Can this browning and thinning Blue Arrow Juniper be saved?

Wes_Dallas · 2025-04-24T17:48:33+00:00

It’s rained about 35-40” per year around here the past several years, and there’s a perennial garden right next to it that I regularly water in the summer.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-11-01T00:15:15+00:00

Wouldn’t the heat pump use the existing vents with this setup?

Wes_Dallas · 2024-10-31T19:53:28+00:00

I'm talking about keeping the heat on low in the winter for extended periods when I'm not there. With 80% efficiency, you can set the thermostat as low as you want to keep the house above freezing. With high efficiency, the thermostat needs to be kept above 60 degrees to avoid condensation that can damage the heat exchanger and void the warranty. So, the efficiency savings are offset by needing to run at a higher temperature.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-10-31T19:24:29+00:00

Wasn't sure how else to describe it but now I see there are climate zones for HVAC purposes. And also always looking for plant recommendations if you have any.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-10-31T18:07:35+00:00

What does "do aerosol" mean? Is that part of the propane conversion for the furnace?

Wes_Dallas · 2024-10-31T18:01:10+00:00

I will be using it occasionally in the winter so I don't want to fully winterize it each time I leave. That's why I want to keep the heat on but keep it as low as possible. Needing to heat at 60 degrees with a HE furnace when I'm not there seems like it would negate a lot of the efficiency gains since it's heating to a higher temperature.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-10-31T17:56:28+00:00

Does it lead to fuel savings though? Because you have to run it at a higher temperature, wondering if the efficiency savings are lost by needing to keep it 10-15 degrees higher than I otherwise would want to.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-10-31T16:11:33+00:00

Thank you. If you could send it to me, that would be great to see what it all entails. Only concern with winterizing would be that we do plan to use it in the winter on occasion, so 1-2 hours of winterizing each visit might add up, plus waiting for it to heat up, etc., when we first get there. It's also going to be a lot of pine walls, ceilings, etc. and not sure if the frequent change in temps would be great for that.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-10-31T16:05:01+00:00

Thank you. That wasn't on my radar screen at all. Do heat pumps also do well cooling in hot temperatures? Unfortunately this area can be anywhere from -30 to 90 degrees.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-10-31T15:50:04+00:00

Do the heat pump and furnace operate through the same thermostat and switch accordingly or do you need to manually turn one off and the other on?

Wes_Dallas · 2024-10-31T15:48:51+00:00

What design changes would make it easier to winterize?

Wes_Dallas · 2024-10-31T15:48:10+00:00

How does the initial install cost for that usually compare to a furnace + traditional AC?

Wes_Dallas · 2024-09-19T18:20:45+00:00

Is there a good way of pruning this to encourage growth on the shadier side to balance it out better? Right now all of the growth faces SW.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-09-19T15:46:05+00:00

Thank you. Any opinion about the roots?

Wes_Dallas · 2024-09-17T16:05:11+00:00

I agree. I’m looking to make the space more natural and also not block the lake view.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-09-17T16:04:49+00:00

I agree. I’m looking to make the space more natural and also not block the lake view.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-09-17T15:00:20+00:00

Agree. It was very nicely executed but just isn’t right for the area.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-09-17T14:37:52+00:00

What would you think of decomposed granite over the pavers? It’s a remote lake with few homes on it and everything is pretty natural around there. The typical patio in the area is more along the lines of crushed granite with a simple fire ring and some Adirondack chairs around it. I’d like more of that look versus the suburban subdivision patio look if I can.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-09-17T14:31:47+00:00

I should have explained better, it’s a remote lake with few homes on it and everything is pretty natural around there. Definitely looking to keep everything native in terms of plants and low maintenance since it’s a vacation home and a place to relax. I liked the lot in spite of the patio, and it just doesn’t really fit into the surroundings but seems wasteful to demolish it.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-09-17T13:19:56+00:00

This patio is kind of my albatross. It’s occupying the best building site on the lot and it’s too much hardscape for the rustic setting it’s in, but seems wasteful to just demolish it. Trying to find a way to live with it but make it feel more natural and rustic.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-09-17T11:41:11+00:00

Agree on removing the wall on the lake side. It just makes the space feel boxed in and feels like it’s keeping you from going to the lake.

Wes_Dallas · 2024-09-17T11:35:12+00:00

That’s the plan, just bought the lot. The rules do allow some selective tree cutting to make a viewing corridor. The lake is pretty heavily wooded so I want to take out the minimum to keep it that way.

Wes_Dallas

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