Well, the $200.00 turned into $500 and a lot of work.

Turns out the reversing valve was the leaking culprit, a $200 part. The total amount of time it took to to find and fix the leak was around 12 hours, and that was with me helping. We also replaced the solenoid and added a two way filter to the refrigerant line, plus 9lbs of CF-22. Oh, and sprayed the coils and fins with cleaning solution and hosed them down. The work was done right.

It was way more money than I had planned but 50% less that what a service company would charge. I found the guy on Craig's list and ended up with a good friend out of the deal. Turns out he's almost a neighbor.

I tell y'all what. It's nice to have an operating heat pump for the first time in 2 years, especially with the cold weather getting ready to kick in strong. I froze my nads off last year.

Hey Tux, I hear from my sister that you are expecting a snow storm down there. She already has her camera ready.

Anyone using an external/portable HD with linux? I've been looking for one to use. I have heard stories that many won't support linux, just the WD essential.

Just about any of the externals USB drives will work with Linux. For maximum compatibility, grab one that's already formatted with NTFS (or reformat it yourself to NTFS). That way, they are plug&play in Linux and Windows so transferring is a snap.

I've setup both Cavalry and Phantom external USB drives on Linux systems.

Not here in the Upstate, Molly. We've been in the mid 60's for the last couple of days, which is kind of unusual for December.

High elevations of NC (like Mt. Mitchel) can get snow anytime, though.