I am torn on what to use my workers comp settlement money towards. My property needs lots of big repairs. But at the same time the price of electricity has jumped from $0.17 to $0.29 per kWh in my area with no change in sight. My home uses 4 window air conditioners in the summer time that consume quite a bit of power (1 6K, 1 5.5K, 1 11K, and 1 8k). The big one struggles to keep up despite running all day in the large room (approx 800 sq ft with 12 foot ceilings). The primary use would be for cooling, but could also supplement heat as needed (use NG heat for the house).
Anyway, to my point. I’ve decided that it’s either going to go towards a set of ductless mini splits (4 zone, 3 6K BTU and 1 18K BTU with a 3 ton outdoor unit; self install) or having the driveway redone/expansed. There are other big repairs needed such as pool retaining wall needs to be redone, large shed is rotten top to bottom and west side of home needs to be reshingled. It was a close tie between the pool retaining wall and the drive way. Both are equally as bad. Anyway, Currently drive way is 70 year old concrete that is sunken/broken in many spots, and has cracks all over the place. The current driveway is a single car width that splits right in front of the garage to go to each bay door (2 car garage). My wife and myself have to drive over the lawn backing out every time due to the design. I also have a large travel trailer (37 foot) that I park next to the garage that is all grass/dirt. For obvious reasons of parking it over moisture soaked lawn and backing it over the grass, up hill (about 60 feet worth) and tearing up the lawn every time with my truck, I’d like to have that paved. I’d use some plywood over the pressure points on the trailer to avoid the asphalt sinking over time.
The money I receive will likely not be enough for both, so I have to choose, but am struggling which would be a better investment . I should note, I do have home Solar, but it’s unknown that my entire bill will be covered by the power the panels produce. Next summer would be my first summer with them. Thoughts?
Anyway, to my point. I’ve decided that it’s either going to go towards a set of ductless mini splits (4 zone, 3 6K BTU and 1 18K BTU with a 3 ton outdoor unit; self install) or having the driveway redone/expansed. There are other big repairs needed such as pool retaining wall needs to be redone, large shed is rotten top to bottom and west side of home needs to be reshingled. It was a close tie between the pool retaining wall and the drive way. Both are equally as bad. Anyway, Currently drive way is 70 year old concrete that is sunken/broken in many spots, and has cracks all over the place. The current driveway is a single car width that splits right in front of the garage to go to each bay door (2 car garage). My wife and myself have to drive over the lawn backing out every time due to the design. I also have a large travel trailer (37 foot) that I park next to the garage that is all grass/dirt. For obvious reasons of parking it over moisture soaked lawn and backing it over the grass, up hill (about 60 feet worth) and tearing up the lawn every time with my truck, I’d like to have that paved. I’d use some plywood over the pressure points on the trailer to avoid the asphalt sinking over time.
The money I receive will likely not be enough for both, so I have to choose, but am struggling which would be a better investment . I should note, I do have home Solar, but it’s unknown that my entire bill will be covered by the power the panels produce. Next summer would be my first summer with them. Thoughts?
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