"JonS" wrote in message
oups.com...
Some follow up info:

Attic Air Handler is Trane Model TWE031E13FB1, marked as using
Refrigerant 22.

The ground loop is split between the two ClimateMaster Units. Loop
temp in is 30.8 deg, loop temp out is 26.7 deg. Current outside temp
about 10 degrees.

The line out of the smaller compressor that runs to the attic measures
about 151 deg when I place the stick thermometer inside the insulation
and next to the copper (3/4 inch). In the attic I again placed the
thermometer along side the line before it runs into the air handler.
There I measured just under 140 deg. Not sure if it lost that much
heat over the trip or if it's just because the measurement is in
unconditioned attic.

Pressure gage on the 1st floor geo loop connection reads 49 psi.

Anything else I can measure or check myself, just let me know.
Thanks again.

Jon


Jon, the HVAC guy must start from the beginning and have no short cuts.

Ask him if he knows how to mathematically calculate and determine CFM's
Ask if he KNOWS how to determine the actual BTU's that the Geothermal is
delivering into the home.

If he can't answer with a solid answer then call another dealer, he isn't
familiar with the proper way to test and perform checks on Geothermal,
especially Climate Master.

If he doesn't know what ARI ratings of the geothermal is and doesn't have
them, tell him to leave, he doesn't know what he's doing.

Now, the unit not having a back up heater is bull. What if the unit fails?
No wonder the original company went out of business.

I'm still don't think the HVAC guy still isn't the right one for the job or
he would have done this when he first came on the lower unit. He should be
able to tell you exactly what BTU's are being delivered into your lower
unit. After you install the heaters he should be able to tell you the same
thing about upstairs. Even without heaters he could perform tests and
determine this value, especially if it was in AC mode.

Now, if he can do all this and knows what he's doing and everything tests
out ok including the loop, then the next step is to do a heat loss/gain and
see if its too small. Then if the heat loss is ok, the unit is sized right,
the loop performance is good then get someone in with a blower door and see
what those numbers are.

To be honest, there is no one in the world that can put a set of gauges on a
system and say, 'everything looks good'. All the gauges do is give you
pressures and tells you nothing about capacity, COP, EER, Seer and other
information. Those who put a set of gauges on and determine that
everything's ok is defined as a 'hack'.

In 15 years I have only two times put my gauges on a geothermal unit, it
usually is never necessary. Everytime you put gauges on a system you
introduce contaminants, and why put them on when they aren't going to tell
you very much...

Keep us informed.

Rich