Kentucky Turn Auxilliary Heat Off

Am doing some testing on my unit (Comfort-aire Model HTV036A1C01ARK) and I turn off Aux heat at fuse-box for periods of time. They put the Geo unit and Aux heat on separate fuses.

Does this harm the system in any way?

 

No.

 

Some manufacturers change the wiring harness when strip heaters are installed. They route power to the blower through the heater package.

 

I've turned the Aux off and the blowers still seem to be working so hopefully not on this unit.

Thanks all.

 

Thanks.

 

I have mine disabled, I only enable it when we go away during the winter and when the temp is below 5 degrees.

 

I was thinking along the same lines.

My geothermal maintains heat very well during the day and since I'm not bothered if it dips a bit at night (since I dislike heat when I'm sleeping) I'd rather turn it off.

If it gets way too cold I'd simply switch it back on when needed.

 

I manually monitor my EWT and LWT, enabling the electric increases these numbers over the long run. Monitor your temps so they don't get too low, otherwise you will deplete your loop field.

 

That was a concern.

I wondered if the system is designed to give the geo a 'rest' (for want of a better expression) so that it doesn't freeze the lines, although using electric auxiliary back-up (as I do) would rather defeat the purpose of lowering cost I would imagine.

I will keep an eye on the system, as you suggest, with temps from the Pete's port etc.

Thanks

 

The electric plenum heater is typically supplemental heat installed to come on at your specific "design temperature".

Frankly, most that end up here have no idea what that design temperature is - and treat the plenum heater like emergency heat.

The risk is when the temperatures are at design and the heat pump does not get supplemental heat as support. This can lead to longer unit run times and lower loop temperatures.

 

Like many, I have to admit, I have no idea what the design temps are for my unit. I shall try to find out from installers.

I know that the Aux is supposed to come on when the inside temp falls behind more that 1 or 2 degrees or when I ask for rise beyond that...but mine seems to come on even when it appears to be keeping up on a moderately chilly day, which doesn't make sense. (economically, at least)

My instinct with my old oil heat would be to set back when I'm not in the house and at night, but I know that it doesn't work like that with Geo, so I'm looking for the perfect balance temp to set it.

To be honest, the thought that the Aux is coming on for hours at a time when the house is empty during the day is a little unnerving and when it comes on at night, it makes the house a little too stuffy to sleep.

I'm tempted to use the Aux heat as a comfort regulator when I'm in the house...by which I mean...that I will turn it off when I'm away for the day and turn it on when I'm home.

Any opinions on this?

At the moment I'm waiting for a decent insert thermometer to be delivered (Fieldpiece SPK2) so I can watch those loop temperatures.

 

...that I will turn it off at the fuse-box when I'm away for the day, etc.

 

For me, at least, aux is not a bad word, (but emergency heat would be)

Not an installer here, just a homeowner like you, but I wonder if some tweaking of your thermostat may help. In my case, I have an outside temp sensor which the tstat uses to inhibit aux heat below a set outside temp. Ours is currently set to 25, if I remember right. I also have 2 options for how the tstat is set up, proportional or differential algorithms. Differential just uses temperature differentials to stage the heat pump. Proportional (the one I use) uses a combination of run time, temperature, and who knows whatever other magic to control temperature. I've noticed that the anticipator setting, in the tstat, makes a major difference on when the tstat magically decides that staging is needed. Set it a little less sensitive and it waits longer to stage up without any noticeable difference in room temperature. This is on a climatemaster unit with a climatemaster tstat.

FWIW, I've also noticed that the times the heat pump is in second stage or even aux, and I think it shouldn't be, I can step outside and find the wind blowing like crazy. So, don't forget to take air leakage of the house into consideration when you think the heat pump is running too much.

 

I have an outside temp sensor which the tstat uses to inhibit aux heat below a set outside temp. Ours is currently set to 25, if I remember right.

That kinda sounds like what I'm trying to do manually!

I don't have an outside thermostat that I can set, so I'm trying to regulate on those days where it really isn't that cold.

When the aux comes on there is a noticeable difference in the heat it puts out (compared to Geo) and it quickly becomes stuffy in the house. I prefer geo heat because it is more temperate.

I had some other heating issues which seems to be solved and I'm now trying to find a perfect balance point for comfort and...economy.

 

I would be careful. Monitoring your entering water temp is good advice and coming to know your balance point would be good too.

 

T

Thanks again for advice.

I ran the system without Aux heat (turned off at fuse-box) for 8 hours and I measured these temps before I switched back on.

EWT 36'F
LWT 29.F

 

Those numbers look OK from Cleveland. Are the loops in dirt or limestone?

 

Limestone.

 

Vertical?

Grouted?

 

Vertical system installed within 2 years (this is 2nd heating season) and here are some details I know.

Piping size entering/ leaving home 1.25” Piping size and length in ground .75” approximately, 600’ (plus another 125' added after installation!)

10kw auxiliary heat strips

Comfort-aire Model HTV036A1C01ARK

Ungrouted.