Don't touch the thermostat!

AndyM · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Don\'t touch the thermostat!

( boss sets the sleep temp at 62. Which means I just use more wool blankets )

Boy! I wish that was the case! I tried to used the arguement of using more blankets, but she says her NOSE gets too cold so we can't turn the thermostat down! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Hambone · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Don\'t touch the thermostat!

I agree with the heatpump thing. I don't like mine at all. Maybe the new ones are better, mine is 14 years old.

I have a question on this topic. I have heard that you should leave your blower fan on all the time. It helps keep the moisture out of some areas and keep hot /cold spots from happening. The one person said it is easier on the motor and does not cost much too run.

Any comments?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Bird · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Don\'t touch the thermostat!

( I have heard that you should leave your blower fan on all the time. )

Good question, and one I've often wondered about myself. I like the idea of the air constantly circulating and being constantly filtered, but wonder how much longer (or shorter time) the blower motor would last if left running continuously.

Hope someone has some good answers for us.

herbenus · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Don\'t touch the thermostat!

Not good answers, just more opinions. Since my ducts have the usual minimal insulation, there is a lot of heat lost through them. I know this because when I turn on blower I get a blast of heat down on me in the summer, and cool in the winter. So running blower all the time means there is an exchange (loss) of heat while running. On the other hand, keeping blower running means air is circulated around house better, resulting in more consistent comfort. Which may enable you to lower thermostat a tad. But ceiling fans can do the same thing. I don't keep my blower running but back when I had a two story house I had to run it extra sometimes to get some of that heat down to first floor. What would be neat would be an extra control for the blower, so you could make it run say every 30 minutes for ten or something. I think there may a setting up on furnace that tells fan how long to run after fire cuts off. But since I have a heat pump, I'm not messing with mine. Bird, I hope you find this post a little less useless than it really is...

GaryM · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Don\'t touch the thermostat!

When I had my heat pump installed about 10 years back they used a multispeed blower motor. I had it rigged so that I can flick a switch on the side of the unit and the blower will run at low speed. When the heat or AC come on, the blower switches to the correct speed for that mode.

I only use it during the summer and it helps reduce the temperature differentals in different parts of the house.

CTyler · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Don\'t touch the thermostat!

( But don't turn your thermostat back if you have a heat pump. Most heat pumps use resistance coils for a backup heat source )

The only time the backup(emergency) heat kicks on is if its to cold for the heatpump to run. Just setting it back and then back up will not kick in the emergency source.

CTyler · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Don\'t touch the thermostat!

( I agree with the heatpump thing. I don't like mine at all. Maybe the new ones are better, mine is 14 years old.
)

I had heard the same thing thing from a couple people. My father in law being quite vocal. This made me really check into ratings, efficiencies, temp rise etc.. I talked to my HVAC contractor about this and that I did not want something sized just big enough for my new house. He assured me it would not be a problem. The heatpump puts out nice warm air and will run down to 20 deg(crossover point). And at 21-22 degrees out(I was paying attention that day) it did not run all the time and the air was still warm. I'm quite happy with it.

PhilNH5 · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Don\'t touch the thermostat!

( ( But don't turn your thermostat back if you have a heat pump. Most heat pumps use resistance coils for a backup heat source )

The only time the backup(emergency) heat kicks on is if its to cold for the heatpump to run. Just setting it back and then back up will not kick in the emergency source. )

Heat pumps are not smart enough to know if it is to cold to efficiently work. They have a setting (mine was factory set at 4 degrees) - if the heat pump can
NOT bring the house temp to within 4 degrees of the thermostat setting it will turn on the coils. Outside temp is irrelevant.

So if you set back the thermostat 10 dgrees at night and then kick it back up in the AM then the coils will come on.

That is how mine worked.

Phil

Hambone · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Don\'t touch the thermostat!

Yes, that is how mine works.

CTyler · Jan 20, 2004

Re: Don\'t touch the thermostat!

On mine if the outside temp 20 degrees or below it automatically runs on propane. Does it know how efficient it is at a given temp? Don't know. The x-over is just a set point. It does have a 4(?) speed fan in it. I don't lnow the details on this either. I assume fan speed depends on the temp rise. The Mfg provides the data on the recommended x-over point. The power Co. will be coming out to set it for maximum efficiency in the next week or so.

I'll have to look in the book tonight about temp differentials and setbacks on mine. I know my stepsons heat pump will not kick in the emergency electric heat by dropping back the temp at night.