Otis in the Suburbs (1 Viewer)

[Otis]

I thought maybe that was code for one of these things the cops use.

 

[Sconch]

I thought maybe that was code for one of these things the cops use.

What kind of cops use those? Legoland PD?

 

[Walton Goggins]

I thought maybe that was code for one of these things the cops use.

What kind of cops use those? Legoland PD?

Think they give out parking tixs

 

[Sconch]

I thought maybe that was code for one of these things the cops use.

What kind of cops use those? Legoland PD?

Think they give out parking tixs

Huh. Go figure.

 

[Otis]

Weekend Agenda

Lots doing at Camp Otis this coming weekend. We had a productive past week, having put down a deposit on the siding job, gotten the landscapers in, replaced the ceiling fan, got a grill, got a patio set, and found two sweet tower shelving units for either side of the TV wall that fit perfectly into the little nooks we had for them (they even have these slate tile accent things at the top that match perfectly with the slate tile floors -- looks like they were made for the room). Pics forthcoming.

This coming weekend lots more happening. In no particular order:

[*]Get the patio set assembled

[*]First BBQ, even if it's just us

[*]Landscaper coming back, based on conversation we had with him today, to give us a quote for extending the line of shrubs in the yard to the end of our house, thus giving us some privacy from the neighbors just above us on the hill (they are really close)

[*]masonry guy coming back for a second quote -- having him do just the front stoop (not the entire front stairway), and also looking for a quote on an inexpensive way to tear up the wooden deck in the back and replace with a patio (by phone he recommended the Cambridge pavers, which he says have a stone look). I'm figuring 2-3k for the front stoop, and if I can somehow get around a 5k job to redo the whole back patio, may pull the trigger on both)

[*]painter starting next week

[*]need to get out and buy an area rug for the TV room and a small table for our kitchen nook

[*]investigate air conditioning options (post with stupid questions to follow)

In a few weeks this place is going to look dynamite.

 

[Otis]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:

We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).

That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?

The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

 

[Otis]

Internet has good info -- I guess our options are something like a "mini split" or I read good things about this system from Unico. God only knows what all this crap would cost... I feel the thousands siphoning from my bank account as we speak...

 

[Tiger Fan]

Sorry to interrupt DecoratingChat here ladies, but I have a quick question:Wife wants to know if she can leave outgoing mail in our mailbox, and will the mailman take that with him. I have never heard of this before -- I always thought you had to bring mail to a post office mailbox. Is this how it works in the sticks?

oh bull####

 

[mr roboto]

Sorry to interrupt DecoratingChat here ladies, but I have a quick question:Wife wants to know if she can leave outgoing mail in our mailbox, and will the mailman take that with him. I have never heard of this before -- I always thought you had to bring mail to a post office mailbox. Is this how it works in the sticks?

oh bull####

This can't honestly surprise you.

 

[pricklypete]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Sorry to tell you this Otis, but if you go the Central Air route, you will have to change out the ceiling fan you just put in. From what I can tell from the picture, that particular fan is not compatible with central air.

 

[Otis]

Sorry to interrupt DecoratingChat here ladies, but I have a quick question:Wife wants to know if she can leave outgoing mail in our mailbox, and will the mailman take that with him. I have never heard of this before -- I always thought you had to bring mail to a post office mailbox. Is this how it works in the sticks?

oh bull####

x

 

[Otis]

CITY CARRYOVER: Turns out wife found a place that will pick up my dry cleaning each week and deliver it

SUCK IT FRED!!1

 

[The_Man]

CITY CARRYOVER: Turns out wife found a place that will pick up my dry cleaning each week and deliver it

SUCK IT FRED!!1

No F'ing way -- in the suburbs!? Next you'll be trying to tell us that your wife also found some place that will cook food and deliver it to your house.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

CITY CARRYOVER: Turns out wife found a place that will pick up my dry cleaning each week and deliver it

SUCK IT FRED!!1

No F'ing way -- in the suburbs!? Next you'll be trying to tell us that your wife also found some place that will cook food and deliver it to your house.

 

[belljr]

CITY CARRYOVER: Turns out wife found a place that will pick up my dry cleaning each week and deliver it

SUCK IT FRED!!1

No F'ing way -- in the suburbs!? Next you'll be trying to tell us that your wife also found some place that will cook food and deliver it to your house.

Yeah not a city only thing Otis - sorry to tell you. It's not as commone in the burbs any more but not city only...

 

[mr roboto]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Sorry to tell you this Otis, but if you go the Central Air route, you will have to change out the ceiling fan you just put in. From what I can tell from the picture, that particular fan is not compatible with central air.

Little known, but important fact. There are specific fans for central air. If you didn't ask for it when you bought that one, it probably isn't the right one.You will double your cooling costs with that fan.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

Weekend Agenda

Lots doing at Camp Otis this coming weekend. We had a productive past week, having put down a deposit on the siding job, gotten the landscapers in, replaced the ceiling fan, got a grill, got a patio set, and found two sweet tower shelving units for either side of the TV wall that fit perfectly into the little nooks we had for them (they even have these slate tile accent things at the top that match perfectly with the slate tile floors -- looks like they were made for the room). Pics forthcoming.

This coming weekend lots more happening. In no particular order:

[*]Get the patio set assembled

[*]First BBQ, even if it's just us

[*]Landscaper coming back, based on conversation we had with him today, to give us a quote for extending the line of shrubs in the yard to the end of our house, thus giving us some privacy from the neighbors just above us on the hill (they are really close)

[*]masonry guy coming back for a second quote -- having him do just the front stoop (not the entire front stairway), and also looking for a quote on an inexpensive way to tear up the wooden deck in the back and replace with a patio (by phone he recommended the Cambridge pavers, which he says have a stone look). I'm figuring 2-3k for the front stoop, and if I can somehow get around a 5k job to redo the whole back patio, may pull the trigger on both)

[*]painter starting next week

[*]need to get out and buy an area rug for the TV room and a small table for our kitchen nook

[*]investigate air conditioning options (post with stupid questions to follow)

In a few weeks this place is going to look dynamite.

either my walls or my pavers are Cambridge. Can't remember, but they look nice. Helluva investment (assuming you guys can get over your "OMG bugs" issues).

 

[pricklypete]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Sorry to tell you this Otis, but if you go the Central Air route, you will have to change out the ceiling fan you just put in. From what I can tell from the picture, that particular fan is not compatible with central air.

Little known, but important fact. There are specific fans for central air. If you didn't ask for it when you bought that one, it probably isn't the right one.You will double your cooling costs with that fan.

More importantly, with that having a reverse thread housing in it, it could completely burn out the bushing which in turn could cause an electrical mishap. Not good.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

Internet has good info -- I guess our options are something like a "mini split" or I read good things about this system from Unico. God only knows what all this crap would cost... I feel the thousands siphoning from my bank account as we speak...

have waited almost 8 years to take this plunge. Its time

 

[mr roboto]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Sorry to tell you this Otis, but if you go the Central Air route, you will have to change out the ceiling fan you just put in. From what I can tell from the picture, that particular fan is not compatible with central air.

Little known, but important fact. There are specific fans for central air. If you didn't ask for it when you bought that one, it probably isn't the right one.You will double your cooling costs with that fan.

More importantly, with that having a reverse thread housing in it, it could completely burn out the bushing which in turn could cause an electrical mishap. Not good.

Didn't think of that. Good catch.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

 

[Shutterbug]

We painted the trim the same color as the walls with hardwood floors.

OOF

http://imageshack.us/m/829/2118/img0768mg.jpg

So white trim would have been better?????

Absolutely.

Not white. A color similar to the color of the couch would have been better.

Another possibility there.

No, no, no.The problem here isn't the trim color, it's the choice of wall color. It doesn't work with the floors. The floors already have a cherry-ish red hue to them so adding a dark reddish color to the wall is too much.

The floors are beautiful so those should be highlighted and to do that a more subdued wall color in a neutral color is best. The trim should not be the same exact as the wall color....when in doubt use something that is a couple shades/hues lighter than the wall color. In a perfect world (especially in open spaces where multiple rooms can all be seen at once) the trim color should be a constant that works with all the room colors. This usually means a light neutral...cream, white, etc.

The darker the hardwood floors are the lighter the wall color should be.

If your floors are a light hardwood color then you can go with darker walls.

The trim really depends on the color of walls and floors.

A friend of mine decided to paint the window trim and floor trim an off grayish color and it looked fantastic. It worked given the color of his floors and wall colors so just because it looks great in ones home doesn't mean it will in yours.

ETA: matching trim with walls can look great, very modern but again depends on the wall/floor coloring

Depends on the size of the room. You don't have to contrast light/dark dark/light in a large well lit room. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1-HYYq2v8lo/TVS6XdPGajI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/WGXnzGppp_s/s1600/inspireddesign2.jpg

I was going to do something like the above, but not such a classic looking trim. I was also going to trim all the corner walls and paint them a chocolate color as well. Add some burnt bronze fixtures, and some wispy goldish curtains, some bamboo shades, a bamboo throw rug, and perhaps a bamboo ceiling fan, and you have a wonderful room.

That's not a good modern, clean look IMO. Reminds me of my grandmother's place.

It is not an antique look at all. Modern decor seems a little cold to me. I like a warm feel. Something tropical. Relaxing. Cozy.http://decorati.com/inspiration/13600 - walls more of a reddish orange. That couch is horrible, but you get the idea.

http://www.lazyenvironmentalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/tropical_ceiling_fans_bamboo.jpg

 

[Shutterbug]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Sorry to tell you this Otis, but if you go the Central Air route, you will have to change out the ceiling fan you just put in. From what I can tell from the picture, that particular fan is not compatible with central air.

 

[Otis]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:

We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).

That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?

The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Sorry to tell you this Otis, but if you go the Central Air route, you will have to change out the ceiling fan you just put in. From what I can tell from the picture, that particular fan is not compatible with central air.

Little known, but important fact. There are specific fans for central air. If you didn't ask for it when you bought that one, it probably isn't the right one.

You will double your cooling costs with that fan.

More importantly, with that having a reverse thread housing in it, it could completely burn out the bushing which in turn could cause an electrical mishap. Not good.

Didn't think of that. Good catch.

OH COME ON

 

[Shutterbug]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:

We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).

That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?

The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Sorry to tell you this Otis, but if you go the Central Air route, you will have to change out the ceiling fan you just put in. From what I can tell from the picture, that particular fan is not compatible with central air.

Little known, but important fact. There are specific fans for central air. If you didn't ask for it when you bought that one, it probably isn't the right one.

You will double your cooling costs with that fan.

More importantly, with that having a reverse thread housing in it, it could completely burn out the bushing which in turn could cause an electrical mishap. Not good.

Didn't think of that. Good catch.

OH COME ON

 

[mr roboto]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:

We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).

That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?

The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Sorry to tell you this Otis, but if you go the Central Air route, you will have to change out the ceiling fan you just put in. From what I can tell from the picture, that particular fan is not compatible with central air.

Little known, but important fact. There are specific fans for central air. If you didn't ask for it when you bought that one, it probably isn't the right one.

You will double your cooling costs with that fan.

More importantly, with that having a reverse thread housing in it, it could completely burn out the bushing which in turn could cause an electrical mishap. Not good.

Didn't think of that. Good catch.

OH COME ON

Remember how much I tried to not let you get those WAY overpriced kitchen cabs? I'm just trying to look out for ya, my newly-initiated homeowner friend.

 

[pricklypete]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:

We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).

That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?

The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Sorry to tell you this Otis, but if you go the Central Air route, you will have to change out the ceiling fan you just put in. From what I can tell from the picture, that particular fan is not compatible with central air.

Little known, but important fact. There are specific fans for central air. If you didn't ask for it when you bought that one, it probably isn't the right one.

You will double your cooling costs with that fan.

More importantly, with that having a reverse thread housing in it, it could completely burn out the bushing which in turn could cause an electrical mishap. Not good.

Didn't think of that. Good catch.

OH COME ON

Well I'm not saying the house is going to blow up or anything, but you may pop breaker, etc. Just not good for the electrical, especially if it is the old stuff.

 

[The Commish]

 

[Reaper]

Internet has good info -- I guess our options are something like a "mini split" or I read good things about this system from Unico. God only knows what all this crap would cost... I feel the thousands siphoning from my bank account as we speak...

have waited almost 8 years to take this plunge. Its time

We do Commercial Refrigeration and Some A/C work also Commercial...

Gallett is a pretty reputable firm on Long Island and I can price any equipment out just to make sure they are in the ballpark.

The Residential A/C guys do an amazing job finding ways to get the duct work from your attic and or basement to all the rooms... My neighbor had a crew in his house and they did the whole job for around 10k. (a few years back - I'd expect a quote closer to 15k)

At this point you would want to have the option of the Basment conditioned as well so you are ready for the Man-Cave...

Those mini-splits are another option where you can't run ducts - Mitsubishi makes the industry standard... My boss (pops) just said, there is no other option, all the others are copy cats.

Never heard of AC Specific Ceiling fans... I usually run my fan when I'm not running my A/C anyway just to get me by before I fire up the A/C.

 

[mr. furley]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

 

[Sconch]

Just wait until winter hit and ice-dams form all over that ceiling fan.

 

[belljr]

Internet has good info -- I guess our options are something like a "mini split" or I read good things about this system from Unico. God only knows what all this crap would cost... I feel the thousands siphoning from my bank account as we speak...

have waited almost 8 years to take this plunge. Its time

Never heard of AC Specific Ceiling fans... I usually run my fan when I'm not running my A/C anyway just to get me by before I fire up the A/C.

Spoiler

because there is no such thing

The only thinng you want now is the reversable fan

Sorry I ruined it

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Just wait until winter hit and ice-dams form all over that ceiling fan.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Sorry to interrupt DecoratingChat here ladies, but I have a quick question:Wife wants to know if she can leave outgoing mail in our mailbox, and will the mailman take that with him. I have never heard of this before -- I always thought you had to bring mail to a post office mailbox. Is this how it works in the sticks?

oh bull####

x

did you grow up in the city your entire life?

 

[mr roboto]

Screw you guys. I'm going home.

:cartman:

 

[Shutterbug]

Screw you guys. I'm going home. :cartman:

Don't forget your marbles.

 

[Otis]

Sorry to interrupt DecoratingChat here ladies, but I have a quick question:Wife wants to know if she can leave outgoing mail in our mailbox, and will the mailman take that with him. I have never heard of this before -- I always thought you had to bring mail to a post office mailbox. Is this how it works in the sticks?

oh bull####

x

did you grow up in the city your entire life?

Not really. Grew up in a suburb near queens. We had a mailbox attached to our house. No flag thingy. There was a post office mailbox on the corner of our block. We walked outgoing mail there and dropped it in.

 

[Walton Goggins]

That's not a good modern, clean look IMO. Reminds me of my grandmother's place.

It is not an antique look at all. Modern decor seems a little cold to me. I like a warm feel. Something tropical. Relaxing. Cozy.http://decorati.com/inspiration/13600 - walls more of a reddish orange. That couch is horrible, but you get the idea. http://www.lazyenvironmentalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/tropical_ceiling_fans_bamboo.jpg

The first link is a more modern, clean look as I mentioned. The other one before that is not, it looks old, cluttered and outdated

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Sorry to interrupt DecoratingChat here ladies, but I have a quick question:Wife wants to know if she can leave outgoing mail in our mailbox, and will the mailman take that with him. I have never heard of this before -- I always thought you had to bring mail to a post office mailbox. Is this how it works in the sticks?

1/10

 

[Sconch]

Grew up in a suburb near queens.

Did they ever try to hit on you?

 

[Otis]

Sorry to interrupt DecoratingChat here ladies, but I have a quick question:Wife wants to know if she can leave outgoing mail in our mailbox, and will the mailman take that with him. I have never heard of this before -- I always thought you had to bring mail to a post office mailbox. Is this how it works in the sticks?

1/10

 

[Koya]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Folks, stop taking the bait!!!

 

[Chaos Commish]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Folks, stop taking the bait!!!

Yeah, I think I'm done here.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Sorry to tell you this Otis, but if you go the Central Air route, you will have to change out the ceiling fan you just put in. From what I can tell from the picture, that particular fan is not compatible with central air.

Little known, but important fact. There are specific fans for central air. If you didn't ask for it when you bought that one, it probably isn't the right one.You will double your cooling costs with that fan.

More importantly, with that having a reverse thread housing in it, it could completely burn out the bushing which in turn could cause an electrical mishap. Not good.

Didn't think of that. Good catch.

wtF?

 

[Sarnoff]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:

We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).

That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?

The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Folks, stop taking the bait!!!

Otis and deadstick should trade homes next flood season. I'd love to see how Otis tackles a survival situation.

 

[Shutterbug]

That's not a good modern, clean look IMO. Reminds me of my grandmother's place.

It is not an antique look at all. Modern decor seems a little cold to me. I like a warm feel. Something tropical. Relaxing. Cozy.http://decorati.com/inspiration/13600 - walls more of a reddish orange. That couch is horrible, but you get the idea. http://www.lazyenvironmentalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/tropical_ceiling_fans_bamboo.jpg

The first link is a more modern, clean look as I mentioned. The other one before that is not, it looks old, cluttered and outdated

Posted the first one to show the color (not much different) with dark floor and bamboo shades.

 

[St. Louis Bob]

 

[bostonfred]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Here's my understanding: - A slim jim has a condenser outside, a thin copper pipe running up the outside of your house (you can paint over it) that goes in through a hole in your wall to a small wall unit called a register, which blows the cool air from outside in. It's like an air conditioner, except the heavy part goes down on the ground, so you only need a small blower inside, and a pipe running between the two. This is a couple grand, and it will cool one room/space. - A split ductless system lets you have two or possibly three registers off a single condenser. As you can imagine, the big condenser on the ground is the most expensive part, so you can get a bigger ground unit to cool more than one room. In an older house, where you probably have lots of smaller rooms instead of big open spaces, this is a good option. It's going to run at least a grand more than the single slim jim unit, and probably more than that. - Most other central air systems use a big wide duct in your house to blow the air through vents around the house. You can cool several rooms off of a single duct by having multiple vents. The bigger the condenser, the more room you have. The key here is having room to put your duct work - do you have easily accessible attic space? Wiring to the attic? How about your electric panel (the box with the breakers in it) - are there empty slots with no switch thingy in them? The answers to these questions will dictate whether it's possible, and whether you have additional expenses. - Regardless of which of those you choose, you should also look into ventilation for your attic. Do you know if you have a round vent in your roof? Or one of those sliding cheese grater vents on the side of your house? Getting hot air out of your attic is important in the winter and summer - in the summer, all that hot air gets trapped up above you and acts like a blanket on the house; in the winter, it melts the snow on your roof just enough during the day that it can freeze at night, which creates lots of ice on your gutters and big icicles hanging down that can do damage to your house. Ventilation is cheap and effective, and it can usually be done as part of your central air project. - One last option that you won't look into is the whole house fan. If nobody has mentioned this one yet, it's because they don't think you'll do it. It's basically a giant fan in the attic that blows so hard it turns your whole house into a wind tunnel. It works pretty well, except maybe on the super hot august days, but it's a little noisy and you'll turn your yuppie nose up at it.

 

[bostonfred]

CITY CARRYOVER: Turns out wife found a place that will pick up my dry cleaning each week and deliver it

SUCK IT FRED!!1

That's awesome. Now you'll never have to leave the house you apparently hate. You do realize that your wife would have sent you off to get the cleaning, but wants you home to do months of hard labor instead, right?

 

[Otis]

Stupid Air Conditioning Question:We don't want to get window air conditioners, because frankly I think it's a junky look, and all the nice windows are half the charm of this house. We considered getting a couple through-wall units at strategic points, but there's really not a good place anywhere downstairs to include one -- and again, I think even those can muck up the look of the place (though not nearly as bad as window units).That said, I've been informed there is a third option -- my buddy told me that if you're going to invest the cost in multiple wall unit ACs and getting them installed, there is a central-air-like alternative where they put the big unit outside in the yard and they put a duct on the back of the house that flows the air through that one unit through small vents into multiple points in the house. I have no idea what this is called or what it costs, but it seems like a pretty decent option. Anyone know what the hell this is called, and any thoughts on it?The ceiling fans are nice for now, but this may suck come August.

Folks, stop taking the bait!!!

Yeah, I think I'm done here.

????