Bosch IDS 2.1 Dual Fuel Fossil Heat Pump AC Furnace Install

[@SteveRivett]

Please check out my affiliate links in the description if you are looking for parts, tools, or pricing.

[@SteveRivett]

Hi Zach - Thanks for the phone call on Monday afternoon. Below is our feedback on the Bosch Air Handler in question and how the ecobee can work with it without impeding the functionality and smarts of the Bosch system. Overall, this is a really good question and we can provide some context since we have actually talked through this with Bosch directly in the past. The Bosch air handler itself isn't the issue, it's the outdoor condensing unit or heat pump that the air handler mates up with. The Bosch units are unique in that they have built communicating logic into the outdoor unit which is extremely efficient already and doesn't need the smart thermostat logic to override the equipment logic, in other words, two negatives make a positive, a Smart thermostat (any smart stat) can work against the Bosch software since smart stats tend to automatically go into set backs, pre condition, etc based on occupancy, weather and utility rate info. Bosch will tell you they have to use their standard 2 stage thermostat, set it to your desired room temp and let the equipment manage the efficiency on its own, which is fine. However, the reality of it is that any 2 stage non smart t-5tat will work. Fortunately for ecobee, the "smart" features in this case can be disabled to allow an ecobee to work perfectly fine and still allow the user all the other advantages like WiFi remote control, geofencing, home automation, etc. The following is what the technician should do to prevent ecobee's logic to work against the Bosch logic; • In the mobile app permanently disable Eco+ (make sure at t-stat Smart Home/Away is disabled if not using WiFi or the app) • If using multiple room sensors, disable ‘'Follow Me" (the room sensors can still be used to balance or average room temp and with participation, plus for monitoring in Haven, etc) • At the thermostat settings under "preferences" disable Cooling Smart Recovery (and Heating Smart Recovery if heat pump) • Go to Setting- >Advanced Settlngs Thresholds -> Staging and switch it to manually At this point, they have disabled any "smart" logic built into the thermostat that will potentially override set point or differentials, either just A/C or heat pumps. Regards, Pete Wessel National Account Manager - Pro Distribution

[@terryshrum4194]

Turning the switch 4 to on simply drops the evap temp from 46/42 down to 42/38 The pressure noise you heard is our PEV (pressure equalization valve opening after five minutes of the unit shutting off) Now it’s ready to start

[@terryshrum4194]

That compressor pulls maximum 20 Amps!! Hope that helps

[@xincai951]

One more question, did you measure subcool & superheat for your unit? Was your superheat within the range specified by the manual? Thanks.

[@ScottyMedina]

So that logic board can take the cold weather? I have a Bosch unit like this but smaller. I cant get over that logic board being able to take the cold I get in my area.

[@SteveRivett]

It should not be a problem, mine has run down to -10C now.

[@molk17]

Hi Stephen. I got my IDS 2.1.1 Connected (BOVD36 + BVA24) heat pump installed in September 2024 and the contactor newer showed me how to access the outdoor unit's data via Bluetooth. Is this something that homeowner can on its own?

[@SteveRivett]

You could, but you need to understand electrical safety as you need to push the Connect button inside of the unit to pair to it. There is over 380 Volts on that circuit board so you should have the unit turned off the first time you take the cover off. Page 23 of the manual tells you how to download the app and pair to the unit. www.bosch-homecomfort.com/us/media/country_pool/documents/installation-manuals/bosch_ids_bovb20__bovd20_iom_12.2023.pdf

[@molk17]

@@SteveRivett thx. I will think about it 🙂

[@5sunny01]

Hey Stephen, I have a same exact system installed in my house with the Dual fuel 96% 80KBTU with 4 ton coil, I have a same Ecobee premium T installed. Same as you. My auxiliary heat keeps kicking on and staying on all night. Can you share your thermostat settings if possible please. When I ran the system in force mode my superheat was 0. Have you checked that yet? Please help if possible.

[@SteveRivett]

I have not connected any gauges to mine as I do not have access to R410A, I think that was required for superheat. Was your machine cooling well in the summer? Mine was and now it's heating OK. It does run a long time because it is trying to stick to 1 run per hour. I've seen it cooling to -8C now and it made it through the night without switching to aux. In my case I chose to set the max aux heat to xxx and min compressor temp to -15C. ***Warning, you will need to make sure your aux heat is still functional with making these changes to prevent accidentally freezing your home if your heat pump quits working

[@5sunny01]

@ hey Steven, thanks for the reply, yes my cooling was working fine and my heat is ok and auxiliary working fine too. Where are you located? How do you make the system run 1 cycle? Would you be able to make a video on all the thermostat settings, I think that’s what my issue is, I can’t find the aux heat settings

[@SteveRivett]

@@5sunny01 look at the video descriptions for now, that has most of it. I am going to edit my original comment about max aux temp as I'm not sure if it is correct and I don't want to cause problems for people.

[@SteveRivett]

@@5sunny01 I think your issue is probably minimum compressor temp. The ecobee default value does not consider what the Bosch can do.

[@5sunny01]

@ what should be it I’m in Delaware

[@rickc1015]

Curious about the savings on electricity from last July and August 2023. kWh usage for the 159 hours it ran in July?

[@SteveRivett]

June 2023 961 khw, July 2023 1223 kwh, August 2023 1010 kwh, June 2024 640 kwh (no AC for this month as it was dead), July 2024 886 kwh (will be missing a few days), August 2024 899 kwh. The old unit was a 3-ton Lennox XC15 and it was not meeting our needs due to the duct work. It lost its refrigerant over winter which caused us to make the change.

[@rickc1015]

@@SteveRivett Thank you. I am seeing similar savings the first two months as well. Mine ran 190 hours in August on Long Island NY, but I now know it was using very little energy.

[@clearcontrolllc]

FYI my 3 ton unit is so quite it's about a month old. I had a Bosch rep come out and set mine up it using the matching air Handler. We love it so far and we have the optional Aux heater for really cold weather. It has not used the aux heat so far living in Norther New Jersey. You may want to contact Bosch because there's no way it should be that loud.

[@xincai951]

I have the 2.0 version 5 ton unit also, not the premium connected version. It's making the same humming sound when running in cooling mode when it's cold outside. It sounds completely normal when it's hot, or in heating mode. I gave up trying to repair it. Do you have a link for the booster fan? I have a branch that's weak so it might help. Thanks.

[@SteveRivett]

There is a link above but it is the Vortex vtx400p if you want the pressure sensor. It will not change the overall CFM of your system but it will redirect air to where you want it. I had to pinch off most of the nearest ducts to my furnace using the little dampers on the ducts to assist in things. Those two things worked pretty good together.

[@xincai951]

@@SteveRivett thanks for the model number. I don’t think you posted the link for this. I will try to find it online. Only see the non-P version so far