Out here in the country we are surrounded by nature, including many field mice that like to come in from the cold. Never store garbage outside that can attract animals. Use a product like DECON to kill any mice that get inside. And keep all dangerous products out of the possible reach of visiting children.

This unit has an "Always On" switch on the right side that should be avoided (it will remain on forever). There is a fan that circulates heated air into the house after the system warms up (20 minutes delay for a real cold house, perhaps only 10 minutes for a warm room). There are also controls behind the bottom door that permit the flame to be lowered and the fan turned off. While this creates a nice atmosphere all the heat goes right up the chimney. The fan should be turned on full, and the flame adjusted to high, when you are done so the unit can again function as a heater.

This unit does not have an "Always On" switch, otherwise everything above applies. The flame and fan controls are also better identified on the lower unit.

Individual electric heat is available in every room as a redundant shield against the cold. However, gas heat is significantly cheaper and should be used whenever possible.

The power switch for the hot water heater is outside the house under the deck where the electric meters are located. Lift up the cover on the small blue box directly below the middle meter. What little heat that might be lost by the heater helps warm the house, so we recommend you leave it on all the time. If you don’t, remind the next person that comes up to turn it on again. It takes over an hour to re-heat the whole tank, and the power is off during peak hours (two peak hours in the AM, another two peak hours in the evening).e.

The local moose, dubbed Montgomery by our grandchildren, will occasionally walk across the pond. If it is not frozen, the water never reaches past his lower stomach. Moose can be dangerous. If approached, they might charge.

One vendor will plow both this house and the one next door, with the bill split 50-50. You will need to insure no snow is piled near the house (trapping water that might leak in), and that the water pump is not smashed in by the plow.

We have a septic tank out back, and a drain field under the back lawn. Please don't throw grease, sanitary products, etc. into the drains.

The phone needs to remain in our name in order to keep the number. There is a large local calling area that extends past Rutland. Long distance will require a calling card. The phone features an answering service: if you hear a broken (beeping) dial tone, you have a message waiting. There is a separate instruction sheet supplied by Vtel attached. There is a second number available that we used for internet access. Give us a call to activate if you have a need for it and arrange billing changes.

Trash can be delivered to the collection station on most weekends. (See cable channel #13 for hours). It's a do-it-yourself operation that requires a town permit. While there is a charge for each trash bag dropped off, there is extensive (free) re-cycling. So keep cardboard, paper, glass and plastic containers, etc. separate.

The TV needs to be set to channel #3 in order to receive the cable signal.

Change it every few weeks to keep the sand from dropping the water pressure. Usage will determine how often this will be needed. The filter is in the closet behind the door in the lower bathroom. Follow these steps:

1. Turn both the left and right yellow handles 90o to turn off the water.
2. Release the filter by turning the blue plastic top of the filter 30o clockwise.
3. Unscrew the clear plastic filter holder as you would a car oil filter.
4. Remove the old filter and replace with a new cartridge.
5. Re-install clear plastic filter holder.
6. Lock filter holder in place by turning blue top 30o counter-clockwise.
7. Return all yellow handles so they are perpendicular to the floor.

The water well wound up in front of the house because of rules about location distance from septic systems. It's half way between us and the house next door, and the pump is located several hundred feet down. Please insure the reflectors can be seen by the guy plowing out the front parking area. .