All Forum Posts by: Amber Rugan

I forget what the manual says but in the teens the minisplit starts a a cycle of freezing up and defrost mode-with no heat being produced and  sometimes sounds--popping and cracking. 

It is a natural process due to the design of the system. It maybe be improved with newer models. I have Fujitsu mini splits. Two of them with two room units on each. 

thank you for the offer @Tim C. 

@Matt Pritchard your numbers match my novice pencil scratching-it just sounds too good to be true--thanks for the thorough reply

I will update my progress/decision. 

I want to get back to kc in the next week and finalize my plan of attack. 

My biggest need is a team. 

I was contacted about an elderly homeowner who wants to sell near KUMED. 

4100 blk of Bell 

4/1 

1300/1500 sqft (zillow/county difference)

Desires: Fast and easy. (leave all the junk and no repairs)

Zillow: 167,000 

Asking: 132,000 hopefully but happy for anything over mortgage. I want to be fair. 

Owes: 107,000. 

I am exploring both renting and flipping. 

A real estate agent residing in the Volker Neighborhood suggested the market prices keep rising even for houses in disrepair and thought this 4/1 could bring in the mid 250's with a remodel including an added bath, updated kitchen, second bathroom, and landscaping.

J Scott's flipping and estimating books have been helpful but I want to walk the property with people experienced at estimating Rehab costs and ARV.

Analysis?

KC contacts?

flip/rent/?

@Luke Babich 

I have the mini split in my personal residence. They were more expensive than adding central heat and air but I did not want to demo the interior for duct work. One day install. 

We also have floor furnaces. The mini splits offer less heating ability the colder the outside temperature drops. 

As for tenants preference the mini splits are better than a window unit but may be perceived as a downgrade from central air. Educate Tenants. The marketing campaigns of minisplits should win over most. Quiet operation, personalized temperature  zones, energy-efficiency.

I have had mini splits for nearly ten years in my home. While I appreciate the efficiency and zones, they do have a few maintenance issues/learning curve. 

Mildew build up on the drain tubes-a simple fix of spraying bleach solution into air intake area.  Three of the four units have had leaks because of this problem before I knew to watch the drain tubes. 

Occasional flaking off of some substance that looks like dried mildew when switching between heat and cool. It blows out on the furniture and floor.  I would have to take the machine apart more to find the cause of this. 

These may be problems with my older generation units.

Parts of my units are to be removed, with the power disconnected, and cleaned by soaking in a solution for a period of time--

Our HVAC company does annual maintenance but not what is specified on the owners manual. 

I plan on installing these old units in a new shop and upgrading to central heating and air. (Reluctantly, because I am addicted to zone specified temperature)

FYI: I have four units for 1500sqft. The air doesn't flow well.  I could use three more to be as comfortable as a central air unit. 

Most people I know use mini splits for an enclosed porch/sunroom, attic or addition. 

This may not be as big of a challenge in your single level basement units. 

@Keith Lewis  "As long as you don't have any large picture windows or sliding glass doors which in the summer can intensely heat the floor and possibly distort it"

Is there a vinyl product that can handle the summer sun?

I have a large west facing picture window in the living room and am deciding between refinishing the wood floor in the rooms that have it or LVT/P as a whole house install for a uniform clean look. 

@Orlando Kell thank you for asking this question. Everyone's insight is much appreciated. 

I cleared out our first house from the previous renters items. 

Made a checklist of all the work to be done and have been getting bids. Interesting that some handymen avoid paint while others avoid exterior doors. 

Now I will revisit the list to prioritize order of completion after I read these links. 

@Bob Okenwa

Could you post it in BP files? I've been devouring the wisdom shared over there. 

@Sylvia B.You asked:

Besides spraying our yard perimeter and main trail in the woods...

We are considering installing a four poster deer feeder and paying attention to the outcome of the Texas cattle fever tick strategy--feeding deer ivermectin laced corn-only legal by the USDA. 

hope these links help--my pinterest board

https://www.thespruce.com/spray-yard-to-kill-ticks...

http://www.crdaniels.com/4poster

http://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/brochures/TAHCBroch...

@Scott Upshaw never thought about that...now that I think about it we are very rural and many contractors have told me they  do not have to pull permits outside of the city limits but I want to everything correctly. I will contact the county Monday and ask. 

Thank you!!