We're staying warm, for now.
After a servicing our 45-year old water heater seems to be running better than ever. It's back to a steaming (literally) hot shower that wakes me every morning for work.
But then one night we were in the kitchen cooking dinner, and there was a knock. We looked at the door - nobody. Another knock. Still, nobody. Then a light bulb flashed on over Travis' head and he remembered what the repairman had said: when the water heater starts to go it will start knocking. It was knocking all right. So its back to researching water heaters while we cross our fingers this antique can last us into a warmer, post-tax-return season.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
It's Mighty Cold...
... showering without hot water. In January.
We were warned when we bought 765 that the water heater was old. And by old I mean the don't-touch-it-wrong-because-it-might-just-crumble kind of old. As in, all that cypress on the walls that is pretty ancient, it was built around the water heater and we can't get it out. Of course this kind of stuff never seems to happen when you want it to. Not in mid-July when it is 110 degrees outside and the last thing you want is anything hot touching you. NOPE. It happens on a 24 degree morning in January.
So now Travis and I are researching water heaters while we buy time continually relighting the pilot light. The conundrum: we like to be green & energy efficient BUT we like to be cheap too. Those two usually don't go together. Let's see what our options are:
You have your good old fashioned storage tank water heater. Water goes in, gas or electricity heats it up, then the stored hot water comes out. A gas one is generally more expensive than an electric one, but overall gas is usually a cheaper utility than electric. Then you've got to decide size: 30 gal, 40 gal or 50 gallon. For us we could surely get by with a 30 gallon, but what about when (dare I say) we want to sell the house? Starting around $400 this one wouldn't break the bank.
Then there is the tankless/on demand water heater. As it's name says there is no tank. Instead water is heated quickly through gas or electric coil, reducing the need to constantly be keeping water in a tank warmer (i.e. easier on your utility bill) But these puppies aren't cheap. They average around $1,000 though you can often end up with some kind of tax credit for purchasing one. These often have limitation with installation too, so our old pipes might not match up too well with modern marvel.
Decisions, decisions. Any water heater advice out there send it our way! And be thinking good thoughts - the repairman comes tomorrow. Let's all cross our fingers this research is for nothing and it's just a quick fix.
We were warned when we bought 765 that the water heater was old. And by old I mean the don't-touch-it-wrong-because-it-might-just-crumble kind of old. As in, all that cypress on the walls that is pretty ancient, it was built around the water heater and we can't get it out. Of course this kind of stuff never seems to happen when you want it to. Not in mid-July when it is 110 degrees outside and the last thing you want is anything hot touching you. NOPE. It happens on a 24 degree morning in January.
So now Travis and I are researching water heaters while we buy time continually relighting the pilot light. The conundrum: we like to be green & energy efficient BUT we like to be cheap too. Those two usually don't go together. Let's see what our options are:
You have your good old fashioned storage tank water heater. Water goes in, gas or electricity heats it up, then the stored hot water comes out. A gas one is generally more expensive than an electric one, but overall gas is usually a cheaper utility than electric. Then you've got to decide size: 30 gal, 40 gal or 50 gallon. For us we could surely get by with a 30 gallon, but what about when (dare I say) we want to sell the house? Starting around $400 this one wouldn't break the bank.
Then there is the tankless/on demand water heater. As it's name says there is no tank. Instead water is heated quickly through gas or electric coil, reducing the need to constantly be keeping water in a tank warmer (i.e. easier on your utility bill) But these puppies aren't cheap. They average around $1,000 though you can often end up with some kind of tax credit for purchasing one. These often have limitation with installation too, so our old pipes might not match up too well with modern marvel.
Decisions, decisions. Any water heater advice out there send it our way! And be thinking good thoughts - the repairman comes tomorrow. Let's all cross our fingers this research is for nothing and it's just a quick fix.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Oranges, Picked!
Goodbye 2010 - You've been good to me, with a house, a fiance and a new take on doing what makes you happy.
Nearly 9 months ago we moved into 765 and planted our orange tree at the engagement party. We've watched little green oranges pop up, then fall off, and crossed our fingers as three continued to grow (remember?). In the end two survived and we finally go to pick them. Travis and I rang in the new year with some Blue Moon and oranges. They were delicious! We continued the rest of our New Years Eve evening with a progressive party between Spanish Town and Beauregard Town, and a trolly shuttling us boozers across downtown. Can't beat that for a local NYE. Cheers to a new year and hopefully a few more oranges!
{love oranges}
Hello 2011!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas (a bit delayed) and Happy New Year! Travis and I hosted our first Christmas at 765 and it was pretty awesome getting to be in our own home the whole weekend. We made Christmas Eve dinner, enjoyed a very entertaining midnight mass which included champagne at the Italian priests home afterward, and leisurely opened presents well into Christmas afternoon. A few highlights from our holiday - hope everyone's was fabulous!
{My favorite Christmas cookies}
{Christmas Eve dinner, with our new plates!}
{bag of compost leaves turned nest}
Sunday, December 12, 2010
It's Christmas Time!
Last weekend we began the preparation for our very first Christmas at 765! The weekend started with a trip to chop down a tree ourselves. We pulled up, an eight year-old handed us a saw, and we walked the paths to find our perfect tree. They all varied between six and nine feet, with prices increasing with height. While most of the seven-foot trees were in the $50 range, we came across one that was full and bushy, a tall seven feet, but only $38. This MUST be the tree for us! So we chopped it down, took a picture and were on our way.
Then we got home.... As we attempted to put this perfect tree in its stand nothing would keep it from falling crooked. This led us to examine the tree a bit better - a trunk that made a meandering curve all the way up, so what looked like it was straight was really crooked. Yes, we were the suckers for the $38 crooked Christmas tree. A chop saw, some bricks, and a few screws later our tree was really bringing in the holiday cheer as our neighbors chuckled in obvious jealousy, while we cursed the need to buy a locally grown tree, wishing we'd done like everyone else and bought the one on the side of the road, stand and all. The tree made it though, and is now perched in our living room, decorated with ornaments and lights with only a slight tilt. (Just don't touch it, please.) Next year we'll suck it up and get the $50 tree.
Hanging the lights went better, as we learned our lesson and got some eggnog daiquiris for getting the job done. 765 is shining with the best lights in Spanish Town, and it's only year one.
Christmas projects continue as I make the stockings for everyone that is celebrating the holiday with us. A large chunk of mistletoe fell from our neighbor's tree right into our yard and is now adorning or doorways and wreath. Keeping a curious puppy from chomping any more ornaments (4 down so far) is a constant task. Presents are starting to pile up around the tree. A pint of eggnog is in our fridge and perfect for warming up our bellies when our home is frigid. It's beginning to look alot like Christmas at 765.
{what a deal}
{tree farm}
Then we got home.... As we attempted to put this perfect tree in its stand nothing would keep it from falling crooked. This led us to examine the tree a bit better - a trunk that made a meandering curve all the way up, so what looked like it was straight was really crooked. Yes, we were the suckers for the $38 crooked Christmas tree. A chop saw, some bricks, and a few screws later our tree was really bringing in the holiday cheer as our neighbors chuckled in obvious jealousy, while we cursed the need to buy a locally grown tree, wishing we'd done like everyone else and bought the one on the side of the road, stand and all. The tree made it though, and is now perched in our living room, decorated with ornaments and lights with only a slight tilt. (Just don't touch it, please.) Next year we'll suck it up and get the $50 tree.
{lessons learned}
{still standing}
Hanging the lights went better, as we learned our lesson and got some eggnog daiquiris for getting the job done. 765 is shining with the best lights in Spanish Town, and it's only year one.
{lights!}
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