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Heater Not Keeping Up
All,
Last night, the temp here in Iowa dipped down to around -10 with a -35 degree windchill. This morning I noticed the temp was about 4 degrees off of where I had the thermostat set (It was set for 68, but the heater was running continuously to keep it at 64). Right now, the temp has risen to about -5 and the heater is running continuously to keep the house at about 66-67 degrees. When you look at the windchill, I think this is probably one of the coldest days since I moved in 2 years ago.. Does this sound normal, or could there be an air flow problem? The amount of hot air coming out the vents seems to be normal compared to warmer days. Thanks, Dan |
Heater Not Keeping Up
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Heater Not Keeping Up
wrote in message ... All, Last night, the temp here in Iowa dipped down to around -10 with a -35 degree windchill. This morning I noticed the temp was about 4 degrees off of where I had the thermostat set (It was set for 68, but the heater was running continuously to keep it at 64). Right now, the temp has risen to about -5 and the heater is running continuously to keep the house at about 66-67 degrees. When you look at the windchill, I think this is probably one of the coldest days since I moved in 2 years ago.. Does this sound normal, or could there be an air flow problem? The amount of hot air coming out the vents seems to be normal compared to warmer days. Thanks, Dan Anything is possible, including the heating unit being undersized for the building |
Heater Not Keeping Up
wrote in message ... All, Last night, the temp here in Iowa dipped down to around -10 with a -35 degree windchill. This morning I noticed the temp was about 4 degrees off of where I had the thermostat set (It was set for 68, but the heater was running continuously to keep it at 64). Right now, the temp has risen to about -5 and the heater is running continuously to keep the house at about 66-67 degrees. When you look at the windchill, I think this is probably one of the coldest days since I moved in 2 years ago.. Does this sound normal, or could there be an air flow problem? The amount of hot air coming out the vents seems to be normal compared to warmer days. Thanks, Dan Couple of possibilities. Heaters are designed for a certain temperature rise across the coil or heat exchanger. If the leaving air is above the entering air by the correct degrees, the heater is running properly. Next is wind chill. The wind chill factor does not apply to inanimate object, only or skin where evaporative cooling makes us feel colder than the actual temperature. Wind will though, chill a house faster if there are leaks, poor windows, defective door weather striping etc. Check all of that stuff. Even a simple fix like a towel rolled up against a leaking door threshold helps. Next factor is the design of the heating system. At some time the builder should have run the calculations of how much heat is required to keep your house at the design temperature under severe conditions. If -10 is the worst it ever gets there, it is about the limit of the system. If you often get say, -25, your system was not sized properly and should have been larger. Fixes include adding more insulation and possibly some supplementary heat. Even baking cookies is a good idea on a day like this as the oven will add some heat to the house. You did not say what type of fuel you have. Oil burners can be de-rated by putting in a smaller nozzle. If you have oil, be sure you have the appropriate nozzle for your burner. |
Heater Not Keeping Up
RBM wrote:
wrote in message ... All, Last night, the temp here in Iowa dipped down to around -10 with a -35 degree windchill. This morning I noticed the temp was about 4 degrees off of where I had the thermostat set (It was set for 68, but the heater was running continuously to keep it at 64). Right now, the temp has risen to about -5 and the heater is running continuously to keep the house at about 66-67 degrees. When you look at the windchill, I think this is probably one of the coldest days since I moved in 2 years ago.. Does this sound normal, or could there be an air flow problem? The amount of hot air coming out the vents seems to be normal compared to warmer days. Thanks, Dan Anything is possible, including the heating unit being undersized for the building Hi, Or house has poor insulation, or it could be as simple as dirty air fiter if it is force air furnace. Here, it's been -30C with windchill of -40C or so last two weeks. Our furnace has been running more than usual but keeping indoor temp. at constant 21C. |
Heater Not Keeping Up
the low for sac city was -4. but beside that, i'd say you might have some
serious air leaks. I'm sitting in a totally uninsulated house with no interior walls and I'm maintaining 65 with a properly sized (for insulated) system. steve wrote in message ... All, Last night, the temp here in Iowa dipped down to around -10 with a -35 degree windchill. This morning I noticed the temp was about 4 degrees off of where I had the thermostat set (It was set for 68, but the heater was running continuously to keep it at 64). Right now, the temp has risen to about -5 and the heater is running continuously to keep the house at about 66-67 degrees. When you look at the windchill, I think this is probably one of the coldest days since I moved in 2 years ago.. Does this sound normal, or could there be an air flow problem? The amount of hot air coming out the vents seems to be normal compared to warmer days. Thanks, Dan |
Heater Not Keeping Up
"Tony Hwang" wrote in message Hi, Or house has poor insulation, or it could be as simple as dirty air fiter if it is force air furnace. Here, it's been -30C with windchill of -40C or so last two weeks. Our furnace has been running more than usual but keeping indoor temp. at constant 21C. I've only ever seen it get close to that once in 27 years here in CT but the house was still comfy. Tomorrow my new boiler is being installed and tomorrow night will be a good test. Prediction is 5F (-15C) overnight. |
Heater Not Keeping Up
"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in message ... wrote in message ... All, Last night, the temp here in Iowa dipped down to around -10 with a -35 degree windchill. This morning I noticed the temp was about 4 degrees off of where I had the thermostat set (It was set for 68, but the heater was running continuously to keep it at 64). Right now, the temp has risen to about -5 and the heater is running continuously to keep the house at about 66-67 degrees. When you look at the windchill, I think this is probably one of the coldest days since I moved in 2 years ago.. Does this sound normal, or could there be an air flow problem? The amount of hot air coming out the vents seems to be normal compared to warmer days. Thanks, Dan Couple of possibilities. Heaters are designed for a certain temperature rise across the coil or heat exchanger. If the leaving air is above the entering air by the correct degrees, the heater is running properly. Next is wind chill. The wind chill factor does not apply to inanimate object, only or skin where evaporative cooling makes us feel colder than the actual temperature. Wind will though, chill a house faster if there are leaks, poor windows, defective door weather striping etc. Check all of that stuff. Even a simple fix like a towel rolled up against a leaking door threshold helps. Next factor is the design of the heating system. At some time the builder should have run the calculations of how much heat is required to keep your house at the design temperature under severe conditions. If -10 is the worst it ever gets there, it is about the limit of the system. If you often get say, -25, your system was not sized properly and should have been larger. Fixes include adding more insulation and possibly some supplementary heat. Even baking cookies is a good idea on a day like this as the oven will add some heat to the house. You did not say what type of fuel you have. Oil burners can be de-rated by putting in a smaller nozzle. If you have oil, be sure you have the appropriate nozzle for your burner. If the windows are old or drafty you could cover them with plastic. Also one of those electric oil filled heaters that look like a radiator might help... |
Heater Not Keeping Up
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Heater Not Keeping Up
Next factor is the design of the heating system. *At some time the builder should have run the calculations of how much *heat is required to keep your house at the design temperature under severe conditions. If -10 is the worst it ever gets there, it is about the limit of the system. *If you often get say, -25, your system was not sized properly and should have been larger. Windchill applies to any object, but not the same way. It draws heat faster out of anything the creates heat.... but only down to the true air temperature, not below it. Mark |
Heater Not Keeping Up
The Wind Chill Factor was designed to measure how cold blowing air
feels on bare skin, and if I remember right the folks who originally created it just took a bunch of military recruits and blasted cold air at them and asked a lot of questions. It's not very scientifically accurate but it's better than nothing when deciding how much clothing to wear on a cold day. As others have said, if a house is poorly insulated and/or has a few leaks, wind will cool the house down much faster. It's pretty easy to walk around a house on a cold, windy day (try it barefoot) and see where the air leaks in. It's pretty cheap and easy to caulk gaps, to put (or replace) weather-stripping in the windows and usually not that much work to unroll some extra insulation in the attic (Home Depot has been selling 25 feet of R-30, which is a lot of insulation to add, for around $16 a roll). Oh, and if you have closets on outside walls, keeping the doors closed with help a bit since closets rarely are heated except for what comes in from the room. Though you might want to take out your clothes the night before so they're warmer when you get dressed in the morning. I assume you made sure that all the vents are open... Shaun Eli www.BrainChampagne.com |
Heater Not Keeping Up
On Dec 21, 10:33*am, wrote:
All, Last night, the temp here in Iowa dipped down to around -10 with a -35 degree windchill. *This morning I noticed the temp was about 4 degrees off of where I had the thermostat set (It was set for 68, but the heater was running continuously to keep it at 64). *Right now, the temp has risen to about -5 and the heater is running continuously to keep the house at about 66-67 degrees. When you look at the windchill, I think this is probably one of the coldest days since I moved in 2 years ago.. Does this sound normal, or could there be an air flow problem? *The amount of hot air coming out the vents seems to be normal compared to warmer days. Thanks, Dan Now tell us when was the last time it was serviced, by anyone. |
Heater Not Keeping Up
On Dec 21, 2:16*pm, ransley wrote:
On Dec 21, 10:33*am, wrote: All, Last night, the temp here in Iowa dipped down to around -10 with a -35 degree windchill. *This morning I noticed the temp was about 4 degrees off of where I had the thermostat set (It was set for 68, but the heater was running continuously to keep it at 64). *Right now, the temp has risen to about -5 and the heater is running continuously to keep the house at about 66-67 degrees. When you look at the windchill, I think this is probably one of the coldest days since I moved in 2 years ago.. Does this sound normal, or could there be an air flow problem? *The amount of hot air coming out the vents seems to be normal compared to warmer days. Thanks, Dan Now tell us when was the last time it was serviced, by anyone. It was serviced about a year ago.. They installed a new blower and checked everything out while they were in there. |
Heater Not Keeping Up
On Dec 21, 12:43*pm, "Steve Barker"
wrote: the low for sac city was -4. *but beside that, i'd say you might have some serious air leaks. *I'm sitting in a totally uninsulated house with no interior walls and I'm maintaining 65 with a properly sized (for insulated) system. steve wrote in message ... All, Last night, the temp here in Iowa dipped down to around -10 with a -35 degree windchill. *This morning I noticed the temp was about 4 degrees off of where I had the thermostat set (It was set for 68, but the heater was running continuously to keep it at 64). *Right now, the temp has risen to about -5 and the heater is running continuously to keep the house at about 66-67 degrees. When you look at the windchill, I think this is probably one of the coldest days since I moved in 2 years ago.. Does this sound normal, or could there be an air flow problem? *The amount of hot air coming out the vents seems to be normal compared to warmer days. Thanks, Dan- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - "I'm sitting in a totally uninsulated house with no interior walls ..." Why? |
Heater Not Keeping Up
had a new blower furnace motor installed and it wouldnt heat
house. he hooked heat side of it to the low speed wire,needed to be on the med speed motor wire. ---------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.minibite.com/america/malone.htm |
Heater Not Keeping Up
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Heater Not Keeping Up
137 yo farmhouse ripped down to studs and in progress. got tired of
freezing in the fifth wheel. been in it for 2 years and we finally got the bath and kitchen functional in the house. steve "DerbyDad03" wrote in message ... "I'm sitting in a totally uninsulated house with no interior walls ..." Why? |
Heater Not Keeping Up
On Dec 21, 1:01*pm, Wayne Whitney wrote:
On 2008-12-21, wrote: Last night, the temp here in Iowa dipped down to around -10 with a -35 degree windchill. *This morning I noticed the temp was about 4 degrees off of where I had the thermostat set (It was set for 68, but the heater was running continuously to keep it at 64). *Right now, the temp has risen to about -5 and the heater is running continuously to keep the house at about 66-67 degrees. When you look at the windchill, I think this is probably one of the coldest days since I moved in 2 years ago.. Does this sound normal, or could there be an air flow problem? *The amount of hot air coming out the vents seems to be normal compared to warmer days. A heating system should not be designed to maintain the set point 100% of the time. *Instead it should maintain the set point, say, 99.5% of the time. Otherwise, that extra capacity that you installed to get from 99.5% to 100% would only be used 0.5% of the time, which is not cost-effective. So if your heater is only outpaced once every two years, there's no problem with the sizing. *Others have mentioned ways to reduce your house's heat loss, which would decrease the frequency that your current heater is outpaced by the cold weather. Cheers, Wayne Exactly what I was thinking. If it rarely gets down to -10 with high wind, then having the furnace sized to handle a max 74 deg temp differential sounds reasonable. At my house that would equate to keeping it 70 inside, with it -4 outside. Here, I haven't seen that low of a temp in decades. If it does get that cold frequently and you want it to be warmer, you probably need a larger furnace. But with that comes increased cost, both upfront and potentially operating cost as well. Before I worried about that, I'd carefully check insulation, ducting, widnows/doors, etc |
Heater Not Keeping Up
On Dec 21, 10:33*am, wrote:
All, Last night, the temp here in Iowa dipped down to around -10 with a -35 degree windchill. *This morning I noticed the temp was about 4 degrees off of where I had the thermostat set (It was set for 68, but the heater was running continuously to keep it at 64). *Right now, the temp has risen to about -5 and the heater is running continuously to keep the house at about 66-67 degrees. When you look at the windchill, I think this is probably one of the coldest days since I moved in 2 years ago.. Does this sound normal, or could there be an air flow problem? *The amount of hot air coming out the vents seems to be normal compared to warmer days. Thanks, Dan With it that cold everyone was sucking Ng, you may of had poor supply flow. To know get a load calculation, energy audit with blower door test. Do everything recomended and cut your bill 50% if you have an older home. Remember insulation code is minimum needed, the attic is the cheapest and most effective start point. |
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