Well, it looks as if I have the same problem that I had a few weeks ago. My tstat shows Stage 2 and Aux, but I've been checking my submeter and I know that at least the Aux is not running (assuming my submeters are accurate). I had this problem 2-3 weeks ago and my contractor sent someone to fix it who said the dip switches were not in the correct position. Unfortunately, since they fixed it, the temp has not been that cold. So, now we have cold again and while the house is maintaining at 62, it cannot seem to get up to the setpoint of 63. We have the upstairs tstat set at 60 and the actual temp is 64. In the basement, I felt the ducts leading upstairs and they felt warm, I believe the zoning is not working properly. Is there a reason why the duct would be hot when it has not had demand for flow for at least the two hours that I have been paying attention? I am going to call the contractor again tomorrow, but I was wondering if any of you can tell me if it is easy to determine what is running and what is not (i.e. Stage 1, Stage 2 and Aux). If you have to be mechanically inclined, don't waste typing instructions, because I can barely figure out the mechanics of a folding chair (slight sarcasm, but only a little bit far from the truth). Thank You!

Some thermostats turn off the heat pump when 3rd stage (aux heat) is activated. If yours does this, then it would explain your problem.

Sometimes that's called "emergency heat" - mode where compressor is out of service.

Of course that is inappropriate for a geo system in normal use.

As for determining stage w/o mechanical knowledge, you might be able to infer it from blower speed and temperature at supply registers, but even that can be difficult. 2nd stage adds about 50% more heat over 1st stage, but if blower CFMs are set to rise by 50% or so, there would be no change in temperature at grill - just more air.

As for zoning, all I can suggest is testing various thermostat settings and monitoring for air flow in certain room supply registers. It is normal to feel a little bit of airflow through a zone which is off - dampers may not seal shut perfectly.

UPDATE

As it turns out, the aux heat has never come on.  There is a "jump" wire or cable in the tstat box that was not correctly placed.  So, aux never connected.

The last time they were out it was the dip switches and they got stage 2 working, this time its the jump wire and they got aux heat working.

Also, I just learned about the difference between aux heat and emergency heat.  I didn't realize there was a difference.  It seems as if a small percentage of the heat strips are activated with aux heat while all the strips would be activated for emergency heat (like when a compressor fails) - thanks engineer for making me aware of this.

while 2 stage resistance coils exsist , I dont remember ever seeing one smaller then 20kw , and if it is stages its usualy a delay on make timer . the real difference is the controll , aux is automatic , emergency is selected. could be wrong though there are allot of controlls out there.

Speaking of controlls check out honeywells world of wireless , to cold in one room take the thermostat with you , there new prestige t-stat is amazing full color hd screen wired with wireless capability controll 4 heat, 2 cool plus humidity with 3 wires.

What a concept - portable thermostat!

How do we make supply and return ductwork follow the thermostat from room to room - robots in the floor trusses and stud bays?

What'll they think of next?

Here we go again....
My tstat is showing stage 1, 2 and Aux on but I know for a fact (since I paid for submeters to be installed) that the aux is not on since I've only used 2 KWH's on the aux + blower submeter since yesterday afternoon. The house is only 61 degrees even though the setpoint is 63. I noticed this yesterday when I got home from work and it is still going. My geo contractor is coming out today, but I asked them to please call WaterFurnace to get some info before they come over this time, this is the third time they are coming out to fix the exact same problem.

Last time he was out he got the aux to come on and got the house up to 67. Every time he leaves it appears to be working. But as I'm typing this I am remembering the other posts that list the tstat settings. What if our tstat is set in a way that aux only comes on with a delta T of 5 degrees or something like that? But then why would the tstat be showing that it's calling for aux, but aux not coming on??

My tstat has ClimateMaster written on it, and that model is TA32W01.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this tstat?

Also, does anyone have any thoughts on if the second stage is coming on? I have a 3 ton envision with a closed vertical loop at 420 feet. The first time they came out to fix this problem when I had the exact same conditions (it would only maintain at 61), they told me that stage 2 and aux were not coming on. The second time they said it was only the aux that wasn't coming on.

This appears to be a wiring/programming problem, what do you all think?

While I still think my contractor is great, I am really getting frustrated with this situation so any thoughts on what any of you would do would be great to hear.

What I was able to find on your stat is its a time delay with a form of adaptive intelligence , if wired properly it should automaticly upstage at max 30min interviles , it is possible that this funtion of the t-stat is not working or its a wiring issue , ask for a new stat

Thanks geodean.  The contractor is here checking it out.  Just before he got here I took the flashlight down there (the geo is in a dark corner) and I noticed that there is ice built up on one of the loop pipes at the actual unit.  I don't know if it's the incoming or outgoing pipe.  So, I guess there are more issues here than I had originally thought. 

I will also ask for a new tstat... thanks for your input.

Happy Holidays!

Ona,

I don't know if this is at all applicable but here's a link to a post I made about a freeze protection problem that Climate Master may have had. It may not be applicable at all but I thought I'd make you aware of it.

No one on these boards had heard of the issue and I never heard any more from my installer about it either.

Thanks for the info kiphorn.

Here is the update and I hope that it is the last one.  As it turns out, my system was programmed to NOT turn on Stage 2 or Aux if one of my zones is not calling for heat.  Our upstairs is always warmer than our downstairs so that tstat is almost never calling for heat.  Because of that, our system has been running continuously resulting in some frost on the pipe coming out of the unit.  The tech changes the settings and now Stage 2 and Aux should come on if the downstairs tstat calls for it.  This makes sense to me so I am going to have hope that this issue is finally addressed.

crossing my fingers...