chas

bahahaha! I want like one good snow....and then for summer to return swiftly.

Yeah, unseasonably warm here too....

If I was in the market for a sedan, this would be it. Well done! Beautiful car, I mean monster.

CONGRATS!!!!!

I think you are spot on here. The breaker is a single double pole 60 amp breaker. When the emergency heat kicks on, which isn't often, it was drawing 65 amps from all three elements inside the air handler, causing the trip. Now with one element unplugged this should stop the 65 amp draw and will only pull 45 amps, which we tested together (electrician and I).

Guys, thanks for all the continued help, its much appreciated. It's been a couple of days so thought I would give an update. With regards to the shower issue. No replacing the entire distributor. Had a plumber come out and was great about letting me watch and teaching me about what he was doing. Essentially, at some point in the past, the previous homeowner or one of their contractors encased the entire distributor and stem in caulk. This therefore led the the stem not being able to be removed and the two support screws to sheer off. The plumber removed as much caulk as he could and backed out one of the screws, the other was a lost cause, but given that we will be redoing the masterbath in the next year and him advising that one screw should do for now, I decided to go it without one screw. After removing even more caulk he was able to remove the stem. We replaced it with a new one and walked me through how to put the new faucet head on. Work accomplished, hot water back in our lives. As it relates to the air handler (which I have been incorrectly referring to as a furnace) an electrician came out (both plumber and electrician sent out under our home warranty) and checked the breaker and furnace. Again, the tech was nice and let me follow him and learn as he explained everything he was doing. The breaker for the air handler is 60 amps. The air handler, however, was drawing 65 amps, thus causing the trip of the breaker (this was on emergency heat setting in which all elements inside the handler were live). After checking the breaker we moved to the furnace. The furnace has three elements, which the electrician told me (have yet to verify) is way more than is necessary for our home. He indicated two elements is enough. When testing element amperage, each was drawing approximately 22.5 amps (under emergency heat setting). Therefore, the load under emergency heat, which kicks on usually below 40 degrees was drawing 65 amps on a 60 amp breaker. He unplugged one of the elements and we have been golden since. The breaker hasn't tripped in a few days and we are getting consistent heat upstairs. I think I get why the air handler was tripping the breaker the day we moved in. We had several doors open, allowing cooler air into the house. It was 60 degrees that day and the house temperature was 60 degrees as well. When realizing this we set the temperature to 72 degrees, while the doors were still open. My inkling is that the heat pump couldn't handle going from 60 to 72 without assistance from all three elements in the handler. This would thus cause all three elements to trigger and draw 65 amps on a 60 amp breaker. What we should have done was waited until we finished moving, closed all the doors and brought the temperature up in the house in increments. This would have allowed the heat pump to work as normal without triggering all three elements. Regardless of this, the blower and coils in the air handler need to be cleaned. We are going to have someone come out and chemically clean them. This way, with the maintenance records of the previous owners, which we have, and us taking care of the air handler, if the Carrier air handler goes in the next year we have solid evidence of proper maintenance for the warranty company and we can get it replaced if needed. On another note, got the garage cleaned up and moved the cars in! In the spring I will be starting a thread, or continuing this one, about the garage makeover into my own personal detailing studio

Hey guys sorry for the delay in sending these pics, came home last night and passed out. Below are pictures of the furnace and its specs as well as the broken faucet. Furnace itself Specs Faucet, center is where it sheared off, the supporting screws are also stripped prior to me even touching it.

Jeff, its hot air. The HVAC tech on Friday night indicated the heat pump was working solidly and in good condition. I think the shower will work out, it broke only at the faucet nob. Hoping they can back out the sheered part of the screw and move on. Jim, I'll definitely take pictures of the unit tonight, its an electric furnace. I thought the tech said the unit was 120V but unsure of amps, possibly 12 amps, but don't hold me to it until I check tonight. I can't imagine its drawing on all 12 amps though assuming that's the max. If I recall correctly, the breaker box is 20 amps, but I will also verify this. I will definitely take good notes, I don't trust technicians so I will be double checking everything he says. I have a gut feeling the problem might be coming from the breaker. When going through inspection the furnace was running properly at full load, not 3/4 like it is now. I would also assume (maybe my crux) that if the furnace unit was failing at 100% capacity than it would also fail at 3/4 capacity, but it seems to be running like a champ at this reduced capacity. Its evident from the breaker box that work has been done on it in the past, wondering if there were issues prior. Regardless, it bothers me I don't know more about this, but I guess I'm getting schooled now. You guys are invaluable, I can't thank you enough for all of this insight. I hate paying for these issues, but love learning about them.

This is good to know. The current electrical furnace is nearly 20 years old, I don't doubt the power it draws or requires is substantial. What I don't get is that this furnace has been in this house for 20 years with the current breaker, how did this not occur with the prior owners? Perhaps it did and they didn't disclose it, which perturbs me even more.

That's what I am thinking, it seems like 90 amp is too much. I just don't know enough about electrical to know. I think the faucet issue will end with a whole new surround.

Thanks guys! We moved in on Friday and while there were a lot of positives this weekend, a lot of negative things occurred too. Our furnace kept tripping the breaker Friday, had to have an HVAC guy reduce the furnace power to 3/4 to prevent anymore tripping. Means warm air isn't getting to the top level. Having an electrician come out Wednesday to hopefully update the breaker to 90 amp. Furthermore, last night I went to go take a shower and the faucet head sheared off. No we have to get a plummer to come in and fix that. I think a whole new distributor is needed, which I just don't have the skills to handle myself. Otherwise, on a positive note, our backsplash was installed, grouting is today. I also finished our downstairs bathroom.

Good call on the paint color, Everett. Thanks for the heads up. You're right too white might show way too much.

Figured might be cool to post an update here. We closed on the house on October 30th and almost immediately started doing some updates. We move in tomorrow, with the backsplash, carpet and final sink hook-up being finished (hopefully) today. In all, new hardwood was put in, popcorn ceilings removed and some updates to the downstairs half bathroom. I will try and put some before and afters in. To say I'm excited is an understatement. Hoping in the spring to make a large adam's order to outfit the garage appropriately. Other than granite, hardwood and popcorn ceilings my wife and I have done the work ourselves, its a rewarding experience. Kitchen Before: Me ripping out the tin backsplash: Kitchen After No hardwood or backsplash yet in this picture Living Room Before: Living Room After (unfortunately taken at night): Family Room Before: Family Room After: White washing the fireplace Mud Room Before: Mudroom After my wife and I painted and installed new shelving: Downstairs Halfbath Before: Halfbath During my vanity removal, wall repair and repaint: Half bathroom after my wife and I repainted and I repaired the wall, no hardwood yet: With hardwood: So the garage is next. Going to re-coat the floor with a gray epoxy and repaint the walls an even lighter gray/white, with white floor and door trim throughout. Best, I'll add updates as they come! Chas

Great looking truck!

Been thinking about a new home stereo too now that we bought a new home. Was considering wireless but maybe not now...

Heck of a write-up, well done!

Congrats! We close on our first house tomorrow! It's a great feeling.

My word that is gorgeous, that red is simply stunning and looks dripping wet. Well done, sir.

Chris, I would think the same thing, but many of the chain islands off the coast of North Carolina run East to West, based on the what coast line of the state you are on. Where Atlantic Beach is, you face south, so you see Sunrise and Sunset over the water. I experience the same thing each year in Emerald Isle, NC, which is on the same chain of land off the coast. See the ping on the map below. It's definitely a unique experience.

Wow some impressive facial hair. Wish I was allowed to grow mine out, but gotta keep it tame for work. Just my normal... Note, I am not a skins fan. Just happened to get on-field access one day. Loyal to da Bears.

Looks awesome!

Looks great! Congrats! Chevy did a nice job with these trucks.

Looks great!

Throwing a question out there, what are you all using to house your garden/non-garage stuff that normally ends up in a garage? I realize at first I may have to house the mower and miscellaneous items in the garage, but down the line it would be great to have a dedicated area for yard items. Not sure about a shed in the back (possibly), what are some other options?

Great collection, great pictures!