Link: http://www.duanesworld.net/duanesworld.net.geothermal.WEL.live.htm

Well, since the replacement of the heat pump there have been a couple issues.

T6, the temperature sensor for the desuperheater hot water output was periodically not working. The T6 sensor has now been replaced.

The RunTime sensor for the Desuperheater has not been working. I checked the wiring today and the sensor is connected properly. The sensor is still not operating. Can’t tell if the Desuperheater pump is actually operating. Too much vibration from the compressor.

T2, the ground loop solution return is not still not operating. The wiring connections are proper. I will need to do some further troubleshooting and may need to replace this sensor.

My WaterFurnace Heat Pump is now having problems. It started two nights ago, the system went into FAULT mode. Troubleshooting I found that when the system went into the 2nd stage heat, the system would go into FAULT mode and basically shut down. I shut the system off at the thermostat and then turned off the circuit breakers for both the Heat Pump and Air Handler. I waited two minutes, turned the breakers back on. A minute later I turned the system back on at the thermostat. The system came back and was generating heat once again.

The next morning I found the system in FAULT mode again early in the morning. I reset the system as I did the previous day and it operated for about half an hour before going into FAULT mode again. Resetting the system does not work any more. The system now goes into FAULT mode immediately when Stage 1 powers up.

My system is now in Emergency Heat mode. I had an appointment scheduled this morning with my Geothermal installer. I am awaiting the arrival of the Tech for the repair.

Link: http://www.duanesworld.net/duanesworld.net.geothermal.WEL.live.htm

Ok, Maybe I spoke too soon after Optimal Energy replaced my thermostat. Yes, they were prompt. Yes it works. Yes, I am satisfied.

I had them back to do a checkup on my system before the cold weather of winter hit. I wanted them to come in and check the Heat Pump, ground loop pressure and freon pressure. I wanted this since it bit me in the back side a winter or two ago.

I did not want their heat pump / geothermal system check. I am capable of 90 percent of what is included for $300.00, and I do the maintenance as required.

Ok, they were supposed to come in at $1xx.xx per hour and check freeze protection, loop pressure, freon pressure, and general heat pump. What actually took place was the heat pump was checked, freeze protection was checked and the loop pressure was checked. Freon loop was not checked. The tech was pretty strong in that “as a rule we don’t check the freon pressure". The freon pressure is calculated from the ground loop pressure and the temperature. Then, a problem with my system was discovered. This took another hour and a half. Spinning wheels for an hour and a half including spending about 45 minutes on the phone with the manufacturer. The issue I have with this service, there was no problem that needed this troubleshooting to start with. However, I gave the tech the benefit of the doubt since this is his area of expertise.

Well, after an hour and a half, I had to go. I pulled the plug on the tech and told him nicely to leave. Then I get the line “15 more minutes and I’ll have it fixed". Well, magically the issue was resolved.

I still feel strongly that there was no issue. There was a lack of data from my monitoring system since I had disconnected a portion of it the evening before, in anticipation of the tech pointing the finger that the monitoring system is to blame for the economy. I will think twice or three times before placing a call to Optimal Energy.

Well, after months of the Humidifier not working, it has finally been fixed. Originally it was thought to be a problem with the humidistat. I then called in an HVAC professional, since my installer kept blowing me off. After that visit it was determined that the problem was with the WaterFurnace thermostat. The humidifier worked when given 24 volts AC. The problem was in the thermostat in which 24vAC was not being sent. This was also verified by switching the fan setting from automatic to manual. What was expected was 24vAC would be detected on the fan call (Common and green wires). There was no voltage being sent.

Also noticed during the winter that the air handler fan was not working in second stage. It was noticeable when the fan kicked into high operation. I did not notice that this winter.

After the Tech from Optimal Energy ( Optimal Energy LLC ) replaced the thermostat with a newer WaterFurnace thermostat, all operated as it should. I had him check the rest of the system for proper performance. What was found was that my ground loop pressure was low as well. Now with these problems resolved, my HVAC system should be good to go.

Link: http://www.duanesworld.net/duanesworld.net.geotherma.htm

I noticed back in early January that my Humidifer was not operating. Previous issues were that the humidifer was cycling very quickly on and off at times. I called my geothermal installer with the problem and was asked to do more troubleshooting. The humidifier finally quit and does not work now.

I called my Geothermal Installer. Not surprised that I needed to do some troubleshooting before anyone would be sent out to resolve the issue. I found that when installed, the 24 volt power was coming from the Bryant Air Handler not from a seperate transformer for the humidifier. I learned that the 24 volts was not present at the Air Handlers circuit board.

I relayed this information to my installer and due to other commitments, I was told to “sit tight", they’ll get back to me. Well, it is now near the end of February and no word from my installer. I have left numerous voice mails. I get the feeling that he doesn’t want to return my calls.

Needless to say that the humidifer is still not working. It is a really uncomfortable situation. Had I known the type of response I would get from my Geothermal Installer, I never would have had them install my HVAC system.