I've never heard that about composting leaves. If you are in any doubt, [1] sift composted material, using larger stuff as mulch and finer as soil amendment. [2] Since it has broken down a lot, it's obvious that it is infused with microbes. Use some of this material to innoculate your other compost piles to get things going more quickly. [3] Make a worm pit/bin and feed the worms exclusive diet of those rotted leaves. Can guarantee that the resulting vermicompost will be a magic elixer for your soils and garden..... COME TO THINK OF IT....worms have probably already worked those accidental compost piles ... sounds amazing stroke of luck.

I think it is easier to get a bird to a suet feeder if other birds are already feeding at a seed feeder nearby. Once birds are hitting at the seeds they check our what else may be available. I have several suet feeders, one that holds the suet inside a cage allowing the little bush tits to feast without fear of larger birds, a standard wire suet feeder, and a feeder with a tail board for the wood peckers. I will say that the wood peckers use all the suet feeders,but do use the tail board for balance when available. I have tried many different suet types but think that the peanut butter with insects, (YUM), is the type most consistently favored by a variety of birds. Of course, you then have to deal with squirrels. We have red shafted flickers, and downy wood peckers at the suet feeders. I also have a piliated woodpecker that visits my yard in the late winter, but doesn't go near the feeders.

I hear you Pam. I'm in an existing house also, single pane wood windows, decent insulation. with my 15 SEER heat pump my electric bill hasn't exceeded $60 since install in June of 2012 install. My sister's utility bill is always $150 plus 13 seer with elec strip, double paned windows better insulation packags. My house is tight, hers is fairly leaky. air sealing & heat pump/higher seer its a good fit, for me. the $800 "savings" that my sister chose has cost her every month...and until unit is replaced..will continue to cost. savings in her situation wasn't savings at all. and when she replaces...her DH will insist on cheapest...again. it is all in understanding what the investment returns. savings & comfort was my goal, not cheaper up front. the difference in August sept in RH & coolness of our houses are day & night. with a variable speed air handler my Rh stays 55%. getting it lower..and air COLD (wonderful in hot summer) requires the whole house dehumidifier. I designed my system, sized ducts & ductwork inside living space to remove RH, the aprilaire was a great deal that I couldn't pass up...but I have to confess I only used it in august/sept. otherwise 55% RH is ok with me. and the $40 winter bill...wonderful!! best of luck.

as per post on building forum, put savings on smaller hvac towards higher SEER for area over garage. add zoning IF the hvac company has experience. even with foam sealed attic these rooms experience higher temps than first floor rooms. putting something more efficient than the minimial equipment produced just makes sense. hvac affects our comfort everyday, unlike other appliances that make life easier. putting more $$ into hvac for comfort just makes sense. best of luck.