How does the Rheem Remote Sensor System work?

[bokenrosie]

I am having a modulating furnace installed in my home next week.

In the brochure for this furnace, they mention the contour comfort control thermostat system as a requirement for this modulating furnace to perform as intended. They also mentioned an optional remote sensor will analyze the temperature at up to six locations. It will direct the furnace activity to insure even heat.

None of the four contractors that I have spoken to its familiar with how this works.

The short question is: I have a to story Colonial home located in New Jersey.the upstairs floor is usually colder in the winter and warmer in the summer. The thermostat is located on the first floor. If we install a remote sensor on the second-floor, will happen when the system measures a difference in temperature between the thermostat and the remote sensor?

[karsthuntr]

It will average the temp. between the sensor and the t-stat if set up that way, ie... if upstairs is 70 and down is 74, the t-stat will read 72.

[bokenrosie]

Can it be setup to use the setpoint on the T-stat?

If I want the house to be at 68, and the remote sensor sees that it is 72 upstairs, is there a way to tell it to circulate the air until they equal eachother?

[karsthuntr]

Short answer, no.

The main purpose of this t-stat is to put t-stat in a secure location and remotely read the temp of the room you are heating or cooling.

[bokenrosie]

Maybe I'm just asking the question the wrong way? The same brochure says that the system will maintain setpoint to +/- 1 degree from setpoint. If this is the case the average would pull it down so that we are never more than a degree apart in either location right?

Also, what do I need to ask for if I also want "outside temperature" on my unit?

[htrguy]

Can it be setup to use the setpoint on the T-stat?

If I want the house to be at 68, and the remote sensor sees that it is 72 upstairs, is there a way to tell it to circulate the air until they equal eachother?

That is not the intent of the sensor. The sensor allows you to modulate to an average temperature of the two sensors or modulate to the remote only or modulate to the thermostat. Not used to turn the fan on and off.
One of the nice features of these units is the fan speed cfm is half of the cooling speed and uses very little power to do it. If you want to try and circulate air to evenout the temperatures this is the best way; just turn on the fan to constant. I don't think you'll need the constant fan because the mod will run on a low heat speed almost continuosly by design anyway so constant fan or remote sensing for a fan speed is unnecessary anyway.

[karsthuntr]

Also, what do I need to ask for if I also want "outside temperature" on my unit?

I'm not positive on that stat, but I think its either the remote sensor or the outdoor stat, not both.

[bokenrosie]

I'm beginning to understand. Can I set the speed of the fan if I put it to manual? Maybe set the fan to run at 20% all the time. Presumably this would ensure the best circulation without making it drafty?

I really wish I had an installer that knew all this stuff. The distributor told my installer that this is all new technology and that they don't have many of them installed. I guess I'll be the test quinea pig?

[dash]

1.)You could ask them to see if they can "damper" the main trunk duct going to upstairs,if it's installed that way and accessable.Then you can adjust the damper to reduce the air flow to the upstairs.

2.) You could try closing the dampers at the registers upstairs a little to reduce air flow.

Duct static should be tested when doing either to be sure you are getting the required air flow.

[karsthuntr]

The mod has been out since at least 1998, when I took the training.

[gsxr]

can someone tell me the part number for the Rheem Remote Sensor for the mod 90

[bokenrosie]

There are two remote sensors. I have the inside version. It is 41-f145-1378

Good luck

[stvc]

I had the same system installed last fall. If I were you I wouldn't worry about the temp diif. with your current system so much right now. If you get the mod t-stat you can set the fan to Prog. which will run the fan for 10 min on and 20 min off if the t-stat has not called for heat or cool in 60 min.The outdoor sensor only displays the outdoor temp on your t-stat. Cool but not needed. My house used to be all over the place temp. wise and is real nice now. Unless your HVAC guy thinks otherwise I would try it as is first.

[stvc]

Sorry, didn't notice this went back so far.
So how does it work for you?

[bokenrosie]

I used the Prog function all winter long and I have never seen the house so comfortable. My experience in the summer is that Prog has not been needed as much. It helps, but the second floor is going to get warmer no matter what. Even running fan all day long I always have a differential of 2-3 degrees between remote and home.

The modulating nature in heating season seems to get the two locations to the exact same temperature after some time.

[gsxr]

There are two remote sensors. I have the inside version. It is 41-f145-1378

Good luck

I got my furnace on sat and my tstat and remote sensor today
on the box for it says outside sensor on the box F1451378 and in the instructions it shows part number F145-1328 for the inside sensor
Since you can only use one sensor i think ill switch it for the inside sensor

is there any benefit of the outside sensor other than seeing the outside temp on the tstat?

seems like its only needed for dual fuel so I'll get the indoor sensor

[gsxr]

I am going to have the Tstat in my berdroom and the remote sensor in the living room.It looks like I can give the remote sensor a higher priority during the day when we are using the living room and a lower priority at night when the room isnt used. Since the living room is cathedral ceiling and every wall is windows, a sliding door and sky lights, it has a higher heat gain and loss does this priority settings sound like it will work?
at night I dont care so much if the living room temps are off from the bedroom