Two Stage Furnace Efficiency Compared

[ChuckHVAC]

This is my "test stand" in it's current configuration.

[ChuckHVAC]

Could you post a pic of the test station, and the use of the duct blaster.

The following link is the Duct Blaster Manual, see chapter 13, it will do a better job than I will.
http://www.energyconservatory.com/download/dbmanual.pdf

Also here is a link to a study on measuring air flow where I first got the idea that I should use my Duct Blaster for this purpose.
http://efficientcomfort.net/document...AC_Systems.pdf

Personally my Duct Blaster results were not perfect, the numbers when compared to other methods I was using seemed to run about 3% high. My final numbers are actually a extrapolation using all my sources. I used the same method of calculation for all test so that it should not have much effect of the accuracy when comparing low to high stage.
If I stay motivated, my next idea for calibrating the Duct Blaster, at similar air flows, is to set up an air handler with a electric heaters and use the temp rise method to compare against.

[energy star]

I own a duct blaster. Just did not understand the configuration. Thanks for the pic. I also like the well designed supply plenum. System effect is nice to see. I also like how you compensated for flue length.

[CynicX]

This is my "test stand" in it's current configuration.

I'm going to start doing this on clean and checks....

[Phasewolf]

I would love to see a Rheem Mod hooked to your stand and tested at 40% 60% 80% and 100% just to see where it really stands.

[openclasspro]

i would love to see an american standard 3 stg modulating 96% er/60k btu with 900 control operating it hooked to your stand

[beenthere]

Everybody that wants to see certain unit hooked up and tested.
Send him the unit(his to keep after testing), and $2500.00 for his time and test equipment use, and posting of the results.

Chuck. I'm trying to get you some money.

[ChuckHVAC]

Everybody that wants to see certain unit hooked up and tested.
Send him the unit(his to keep after testing), and $2500.00 for his time and test equipment use, and posting of the results.

Chuck. I'm trying to get you some money.

Thanks beenthere, I'll accept any submittals under beenthere's terms! I'd even print you up a fancy report!
I do enjoy this stuff, but I do have to make a living most days.
If someone gave me a grant and a pile of new furnaces to test, I'd be in hog heaven.
I'd much rather stay in the shop and experiment then be out on a rooftop in the cold.
Seriously when I'm done playing with this one I would like to test something with a ECM motor on the inducer.

[EmilG]

I'm surprised at how low the power factor is - expected 0.9+ for an ecm

An ECM doesn't have to have a PFC front end as shown in this case.

Actually correcting for power factor is something the power company wants but it may actually make the ECM controller less efficient. There are losses in the PFC circuitry. The electric company likes PFC because it reduces the amount of current flowing in their wires which is a loss for them.

It can be confusing.

[jerryd_2008]

Everybody that wants to see certain unit hooked up and tested.
Send him the unit(his to keep after testing), and $2500.00 for his time and test equipment use, and posting of the results.

...

Is that cheaper than AHRI? Maybe the big guys like Trane, York, Rheem, etc. might bite.

[arc8]

Maybe we can all donate money for a certain type of equipment/system.

I'm interested to see how and where this goes!

[gary_g]

Where is Jim Davis when you need him?