Speakeasy: ACADIA Heat Pump Update
funny how it needs constant attention
by spare-ho - 11/19/09 5:07 PM In reply to: Happy with Hallowell... by TechMomentsi am very unhappy with my unit and it consumes my time watching this thing,I think its ridiculous, that people need to closely watch energy bills, study manuals and be in constant contact with installers and this manufacturer. what a joke why spend the 12-15k for this system, just that doesnt lower energy bills.
York Air Handler and filters
by taboma - 10/11/09 11:12 PM In reply to: ACADIA Heat Pump Update by tabomaThis is for JON:
"Thanks......I do change my air filter on a regular basis.
cheers, jon."
jon, when you cannot reply due to the length of the discussion, go back to the original post and reply. That will bring up a new thread and everyone will be able to read it.
I just did the same thing for you. Now you can respond with a new reply and thread.
It does take time to know all the ins and outs with CNET.
jon, I use a 20x25x5" air filter. I just purchased one last week from Home Depot for $30. Lowe's also carries them.
On the Hallowell touch pad thermostat, there will be a warning message that appears after six moths of usage: "Replace filter"
or something to that effect.
Touch that message on the screen and the error/warning message goes away. You now have six more months before that message appears again.
It is a good idea to inspect your filter monthly and to replace it when dirty. Hallowell recommends it.
Maybe Chip Lucas can add Hallowell's recommendations here as well.
-Kevin
York Air Handler and filters
by chplucas - 10/12/09 5:40 AM In reply to: York Air Handler and filters by tabomaWe do indeed recommend checking, and if necessary, changing the air filter on a monthly basis, for the 1-inch pleated filters that normally go in the air handlers.
Some contractors and homeowners use the larger media filters like Kevin has. Your mileage may vary on these, period checks of 3 months, 6 months, or more may be adequate depending on the type of media filter is installed. In addition, IAQ of the home has to be taken into consideration. If you have pets, smokers, etc., filter changes may need to be done on a sooner basis.
The thermostat's "Change Filter" reminder is based on a timer, not actual filter condition. This may, or may not have been enabled by the installer in the t-stat's setup menu. We generally recommend the filter timer be set for 725 hours, which is equivalent to approximately 1 month of run-time for the air handler (again, for 1-inch pleated filters)
The change filter reminder can also be cleared by pressing the clean screen function on the thermostat.
Thermostat Question
by peddler6 - 10/12/09 6:36 AM In reply to: York Air Handler and filters by chplucasI couldn't find this information in the user manual--what information is displayed for the various stages.
Mike
Thermostat Question
by chplucas - 10/12/09 7:13 AM In reply to: Thermostat Question by peddler6The Series 90 touchscreen thermostat (model 1F95-1271 or 1F95-1206) will display up to 3 stages of heat, and 2 stages of cooling on the display.
Stage 1: 1st stage heating or cooling call
Stage 1+2(solid): 2nd stage heating or cooling call
Stage 1+2(blinks):3rd stage heating call in effect
This is not truly indicative of how many compressors are running in the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit's control board makes compressor capacity decisions based on outdoor temperature, and what calls it sees from the thermostat.
re.:Thermostat Question
by peddler6 - 10/12/09 8:23 AM In reply to: Thermostat Question by chplucasThanks for the quick reply Chip.
So looking at the chart at the bottom of page 7 in the owners manual as a rough guide, if I see Stage 1 on the theromstat and it's 33 or 34 degrees outside, then the unit is probably running in the M1 mode, i.e. primary compressor dual cylinders...is that right?
And, Stage 1+2 blinking means primary and booster plus electric strip heat, correct?
I am confused at why for Bin D in the chart, if Stage 2 is called that the primary dual compressor plus strip heat is indicated (unless I am wrong in assuming W1 is strip heat) since the ODT is only between 25 and 34 degrees.
Mike
re: Thermostat Question
by chplucas - 10/12/09 9:55 AM In reply to: re.:Thermostat Question by peddler6So looking at the chart at the bottom of page 7 in the owners manual as a rough guide, if I see Stage 1 on the theromstat and it's 33 or 34 degrees outside, then the unit is probably running in the M1 mode, i.e. primary compressor dual cylinders...is that right?
You are correct.
And, Stage 1+2 blinking means primary and booster plus electric strip heat, correct?
Only if your outdoor air temperature is below 25 degrees.
The reason for the Bin D change is because we only allow booster compressor operation below that 25 degree point. Above 25, up to 34, the system is behaving like a standard air-source heat pump, with only one compressor running. Since it's still too warm outside to engage the booster safely, if the temperature in the home starts losing ground due to the lower BTU output of Primary in that temperature range (due to house load), we allow the 2nd stage call from the thermostat to bring on the smallest bank of auxiliary heat in addition to the Primary's output. This adds approximately 16,000 extra BTU's to the system's total output. This is actually a feature that can be disabled on the outdoor unit's control board. When disabled, a 2nd stage heat call in that temperature Bin will be no different from a 1st stage call in terms of BTU output. Primary running in dual cylinder mode only. No extra strip heat will come on.
Either case, once the thermostat satisfies, the next heat call will begin with Stage 1 again, and if needed, eventually stage up as dictated by BTU loss of the home.
Chip
Hallowell Technical Support
re: Thermostat Question
by peddler6 - 10/12/09 10:24 AM In reply to: re: Thermostat Question by chplucasThanks Chip, now it's all coming into focus.
I'll just monitor my usage to see if keeping the strip activated in that narrow temp. range is more than I'd like vs. being colder than we like.
Mike
Biting the Bullet - Going with an Acadia System
by NH_lakes - 10/20/09 9:26 AM In reply to: re: Thermostat Question by peddler6Kevin/Mike/Chip,
After a long debate, I decided to go with the Acadia system. The system will be installed in the coming weeks by American Air Systems out of Conway NH. The wife left this decision to me, so the system needs to perform well or I'll be hearing about this for a real long time.
We evaluated an open-loop Geo, the Acadia system and a mini-split system for our house. My final decision was based on the installation cost savings associated with the Acadia system over Geo. I ruled out the mini split after considering the line runs required on the outside of the house. I plan to use the installation money I save with the Acadia over a Geo system to finish my man cave this winter.
Disappointment to date:
No Federal Rebate or Incentive for a 4-Ton Acadia unit.
NHEC offers a rebate to it's customers and I'm in the process of submitting my application for that. This needs to be submitted prior to starting the project.
I'll keep you guys posted on how my install goes.
Wish me luck and thanks for all your comments on this board.
-Karl
re.: Biting the Bullet - Going with an Acadia System
by peddler6 - 10/20/09 11:40 AM In reply to: Biting the Bullet - Going with an Acadia System by NH_lakesHi Karl,
I think you have made a good choice. My new 3-ton system has been up and running for 2 weeks now. I am very pleased so far. Once my installer put some extra rubber cushions between the tubing going outside and the floor joists, the inside noise virtually went away. When the outside temps got down to the upper 20's a few times over the last week, the unit was still only using stage one which is the first compressor. That tells me that the unit is pretty efficient even though it is running as a normal heat pump until the outside temps gets below about 25 degrees.
I think as long as your installer has installed several Acadia's, you will be in good shape.
Best of luck getting your rebate. Right now the Federal program doesn't include any size Acadia. Hallowell is on step 7 of 7 steps the DOE puts them through. They also need to get certification from the AHRI, which is tougher because their competitors sit on the board.
As you probably saw in one of my recent posts, I put my electric company and Duane Hallowell together a couple of weeks ago and based on what the electric company's representative told me, I expect them to offer rebates very soon to Acadia buyers. That rep also said they would be talking with the DOE and AHRI.
Mike
re.: Biting the Bullet - Going with an Acadia System
by chplucas - 10/20/09 1:20 PM In reply to: re.: Biting the Bullet - Going with an Acadia System by peddler6Glad to hear it, Karl. Dan and his crew at American Air are good guys, I'm sure they will do excellent work for you.
Mike NHEC offers their own rebate program for low-temperature energy efficient heat pumps. That has nothing to do really with ARI.
Btw - for those keeping track, we are on the last step of that DOE waiver process, I've been told. We should be going back to ARI before too much longer with a new classification and testing proceedure that better reflects low-temperature performance and efficiency.
Acadia Install/Fed Tax Incentive
by NH_lakes - 10/20/09 3:38 PM In reply to: re.: Biting the Bullet - Going with an Acadia System by chplucasMike,
I'm glad your system is working well and I look forward to having my system up and running soon. Unfortunately, I'm working through the paperwork drill with NHEC.
I did a cut and paste from the energystar.gov website that I thought would be of interest to you and other bloggers. Below is the criteria the system must meet to be eligible for the tax credit. The 2 & 3 Ton Acadia sytems both meet the listed requirements and are on the Non-AHRI CAC/ASHP Product List. Cut and paste the link to your browser and take a look at that list. It's current as of October 1st, 2009, though the Acadia 4 Ton system is not on the list.
Quoted from "www.energystar.gov website"
Heat pumps that meet the following requirements qualify for a tax credit of 30% of the cost (including installation), up to $1,500:
Split Systems: HSPF >= 8.5, EER >= 12.5, SEER >= 15 (What is SEER/EER/HSPF?)
Package systems: HSPF >= 8, EER >= 12, SEER >= 14 (What is the difference between Split vs Package?)
There isn't a single list of qualified products, but there are two partial lists:
1) CEE-AHRI Online database
Scroll down the page to the chart. For the "Residential Air-Source Heat Pumps" row, click on the link in the right-hand column to "Find Qualifying Equipment"
At the bottom of the first column, click "Yes" for "Eligible for Tax Credit"
2) Non-AHRI CAC/ASHP Product List [Excel] [pdf]- you'll need to check this list for products that meet the requirements above.
Note — not all ENERGY STAR products will qualify for the tax credit. View ENERGY STAR criteria.
http://energystar.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/energystar.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5799
I think its worth looking into for your system.
Good luck!
Karl
re.: Acadia Install/Fed Tax Incentive
by peddler6 - 10/20/09 5:44 PM In reply to: Acadia Install/Fed Tax Incentive by NH_lakesThanks Karl, I will certainly follow-up on this. When I talked with someone at Hallowell the other week, they said they were still going through the approval process. I will check directly with the DOE.
You're in the right location for sure...if the 4-ton qualifies for their $4,000 rebate.
Mike
Biting the Bullet - Going with an Acadia System
by NH_lakes - 10/21/09 6:35 AM In reply to: re.: Biting the Bullet - Going with an Acadia System by chplucasChip,
I've liked my dealings to date with Dan at American Air. He runs an Acadia system in his own home which provides comfort knowing he is familiar with the system. His crew will be installing new duct work throughout the house which appears to be critical to system performance. I'm looking forward to getting the system installed and running.
I'll monitor the system's performance and post periodic reviews throughout the winter for people who may be considering the ACADIA.
Thanks for your contribution to the discussions here.
-Karl
Biting the Bullet - Going with an Acadia System
by taboma - 10/21/09 11:33 PM In reply to: Biting the Bullet - Going with an Acadia System by NH_lakesKarl, Insulate all the duct work. Warm air and cold air returns. Make sure you install the 20x25x5" filter system for the York air handler. Stay away from the 1" filter that has to be replaced monthly.
The Acadia has it's quarks.
A case in point:
Adam Lannan 10/21/09
Hello Adam,
You wanted me to contact you if my 3-ton Acadia ever went on to strip heat.
I have been on vacation for the last two weeks in Montgomery, AL.
This evening, 10/21/09, I turned on my Acadia. The outside temp was 50 degrees F. My home temp was 54 degrees.
I set the thermostat at two-degree stages each time to reach 60 degrees on stage one.
60-62 the Acadia went to stage 1+2.
62-64 the acadia went to stage 1+2 and blinking. (Stage 3, strip heat.)
64-66 was the same and on strip heat.
Finally after about an hour, my Acadia is maintaining my 66 degrees and is only running on stage 1.
Adam, why did the Acadia run on stage 3 this evening!? This past spring the Acadia ran on stage 1 all season.
Does the system need to be recharged?
I have a brand new Sunbeam 20x25x5” filter installed.
Should I replace that Sunbeam filter with a Trion Air Bear filter? What is the difference between filters?
Please give me a call and figure out what is wrong. I will be home all week.
Thanks,
-Kevin
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
