Starting with my loves - Demeter kitty & my beautiful children (in no particular order!)
Here's hoping 2019 brings warmth, comfort and joy as we grow, learn and live.
I write this post January 20th, 2019, but dated it the last day of December to close out the year when I print this years blog book.
December was full of hills and valleys. 2019 rolled in with a bit more of a settled feeling.
Here's December 2018 in a nutshell.....
December 11th, 2019
Installation day
this is the unit that got it all started.
Waited a long time for permits, approval, installation.
He's not pretty, but he is mighty.
Out with the old..... bye Whirlpool water heater.
You might have lasted another 10 days or 10 years, but I don't have to wonder anymore.
The new... tankless water heater.
It's got a bit of roar when it kicks in.
Demeter-kitty always gives it a side glance and some space when she is in the
bathroom and it turns on 🤣
(it makes me laugh each time)
Opened up some closet space, provides consistent hot water.
Worth the investment.
The old furnace.....
I had such a hate-hate relationship with Mr. Ugly Oil Furnace.
Side by side picture of the temperature in the house on installation day; alongside Mr. Ugly Oil
The installers were surprised at his size. Overkill for this size of home.
They pulled it out in pieces until they could get the main unit unhooked. It took 3 men to move it out. What caught me by surprise was the intense dirt/oil odor that came with it's removal. A few pictures down is the pit left in the furnace closet. It was nasty.
Side by side view of the new gas furnace in midst of installation, comparing the size of Mr. Ugly Oil.
Got a little extra storage space open up in the closet too
New thermostat - the "Nest" pictured with the new Coleman, all hooked up.
The Nest was a total splurge, however no regrets. It remembers past use for up to 2 weeks and can turn the furnace on and off based on history. I can also manage it on from my iPhone, allowing for switching the heat on; on my way home from work!
When the new furnace kicked on the first time, and warm air started to blow, I got very emotional. It seems like such a significant event; so much more than just a new heater. The wonderful gentleman that was part of the installation team, and so kind to me from the start looked at me and said "You're getting emotional, aren't you?" And gave me a big hug.
He understood. It was a milestone of sorts.
The kids, just after the heat started blowing and the house is moving towards 60 degrees - both stated "it is SO HOT in here!" 😄😃
They never complained about the cold.
They'd move on the wood floors fast, because that was super cold on bare feet, but otherwise took it all in stride.
I had a decision to make after the furnace was installed.
This 300 gallon beast was buried in my backyard, likely 50 years old and had fed Mr Ugly Oil all that time. There is a risk of leaks with every oil tank.
My choices:
Ignore it and leave it be (a very bad idea)
Professionally decommission, fill and leave it.
Remove it.
If I removed it within 30 days of transitioning from oil to gas, I could get the soil tested for oil leakage. When we bought the house, we signed up for a free insurance policy with the State of WA for soil remediation in case of oil tank leakage. They would pay for up to $60,000 worth of soil removal, clean up and soil replacement.
Trying to think long term - what would benefit me and this house the most, I opted for complete removal and soil testing. The tank had not leaked, fortunately.
I have the peace of mind knowing it's gone for good. The most challenging part was swallowing the cost of removal, immediately following the installation of the water heater/furnace.
I had to think long term...... but ouch 💲💲💲
I wasn't able to be home the day of removal. Grateful they took pictures and sent them my way. The back yard barely looked like any work had been done. I probably lost a huckleberry bush, but the apple tree seems unscathed.
That closes the chapter of being very cold, to getting bids, making the choices, getting the work done and moving on.
💙 So happy 💙
9 days later........
my next house project made itself known in midst of a wind storm.
Guess I am getting a new fence this spring/summer!
