Three things that don't belong in a Louisville garage
by MIKE HALL, Owner/Broker/Agent
Okay, I'm not talking about a life-sized poster of Christian Laettner or a signed photo of Bob Huggins. (Inside choke for my UK and UofL fans.) So, what am I talking about - three common items found in garages that should be stored elsewhere.
1. A refrigerator or freezer. What?!?! Right. It's the most convenient place to store one of this frosty friends, but, you'll pay out the whaa-zoo for energy. Maybe not millions but you'll feel a little frostbite on your utilities.
2. Gasoline or oil. Excuse me, according Consumer Reports, over half of people keep their gas or oil in the garage. Well, you shouldn't. You're talking about the risk for a fire or explosion.
3. Paint of solvent. Temperatures that soar into the 90's or dip into the teens into the winter could damage the paint.
Just doing my part to keep my Louiville homeowners safe and richer. (Paint and utilities add up, friends.) Thanks to Consumer Reports for their article on this oft-neglected not-to-do list.
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What's the price tag of a cool, second floor?
by MIKE HALL Owner/Broker/Agent
The ideal temperature for sleeping is 69 degrees or cooler. Fat chance with these hot summer months in Kentucky where a short walk from your car to the office can test the strength of your deodarant - especialy in July. If you settle in for a good night's slumber and you find yourself sweating, you can do something about.
It's natural: Heat rises. The upstairs will be hotter than your downstairs.
Beat the heat: If you have a two-story home and you don't have a separate AC unit for the upstairs, that is the problem. One HVAC unit for a two story house will often result in temperatures a couple degrees higher for the second floor.
You can hire a contractor to install a new AC unit and run duct work to each room. This will ensure your home stays a consistent temperature throughout. You can also move your fan setting from Auto to Circ or On. Circ (circulate) will turn the fan on periodically even when the A/C isn't on to help circulate the cooler air from downstairs throughout the house. The On setting will continuously keep the fan moving the cooler air from downstairs througout the house.
Cost: How much are you willing to pay for cooler nights? Most contractors would charge between $4,000 and $8,000 to remedy the situation with a second upstairs unit depending on your home.
Seling point: A buyer will likely see it as a positive but don't hold your breath if you think it will increase the value of your home.
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