WaterFurnace NDV049 questions

[Ashoop]

Hello to all. I am a first time poster so bear with me.
I had an NDV049A111CTR installed 3 weeks ago that replaced an old FHP (3.5 ton I think) that shot craps after 8 years. Not sure what model it was though. The original loop and ductwork remained the same except for some modification to the return air duct at the furnace. The thermostat was replaced with a programmable WaterFurnace stat. I have a water heater and storage tank that were also reused and hooked up to the new furnace using new copper pipes. I have a couple questions regarding this new unit.

1. The furnace will run 35 to 40 minutes every hour even though the outside temperature is in the mid teens. It is in 1st stage almost all the time so I am wondering if this is possibly just normal operation? The FHP never seemed to run this much.

2. The unit is located in the basement and makes an annoying hum/vibration that can be heard easily throughout the house upstairs. It is much less noticable near the unit. The noise is also much more prominent in the 1st stage of operation. If running in 2nd stage it is a lot quieter. Is this normal?

I had the installer return to check the unit and they say all is fine and operating properly. The technicians work order did not list the temperatures but noted the following - Temperature drop in loop 9 degrees. Check airflow, temp rise at coil 29 degrees. Checked desuperheater operation.Checked unit amp draw. Check blower speeds. Unit working ok.

I am still concerned however with the run time and annoying noise or vibration. Any insight or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ashoop

[BaldLoonie]

Running like it does when cold and on 1st stage sounds great. That's the idea of buying a 2 stage unit, longer run cycles on low. When are you more comfy, with some heat coming out or not? Obviously with heat coming out.

9° drop on the loop and 29° rise with proper airflow sounds just what it should be doing too.

As for the noise, something the dealer should look into. Something appears to be transmitted into the ductwork. Likely a "canvas connector" or other sound reducing method can solve it or reduce it.

[Ashoop]

Thanks for the reply BaldLoonie. This is the first time I have had a 2 stage unit so wondered whether this run time was normal. I guess I will see how it impacts my utility bills before becoming too concerned.
There are "canvas connectors" placed on both the return and supply ductwork where both connect to the main ductwork. Can't really feel any vibration on the unit but certainly can hear it upstairs. Since the noise is louder in 1st stage vs. 2nd stage could it be related to the water heater circuit? I know I read something on here about that before. The salesman is going to come out again to see about the noise.
I am going to measure the water and air temps tonight when I get home as I do not know if the numbers I gave earlier are accurate or what stage of operation the technician checked them in.
I measured the air temperature using a meat themometer last night and the entering air was 69 degrees and the exiting air directly out of the top of the furnace was 84 degrees with the themometer in first stage after about 20 minutes of run time. Granted my thermometer wasn't the best and I am going to borrow a better one to measure both the water and air.

[Ken Schneider]

I had a WaterFurnace Envision Model #NDV038A141CTR unit installed last August. My unit is also making an annoying hum intermittently. WaterFurnance sent a representative to cheek out my complaint along with a few others in the area. However, when he was here the unit seemed to be working properly so he was not able to measure the sound level/frequency. The next day it was again making the annoying noise.

WarterFurnance had my contractor install a "new and improved" compressor blanket. It did reduce the noise level my I believe it is not working properly as evidenced by the inconsistent noise.

My contractor said WaterFurnace has always been a reputable manufacturer. I hope that they are and are willing to correct my concerns and complaints.

Thanks,

Ken Schneider