Can my settings be off?

Ed Lentz_2

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I think that my indoor sensor is a couple of degrees off. I'll adjust for that.
Have a great New Year!

Ed Lentz_2

My system is a Crown AWI, with a Taco Basic controller with Outdoor reset, and a Stadler Viega manifold to control the 4 1/2" loops. My outdoor Design temp is 0 degrees, my design temp is 145 and max temp is 140. The question is during outdoor temps of 35-45 the house feels cold, the temp for the indoor set point for the control says it is 70. The temp the controller wants and what it thinks it is getting is within a degree or two. Given what settings I have provided, are we just overly sensitive, and expect more? At temperatures more to the design temp the system keeps us nice and cozy. I forgot to mention that we have wood floors with staple up and 6" of fiberglass under the pex with about an inch and a half dead space.
Thanks for any comments!

Josh_10

Well, the thermostat doesn't tell you weather you are comfortable. Your body does.

As far as your settings go I have a few questions. Is the floor temperature even? Meaning does it feel the same temperature across the room as it does by the thermostat? And my second question is; if you hold up a thermometer next to the thermostat do they agree?

jp_2

also,

if your humidity levels are low, 70F will feel cooler.

ALH_4

heating curve

I'll second Josh's suggestion of checking the thermostat against a good thermometer. I have seen some thermistors be several degrees off. I started checking them before I sent any thermostats or RTU's out.

What it sounds like is your heating curve needs adjustment. If you don't have the manuals for your control you can find them here. If you feel comfortable with it, you can adjust your own heating curve, but write down what the settings are now before you start. The only setting to be careful of is to not set your boiler min below 140. Just follow the quick setup in the back of the manual. Otherwise you can have your heating contractor adjust it for you. Most likely it will take 5 minutes for someone who has worked with these controls.

Ed Lentz_2

Thanks for the speedy replies!

I put an electronic thermometer next to my indoor sensor and they are within 1 degree of each other. The humidity? didn't think of that, although we do have several plants in the house. Will have to check that. My control is a Basic Stadler Viega. Similar to the Tekmar 260, but a little different in the programming. I installed the whole system myself. I have learned many things from this site. It is our second year with the system, we seem to have a problem with the 45 to 35 degree temps. I don't understand the heating curve so much.

ALH_4

settings

To tweak the curve a little, you might turn up the ROOM OCC setting up a few degrees. This will increase the supply temperature over the entire curve.

If you have a cast iron boiler, make sure your BOIL MIN setting is at least 135 to protect against flue gas condensation and premature boiler failure.

Ed Lentz_2

I don't have a Room OCC control per se. Just the Room (desired room temp) setting. Is that what you are suggesting?

ALH_4

Yep

Yes, on the 260, there is a ROOM OCC setting that shifts the heating curve.

Josh M.

Ed one more thing. Are we barking up the right tree? You mentioned that the thermostat maintains 70 degrees. Your heating curve should be correct if that is the case. If your heating system does not keep up with your thermostat setting I would then look at your heating curve.