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PatrickG26
Registered Users
Posts:29
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| 07/10/2007 3:19 AM |
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Hi, I recently purchased a 1200sqf (plus 1200sqf finished basement) bungalow built with ICF Nudura both basement and above grade walls 6" of concrete with regular roof using cellulose insulation.
I do have many windows in the house (7 on the main floor alone that are 2.5 feet by 3.5 feet), but they are all e-argon energy efficient windows.
I have a 2 ton E-Series Waterfurnace geothermal system (closed ground loop)
It is about 77-80 degrees here (near Ottawa, Ontario in Canada) and I set the thermostat to 75.
The system turns on about every 10 minutes and runs for 5 minutes. Shuts itself off and turns on again after 10 minutes and runs for another about another 5 minutes....continually all day. When the temperature outside dips below where the thermostate is set, the system no longer turns on.
So I thought the system might be having problems maintaining the temperature and working too hard...So I tried an experiment by setting the thermostate to 68.... It took about 3-4 hours but the house temperature did indeed get down to 68 no problem and stays there, but the system still turns itself on every 10 minutes or so and runs for about 5 minutes and so on...
So my question is: Is it normal for the furnace to run so frequently?? When it turns itself on and off, during the whole time, the temperature in the house NEVER moves up or down. - If I set the thermostate to 75, it stays there all the time.... And the furnace still cycles like this .... It turns on even though the temperature is still at 75....
I called the company that installed it, and I couldn't get a straight answer...I asked if it was "normal" and the guy said "maybe, we'd have to come look at it...at a cost of $250"...
Is this normal??
Thanks in advance for any insight
Patrick
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David hot
Registered Users
Posts:22
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| 07/12/2007 10:14 PM |
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The system turns on about every 10 minutes and runs for 5 minutes. Shuts itself off and turns on again after 10 minutes and runs for another about another 5 minutes....continually all day. When the temperature outside dips below where the thermostate is set, the system no longer turns on.
I am no expert but try this -- While running jack up the thermostat - if unit continues to run it is hitting some operating limit & needs pro review. I presume your air handling fan comes on within the 5 minute run to distribute the heat generated If it comes on too late I think a high temp or pressure alarm is being tripped. Are your air filters clean allowing the heat to be removed as fast as the furnace generates?
Get a cheap barbeque digital thermometer & measure the temperature in the heated water pipe ahead of the water to air heat exchanger - How hot does it get at end of 5 minute run? |
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wallers164
Registered Users
Posts:10
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| 07/14/2007 9:56 AM |
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Question: When was this system put in? Also, I would contact WaterFurnace. Any manufacturer of this type of equipment wants the customer satisfied. "Tweaking" of systems sometimes are required due to some change or not set correctly when installed. Geothermal systems generally are quite reliable if installed correctly and serviced regularly. It is recommended that a service call be made yearly to check the system out. I am do not know the general fee structure in your area so I cannot say whether that is a fair fee or not.
JIM |
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Jim Smith
EarthSource Energy Solutions, Inc.
1415 Beacon Street, Suite 200
Brookine, MA 02446
jsmith@earthsource-energy.com |
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megatek
Registered Users
Posts:16
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| 07/29/2007 10:41 AM |
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Patrick - i work for a geothermal heat pump manufacturer (HydroHeat) - it sounds like you have a thermostat problem. Often the thermostats can be setup (what we would call) too aggressively. The installing contractor may be able to ghance the level of aggressiveness to limit the number of cycles. This will cause the heat pump to run longer, which is what you want from a comfort (humidity removal) and economic perspective.
Good luck |
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John Herbert
Sales Engineer
www.hydroheat.com |
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geodean
Registered Users
Posts:583
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| 08/04/2007 11:10 PM |
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This is not normal. The system needs to be checked. Most heating and air contractors would be able to check the system. It sounds like either a thermostat, dirty filter, or low refridgerant problem. If you are handy enough to jump the thermostat terminals on the heat pump ( which will make it run all of the time) then you can eliminate the thermostat.
Take out the filter and see if the problem goes away. If it is not the thermostat or the filter, then it has to be the heat pump shutting down on high head or low pressure.
Good luck. let us know what you find out. |
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Dewayne Dean
PalaceGeothermal.com
Why settle for 90% when you can have 400%
We heat and cool with dirt!
visit- http://welserver.com/WEL0114/- to see my system |
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