By John Decker
John Decker Construction Heating & Air...Keeping You Comfortable Since 1968

Living Space
You want your outdoor living space to be cozy and functional, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors while being just as comfortable as you would be indoors.  It doesn't matter whether you have a small balcony or large backyard, it's always possible to create comfort, charm and beauty to your outdoor space. 

The first tip for creating a great space is establishing a traffic pattern.  You want to make sure you have a clear path around your seating zones, such as an eating area, a lounging area, an area surrounding a fire pit or fireplace, etc.  The second tip is making sure you have sturdy, weather-proof furnishings that will hold up to the elements.  Make your furnishings do double-duty, like bench or stool type seating that holds towels or cushions inside.

Fans & Heaters
Keeping comfortable outdoors is not as controllable as the indoors, but you do have options for making your outdoor living space as pleasant as possible, extending your time outside throughout the year. 

Outdoor ceiling fans installed on patio covers provide breeze on hot summer days, enabling you to enjoy the outdoors if you have a ceiling fan on your covered patio or deck.  Ceiling fans also help keep annoying bugs like mosquitoes, gnats and flies away by keeping them in a downward draft.  Ceiling fans can be a big part of your outdoor living area aesthetic.  With so many designs available, they help define the style of your space as well as serving a functional purpose. 

During the fall and winter months, you can still create comfort and function for your outside covered patio.  Adding a source of heat for cooler weather, such as tabletop or tower outdoor heaters, is a great and energy-efficient way to stay warm.  Modern electric, propane, or natural gas model heaters have more options and finishes than ever, being safer and easier to adjust than older styles.

Screens
If you think ceiling fans won't be enough to dispel bugs, consider adding a screened-in patio.  Screen rooms expand your outdoor space and if designed correctly will look like a cohesive addition to your home.  These outdoor rooms provide a spot where you can enjoy fresh air without being eaten alive by mosquitos or swarmed by gnats.  Screens are built to withstand wind and elements for a long time, bringing you closer to nature but not critters.

PPatio Covers
The best outdoor living areas are ones that connect to the indoors.  Create a space that flows from the house outwards for a sense of comfort and extension.  The more accessible to indoor space an outdoor room is the more likely it is to be used!  A covered patio that runs off of the house, whether it be near the kitchen, living or master bedroom areas, is a great way to extend your transitional space.  When creating your design for a patio area make sure it's in a place that fits the traffic pattern of your home and takes advantage of backyard space and layout. 

Patio covers provide shade, both filtered (lattice-style roof) and opaque (solid-style roof).  So whether you want some light or heavy shade, the choice is all yours. 

And the same goes with colors.  Think outside the box!  Choose one color for posts and beams and another for your roof.  The newest aluminum covers come in a variety of colors.  It's important to take into account not just what you love today, but what you will still love years from now, because these aluminum covers (with wood-grain style, but wood-less maintenance) are built to last.  You can't go wrong with timeless beauty.

It happens - summer comes, the valley heats up, you turn on the air conditioner after a few months of mild weather and ... nothing.  When your air conditioner quits on you, Murphy's Law says it will be on a record-high temperature day. 

But before you panic and call an A/C repair company, there are some things you can try first that will help you troubleshoot your system.  It's true, there are some things only a licensed professional can repair, but you might be surprised - sometimes the solution is simple. 

If these troubleshooting steps don't solve the problem or if you see visible signs of damage, you'll want to contact a residential HVAC contractor to help you.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Make sure you check the warranty on your unit before attempting repairs or contacting an HVAC contractor if you are unsuccessful on your own - you definitely don't want to do anything that would void your warranty.