Owner's Manual Residential Products
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Table of Contents GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY & BENEFITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18 How Geothermal Systems Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11 Typical Installation & Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY & BENEFITS Geothermal System Technology & Benefits Geothermal heating and cooling technology is ideal because it provides exceptional performance while being environmentally friendly. Your investment in a WaterFurnace system will provide you with many years of benefits including: Energy Savings WaterFurnace units deliver 3 to 4 units of energy for every 1 unit of energy consumed.
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM About Your WaterFurnace System This section includes some detailed information about how geothermal technology works and how the different components used in the system work together to provide you with the finest comfort system available. You'll find useful information about the refrigeration process, loop systems, safety, and warranties.
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM How Geothermal Systems Work Geothermal heat pumps utilize some of the same technology found in your home's refrigerator. They are both devices that move heat energy. Your refrigerator removes heat from the food and transfers it to the air in your home. Your geothermal heat pump removes heat energy from the earth to heat your home and removes heat energy from inside your home to cool it.
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM Heating Mode During heating, a geothermal system absorbs the heat from the ground via the earth loop. The heating cycle starts as cold, liquid refrigerant passes through the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger (coax, and also the evaporator during heating). The coax is made of copper (or copper and nickel) and consists of a tube within a tube —water from the loop travels through one tube (the inside tube), refrigerant passes through the other (outer) tube.
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM Cooling Mode During cooling, a geothermal system rejects the heat from the indoor air into the earth loop. The cooling cycle starts as cold, liquid refrigerant passes through the air coil (the evaporator during cooling). As the refrigerant flows through the air coil, the heat energy transfers from the warm return air to the refrigerant. This heat transfer causes the cold liquid refrigerant to turn into a gas.
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM Hot Water Assist Many geothermal units installed in homes have an optional feature called a hot water generator. This component removes excess heat from the refrigerant circuit and adds it to a hot water circuit in the unit. It is important to note that the Hot Water Assist function simply assists in preheating water. The temperature rise through the unit is as much as 2 -10° F. The amount of hot water generated is a function of the model and run time of the unit.
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM Typical Installation and Components Your geothermal system is actually a collection of components working together to perform the heating, cooling and water heating functions. The basic system includes the unit, power supply, a control component, the water circuit and a distribution method. Many additional optional accessories are available, but listed below are the basic components used in most every installation.
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM Open Loop Components Major components in an open loop/well system include: • Geothermal unit placed on mounting pad • Thermostat • Well & pump • Pressure tank • Supply water piping • Discharge water piping with solenoid valves and flow regulators • Shut-off/isolation valves and drain valves • Electrical supply • Duct system (except for radiant floor heating systems) • Hot water piping (if hot water generator used) • Auxiliary heater (if used) Typical Open Loop System Unit Su
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM Closed Loop Systems Horizontal Loops Horizontal earth loops are used where the space allowed for the loop is not extremely limited. There are various designs of horizontal loops. There is not one type of horizontal loop that is best for every application. The selection of which type to use should be based on system size, space available, soil conditions and the type of excavating equipment used. Regardless of the type selected, operating costs will not vary substantially.
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM Open Loop Systems Open Loop or Well Water Systems An alternative to closed loops are open loop systems, also known as well-water systems. If your system is an open loop, it uses water that comes into your home from your well. Water from the well is circulated through the unit whenever the unit is heating or cooling. When the unit is not running, it is not using any water.
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM Your Loop Location It is strongly recommended that you have a record of the location of your earth loop. Using the grid below, draw a bird’s eye view of the property where the loop is located. Include the house and measurements from various points so that there is no question about the location of the piping system. You may also want to include the location of any underground utilities.
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM Safety Warnings WARNING: Equipment used for heating, air conditioning and water heating can cause injury if safety precautions are not observed. These systems generally use a 230 volt power supply which is double the voltage used by other household appliances. Electrical shock from these systems could cause personal injury or death.
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM Warranty Explanation and Coverage What about my warranty? WaterFurnace offers the best warranty in the industry! WaterFurnace offers some of the industry's best warranties—up to 10 years. In addition to replacement parts coverage, your servicing dealer receives a repair or replacement labor allowance on warranted components in the unit. However, WaterFurnace also offers several other warranty options depending on the needs of the customer.
THERMOSTAT OPERATION Thermostats The main control (or interface) between you and your WaterFurnace unit is the thermostat. Electronic thermostats are widely used in today’s heating and cooling systems, replacing old electro-mechanical models containing mercury. In addition to providing more precise temperature control, electronic thermostats can also include many more features and options, along with a more aesthetically-pleasing look.
HOMEOWNER MAINTENANCE Homeowner Maintenance Your investment in a WaterFurnace geothermal system was a significant expenditure. While these systems are among the most reliable HVAC systems available, your WaterFurnace system (and any other HVAC system) must be properly maintained in order to achieve maximum performance and long system life (like your automobile).
TROUBLESHOOTING Troubleshooting In the event that your unit is not functioning properly, check the fault lights and troubleshooting information below. After determining that a service call is required, call your dealer for an appointment. When calling the dealer, it is beneficial to provide your model number and indicate any fault lights that are "on" either at the unit or on the thermostat. Troubleshooting Reference Symptom/Problem What You Can Do Unit not operating.
FAQ, GENERAL INFORMATION & OPERATING TIPS Frequently Asked Questions, General Information and Operating Tips The following section includes the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) since ownership of a geothermal system is quite different than ordinary systems. We’ve included operating tips as well as information on how to get the best results in comfort, savings, and reliability. We want your geothermal ownership experience to be something that you’ll enjoy and benefit from for many years.
FAQ, GENERAL INFORMATION & OPERATING TIPS What are the lights for? Some models are equipped with STATUS lights. These lights are mounted in plain view on the front of your unit. They will help you properly identify any problems and determine what might be required to correct the situation. These lights will: • Help determine whether your system is operating correctly. • Help determine if you can fix the problem yourself and avoid a service call. • • Help identify any problems.
FAQ, GENERAL INFORMATION & OPERATING TIPS What is a "lockout"? A lockout occurs when the unit has faulted and cannot correct itself. This mode protects the unit from further damage. During lockout mode, Emergency Heat will be activated to provide heating if necessary. What about air filters? One of the most important things you can do to ensure long system life, high performance and clean indoor air is to keep the air filter clean.
FAQ, GENERAL INFORMATION & OPERATING TIPS If my system includes an auxiliary heater, what does it do and why was it used? Your system may include an auxiliary heater (mounted either internally or externally depending on the model) which is used for two purposes: • • To supply back-up heat during cold outdoor temperatures. To provide emergency heat if the unit’s compressor fails.
FAQ, GENERAL INFORMATION & OPERATING TIPS Is maintenance required for the earth loop? No regular maintenance is required. However, if you notice air noise within the piping or if your loop is ever damaged by excavation, contact your WaterFurnace dealer. Should I use the Continuous Fan mode? In Continuous Fan mode, your blower operates constantly, even when the unit is not heating or cooling.
FAQ, GENERAL INFORMATION & OPERATING TIPS Why does the unit run more/longer than a gas furnace? The amount or percentage of time that your unit is actually heating or cooling is called Run Time. To achieve maximum comfort during heating, geothermal systems will typically have a longer run time than a natural gas or propane furnace. That’s because geothermal systems will deliver a more moderate air temperature instead of the hot blast of air from a gas furnace.
FAQ, GENERAL INFORMATION & OPERATING TIPS Should I close off a register in an unused room? Some homeowners have unused rooms that may not require heating or cooling like the rest of the home. While there is often a tendency to close registers in an unused room, the effects may actually reduce comfort without saving any money in operating costs. The home’s duct system has been designed to deliver the right amount of air into the various spaces.
FAQ, GENERAL INFORMATION & OPERATING TIPS What about humidity control? Geothermal units do an excellent job of removing humidity during cooling. This results in better comfort. However, during heating (depending on your home and outdoor air temperatures) you may experience the effects of having too little humidity indoors. This is not the fault of the unit—it does not remove any humidity during heating (unlike a gas furnace).
ENERGY SAVING TIPS Energy Saving Tips Now that you’ve invested in the most energy efficient heating and cooling system available, here are some additional tips to help you save money on your energy costs throughout your entire home. Fluorescent Lights Fluorescent lights use a fraction of the amount of energy as incandescent bulbs. Consider replacing your highest usage incandescent bulbs with fluorescent ones.
GLOSSARY Glossary Learn to speak like your favorite HVAC contractor using these key terms. AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency): The efficiency percentage of fossil fuel furnaces. Includes cycling and fuel losses and other factors. BTU (British Thermal Unit): The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. BTUH: The number of BTUs produced in one hour.
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICE RECORD Preventive Maintenance Service Record In order to keep your system operating at peak performance levels, WaterFurnace recommends that you take advantage of your dealer's planned maintenance program. This will normally include semi-annual preventive maintenance checks.
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Need help? If you happen to have questions or issues with your WaterFurnace product please start with the contractor who installed your system. If you need further assistance, call (800) 934-5667 to speak with our Consumer Relations department.
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