Author: Platinum Team

This post is part of our Gratitude series, which reminds us to celebrate the ordinary things as we navigate life at home.

---

This post is part of our Life at Home series. Each month, we explore different thinking, techniques or tools related to the concept of a home and what it means to live well in ours. ---

Home for the holidays. That phrase that certainly conjures up a whole host of thoughts and memories. Some items that pop up are more desirable than others. Grandma Rose’s homemade cinnamon rolls. Yes, PLEASE. That aroma is to die for. And the sweet taste? Out of this world. Grandpa’s “signature” fruitcake. Eh... let’s just say we weren’t heartbroken the year he decided to stop making those. As for the year a certain uncle and aunt drank a bit too much and fought most awkwardly in front of the family.... nevermind. Let’s not go there.

It’s no secret that the holidays are a charged subject. You may be blessed to be home this year, or you may be far from it. You may be looking forward to time with family, or you may find yourself mostly alone. You may be wanting to press pause and savor it all, or you may be searching for fast-forward, trying to jump past this season altogether. Whichever boat you’re in, we want to remind you -- it’s okay.

Whether you are excited or heartbroken, enlivened or afraid -- this is life. It isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always picturesque. Yet, in the midst of it all, we’re convinced -- there’s always hope to be found. So, it’s our wish that this is a season of hope for you, even that seems unlikely or impossible. We hope that you experience a season in which light breaks through any darkness.

Happy Holidays, The Platinum Team

Home is...
Working with what you’ve got.
Perhaps the pillows and the rug don’t match. Actually, if you’re honest, they completely clash.
It’s no surprise given that the rug was a hand-me-down frzom your great-aunt Marge and the pillows were on sale when you snatched them on a whim that one time you went shopping five years ago.
It probably wouldn’t bother you so much if you didn’t have such a guilty pleasure for Pinterest. Oh, and that show on HGTV doesn’t help.
But, maybe home is less about the lack or what isn’t quite up to par. Maybe it’s more about the way you work with what you’ve got. So, this week, our challenge is to look at our homes a bit differently. If we find ourselves fed up with the mismatch, let’s instead ask the question - what am I grateful for about my home?
True, it won’t make our homes magically transform into our Pinterest dreams. But, it will shift our perspective to a place of fulfillment instead of being consumed by the lack. And, we may even find - it wasn’t the pillows that needed to go after all. No, it was our perspective that was holding us back.
Warmly,
The Platinum Team

Home is...
That painful moment when friends stop by unexpectedly and the house is… far from perfect. Scratch that. It's a disaster. You can't focus on a single word they’re saying because you’re busy judging yourself for the wreck of a home you are living in.
Funny thing is -- it quickly becomes clear that your friends could care less. They’re just happy to see you. And, they even go so far as to compliment you on the new rug.
Maybe you’re not the only one that could take a few notes from your friends. Maybe we all can. Instead, of dishing out yet another plate of shame to devour our own spirits, let’s choose a different route.
This month, when we open up our imperfect homes to others, let’s take a moment to applaud the bravery we show in those moments. After all, what we, as a greater community, need isn't another example of the illusion of perfection. We need more courageous spirits that aren't ashamed of sharing reality.
If you’re open to it, we’d love to hear your stories. Let us know -- what imperfect moments have you encountered, and how have you chosen to respond?
Warmly,
The Platinum Team

"Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts" -Oliver Wendell Holmes

Your A/C has gone berserk… HELP!
You need somebody… but certainly not just anybody.
Is it too much to ask for a technician who’s trustworthy, professional, courteous and helpful?
Not in our book. Our rock star in-house technician team truly cares about you and your home. In the words of several customers...
“John was my tech and he was just awesome. He went above and beyond and took the time to get the job done right. After listening to me describe the problem he went right to work and explained everything he was doing as he went. Experience matters and this guy has it.”

• Scott L., Scottsdale (via Google+)

 
“I can't say enough about Loc. He was amazing, personable and left the area where the water heater is better than he found it.”

• Katie H., Mesa (via Yelp)

 
“David has serviced my AC units on both of my properties on a few occasions now and is very professional, friendly and does a great job explaining things… He's a pleasure to work with.

• Brittney V., Gilbert (via Yelp)

 
Want an all-star team bringing you service? Order your home warranty from us today.

Your relationship with your home? It's complicated...
Not too unlike your relationship in high school with a certain fella' named James.
Ohhhh wait. Just us?
Anyways, your home is the center of a lot of things - thoughts, emotions, feelings, memories, expectations, obligations...
For instance, the kitchen simultaneously reminds you that you cannot buy those diet-sapping chips one more time, and you need to start making dinner if you hope to put something on the table anytime soon.  But, it's also the place of all those everyday memories like baking cookies or making pb&j's that you wouldn't trade for anything.
And, that spectrum of experiences is pretty reflective of the nature of life itself.  Life is filled with a bit of it all -- the good, the bad and the ugly.  It's okay that our homes are such a representation of our lives.  It's good to be reminded that there's a lot of hustle and bustle alongside the opportunities to celebrate and find peace.
So, maybe there's no define-the-relationship conversation needed, after all.  Maybe complicated is precisely what home is destined to be.  There will be ebbs.  There will be flows.  Perhaps, the question instead should be -- despite the complications of your home and your life, are you celebrating?
 
Warmly,
The Platinum Team

You may have caught wind of a big change underway in the air conditioning industry. Freon is being phased out. Puron is the new go-to. If you’re wondering what this means and how it affects you, here’s the scoop.
The story in a nutshell
Freon (R22) used to be the standard refrigerant used in air conditioners. It’s being phased out due to environmental concerns and will eventually be unavailable. Instead, Puron (R410A) has become the refrigerant of choice.
Though Freon and Puron serve similar functions, they cannot be used interchangeably. This means that you cannot just start using Puron if your air conditioning system was designed to use Freon. You actually need a different system altogether.
Because manufacturing of Freon is intentionally being reduced each year, it’s becoming increasingly difficult and costly to acquire it. Prices have jumped significantly and are expected to keep skyrocketing as time goes on. Freon will be completely phased out by 2020.
How does this affect me?
If you have a maintenance issue that involves Freon (like a leak or compressor issue), what was once a basic repair may now be quite costly. Given the shortages of Freon, many homeowners are finding that paying top dollar for it no longer makes sense. Instead, they choose to put that money towards a new air conditioning system.
Regardless of whether you have an immediate repair issue, we recommend that you begin to consider your upgrade options if your system uses Freon. Whether you choose to upgrade now or plan for the future, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) phase out plan will push you to make the switch eventually.
How do I know my if system uses Freon?
You’ll need to reference your system documentation or have a professional take a look. All air conditioners manufactured after December 31, 2014 use Puron and are already up to date. If your system was manufactured prior to 2015 though, the answer is less clear cut. Puron was introduced as early as 1995, so it’s possible to have an older system that uses it.
If you are considering an upgrade, reach out to us. We can take a look and see whether your system uses Freon. If an upgrade is right, we’re happy to work with you to determine the best system and payment plan for your needs.
What is Freon, and why is the EPA phasing it out?
Freon is a type of refrigerant. Refrigerant plays a substantial role in the cooling process within your air conditioning system.
The EPA has recognized Freon as an ozone-depleting substance that causes environmental harm. For more scoop, check out the EPA’s website.
Is it true that you can convert an old system to use Puron?
Yes, some people are more or less hacking their old system to use Puron in place of Freon. We don’t recommend this. In most cases, this conversion voids your warranty (whether that be your manufacturer's warranty or your home warranty) and the cost of labor is high. In the long run, you’re much better off purchasing a new system designed to use Puron.
 

Home is…
Spring cleaning in September. Better late than never?
We don’t know about you, but despite our honorable intentions, spring cleaning never seemed to manifest this year. The hall closet has definitely exceeded capacity, and who knows what’s gotten shoved in the back of the pantry.
So, here’s to getting rid of those slacks that don’t fit right… and never have. Here’s to weeding out the stack of junk mail that’s weighing you down.
We won’t pretend that spring cleaning is a joyous occasion. But, we do know battles are better fought in connection with others. So, as you partake in whatever aspect of spring cleaning you desire this week, be reminded - you’re not alone in that fight. As we strive to overtake some of the chaos in our own nest, know that we’re there in spirit with you too.
 
Warmly,
The Platinum Team