We have a Waterfurnace Synergy 3D that I am trying to verify that it is running properly/efficiently.

For that past couple years we have had no problems with it, but I recently setup a home energy data logger and have been checking out the power usage of different equipment including the Geo unit.

From my observations, it appears that the Geo unit will start up on stage 1 and run for about 45 sec to a min and then kick into 2nd stage.

The system is setup mainly for hydronic floor heating but can run forced hot air if we choose. The thermostat is a White Rodgers (1F95-1277) and the way our contractor set it up, we turn on Heat on the thermostat but the temp set point will be lower than the house temp to prevent the forced air heating to kick on. But this allows the Geo to heat up the buffer tank that sends hot water to the floor zones. Then we can turn on individual zone valves with smaller thermostats in each room.

I've monitored the system for the past couple winters and noticed a pattern that did not seem right. The system will turn on and run for about 10-15 minutes and then shut down for about 5-10 minutes and turn back on and run for another 10-15 minutes. This continues to repeat throughout the day everyday.

It seems that it would be better for the system to run longer on stage 1 if possible.

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Here is a short snapshot of the energy usage, just was just for testing as we haven't needed to turn the system on yet this year.
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You are correct that longer 1st stage run times would decrease consumption and your operating times seem to indicate oppurtunity.
A system such as yours requires outdoor reset and a good control guy to work most efficiently.
j

Mine does has an outdoor reset (Tekmar 152 if I recall correctly). But I was told that the outdoor reset is just locking out the aux heat (electric heating element in geotank & Electrix heat strips for hot air) from turning on unless it's below a certain temp and the system can't keep up.
I actually have all my aux heat disabled right now because I was testing to see how cold it would get before the Geo couldn't keep up anymore. I never did find that low point because the Geo has been able to handle the coldest weather so far without a problem.

I tried yesterday as test to pull the Y2 (2nd stage) wire from the thermostat to see if the system would stay in 1st stage and I was surprised to see that it still went into 2nd stage just like normal.
I was planning on pulling the Y2 wire from the control board on the Geo unit tonight because I believe something other than the thermostat is calling the Y2 signal.
I wanted to make sure my wiring was connected properly so I started toning wires to make sure, but ran into a problem trying to get a signal on both ends of the Y2 wire.
I tried to trace out where the Y2 wire went from the thermostat but there are junction boxes that unfortunately look like a rats nest of wires that is nearly impossible to trace out.

Hoepfully this all makes sense and thanks for the help!

I have a Hybrid heatpump also, not a Water Furnace. When mine makes hot water it always runs on stage 2. Operates stage 1 when making air.

Could be a dip switch setting adjustment to have it stay in stage 1 longer.

I am not a pro, maybe someone who knows these Synergy 3D heatpumps could answer

ChrisJ

Posted By ChrisJ on 26 Sep 2011 02:25 PM
I have a Hybrid heatpump also, not a Water Furnace. When mine makes hot water it always runs on stage 2. Operates stage 1 when making air.

Could be a dip switch setting adjustment to have it stay in stage 1 longer.

I am not a pro, maybe someone who knows these Synergy 3D heatpumps could answer

ChrisJ

It's possible it's a Dip switch setting but I've been reading over the manual multiple times and can't find anything that states that.
Thanks

Well just for some tests;

Ran the system on Hot forced air and it operates the same way, starts 1st stage for about 45secs and then goes into 2nd stage.

Pulled the Y2 wire from the Geo control board and it still operates the same.

Anybody know why it would still go into 2nd stage if the Y2 wire is disconnected?

I finally figured out why the 2nd stage is kicking on for hot water heating but still doesn't explain why it's happening in hot air mode.

Apparently, there was a note on the schematics that I should have paid better attention to.
* A hydronic input will generate a Y2 compressor call so that compressor only operates in high capacity.

This is really disappointing to find out, especially since my installer gave me a cost analysis that shows when the 1st & 2nd stage should kick in at certain temps.

I really would like to figure out a why to use the Geo to heat the buffer tank without generating a hydronic input that causes the Y2 signal. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The synergy is set up to start in 2nd stage in hydronic mode by the factory. I do not know the reason. Hydron allows to run the 2 stages individually. What size unit do you have?

Mine is the SDV064 model.

I looked at the Hydron Revolution units and was reading through the manual and saw this;

Unit Operation:
Water Heating Mode (Water-to-Water)

NOTES:
Red text indicates thermostat inputs or aquastat inputs. “HW”
is the aquastat input. “HW-1” and “HW-2” are always activated
together, and act as a single output from a control standpoint.

In water heating mode (aqua-stat input), “O” is de-energized; “HW-1” and “HW-2” are energized; “G” is de-energized; “Y1” and “Y2”
are energized; “W” is de-energized. If the control is set to “hot water priority with electric heat,” “W” and ”G” may be energized if
there is a simultaneous heating call from the thermostat and the aqua-stat. The refrigerant circuit is not capable of chilled water
operation. “O” is never energized during water heating mode.


This sounds like it's also forcing the unit into second stage when heating water like mine.

minihowie,

We apologize that we did not respond earlier, as we just found your post. It is normal operation for the Synergy 3D units to run in second stage in the hydronic mode. The operating conditions for the compressor in first stage in hydronic mode are outside of the reliable compressor operating map; therefore, it is limited to second stage only.

Also, since this unit operates in forced air and hydronic modes, we only allow hydronic mode to operate in second stage so the water can be heated as quickly as possible and auxiliary heat for the air side is energized less frequently during this timeframe.

WaterFurnace International, Inc.