I think the sweet autumn clematis sounds like a good idea. I have it and it can get huge. Why not combine the SAC on the existing tree (Wow!, will that smell good in August, or what?), and plant the new trees in that area as well. You may have to supplement the shade with strategically placed shade cloth until the SAC and the new trees get big enough to do the job. You say you sew - wait until you see where you need shade. You could put an eye hook in the fence (lower to the ground than the photos of the other ideas, as you do not need to walk under it) to anchor there. Use a metal fence post (if you paint it with camouflage paint, it might blend in better) for the anchor on the other sides. You just hammer them into the soil and they are easy to remove when you no longer need them. The idea is to rig up a hook and eye system, so that you can remove the shade cloth when you have guests. You'll have to spend time at a good hardware store and figure out some combo of sewing, grommets, hooks (think about the hooks on dog leashes) that will shade your plants from the hot sun. (maybe the kite shape would work.) You'll have to mess with this for a while, until your trees get bigger. Also, the japanese maple will rot, so the SAC (I would plant another clematis or two for extra color) solution would not be forever. Depending on your budget and your talents, you can take all of the ideas and use a piece of each. I would definitely use black shade cloth, though. Also, if you get a windstorm, most likely it will not totally destroy your system. You may have to replace the cloth, but you can re-use most of the hardware. Shade cloth has holes in it, so it's not like hanging a tarp out there. It allows some air to flow through it. Good luck. bkay

Hi, just had a complete system installed yesterday. I live in dallas where cooling means more than heating. cost 7k even for everything. here is a list of what was installed. Trane XR13 4 ton AC condenser. Trane XR80 5 ton 1 stage with 4 speed blower. New matching evaporator coil with the new R-410A refrigerant. New return and supply plenums, all sheet metal construction with exterior wrapped insulation. New manual air dampers at each supply duct. Added an extra return air duct, grill and filter in double existing volume of return. New drip pan with overflow float switch (cut off system if drainage get blocked - keeps ceiling from getting water damage). New electrical disconnect and wiring (located outside by the condenser). New concrete pad. New programmable thermostat. Did all the work required to rid and clean system of old coolant, hauled away old system and did a relatively good job cleaning up. This new system is so much cooler and better airflow than the old one and should be more efficient. I really wanted the sheet metal plenums with EXTERIOR insulation and the manual dampers. This should really pay off in the long run for comfort and health. Next time I should just have to replace the AC condenser. Furnace later. All in all I think I got a good deal and I'm pretty sure the work is A+. I paid a little extra for the plenums, dampers and for Trane products.

How big a deal is it to remove the upper cabinet and go with the Big Chill Classic? I don't know. I need to find out: 1. If I can run the gas line 2. If I can remove the existing microwave And make sure I can take care of all the other practicalities like fixing the backsplash, etc. I'm still not in FL, just in the planning stages of this. When I get down there this year, I'm having a contractor come over to discuss this project, the built-ins I want to add to other rooms, and the installation of an instant hot... so I will get more info then. Hopefully, the Big Chill Classic in the gas version will be doable. Since we already have the underground propane tank, I'm hoping it will be easy... but I don't know what the code requirements are or whether it can get to this wall since there's a room above it and it is pretty far from the other gas hookups and it is not an exterior wall...

Have the first guy quote everything 032.