Stay on Topic

ok. It was just something I heard and I was gonna run it by a heating expert before purchasing. Just seemed like maybe the furnace would run more often for less time if it ran between, say, 160 and 170 instead of 150 and 170.

HW was at 120, but my temp prob is bad. Plastic sheathing fell off and it thought it was at 120 while tap temp was 90 or below. I fixed it by "painting" it with some liquid electrical tape. Now it's set for 120, and temp at the tap is closer to 130. But I can't find anyone that just sells the probe, and the whole thermostat assembly was $120 (replaced one) so I'd rather not buy the whole thing. Finally found a manual with the PN so maybe I'll call about the probe and see if the heating/plumbing store can get it.

What's an "OAT reset"?

 

I use a 96% HE gas forced air furnace, and the shorter cycling times do make a difference in my application.

The furnace runs more often but for much shorter bursts. It sort of makes sense if it runs more often, but less intensley it would save fuel. Kind of like just setting the cruise on the highway, instead of banging through the gears from 0-70 from a traffic light.

Now perhaps that has something to do with the variable gas valves on my furnace, and maybe an oil burner does not have that kind of set-up even when it goes to HE, I have no real knowledge about oil systems, but to me it makes sense????

 

My furnace is supposedly 95% efficient.

Back on topic, everyone view the Joke of the Day thread? I have about 1000 jokes in my email account... I'll be adding some as I have time.

 

Congrats PT! ! ! Good luck on your new job and it's always good to get out of the house for a while It gives "Family" new meaning! !!!

 

"Outside Air Temperature" reset. Its a thermostat that tracks the OAT and automatically resets your supply water setpoint. Lets say, if your OAT is 32F, you can probably heat with 100F water and if OAT is -10, you'll need 120F and -20 you'll need 140F etc. The better OAT reset thermostats use a tighter graph to pick the ideal set point. This set up will save you some $$$. This is best suited for hydronic systems only which is what you have.

 

They make those?! Cool! Thanks, I'll have to look into that. I normally have it set for 165 or 170 max and just leave it there. It was 180 when we moved in I think. I backed it down thinking it save oil. Then again, maybe hotter temperature water would hold heat longer? This gives me a headache.

 

Thanks! Yeah, having almost 6 months off has been kinda nice. Watching the kids grow up a little, and seeing what the 2yr old learns (a little too smart for her own good).

For example, I didn't know a 2yr could have a sense of right and wrong already... How can she know she'll be beat for playing in mommy and daddy's room and go running back to hers at nap time when she hears mommy heading for the stairs?

 

huh..... Top 3 reputation spots held by Northern Alliance members... Imagine that!


Good work guys!!!

 

Mav, when a furnace or air conditioner short cycles it tell you that there's a problem. The problem being the unit is over sized. Pure and simple. In both cases (heating and cooling), its better to run the unit longer than in short burst. Some people install their thermostat right above a vent/register and unit never gets to do its job.

In your case, you probably have a variable speed DC fan with a 2 stage gas valve. If this is the case, you can mess with the dip switches and prolong the run on first stage (60%) thereby delaying the switch to 2nd stage (100%). Most HE unit allow you to stay on 1st stage for 30 minutes. This should somewhat alleviate your problem or speak to your furnace contractor about the possibility of safely capping off one burner thereby reducing your BTU's. Also test run your furnace with your fan "continuously on" (fan runs when your furnace is off) and see if your furnace short cycling incidents reduce. The DC motor is energy efficient so dont worry about it.

The other reason your furnace short cycles is because the newer digital thermostats have a very narrow "dead band" of 0.6 degrees F to 1 degree F. I hate this feature so much, its not even funny and there is no adjustment available. They provide an almost perfect and constant room temperature but it kills your furnace components.

 

With the set points you are using, you'll see significant savings with at OAT reset. Can you please PM me you furnace make and model #.

 

What exactly do you do for a living?!?

 

wow, we are on the page 25!!!

 

Peanut Butter Jelly Time
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OMFG! I just realized my furnace is made in Canada!! I didn't know they made anything in Canada.....

 

HE IS SO QQQQQ!!!

 

I have a little whale tail carved from a moose antler that was made in Canada.

 

thread post 500!

 

actually....yours is #500....mine is 501!!!

 

I've already fixed it.