INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Remember that the are very intelligent animals and can get very bored. One fun game is to put corn, peas and diced carrots (no beans) into a bowl of water for your rats so they can splash in the water and 'bob' for their snacks. This game is especially nice on hot days. It is a good idea to use a heavier dish such as glass or ceramic so your rats do not accidentally spill the water onto the floor. Do not use a dish that the rats could get trapped in and always supervise them while they are playing this game! Fill a shoe box or any box that they can easily climb in and out of (i.e. 6 inches or less in height) with grass hay (do not use Timothy hay or alfalfa as you are using the hay for the game but do not want them to eat a lot of it - read up on rats and alfalfa). Sprinkle some dried oats, seeds (unsalted) or other small, non-sugary snacks onto the grass hay and mix it slightly so that bits of snack can be found throughout the hay. Your rats will love searching for their favourite dried snacks! These are hollow, cage-like balls that allow you to put fruits and veggies inside the ball and hang from the top of their cage so that your buddies have to work a bit harder for their snacks! Oftentimes, the birds have better toys than the small animal section! Rats are known for their ability to take logical approaches to solving mazes. This is a great way to exercise your rat's mental ability. You can make mazes and obstacle courses out of cardboard boxes or toilet paper tubes taped together. Rats are climbers so try to stack the boxes up. Make sure the climbing structures are sturdy enough to not to collapse under your rats' weight. If you are feeling ambitious, try creating obstacle features like hoops, see-saws, ramps, weaving poles and tunnels. Use treats or moving objects to lead it through the maze. Rats will instinctively chase something that moves quickly so pulling a string or rolling a small bouncy ball will also work. Try tearing some paper into strips and giving your rat one piece at a time. It will grab the paper, stash it away and return for more. This will build trust by teaching your rat that you have and want to share treasures it enjoys. If you hide behind something, your rat might come looking for you and get excited when it finds you. It's best to do this after you've hand-tamed your rat so it knows your scent and can try to follow it. Make sure you're not too far away or it might get lost. Rats like to play in the dirt and will dig in your house plants if they find them. Give them a digging box full of sterile soil that will allow them to dig and forage without ruining your plants or eating a poisonous fertilizer. Put a large towel or outdoor tablecloth on a flat surface underneath the box. You can use a shoe box or anything of similar size. Add soil to the box and bury treats or toys into the dirt. If your rats tend to get sick often, it might be best to avoid this game.

SUMMARY: Make food fun for your rats. Another game that is fun for your rat engages their natural foraging behaviour and does not require constant supervision. A hanging snack ball is also a great way to engage your rats during snack time. Check out the bird section of your local pet store or online for fun games. Build mazes. Tear up some paper. Play hide-and-seek. Let it play in the dirt.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: A central air conditioner is the most expensive and difficult-to-install option, but it can cool your entire home. A central air unit will cost you between $3,000 and $7,000. On top of this, you'll also have to spend money on a pre-installation evaluation of your home, any necessary modification or installation of ductwork, and the actual installation of the unit. During this evaluation, a qualified HVAC professional will check your home's ductwork to make sure it can handle the airflow of a modern air conditioner. They will also look for places where air leaks from your home, and determine the cooling capacity that is needed to properly cool your home. Call or visit a local trade organization for a list of qualified evaluators. Ask friends and neighbors for contractor referrals. You can also ask for a list of contractors from a local trade organization. Ask potential contractors for a list of customer references who can testify to the quality of their work. Ask contractors for price estimates for the installation. Be sure to receive a written, itemized list of the price estimate before the contractor starts the installation. Try to schedule the installation of your central air system during the spring or fall. Since these periods are the off-seasons for HVAC contractors, you may be able to find a lower price.

SUMMARY:
Buy a central air conditioner to cool your entire home. Schedule a pre-installation evaluation. Find a licensed contractor to install your central air system.