Newbie with Heater Questions

[holstein05]

I apologize, but when it comes to HVAC, I don't know much, and that is why I am here. To learn a few things so I can hopefully become someone who can do more than change my filter now and then. I'm having a problem with the electric heater in my house. Here are the symtoms that drive me crazy.

1) VERY high electric bill.
2) Fan seems to run all the time (not 100% sure, but I am 99% sure of this)
3) Air is only warm sometime. (like not very often, but when it is warm, it is nice)
4) Thermostat is set on 'auto' at about 68-70 degrees.

I have a theory that someth'n ain't right. I was under the impression that these unit run when it is warming the unit, then has a short just fan time to cool the element, then the fan stops. Therefore, most the time the air is blowing, it would be warm air. (until that brief time before the fan shuts off)

Help me, I want to learn, but am at a loss..

Thank you

[fortressofcomfort]

Is this a heat pump or an electric furnace?

A heat pump would have the setting 'Em Heat' available on the thermostat.

[Wild Leg]

Mechanical Designer?
Is that what we used to call a draftsman?

What did your contractor say was wrong with it?

I can't imagine any professional that would not be able to properly troubleshoot an electric furnace. You need to find a different person to take a look at it.

[holstein05]

Originally posted by fortressofcomfort
Is this a heat pump or an electric furnace?

A heat pump would have the setting 'Em Heat' available on the thermostat.

I assume it was a electric furnace since it has coil type heating elements in the airpath. (I've seen them myself)

BUT, it does have a 'EM HT' option... ?? I thought if it had a heating element, then it was conventional electric.

[holstein05]

Originally posted by bwal2
Mechanical Designer?
Is that what we used to call a draftsman?

What did your contractor say was wrong with it?

I can't imagine any professional that would not be able to properly troubleshoot an electric furnace. You need to find a different person to take a look at it.

No.. it's not a draftsperson... But I do CAD in my job.

I haven't had anybody else look at it. My wife and I are confident we can troubleshoot it (she's an electrical enginner by degree, controls logics programmer by trade) but we've never been educated in HVAC at all.

[Reliant Air]

Originally posted by bwal2
Mechanical Designer?
Is that what we used to call a draftsman?

Some of us Mechanical Designers do way more than just drafting. We might be the person inspecting your job, reviewing your submittals, or answering your dumb questions the day before a bid is due. If you called me a draftsman or questioned my professionalism, I would be insulted.

[coolingkid]

electric furnaces dont blow hot air through the registers , they just blow warm air. On a gas fired furnace the registers will blow hotter air than what you have. I think that your thermistat is satisfied, does you feel good when its 70 in the house? electricity went up in price and I think there is no problem here

[holstein05]

o.k... let me say it another way.

Now and then, the air is warm, most the time it's cool air, and the fan NEVER turns off.

Is that normal?

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

Originally posted by holstein05
o.k... let me say it another way.

Now and then, the air is warm, most the time it's cool air, and the fan NEVER turns off.

Is that normal?

NO.

Have your wife get out her multimeter and the schematic and start checking things...

[dash]

Originally posted by holstein05
o.k... let me say it another way.

Now and then, the air is warm, most the time it's cool air, and the fan NEVER turns off.

Is that normal?

See if the outdoor unit is running in the heat mode,if it is it's a heat pump.

Heat pumps ,at low temperatures can run virtually all the time,the strip heat can cycle on and off to provide the extra heat needed to maintain the temperature set point.

Depending on the outdor temperature ,it may be normal,give us some more info..Location ,temperature,model numbers,etc..

However,this is not a DIY site,see the rules.

[holstein05]

It has been in the 20's and 30's here during this learning process. Looks like pro help may be needed unless we determine this is normal.

Thanks ya'll.

[Wild Leg]

Originally posted by dhanna

Originally posted by bwal2
Mechanical Designer?
Is that what we used to call a draftsman?

Some of us Mechanical Designers do way more than just drafting. We might be the person inspecting your job, reviewing your submittals, or answering your dumb questions the day before a bid is due. If you called me a draftsman or questioned my professionalism, I would be insulted.

I apologize if you are feeling insulted.
I never intended to insult you, or your chosen profession.
I just simply had not memorized the Dictionary of Titles.
(I've never placed much importance on titles anyway.)

"Mechanical Designer" is a new term for me.
What sort of coursework allows one to display that title?


[Edited by bwal2 on 02-21-2005 at 05:57 PM]

[holstein05]

My goodness...I just wanted to learn why my fan ran all the time, and look what it started..

not that is all that important, in my carreer, I work with engineers to get designs done, and manufactured. Sometimes I have to do some drafting (I'm not above that), other times someone does drafting for me..

heck, for the right money, I'll sweep floors and you can call me whatever you'd like.

Now, for a heat pump, with outside temps in the 20's and 30's, will I find that the fan runs most the time? or is this a problem I need to get professional help to fix? I don't mind either, I just need to know 'cause right now I'm at a loss.

Thanks to the good guys who care.

[miami mike]

Its probably functioning as normal.

The lower the outdoor temp, the longer run times you will have. Therefore the indoor blower will run what seems like constantly, especially at night time when you are home to observe the system

Occasionally the system will turn on the electric heat strips to help you stay at a desired temperature. That is probably when you feel that the air is dramatically warmer.

If it really concerns you though, just cough up some cash for a service call.

It should not take more than an hour or so to check it out.

[Wild Leg]

Originally posted by holstein05
heck, for the right money, I'll sweep floors and you can call me whatever you'd like.

I would, too.
And have.
And have been called whatever..., including draftsman.

...or is this a problem I need to get professional help to fix? I don't mind either, I just need to know 'cause right now I'm at a loss...

Based on what you have posted so far, I would have to say call a local contractor.
A good HVAC technician/mechanic can evaluate your system and make recommendations.
It is worth the money for peace of mind.
It is very likely that your heating bills can be lessened considerably.
If it is not performing as intended, the equipment will have a shorter life. (general statement)

If you really want more info, post model numbers.
Maybe somebody here will help.

(You might want to edit your bio to something a little less do-it-yourself-to-save-a-buck.
DIY means "kick me", on this forum.)

[aircooled53]

Originally posted by holstein05
o.k... let me say it another way.

Now and then, the air is warm, most the time it's cool air, and the fan NEVER turns off.

Is that normal?

Ok, here's the way it works .
1) thermostat
Red-Voltage
White-Heat ~W2
Yellow-Cooling
Green-Fan circuit

When the thermostat calls for heat a (24)circuit is made to a sequencer/time delayed relay,which is tied to breakers or fusses (1)side the other goes through the time delay through limit control and to electric heat strip.That relay times on /and times off in sequence, it also has low speed fan connected to time delay..

If the delay is not cycling properly , fan could stay on and strips also/causing High electrical cost.This is not something that you should attempt; without knowledge of wiring or meters to understand which part can be checked with voltage and which can not.

I would suggest that you call a professional to help you save extra money on your nexted bill...

<<<<<<<<<Aircooled>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[John Thomas]

The symptoms you give lead me to believe that the outdoor unit is not running. I'll bet the unit is a Rheem or Ruud. There's a red reset switch at the bottom of the outdoor unit that you may push to see if it comes on.

[control_noob]

Originally posted by holstein05

heck, for the right money, I'll sweep floors and you can call me whatever you'd like.

Just don't call me Sally... :-)

[holstein05]

Thanks to all who did reply to my question. I think I will see about a pro, if nothing else, for peace of mind.

I would like to also apologize to all you good Pro's. I honestly didn' realize this was a 'pro' site and not a beginner do it yourself type of thing. (I've since read the rules..) In most instances, I have found that there are no results equal to calling the people who know their stuff...

My most sincere thanks to you all.

[holstein05]

By the way, the outside unit isn't running, there is not reset (it's a Bryant unit). So this is definitly beyond my knowledge. Thanks again.