New generation of Whole House Fans

If you live in a warm area where the temperature drops at night you know this is a good idea as it will save you a bunch of money. But they're noisy, expensive to buy and expensive to install... right? At least that was my excuse for not having one. Well maybe not anymore. There is a new generation of whole house fan out there that look as if they fix those problems.


Noise
They've done away with the big noisy single belt driven fans and instead they use multiple smaller fans that they say are much quieter. Apparently not much more than the average refrigerator.

"In a real world setting, with the AirScape 1.7 on low speed, some effort is required just to hear it. Sound level is rated at two sones — just above a modern refrigerator (three and a half sones on high). So the unit is QUIET."

Installation Cost
Since they don't use 1 big fan the unit is now small enough to be installed between standard joists which makes mounting the unit much simpler. It also comes with a standard electrical plug so that it can be plugged into the nearest outlet. This adds up to being within the skills of the average handyman. So I DIY install saves a lot of money.

Airscape Installation

Installation Video

Fan Prices

• The AirScape 1.0 for spaces up to 1,500 sq ft is $479.00.
• The AirScape 1.7 for spaces up to 2,500 sq ft is $769.

Each one as an optional hand held remote for $69.

I'm not sure these fans are much cheaper but at least buying them direct online means there is no dealer or installer adding on a mark up. I find it hard to believe that the $1,000 + more I was quoted for was all installation.

Why don't I have one still?

Good question and I don't have a good answer. I'd better get my finger out and buy one. Stay tuned for an update when I do.

AirScape Whole House Fans

Free Annual Credit Report

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California Home Owners Property Tax Exemption

I received a letter the other day from a company telling me I'm missing out on the California Home Owners Property Tax Exemption. For a fairly small fee they we're offering to process the exemption for me. I looked into it and found that it was not bogus.

"EXEMPTIONS HOMEOWNERS: A property owner may claim a Homeowner's exemption in California on a residence that is both owned and occupied at 12:01 a.m. on January 1; or files within 30 days of a change in ownership or new construction for which a supplemental assessment is levied. The exemption reduces your assessed value by $7,000 and reduces the tax bill by at least $70. It is the homeowner's responsibility to apply for the exemption. To receive the full exemption, you must file with the Assessor's office between January 1 and February 15, or within 30 days of a Notice of Supplemental Assessment. (A late filing is accepted from February 16 to December 10 for 80 percent of the exemption). Your exemption automatically continues each year as long as you continue to own and occupy the property as your primary residence. It is also the homeowner's responsibility to terminate the exemption when no longer eligible. Please contact the El Dorado County Assessor's office for the Homeowner's Exemption form at 530-621-5719."

El Dorado County Assessor's Office

Fair enough I thought, they brought it to my attention and if I haven't found this in the 2 years I've been a CA homeowner I probably never would have. One problem though... they need the SSN's of the homeowners. Screw that, I'm not sending my SSN to some random company. So I called Assessor's Office myself and asked them to send me the form. A very simple form arrived in the mail withing days and I posted it back within weeks. I'll update when I hear back.

So if your a California Home Owner contact your county assessor's office and get your exemption sorted. If not maybe your state has something similar.

Buying a new TV?

When you spend a bunch of money on something like a new TV you go to the store and test them out right? And you know what to look for? Well maybe not the latter but if you go to the store armed with a test disc you stand a much better chance of making an informed decision.

When You Can't Trust Your Eyes, Trust A Test Disc