[cottora]

Hi, While working with my Humidifier I noticed that the W2 connection on the furnace board is not connected to the thermostat (or anything) only the W1. Is this connection necessary for the furnace to operate as a two stage? Thanks

 

[ammoniadog]

It might or might not be, depending on the furnace. Most newer 2 stage furnaces can be configured to work in both stages with just W1 hooked up. In that case it will start up in first stage, and then after a certain amount of time if the thermostat doesn't satisfy, the furnace will kick into 2nd stage for the rest of the heating call.

Of course, a true 2 stage thermostat controlling the furnace staging is a better way to do it though.

 

[cottora]

Thank you

 

[BaldLoonie]

The timer cripples the comfort a 2 stage furnace is capable of. Which sounds better in bitter weather? Constant cycling between low, high & off or long run cycle on quiet, gentle low fire? Do you turn off your car heater in cold weather? Do you turn it higher the longer you drive? No to both. So why not have the same comfort in your home with a 2 stage stat? All modern furnaces except a couple of Goodman/Amana models, which you obviously don't have, can take advantage of a good 2 stage stat.

 

[cottora]

Great info! My wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I have my answer! Any good value stats you would recommend? Thanks again

 

[2old2rock]

Honeywell Focus Pro, or Vision Pro.

 

[NCHeat]

Honeywell Focus Pro, or Vision Pro.

X2. Anything by honeywell is a good choice. I like the "lyric" if you're looking for a wi-fi stat. Beware of the nest. It's not all it's cracked up to be

 

[ammoniadog]

This might be headed towards forbidden DIY territory, but make sure your thermostat cable has the extra wire in it that you'll need. Also, there could be a dip switch on the furnace's control board that would need to be changed to tell it weather to use it's "W2" input or its built in timer for the 2nd stage control.

Also, and probably most importantly, avoid any thermostat that has the word "Lux" printed on it!

 

[cottora]

Not trying to get into DIY territory here but more asking if the below is something that the Pros think is a concern that needs to be addressed:

The board clearly states "with single stage thermostat connect "W" to "W2" on IFC." I am certain that my single stage "W" is connect to the IFC "W" and not "W2".

If this is a concern, would this cause the unit to run at full stage or never kick to full stage?

Thanks

 

[BNME8EZ]

Not knowing your situation it could be that you needed a bigger blower than a properly sized furnace would supply so they put in a bigger 2-stg furnace and only hooked up W1 because that's all the heat your house needs. Has the furnace handled the heating needs of the house for as long as you have lived there?

 

[cottora]

You actually are touching on something I should have been more specific about. The furnace provides heat well. My biggest concern is that the current wiring is causing both stages to fire immediately. I would be fine knowing that the current setup is causing only a single stage to fire. I think the furnace cycles too much and would prefer a longer run.

 

[timjimbob]

Has this furnace worked for year last winter?

 

[cottora]

It has. If anything I think the cycle time is too short.

 

[HVAC_Marc]

... I think ...

here's the problem

 

[cottora]

hmmm. Somebody's Pug must have run away today...poor fella

I could phrase it differently if it helps:

I as the owner of the equipment would prefer a longer run cycle. I came to the board seeking advice as to what effect wiring a single stage thermostat to W1 when the manufactures instruction direct it to be wired to W2. I found this board via Google because it is advertised as a place where an Owner can ask the Pros for advise.

And you are incorrect sir, what I think is the only thing that matters. If I want to burn tires in my furnace to heat the house I can, I own it. I am looking for advise to help form my thinking...Thanks

 

[garychance]

Its just this is a no DIY site, meaning you can do what ever you want in your own home, we just can not help. The advice is to give you things to talk about with your contractor, not advice for you to DIY (Site rules).....your not the first one to misunderstand this.

 

[cottora]

I can appreciate that. I am sure that as professionals you could very well find yourself liable if you tried to give DIY advice and someone damaged equipment or hurt themselves.

I am not looking to redo/change anything myself. I was reaching out to better understand the effect of having a single stage thermostat wired to W1 (which is how my furnace is wired) when the manufactures instruction direct it to be wired to W2 (I bought the home and it was this way). If the advise is "no problem at all" then great. If the advise is that it may cause the furnace to only operate as a single stage high output or low output then I may look to find a HVAC contractor to address the issue.

Thanks

 

[54regcab]

The majority of furnace installs are oversized enough that the 2nd stage of heat isn't needed. Only when sizing is close to the actual load (rare) does W2 need to be hooked up. How many BTU is your furnace? How many sqft? Where are you located?

 

[cottora]

BTU Heating Capacity = 60K High Heat and 42K Low Heat

about 3100sqft (units controls basement and 1st floor with a second hvac unit upstairs)

Atlanta, GA

The unit has never had an issue holding the temperature. I am more curious to know if the current wiring is causing the unit to fire both stages immediately. Thanks

 

[54regcab]

Turn off all other gas appliances and clock the gas meter for the appliance in question. Take the number of seconds to burn 1cu ft and divide by 3600. 3600/42k = 86 seconds 3600/60k = 60 seconds. If your gas meter has 1/2cuft or 2cuft dials adjust time accordingly. For 1/2cuft dial just counts the seconds for 2 revolutions and divide by 3600.