. There are some outlets that spark when something is plugged in. I have those marked off and we NEVER use them. Our neighbors down the street have just done a lot of renovations. Maybe they would be a starting point for a referral to a good electrician. And I truly believe the old adage that you get what you pay for. This home is our greatest asset - and we live here - it should be well cared-for. Thanks again!

TC: they aren't trying to cheat you as the guys said. When I lived in Seattle, rates were so low that I had to call them since my first 2-month bill was $12. I thought it was a connection fee, but it wasn't. Now, your rates are slightly higher than mine are here in the East. When gas was more expensive a few years ago, the cost difference would have meant more than now. But your gas rates have probably gone down as the electric rates went up (still paying off those 5 nukes that never got built?). The Seattle area has such a mild climate (for being that far north) that heat pumps work just fine. So its not a surprise that they get recommended now that they are more efficient. (And lets not start a war over the definition of efficiency.) Another consideration perhaps. A heat pump will run year round in your location. An AC unit may only run 2-3 months in Seattle, if that much. Hopefully the AC unit will last longer from non-use. Which also means you don't really have to go with the higher SEER number since you are not going to see any ROI. 14-15 would be fine.