BaldLonnie! What is a MODULATOR?

[djay]

For those cold WI. winters what did you mean by using a modulator on the furnace? As always appreciate your excellent info..thanks

[RoBoTeq]

I would assume you are reffering to the Rheem/Ruud modulating furnace.

Instead of being a single or even two stage furnace, this furnace gas valve modulates from very low to full capacity depending on the needs of the home.

Using fuzzy logic controls, VS blower technology and temperature differential sensors in the return and supply air of the furnace, this furnace is designed to operate nearly 100% percent of the time when there is a need for heat by only putting out the amount of heat that is actually needed at any precise moment.

I don't sell them, wish I had something like them to sell.

[smadave]

Nice Furnace, I have installed a few of them. They can be set up as one stage, two stage, or modulating. The only problem is you have to buy the modulating thermostat to take advantage of the technology. The thermostat is like $300.00!!! I use to buy a two stage stat and set it up that way. I have since switched to carrier. Hope this helps

Dave in NJ

[docholiday]

Originally posted by smadave
Nice Furnace, I have installed a few of them. They can be set up as one stage, two stage, or modulating. The only problem is you have to buy the modulating thermostat to take advantage of the technology. The thermostat is like $300.00!!! I use to buy a two stage stat and set it up that way. I have since switched to carrier. Hope this helps

Dave in NJ

300 is a slight exageration and then you would have to also reduce the price by that of any other stat. Another correction would be you operate it as a 3 stage machine if wired like any other system. To take full advantage of the modulating furnace you would need to use the mod's thermostat. A small price to pay for the difference in comfort.

[RoBoTeq]

Just so you understand, these are comfort features and not efficiency features. There are more efficient furnaces on the market but doubtful any "can be" installed and set up to be as comfortable.

Please note that I stated "can be". Many mods I have seen are not taking advantage of their potential and if not set up as a fully modulating furnace there are better choices of furnaces on the market.

Basically, we are again back to the installer.

To set a mod furnace up for single or two stage operation is like hiring Liberace to play Chopsticks.

[docholiday]

You hired Liberace? Elton John wasnt available?

[RoBoTeq]

Elton was doing the "Can't Get You Outta My Head" and "Blue Bayou" A.I.D.S benefit concerts with the remaining members of Queen.

[jacob perkins]

ask lusker...he too is a modulator

[cem-bsee]

modulate = controlled device, usually a valve, which can be full closed or full open or any position in between. such have been around for my 50+ years in the industry.

[Carnak]

In the dead of winter, most likely a properly sized modulating furnace is always burning some gas.

The thermostat, when it senses the space is cooling, 'tells' the blower to speed up and give more air to the space. The modulating gas controls respond to burn more gas to keep the air temperature rise in the furnace constant. It always heats the air by a set amount of degrees, the thermostat increases/decreases the amount of air.

It burns just as much gas as is required in the dead of winter.

A lot of furnaces have steady state efficiencies published, but it takes time to get the furnaces heated up and working at those rated efficencies. It would be analogous to city mileage and highway milage. The more you stop and start, the less you get from your fuel.

The modulating furnace should run steady in the deep cold spells, and in milder wheather it will modulate down until about 40% of it's rated heat output is too much to maintain the home at an even set temperature. At this point during the milder weather it will function as an on/off furnace. It will still run for longer cycles in the milder weather than any other furnace out there. Unless of course the two stage ones can get down to 40% now.

The longer it runs, the more comfortable you will be and the more efficient it will be.