I'm looking for heat pump t-stat recommendations

[ixlr8]

Hi folks,
I have been having some issues with my heat pump system. Tech says system is fine, but the t-stat is not controlling the backup electric heat strips correctly and I need a new t-stat. He said Mass law now requires a t-stat with outdoor temp sensing for heat pump systems. He was willing to sell/install a wireless unit for $548.00 I am thinking there has got to be a better way. I do need to check with my condo association to see if I can poke a wired sensor out through the wall. What would you folks recommend for a t-stat with outdoor temp sensing, wired or wireless?
Thanks

 

[rickairmedic]

The Honeywell visionpro 8000 has outdoor temperature sensing hookups and is my go to stat for dual fuel systems . The first thing I would do is verify the " law " on it through your county code office . I wouldnt be surprised if he wasnt trying to up his commission " not like an HVAC tech would ever try that ". Did I mention I are an HVAC tech .


Rick

 

[ixlr8]

The Honeywell visionpro 8000 has outdoor temperature sensing hookups and is my go to stat for dual fuel systems . The first thing I would do is verify the " law " on it through your county code office . I wouldnt be surprised if he wasnt trying to up his commission " not like an HVAC tech would ever try that ". Did I mention I are an HVAC tech .
Rick

I also had a salesman come out at the same time to quote me a new system, in case the old system was the issue. The inside unit is 28 years old, and the compressor unit is 13 years old. The 'tech' was doing a harder sales job than the 'sales' man.
Thanks.. I will look into the Honeywell system.

 

[brewchief]

I like the Honeywell stats as well, we normally use the vision pro iaq since it only needs 3 wires to the stat. I normally mount the sensor by the outside unit and simply follow the lineset to run the wire.

FWIW I would consider that a fair price for a wireless setup.

 

[Hlidskjalf]

I knew that I was too cheap on my wireless t-stat installs.

 

[ixlr8]

If I go for a wired outside temp probe T-stat, is a special wire needed to extend the probe to the T-stat? Most probes I have seen have only a 5 or 6ft wire on them and the wire run to my T-stat will be about 12ft.

TIA

 

[brewchief]

If I go for a wired outside temp probe T-stat, is a special wire needed to extend the probe to the T-stat? Most probes I have seen have only a 5 or 6ft wire on them and the wire run to my T-stat will be about 12ft.

TIA

There have been a few stats in the past that required shielded cable for the sensor, I haven't run across one in a few years however. I've done lots of the honeywells over the years and never used anything other then normal 18-2 stat wire. I would caution against mounting a sensor on the south side of the house or anywhere it will see direct sunlight for extended periods of time, I've seen errors in temp reading of 30-40 degrees in a few cases.

 

[ixlr8]

There have been a few stats in the past that required shielded cable for the sensor, I haven't run across one in a few years however. I've done lots of the honeywells over the years and never used anything other then normal 18-2 stat wire. I would caution against mounting a sensor on the south side of the house or anywhere it will see direct sunlight for extended periods of time, I've seen errors in temp reading of 30-40 degrees in a few cases.

I was hoping std 18 gauge stat wire would work.. thanks for the confirmation. Also, thanks for the headsup on sunshine on the sensor, that will change it's mounting position slighty to keep it out of the late afternoon sun.

 

[rickairmedic]

Jim you can get the stat wire from Lowes or Home depot 18-2 as was said is fine . I usually mount my outdoor temp sensor on dual fuel systems down under the electrical box on the outside condensor unit .This is the easiest best location for me since I usually run 18-8 wire to the condensor anyways on a dual fuel system .

Rick

 

[ixlr8]

Jim you can get the stat wire from Lowes or Home depot 18-2 as was said is fine . I usually mount my outdoor temp sensor on dual fuel systems down under the electrical box on the outside condensor unit .This is the easiest best location for me since I usually run 18-8 wire to the condensor anyways on a dual fuel system .

Rick

I have some 18-4 T-stat wire for projects at my other house. My problem with routing it with lines to the condenser is... this is a retrofit to a 28 year old condo building and there is no way to follow the lines through the building. So I am just going to run the wire through the closets to the outside wall and poke a hole in the wall, fish out the sensor and mount it out of sight of the sun.