Not sure why I couldn't order online. I order often from Amazon and have no problems. I only have one browser and that is Internet Explorer so I can't change to anything else. When I told the lady that helped me on the phone, she said others people had similar problems. Oh well, I got it ordered and that is all that matters. Karen

I didn't mean at all to imply that your son's furniture was either 'cheap' or that your house looked 'tacky' -- just that if your son's furnishings aren't what someone in your likely "buying cohort" would use, it would impair your chances of a sale. There are definitely 'generation gaps' when it comes to furnishings and decorating taste, and some buyers (probably lots) can't see beyond how a house is furnished now. In re-reading my comments, I can see how my wording wasn't the most tactful -- sorry. Now back to my question: How does your home compare to one that would sell in the low-to-mid $500's? How about upper $500's? And are your son's furnishings in line with what someone in that price range would expect?

If by "dealt directly" you mean ordered from Thermoworks directly, yes, I have. Since I've never had a problem with any of the tools I've bought from them, I've never had a reason to talk to their customer service. Even if a few of the Thermapens are "refurbished," they still carry the full warranty. For the price, I'd buy one, if I needed one. I've already given them as gifts to everyone I know who might have a use for a Thermapen. Back during turkey cooking season, someone was lamenting the fact that they didn't have an instant read thermometer to check the temp of the turkey. They were reluctant to purchase a Thermapen at full price. I was hopeful they might see this post and plan ahead for the next turkey cooking event.

Let me run something by you. All modulating systems run out of modulation and start to cycle at some point whether they are boilers, compressors or furnaces. Zoning, vs. more systems, makes you reach that point sooner.* You will, of course, have some spill-over demand from areas that are not calling for heat or cool. Well in some situations I think it is more about putting the cooling or heating where you want it. Will there be spill over? Sure there can be, but the idea is to be more comfortable in the area of the home you are actually using. This will reduce operational costs because the system won't have to run as long. Could this cause more cycling... sure you bet. But if you are more comfortable for less operational cost what is there to argue unless the system breaks down more. So far I simply haven't seen more breakdowns in zone systems that I've installed. (I've seen it in zone systems installed by builders.) Commercial applications have had zone systems to varying degrees much longer than the residential market for the sheer reason of not only trimming operational costs but also reducing the number of comfort complaints. As far as modulation goes or cycling -- whether regarded as short cycling or load satisfying sure every system is going to cycle at some point because the loads are reduced to that point. Short cycling in my view is only detrimental to a zone system when the system doesn't run long enough to return oil back to the crankcase of the compressor. The absence of oil will seize up the compressor. Other than that.. what difference does it make? If this situation happens infrequently it could lead to the demise of the unit. But it's unlikely to happen for a very long time. Even if you run the system without zoning there is wear and tear. So I think this is more related to being told one specific thing but not applying it properly to what is actually happening. I am seeing differences in my last house to this house, but I am using different equipment than the other house. While it's nearly identical in comfort for the most part the bill is a bit higher. (I think) I haven't sat down and really compared bills that closely. This house I am living in is not complete like the other house as I know I have some thermal envelope problems still in this house I am in now. So until I get these fixes done and see the results I just won't know. The other difference is my system for this house is a 4 ton 2 speed AC where as the other home was 3 ton 2 stage or 2 separate compressors. The 2 speed is merely 1 compressor with 2 different speeds. So it should be interesting over the course of the next couple years to see how this plays out.