Will a New AC Raise My Taxes?

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People understand large expenses frequently have tax consequences, either for better or for worse. As we draw near the end of the year, tax planning is on our minds. We need answers to help decide what we will do this year, and how we will plan for the next year. Will My New AC Raise My Taxes? You will benefit every month by having a new air conditioner. A new system will raise your comfort and lower your utility bills. It will also increase the value of your home. You can demonstrate lower home operating costs to a prospective buyer. The home you show will be free of musty odors and temperatures will be even throughout. The new air conditioner is
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Too Hot, Too Cold, or Just Right

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If you spend enough time with the over-65 crowd, you will find they like the thermostat set a bit warmer than most. If you are over 65, you are probably looking for a sweater when younger folk set the temperature just a bit lower than you prefer. There is much more than meets the eye, here. It is not as simple as “old people feel the cold” as there is some medical science behind how our bodies sense our surroundings. The best article I have read is reproduced below. The author is Andrea Gallagher, from Senior Concerns in California. She writes: “As we sailed into the second hour of our meeting and the early-morning coolness gave way
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The Future is Here

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It was my privilege to have lunch the other day with 8 young men. They will soon graduate high school after having studied HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration) for the past 4 years. They are sharp, well-trained, and ready to enter the work force. During lunch, I tried to gain some insight into what makes the next generation tick. Here are some of my questions – the answers both surprised and inspired me. Why Study HVACR? This is not an easy trade. As one graduate put it, “it didn’t take me long to figure out that wherever I went, the air conditioning wasn’t working.” Yes, it’s often a hot and uncomfortable job, working in a hot
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Comfort is Personal

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Many if not all of us have played the game of “thermostat tag.” We bump the thermostat setting up or down just a bit in an attempt to make things more comfortable. The digital thermostat is a popular design solution, and will respond to as little as 1/2 degree change in the setting. Five primary factors affect how we sense temperature as individuals. Activity and occupancy, acclimatization, fitness, age, and metabolism each play a role in our comfort. Each person will respond differently to a given thermostat setting. The effects vary widely from one individual to another, and can only be generally predicted. Here are some of the predictors that professionals consider when designing a comfort system for your home or workplace: Activity
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Open the Windows, Turn on the Fans

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This is the beautiful time of year – cool mornings and temperate afternoons that only sometimes require us to run the air conditioners. Even so, Mother Nature can sometimes use a bit of help when it comes to keeping the home cool. Open the Windows My home has a total of 31 windows and glass doors. I am told that is a lot – certainly it is the case when it comes to keeping windows clean and the home secure. The great advantage is, I can open up and let the air blow circulate through nearly every room. There are, however, a few hot spots. When the afternoon warms up and be breeze dies, they
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