When should I replace my A/C?

via houselogic.com

 

Having trouble staying cool this summer? It may be time for a new A/C! Due to recent updates in the manufacture of air conditioning units, new systems may use less than half the electricity of old A/C units and will be more effective at cooling you off. According to a recent HouseLogic article, purchasing a new A/C may be more cost effective than repairing your old one. In order to determine if purchasing a new system is the right decision for your home, House Logic recommends you follow these steps:

Check your current A/C's efficiency
Units that are just 8-10 years old might use up to twice the electricity that a new unit would use. By purchasing a new A/C with more efficient energy standards, you could cut your consumption (and your bills!) by 30%. HouseLogic recommends consulting your installer to see if a new unit is worth the cost.

Investigate the ductwork
Your old A/C may only be part of your cooling problems. Your home's ductwork may leak 10-30% of its air before it reaches you. Have a technician run tests to insure that your ducts aren't the problem before deciding to purchase a new A/C unit.

Consider your home's structure
A poorly insulated house could account for your A/C's ineffectiveness. A contractor may be able to seal any cracks or improve your home's insulation. This fix may be enough to improve your old system's effectiveness and keep you cool for a few more years.

If you have considered these issues, and decided that purchasing a new unit is for you, make sure that your new system is the correct size for your home. Oversized systems cost more, use more electricity, and may still not be effective at cooling your home. Consult a trusted contractor to ensure you purchase a system that's right for you. And remember...

Meet the 5 animals responsible for holes in your yard

Summertime is in full swing and with the warm weather, comes all manner of wildlife, making their presence known in your yard. According to a recent article in The Columbus Dispatch, homeowners can identify what types of animals have been making nightly visits based on the holes they leave behind.

 

Sources:
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/home_and_garden/2015/06/28/01-how-can-you-tell-what-is-digging-in-the-yard.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog#/media/File:Marmota_monax_UL_04.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_(animal)#/media/File:ScalopusAquaticus.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raccoon#/media/File:Raccoon_(Procyon_lotor)_2.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunk#/media/File:Striped_Skunk.jpg

Zoombezi Bay Now Open for the Summer!

There's no better way to dive into the summer than by spending a day at Zoombezi Bay! Located in Powell, Ohio, and owned by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Zoombezi Bay is a popular outdoor water park for Central Ohio residents and visitors. It borders the Columbus Zoo as well as Jungle Jack's Landing, an amusement park opened alongside Zoombezi Bay in 2008.

Zoombezi Bay has something for everyone. Attractions include a lazy river, a wave pool, Baboon Lagoon Children's Play Area, and multiple water slides. Guests can also rent cabanas and spend the day relaxing under the sun. Additionally, the park hosts special events, such as Education Days and Dive-in movies.

What you need to know to plan your visit:

Admission: For Columbus Zoo members, general admission is $23 (children under 2 are free). For non-members, the price ranges from $22-$29, plus $8 parking. ZoomPasses cost an additional $10-$20, depending on zoo membership and type of ZoomPass. The water park also offers discounted 2-day tickets, as well as season passes that range from $85-110.

Hours: The park is typically open from 10:30am to 7pm, although there are exceptions. Be sure to check online or call ahead to inquire about a specific day.

Location: Zoombezi Bay is located near the intersection of W. Powell Road and Riverside Drive, as shown below:

Want additional information? Check out Zoombezibay.com !

Dublin Irish Festival Fast Approaching!

Overview

Each August, Dublin Ohio hosts its annual Dublin Irish Festival. This three day event is one of the largest irish festivals in the United States, and celebrates Irish music and culture across seven entertainment stages and 29 acres of land dedicated to games, sports, arts and crafts, cultural exhibits, children's activities (held in the 'wee folk area'), shops, and food and beverage stations. Sunday's service will celebrate Irish faith, which begins at 10am and is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item. A pub crawl and 5K race will kick off the event Thursday evening.

Details

This year, the festival will run on August 2nd (4pm-midnight), 3rd (11am-midnight) and 4th (11am-9pm). Gaelic storm will be preforming Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be bought online for $9 for adults and $7 for students and seniors (tickets cost an additional dollar if purchased at the door). Children 12 and under are free. The festival takes place at Coffman Park (5600 Post Rd. Dublin, OH 43017). About 1300 volunteers help run the festival. Volunteers get free admission to the festival on a different day and a complimentary t-shirt, among other benefits. Don't miss out on this must-see event!

Keeping Cool This Summer

The Problem:

Despite the fact that nearly 90% of American houses have central air conditioning, certain rooms still heat up. Ductwork often doesn’t extend to attics, garages, and home additions. Sunrooms bake in the direct sun, and 5-level-split homes are traditionally hard to cool: that top floor can be quite uncomfortable on hotter days.

The Solution:

Room air conditioners. They come in multiple styles, sizes and prices. Today, systems are more efficient, and there are more options. 4 main types prevail:

1) Window Units. Designed for double hung, casement, and sliding windows. $120-$700.

• Pros: the most affordable option, easily installed, can be removed in the winter. Greatly improved (smaller and lighter): can be a good buy for your money.
• Cons: block a window’s view, can be loud.

2) Wall Units. More or less window units installed in an outside wall. $400-$1000.

• Pros: no blocked window 
• Cons: more expensive, may require professional installation, cannot be removed in the winter (cold air might seep in).

3) Portables. Similar to dehumidifiers. $250-$700.

• Pros: Don’t require installation, can be placed anywhere, and can be moved from room to room. Nice for renters wanting to cool small areas.
• Cons: Less efficient, louder and more expensive than window units. Heavy. Regarded by an editor with Consumer Reports as “the air conditioner of last resort.”

4) Ductless split air conditioners. Two appliances—an air handler installed in the wall and a condenser installed outside and connected to the handler through a 2-3 inch hole in the wall. $1500-$6000.

• Pros: very efficient, quiet, powerful, and unobtrusive. More than one room can be cooled, as one condenser extends to more than one air handler. Individual controls allow you to zone different rooms.
• Cons: The most expensive option, requires professional installation.

Regardless of the type of air conditioner you get, room size is important to consider. Oversized air conditioners can cool a room before they can dehumidify it, making the room clammy and uncomfortable.

BTU (British Thermal Unit) by square foot guide:

100-300 square feet -> 5,000-7,000 BTU model

300-500 square feet -> 8,000-12,000 BTU model

500-1000 square feet -> 14,000-18,000 BTU model

+10% if room is unusually sunny

-10% if room never receives direct sun

Click here for a Btu Calculator

A Snapshot of Contemporary Home Design: The Parade of Homes is Here!

The BIA Parade of Homes is here! It features 13 homes that vary in style and price (from $450,000 Craftsmans and Colonials to $850,000 Italianate houses). An article in The Columbus Dispatch discusses the latest housing trends: master showers instead of baths, home offices, eat-in kitchen islands, granite alternatives such as marble and quartz, wall textures and surfaces, outside storage, stained and polished concrete lower-level floors, outdoor rooms, hidden garages that increase curb appeal, and built-in desks that provide computer space. The article also discloses trends of the past. Only 35% of buyers want dining rooms. First floor master suits with lounge areas are also no longer desirable. Many people consider master sitting rooms a waste of space; they also want their bedroom to be on the same level as their childrens'. Finally, having a large master suite on the first floor simply takes up space and displaces rooms that are not as appropriate on the second floor. Two-story interiors are also on the decline. People prefer family rooms with 10 or 12 foot ceilings as opposed to a "great room." This allows for another room (a second family room, loft, etc) above the great room. Check out these trends for yourself: the Parade epitomizes contemporary housing design.

Event Details

Location: Jerome Village, in southeastern Union County. Click here for directions.

Dates/Times: Saturday June 15th-Sunday June 30th
                      Monday-Saturday: noon-9pm
                      Sunday: noon-6pm

Tickets: 11$ online, 12$ at the door. Children 12 and under are free.

Parking: 2$ cash

         

A Great Escape: Lakefront Vacation Condos for Sale!

It’s hardly a secret that summer is Ohio’s most anticipated season. What makes it even better? Being able to spend day or weekend at a lake! Indian Lake is a great community on the water. People can buy waterfront condos that each come with a boat dock. Indian Lake also hosts a variety of events. Some upcoming events include Kid’s Fishing Derby, Turkeyfoot Hospice Parade and Auction, Movie on the Beach, Lakeview Car and Craft Show, Indian Lake’s Got Talent, and Beach Spectacular and Fireworks. Click here for a complete list of activities, including the place and time of each event. Indian Lake's website also details information about restaurants, boating, camping, and the community.

Still not convinced? Come to one of my open houses this Sunday from 12 to 2. I will be showing three different units, which vary in size and price. They are all in Russells Point, Ohio (in Logan County, situated on Indian Lake). Come see for yourself how sweet it would be to own a vacation condo!

To view my Indian Lake listings, click on the following links:

  241 Chase Ave, first floor Listed at $219,900. Bed/Bath: 3/2.5 

241 Chase Ave, second floor Listed at $130,000. Bed/Bath: 2/2

129 Chase Ave Listed at $109,500. Bed/Bath: 2/2

If you're interested in or have questions about the properties, contact me!

"Wicked" Playing in Columbus-Don’t Miss Out!

June is an exciting month in Columbus. With the weather finally turning nicer, residents can enjoy a variety of both indoor and outdoor activities. The Columbus Zoo is always a great place to spend an afternoon. Plus, the waterpark Zoombezi Bay is right next door! While these two destinations will be open to the public all summer, the Broadway play Wicked is playing in Columbus this month only. Don’t miss the opportunity to see it—it’s a very entertaining show!

Synopsis: Wicked tells the untold past of  the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) and Glinda the Good. Glinda and Elphaba both attend Chiz University in the land of Oz, where they initially loathe each other. Despite their rough start, the girls develop a powerful friendship that defies all odds and blurs the lines between good and evil. Wicked features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and is based on Gregory Maguire's books.

Showing Information: Wicked is playing now until June 23^rd at the Ohio Theater. Show times are as follows:

Mondays:        no performance

Tuesdays:       8pm

Wednesdays:  8pm

Thursdays:      8pm

Fridays:           8pm

Saturdays:       2:00 and 8:00

Sundays:         1:00 and 6:30

Ticket Information: Ticket prices range from $55 to $190, based on when you see the show and where you sit. An interactive seat map allows you to select your own seat at the time you purchase your tickets.