Hello Homeowners!  

Great stuff in today’s newsletter. This week we are taking a look at:

• December maintenance

• The efficiency of heat pump heating/cooling systems, and system costs

• Your burning homeownership questions!

Know a new homeowner? Forward them this link to our past newsletters! Homeownership is hard, expensive, and often confusing.

Ask A Pro!

As a homeowner, what are your burning questions? What home problems are you unsure how to handle?

We want to hear from you! Send your toughest questions and biggest hurdles to us at our email address below.

Luxury Home Feature

Home Putting Green

Backyard putting greens are one of the most enjoyable, practical, and value-boosting upgrades a homeowner can make. Imagine stepping outside for five minutes between tasks and sharpening your short game without driving to the course or paying for range time. A home putting green gives you daily, low-stress practice that genuinely improves your golf performance—because consistency is everything.

But it’s more than a training tool. It’s a lifestyle feature. A backyard green turns any property into a destination for friends, family, and neighbors. Kids love it, adults use it to unwind, and it instantly adds a sense of luxury to your outdoor space. Modern synthetic greens look beautiful year-round, require almost no maintenance, and are durable in all seasons.

If you enjoy golf even a little, a backyard putting green pays for itself in convenience, entertainment, and added home appeal. Once you have one, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

HVAC Cost Explosion and Heat Pumps

The Good News

Heat Pump heating systems are 65% more energy efficient than oil/gas furnaces!

Heat pumps use electricity to move warmer air into cooler spaces during the winter, and in summer, like an air conditioner, they move hot air outside. And because the heat pump moves heat instead of generating it, it cuts overall energy consumption by up to 65 percent – a boon for the planet.

Heat pumps now comprise more than half the home heating systems in Finland, Sweden and Norway – some of the coldest countries on earth.

The energy savings with a new system will help combat the bad news below!

The Bad News

The shift in the U.S. residential HVAC market to new, low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants like R-454B and R-32 is driving up installation prices. These refrigerants are replacing the common R-410A due to environmental regulations.

A major cost factor is the requirement to install new copper linesets. The new refrigerants and their system oils are incompatible with the oil residue left by older refrigerants (like R-22 or R-410A) in existing lines.

Reusing the old lines, even with flushing, risks system contamination and premature compressor failure. Since installing new linesets often involves significant labor to run piping through walls and attics, homeowners must budget for this substantial expense, pushing total replacement costs higher.

The Extra HVAC Replacement Cost (Linesets!)

The need to install a new lineset (the copper pipes connecting the indoor and outdoor units) is a major contributor to the total labor cost.

While the raw cost of the copper lines is only a few hundred dollars, the labor to run a new, dedicated lineset can add a significant amount to the job.

• Simple lineset replacements can range from $200 to $750

• Complex lineset installations where the line runs through walls, concrete, or inaccessible areas, this cost component can exceed $2,000.

This labor-intensive work is the primary reason why replacing the line increases your total installation bill.

🔨 Maintenance List For December 🔨

Home maintenance you can tackle in December includes:

1. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Replace batteries as needed. Always replace detectors more than 10 years old! Learn More Here.

2. Check/Change Furnace Filter.

3. Clean out your gutters/downspouts.

4. Run ice through your garbage disposal. Learn More Here.

5. Clear leaves and sticks from yard.

6. Lubricate garage overhead door springs, rollers and pivot hinges. See the video linked below!

7. Replace furnace humidifier pad. Learn How Here.

Lube Your Garage Overhead Door

About the Author

I’m Adam Rich, a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and Real Estate Salesperson in the state of Ohio. I help discerning homeowners like you take control of the complexity behind your home.

With a background in engineering, property management, construction, and real estate, I specialize in helping understand the systems that make your home work.

Whether you're planning major renovations, systems upgrades, assessing long-term maintenance, or just want to get a handle on your home’s true condition, I deliver expert-level answers in clear, practical language.

Ready for Expert, Unbiased Advice?

Whether it’s a one-time consultation or an ongoing relationship, I offer homeowners peace of mind through clear insights, practical planning, and calm expertise.

I am available to consult on home maintenance and improvements, new construction decisions and options, real estate investing or purchases, real estate engineering matters, and other home systems matters.

The content of this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial decisions.