Need help troubleshooting heating issue

[RSin]

Hi all,

New to the site, so please let me know if I'm posting in the incorrect location.

I've been living in a brand new house now for about a year and just recently noticed some odd behavior with our heating system. We have two thermostats (one upstairs and one down). We only have one furnace.

I've just noticed that the upstairs thermostat seems to function correctly. When the temperature is below the set temp, it kicks on. However, I've just noticed that with the downstairs thermostat, the heating will turn on upstairs as well as downstairs if the thermostat downstairs turns the furnace on. This makes it very difficult for us to keep upstairs a comfortable level.

Anyone have this problem in the past, or any experts know what may be the cause of this suddenly happening?

Thanks in advance! Ryan

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[.p.jm.]

I doubt it's 'sudden'. You probably just noticed it.

You need a GOOD tech to come in, service the system, and also determine if you truly have a two-zone system ( which is possible but uncommon on a one-furnace installation ), or simply two stats in parallel. A two-zone system will have mechanized dampers controlled by the stats.

[RSin]

responding to

RSin wrote: Thanks for the response. I had the same thought about whether or not it was truly two zones. I tried a couple of tests to confirm:

Test 1: Upstairs Thermostat set to temp well below actual temp. Downstairs thermostat set to temp well above actual temp. Result: Heat started upstairs and downstairs at the same time.

Test 2: Upstairs Thermostat set to temp well above actual temp. Downstairs thermostat set to temp well below actual temp. Result: Heat only came on upstairs.

Not sure if that's very helpful, but I think it confirms that there are two zones. I've been wanting to hold off on contacting a specialist until I can get a response from the builder. As I mentioned the house is just one year old and if there is a problem, I want the builder to address it.

Thanks again, Ryan

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[.p.jm.]

Sounds like a minor control wiring or configuration setup issue, probably easily fixed, and most likely under builder's warranty.

He won't care - he'll make is HVAC contractor fix it for free :-)

[Oscar_Lives]

Hi all,

New to the site, so please let me know if I'm posting in the incorrect location.

I've been living in a brand new house now for about a year and just recently noticed some odd behavior with our heating system. We have two thermostats (one upstairs and one down). We only have one furnace.

I've just noticed that the upstairs thermostat seems to function correctly. When the temperature is below the set temp, it kicks on. However, I've just noticed that with the downstairs thermostat, the heating will turn on upstairs as well as downstairs if the thermostat downstairs turns the furnace on. This makes it very difficult for us to keep upstairs a comfortable level.

Anyone have this problem in the past, or any experts know what may be the cause of this suddenly happening?

Thanks in advance! Ryan

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We can't see it from here. You need to hire a qualified technician to diagnose, repair, and service your system.

[Grumpy]

It would be nice to know if your furnace is hot air or hot water

[Jon Elson]

I'd assume you have two motorized dampers in the ducts. The one for upstairs is jammed open. it may be repairable with cleaning and oil, or the motor or gearbox may be shot.

Jon

[junkmail666666_at_yahoo_dot_co]

Yea this is not the first time i have seen this. I am betting your home has both heating units in the attic next to each other. When they built the home they first wire the home then wait for dry wall they wire up the units and some times wires get mixed up to the thermostat with units. Just goto attic and reverse thermostat wires. Thats how we do Keller heating Repair in Texas. jay at

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[.p.jm.]

Wrong. Doesn't fit the symtpoms described.

BTW, WTF is this 'Keller heating' you keep talking about ?