Monday, August 06, 2007

Well it's been over 2 weeks with no update....

The POTS line is in and we are looking at VOIP providers again. Right now I like AT&T CallVantage but with one issue - they only support 10 digit dial. What does that mean? To call your neighbor next door requires area code + number - 10 digits. Why AT&T has not gotten in-line with other VOIP providers, I could not tell you. We are still debating who to go with and waiting on Chase to process the charge back to Via-talk since they could not provide service and after 3 weeks still no refund. I guess that was expected dealing with a New Jersey company. Bunch of crooks live in Jersey.

The major home improvement projects are done. Quick hit list:

- Complete tear off and new 30 year roof system
- Complete tear off of old cedar shake on addition and replaced with matching vinyl
- New skylight in the addition
- Seal all holes, install baffles, and blow in 12" of insulation into the attic
- New 95% efficent furance with direct vent and new 4" chimney liner for hot water tank

Lessons learned:
- ALWAYS GET EVERYTHING IN WRITTING and I mean EVERYTHING
- Cleanup, Cleanup, CLEANUP. While the guys did great work, cleanup sucked.
- Keeping a wife and 2 kids hostage in the house for 4 days causes marital hell when you get home from work.
- Watch them like a hawk and question, Question, QUESTION. When/where they can skimp, they will.

We scored some improvement in air flow for cooling/heating in Z's room but it's still not up to par. I bought some window film to install in his room that blocks 70%+ of heat coming in and keeps 55%+ on the heat in the room instead of going out. The HVAC guys are back Wed for some more duct work and patch some holes they made and didn't tell their boss. Hopefully the combination will help.

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