Goodman Heat pump questions

I had a Goodman Model SSZ160361A(outside unit) and Goodman Model AEPF426016 Air handler installed 30 days ago. Yesterday it was running all day with temp set at 77 degrees. At about 6 pm with outside temp at approx. 92 degrees I clicked the thermostat down only 1 degree to 76 F and the second stage light (yellow) immediately came on. It stayed that way for about 30 minutes so I reset it to 77 F and the blue light(1st stage) came back on and the compressor cycled off. After about 6 minutes the compressor cycled back on and I waited about 1 minute and set the tstat back down (again) to 76 F to see if the yellow light would come back on again. It did not and it cooled down to 76 F for the rest of the evening while staying in 1st stage. Any idea what caused this?
Also, I am confused about the Air Handler. It states that it is a variable speed air handler. Does that mean that while it is blowing air the force/speed will vary as it blows out of the vents? The install spec sheets simply state AEPF Motor: Constant CFM, Soft Start/Stop, and Blower motor has been preprogrammed for operation at 4 distinct airflow levels. The adjustment for each of the 4 Cooling/h.p. heating modes is performed by changing the dipswitches to either an off/on position. Since the airhandler dipswitches can be set to match a 2.5 to a 5 ton compressor I had to GUIDE the installers to set the dipswitches to match the 3 ton compressor. They were going to leave us with the airhandler/motor sounding like a hurricane/jet engine. It stated in the install manual that the dipswitches would need to be changed according to the electric heat size and outdoor unit. The only switch set to on was #4 (indoor thermostat).

Soory for the lengthy post. Summary: I have the dipswitches set for a 3 ton (our outside unit) which is 1200 cfm and I asked them to also set switch#7 and #8 to on/off to get an extra 10% cfm. I am not confident that they followed my request, but the air did settle down from the HURRICANE sound. They blocked me from being able to view the dipswitches which I understand most installers do this. However, since they didn't seem that knowledgeable (I had to guide/point out settings by reading the Installation manual myself) how can I feel confident that everything is as it should be? I asked for a supervisor to come out and double check the installation and I was told that I was a PICKY customer and that for the $6200.00 I paid that they wanted to just "GET ME DONE"!!! They said that they LOST money on me!! I guess I made a bad choice for the installation! Am I to assume that VARIABLE simply means VARIABLE SETTINGS on the air handler since it runs at a constant speed?

Would it be advisable to hire a different HVAC tech to come out and double check the installation and theromstat set-up? Approximately what would the cost be? Thanks for your patience. I just don't feel confident in the install even though I am getting cold air. Please address beginning questions.

 

We see this all the time. Most Quality company's do not mess with the lower end equipment. Like you said Id have another company out to take a look at it. Hard to say what the cost will be because rates are different all over the country. Id look at $75 an hour for a couple of hours for a good tech to look at it.

 

Thanks for the reply-supposedly this was a quality company. They were listed on ANGIES LIST and had a good record with the better business bureau. I searched customer reviews/complaints for all major brands (Carrier, Lennox, Trane, Goodman etc.) and they all had their share of customer complaints-mostly due to installation by various installers. I also talked to neighbors who had Goodman Heat Pumps for more than 7 years with no problems, which leads me to believe that installation is the most important factor in problems. What about the question on the VARIABLE air handler. I am still confused about the exact meaning/function? Thanks again.

 

The variable is kind of odd. I was first misguided on this feature, too. Essentially, variable means that the blower soft starts (ramps up slowly) to preset parameters set by the dipswitches.

I also thought variable meant the thermostat would control the speed of the fan as needed, not true. The speed of the fan is completely determined by the on time and those dipswitch settings. Those settings can vary from 100% CFM when it is on to others. My profile on my Amana (goodman clone) is set to kick on to 50% for 30seconds before stage-1 kicks on. It then runs at 82% for 7.5minutes. If it is still on, it then ramps up to 100% CFM until the call for cooling ends. When the call for cooling ends, it then blows for an extra 60 seconds, then goes off. If I leave my t-stat fan setting to "ON" instead of "AUTO", it would be at 50% when no cooling/heating is needed and then go through the ramping profile as normal when needed.

 

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like mine also-slow start (when the tstat clicks then 7 seconds the blower slow starts). I have the dipswitch set for 1320 cfm. Your info could mean that mine also runs at 82% for 7.5 minutes and 100% if it stays on for over, but I just didn't notice. I also have the approximately 60 seconds of motor blowing after call for cooling ends. Sounds like the same systems. In this 96 degree texas heat (sometimes 100) the System will cycle and stay on for approximately 11 minutes and stay off for about 8 minutes for most of the day. In the evening (after 8 pm) It cycles on about every hour for about 5 minutes.
I did have the problem though when I turn the stat down from 77 to 76 F during the heat of the day-the 2nd stage(yellow light) will come on and the system will run for about 40 minutes before it will cool to 76 F. After that it will stay in the 1st stage (green light) and go back to short cycles. Do you think it could be due to the installers not completely charging the system (R410a refrigerant)? Or maybe the demand for cooling at that time of day? I don't feel confident that the stat is wired correctly-because the stat guidebook states 2nd stage (yellow light) should only be on demand if the stat is set 3 degrees below room temp. Any thoughts? Thanks again for clearing up the VARIABLE interpretation!

 

Hello and HELP!
Just installed a Goodman Heat Pump SSZ16024 and AEPF303616 Air Handler with 10kw heat strips and TX3N4 Thermal expansion valve.
Having a problem with the Honeywell TH8320U1008 thermostat. System comes on with breaker even though stat is set to system off. System cools below temp and won't shut off.
Any help appreciated.
Xander

 

Id call the installing compay to come fix there work.

 

Hello and HELP!
Just installed a Goodman Heat Pump SSZ16024 and AEPF303616 Air Handler with 10kw heat strips and TX3N4 Thermal expansion valve.
Having a problem with the Honeywell TH8320U1008 thermostat. System comes on with breaker even though stat is set to system off. System cools below temp and won't shut off.
Any help appreciated.
Xander

 

Hello Airman,
This is a "Do it yourself forum", is it not?,,,,
Xander08

 

Xander, if you installed the furnace-A/C yourself you have no warranty and made a mistake in either the wiring or the programming of the thermostat.

If you had a legitimate company install the equipment then they made the mistake and they need to correct it. If you mess with it you will void the warranty.