WaterFurnace OM1500MW Owner's Manual
Owner's Manual
Residential Products
You now own some of the
world’s most advanced and
valued technologies.
Congratulations on your WaterFurnace purchase!
Register Your Warranty
In order to receive full warranty benefits, it is necessary to register your unit.
Registration is quick and simple with our online form. Register your unit today!
Visit: warranty.waterfurnace.com
For a quick reference, write your WaterFurnace dealer's important information below:
Company Name: _____________________________________ Telephone Number: _______________________________
Date of Installation: ___________________________________ Type of Warranty: _________________________________
Unit Model Number:___________________________________ Serial Number: ___________________________________
Type of Loop System (Refer to the loop section of this manual for assistance.)
o
Horizontal Closed Loop
Type _________________
# trenches/bores _______
Trench length __________
Depth ________________
o
Vertical Closed Loop
# boreholes____________
Depth of boreholes _____
o
Pond Loop
# coils ________________
Ft. of pipe _____________
Pond depth ____________
o
Open Loop/Well Water
Gallons per minute ______
Discharged to __________
Loop Antifreeze: (Typ e) _______________________________________________________________________________
Major Options Installed (check all that apply):
o
Auxiliary Heat: Internal ____________________ External ___________________ kW __________________________
o
Hot Water Assist
o
Electronic Air Cleaner (brand): _______________________________________________________________________
o
Electrostatic Air Filter (brand): _______________________________________________________________________
o
Auxiliary Heat: (brand) _______________________________________________ #zones _______________________
o
Humidifier (brand): _________________________________________________________________________________
o
Other: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
My Warranty
Date registered:
ITEM/DESCRIPTION TERMS
Overall Warranty:
___________
Parts Warranty: _______
Compressor Warranty: _______
Labor Allowance on
warranted parts: _______
Labor Allowance
on compressor:
___________
Workmanship/dealer
supplied materials: _______
ACCESSORIES
__________________ ________
__________________ ________
__________________ ________
__________________ ________
__________________ ________
PERFORATE
Note: We respect your privacy. Please be
assur ed that we w ill not provide yo ur per sona l
information to a ny outs ide com pany.
Table of Contents
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY & BENEFITS ...................................6
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM.......................................... 7-18
How Geothermal Systems Work...............................................8-11
Typical Installation & Components ...........................................12-13
Closed Loop Systems .........................................................14
Open Loop Systems .......................................................... 15
Your Loop Location........................................................... 16
Safety Warnings .............................................................. 17
Warranty Explanation ......................................................... 18
THERMOSTATS....................................................................19
HOMEOWNER MAINTENANCE .....................................................20
TROUBLESHOOTING .............................................................. 21
FAQs, GENERAL INFORMATION & OPERATING TIPS...............................22-29
ENERGY SAVING TIPS .............................................................30
GLOSSARY ....................................................................... 31
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICE RECORD .....................................32
6
Geothermal System Technology & Benefits
Geothermal heating and cooling technology is ideal because it provides exceptional performance while
being environmentally friendly. Your investment in a WaterFurnace system will provide you with many years
of benefits including:
Energy Savings
WaterFurnace units deliver 3 to 4 units of energy for every 1 unit of energy consumed. Many homeowners experience
energy savings from 30% to 70% over other ordinary heating and cooling systems.
Cost Effective
Because of the extraordinary efficiency of a WaterFurnace system, any added investment related to installing a
geothermal unit is usually more than offset by your energy savings.
Comfort
You’ll experience consistent, precise temperature control without the hot blasts of air associated with gas furnaces or
the cold blow of an air source heat pump.
Reliable
The WaterFurnace reputation for reliability has been earned by using only the highest quality components, design, and
workmanship. Your geothermal unit will provide many years of steadfast operation.
Quiet
Unlike ordinary air conditioners or heat pumps, there are no noisy outdoor units. Our units are designed and constructed
for extremely quiet operation.
Safe & Clean
WaterFurnace units don’t burn fossil fuels, so there’s no flame, fumes, combustion or concerns about carbon monoxide
poisoning.
Environmentally Friendly
Your geothermal system doesn’t release harmful greenhouse gasses into the air, unlike a fossil fuel burning furnace. The
reduced energy consumption of a geothermal system further reduces the need for more coal-fired or nuclear power
generating plants and places less demand on our current capability to produce electricity. Geothermal units use far less
refrigerant than ordinary heat pumps or air conditioners and are factory sealed to prevent leakage.
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY & BENEFITS
7
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM
Interesting Facts
• According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), GeoExchange technology is the most energyefficient, environmentally clean and cost-effective space conditioning system available.
• The EPA found that the systems can reduce energy consumption and corresponding emissions by over
40% compared to air source heat pumps and by over 70% compared to electric resistance heating with
standard air conditioning equipment.
• If one in twelve California homes installed a GeoExchange system, the energy savings would equal nine
new power plants.
• Installing a GeoExchange system in a typical home is equal, in greenhouse gas reduction, to planting an
acre of trees or taking two cars off the road.
• Current GeoExchange installations equal 14 million barrels of crude oil saved per year.
• The ground absorbs 47% of the sun’s energy that reaches the earth. This amount of energy represents
500 times more than mankind needs every year.
5 units of heating or
cooling delivered into
your home
1 unit of electricity
4 units of "free" energy
from the earth
About Your WaterFurnace System
This section includes some detailed information about how geothermal technology works and how the different
components used in the system work together to provide you with the finest comfort system available. You'll find useful
information about the refrigeration process, loop systems, safety, and warranties.
8
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM
How Geothermal Systems Work
Geothermal heat pumps utilize some of the same technology found in your home's refrigerator. They are both devices
that move heat energy. Your refrigerator removes heat from the food and transfers it to the air in your home. Your
geothermal heat pump removes heat energy from the earth to heat your home and removes heat energy from inside
your home to cool it.
A Ground Source Heat Pump System consists of a water-to-air or waterto-water heat pump, connected to a series of long plastic pipes buried
below the earth’s surface or placed in a pond. These systems can also
utilize well water instead of the earth loop. As fluid from the earth loop
or well water is moved through the unit, the heat pump transfers thermal
energy that heats or cools the home or building.
The ground serves as a giant solar collector, storing heat energy. At
depths greater than 30 feet, the temperature is about the same as the
annual average outdoor air temperature for that climate. Air temperatures
may fluctuate as much as 50° F above and below the annual average
temperature. However, only a few feet below the surface the changes in
earth temperatures are much less severe. Earth temperature variations
decrease with increasing depth. During heating, the earth serves as a
heat source. During cooling, the earth serves as a heat sink.
The earth loop is placed in the ground either horizontally or vertically, or it can be placed in a pond. Water (or water and
anti-freeze) is circulated through the pipe, transporting heat to the heat pump during the heating mode and away from
the heat pump during the cooling mode. The heat transfer takes place inside the heat pump in a water-to-refrigerant
heat exchanger.
HEAT PUMP OPERATION— Geothermal heat pump systems consist of four circuits:
1. Air circuit — The duct system that distributes the air throughout the home or building and returns it to the unit.
2. Refrigerant circuit — A sealed and pressurized circuit of refrigerant including compressor, expansion valve,
water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger, air coil and reversing valve. The refrigerant is R-410A.
3. Earth loop circuit — The piping system buried in the ground or in the pond (or well water) with fluid that is circulated
by pumps to and from the geothermal unit.
4. Hot water circuit — Domestic water can be heated in a geothermal unit with a device called a hot water assist. A
piping connection is made from the geothermal unit to the water heater.
Each of these circuits is closed and sealed from the others —there is no direct mixing. However, heat energy does mix
from the refrigeration circuit to the other three circuits.
The air circuit, the earth loop circuit, and the domestic hot water circuit always travel in the same direction. However, the
refrigeration circuit will change direction depending on what mode (heating or cooling) the unit is in. (The exception to
the change in direction of refrigerant flow is the flow through the compressor. This change of direction is controlled by
the reversing valve.)
9
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM
Wat e r
Heater
Cold
Return
Air Duct
Pump
Supply
Air Duct
Warm
Cold Water
to Loop
Warm Water
from Loop
Hot Water
to House
Hot Water
from Unit
Cold Water
to Unit
Pump
Heating Operation
Heating Mode
During heating, a geothermal system absorbs the heat from the ground via the earth loop. The heating cycle starts as
cold, liquid refrigerant passes through the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger (coax, and also the evaporator during
heating). The coax is made of copper (or copper and nickel) and consists of a tube within a tube —water from the loop
travels through one tube (the inside tube), refrigerant passes through the other (outer) tube.
As the loop fluid flows through the coax, the heat energy transfers from the loop fluid to the refrigerant through the
copper wall separating the two. This heat transfer causes the cold liquid refrigerant to turn into a gas. (Unlike water,
refrigerant changes from a liquid into a gas at a very low temperature.) The now gaseous refrigerant flows into the
compressor where it is compressed. After compression, the refrigerant will be very hot (approximately 165° F) and
discharged through the reversing valve and into the air coil.
The air coil is a radiator-like device that has thin aluminum “fins” attached to either copper or aluminum refrigerant
tubing. The refrigerant passes through the air coil (the condenser during heating). As air from the return air duct system
passes over the air coil, heat is released from the refrigerant and absorbed by the cooler air. The result is warm air
(typically 95° to 105° F) which is delivered through the duct system by the blower.
The refrigerant, now cooled again, passes through the expansion valve (which acts as a flow control), returning to the
coax where it can accept more heat from the warmer loop fluid.
This process is continuous during the heating mode.
10
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM
Wat e r
Heater
Warm
Return
Air Duct
Pump
Supply
Air Duct
Cool
Warm Water
to Loop
Cool Water
from Loop
Hot Water
to House
Water
from Unit
Cold Water
to Unit
Pump
Cooling Mode
During cooling, a geothermal system rejects the heat from the indoor air into the earth loop. The cooling cycle starts as
cold, liquid refrigerant passes through the air coil (the evaporator during cooling).
As the refrigerant flows through the air coil, the heat energy transfers from the warm return air to the refrigerant. This
heat transfer causes the cold liquid refrigerant to turn into a gas. The compressor draws the refrigerant gas, compresses
it, and discharges it through the reversing valve. During cooling, the reversing valve is energized, which changes the
openings from one port to another causing the refrigerant flow to go in the opposite direction as in heating mode.
(However, the flow to the compressor does not change direction.)
After compression, the hot refrigerant passes through the coax (the condenser during cooling). In the coax, the hot
refrigerant releases its heat energy to the cool loop fluid through the copper walls. Now cooled and liquified, the
refrigerant passes through the expansion valve back to the air coil. Warm air passing over the cool air coil causes the air
to be cooled and dehumidified.
This process is continuous during the cooling mode.
Cooling Operation
11
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM
Drain Valve
In
P/T Relief
Valve
Cold
Water In
Hot
Water Out
DHW
Water In
DHW
Water Out
Hot Water Assist
Many geothermal units installed in homes have an optional feature called a hot water generator. This component
removes excess heat from the refrigerant circuit and adds it to a hot water circuit in the unit.
It is important to note that the Hot Water Assist function simply assists in preheating water. The temperature rise
through the unit is as much as 2 -10° F.
The amount of hot water generated is a function of the model and run time of the unit. On very hot days and cold days,
the hot water generator could produce more hot water than is required for the home due to the long run times of the
unit. On milder days when the unit has short duty cycles, the electric elements in the water heater will maintain the
desired temperature so there will always be enough hot water for the homeowner.
Some installations use a single tank for storage of hot water. Other installations use two tanks to provide extra hot water
capacity with added efficiency.
Typical Hot Water
Generator
12
ABOUT YOUR WATERFURNACE SYSTEM
Typical Installation and Components
Your geothermal system is actually a collection of components working together to perform the heating, cooling and
water heating functions. The basic system includes the unit, power supply, a control component, the water circuit and a
distribution method. Many additional optional accessories are available, but listed below are the basic components used
in most every installation.
Closed Loop Components
Major components in a closed loop earth coupled system include:
• Geothermal unit placed on mounting pad
• Thermostat
• Earth loop piping
• Earth loop circulators (pumps)
• Electrical supply
• Duct system (except for radiant floor heating systems)
• Hot water piping (if hot water generator used)
• Auxiliary heater (if used)
Flexible
Duct Collar
Vibration
Absorbing Pad
Drain
Hot Water Assist
Connections
Auxiliary
Heater
Knockout
Low Voltage
to Thermostat
and Valve
Unit Supply
Aux. Heat Supply
Disconnects
(If Applicable)
Compressor
Line Voltage
Drain Valve
In
Cold
Water In
Hot
Water Out
DHW
Water Out
TO
LOOP
GeoLink
®
Flow
Center
P/T Plugs
Filter Access
Status Lights
Typical Closed Loop System
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