The condensate trap is a device inside a condensing boiler which collects water from the condensing process before it is expelled into the sewer via the condensate pipe. The purpose of the trap is to prevent toxic gases from entering the condensate pipe, and to manage the flow of condensate fluid out of the boiler.
How to drain condensate from furnace?
You can resist subsequent obstructions by doing the following chores regularly:
- Clean the area around your indoor unit with a vacuum to remove any dirt or debris that may have made its way into the drain.
- Keep the area all around the drain’s end clean and clear of debris. ...
- If the condensate drain becomes plugged, turn off the electricity to your air conditioner at the main circuit breaker. ...
How do you connect a condensate pump to a furnace?
Figure out where you want to mount your condensate pump. Locate the drain connection on the furnace and connect that using PVC pipe to the inlet port on the condensate pump. The condensate pump will have to be lower than the drain connection because the pump needs to be gravity fed.
Is there a filter on a gas furnace?
Still, you know that it is in there somewhere because every heating and cooling system in a home has a furnace filter. This applies to all different types of heating furnaces, including gas furnaces, oil furnaces, electric furnaces, as well as air conditioners.
How do you clean a condensate line in the furnace?
You will need these items to clean your A/C condensate drain:
- Rags
- A wet/dry vacuum
- Distilled vinegar
- A funnel
Does a furnace condensate drain need a trap?
All condensate drains go into a trap. The condensate trap is absolutely mandatory for a high-efficiency gas furnace. Since the drain taps into the exhaust system, leaving it open to the air would allow for a potential exhaust/flue gas leak in the living space, which is a big no-no.
Why do you need a condensate drain trap?
Condensate drains typically have traps, which are designed to keep air from moving in or out of the air handler without preventing condensate drainage. The absence of a properly working p-trap could push unfiltered air into your home and cause an overflow of the condensate drain.
Should there be water in the condensate trap?
The condensate line should drain to the outdoors and during humid weather you should see plenty of water dripping from it. If it's not dripping, it's not draining! If there is standing water in the drain pan, your condensate drain is clogged!
How does a furnace drain trap work?
1:196:18Understanding HVAC Condensate Traps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust as in a real system air is drawn through the filter. The cooling coil across the drain pan. AndMoreJust as in a real system air is drawn through the filter. The cooling coil across the drain pan. And into the fan. With the best possible trap geometry. The effect of evaporation is illustrated with
How do I clean my furnace condensate trap?
0:117:28Condensate Drain Traps & Lines Cleaned on AC and Gas Furnace!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCoil for air conditioning system and also your condensate trap for your furnace. So a simpleMoreCoil for air conditioning system and also your condensate trap for your furnace. So a simple technique is just to blow it out with a 10 cent piece of clear vinyl tubing. And then some electrical tape.
Where do you drain the condensate line on a furnace?
The condensate drains out through a pipe, usually on the bottom of the furnace. Most high-efficiency furnaces also have a secondary drain line that comes out of the flue pipe. This secondary line is used to drain any residual moisture so it doesn't leak into your furnace.
How do I know if my condensate drain is clogged?
Signs the AC Drain Line is CloggedMusty, moldy smell near your indoor unit or in air from the registers/vents.Standing water near the indoor unit.Water damage in areas near the indoor unit.AC system is not cooling your home.AC system shuts down or doesn't turn on.
Where does the condensate drain go?
In newer homes, HVAC condensate drains are tied most often to bathroom drains. Common drain lines inside your home include in your bathrooms (sinks, shower or tub, toilet), kitchen (sink, water line to your freezer), laundry room, and water heater.
How do you prime a furnace condensate trap?
When you turn on an air conditioner for the first time, it may be necessary to prime the trap. You can do this by pouring water into it. You can also run the air conditioner long enough to make enough condensate to fill the trap. Try to avoid using the continuous fan setting until the trap is primed.
How do you unclog a condensate drain line?
How to Unclog Your AC Condensate Drain LineTurn off your air conditioner. ... Remove the cap from the pipe. ... Check to see if there is any debris stuck in the drain. ... Remove any visible debris and retest for proper drainage. ... Pour in Vinegar. ... Replace the drain cap. ... Remove the drain cap.More items...•
Why is water dripping from furnace?
Again, the most common reason for a leaking furnace is a condensation leak. High-efficiency furnaces extract heat from the combustion gases for a longer period of time than a standard-efficiency furnace does, causing the gases to cool, then condense. Condensation is routed to a drain.
Does an air conditioner drain need a trap?
There are some simple ways you can tell if the drain line in your house is being run and draining correctly. First, the coil that your primary drain line is running off of needs to be at a downward angle allowing the water from the coil to drip into the drain line. Every drain line also needs a “P-Trap”.
How deep should the condensate drain trap be?
If a unit were to be operating at minus 6 inches WC maximum negative plenum pressure then the trap height, per the guidelines shown in Figure 1a, requires 7 + 3½ + 1½ + 1 inches of height from under the floor or about 13 inches below the floor level.
Should a double sink have two traps?
A double bathroom sink installation rarely requires more than one P-trap. The usual practice is to connect the two sinks to a tee and then feed the tee into a single P-trap, which then connects to the drain. The pipes you use to connect the sink to the P-trap are the same type the P-trap is made from.
What is the purpose of a condensate trap?
Generally, the purpose of the trap is to use a column of condensate to prevent air moving into or out of the equipment while still permitting the condensate to drain away. The vent on the line must be downstream from the trap, or else it renders the trap useless.
Why the condensate drain trap?
I'm having a high efficiency condensing furnace put in our second floor soon. We're going to insulate the condensate line but I'm wondering why the need for a trap? I understand why we do that in a toilet or sink, to keep sewer gases from backing up unto the house. But why a furnace (or A/C) condensate drain that drains out into the open (fresh) air. Seems to me that deleting the trap would eliminate the major freezing concern with a condensing furnace?
Do you need a trap for a condensing furnace?
Most condensing furnaces come with an internal trap (ie, a trap inside the system compartment, or just outside it, depending on installation), negating the need for a trap that's external to the system (and don't use two traps). Just like I_bend_metal said, the trap stops flue gases from entering the drain pipe, and allows free flow, or stopping "water slugging". That's also why you have to trap a/c condensate with the evap coil on the negative side of the blower.
Is there a cover on a furnace drain trap?
But it seemed so odd to have a cup of open water attached to the side of my furnace that I assumed the installer lost a cover. No, there is no cover. During the warm season it will evaporate; perhaps the owner is supposed to be educated to check and fill that trap each fall. Why would a cover be a bad thing?
Can a condensing furnace drain water?
Also, with a conden sing furnace condensate that's allowed to drain to unconditioned space, or outside the building is subject to freezing. They can put out quite a bit of water, just like a/c during the summer. Now imagine that during freezing temperatures. You wouldn't (shouldn't) leave a water hose connected during the winter, would you? Once it freezes up, it'll back up and cause a mess, just like a clogged a/c condensate line.
How to Access Furnace Condensate Drain Pipe?
A condensate drain pan is always positioned with your system’s evaporator coils due to the nature of its functions. The location of these components is determined by the type of furnace or air handler you have installed in your home.
Where is condensation drain located in furnace?
It will obstruct the normal gas/combustion flow of products. Almost all furnaces have at least two internal drains. One is for the heat exchanger and one for the vent. These are commonly located at the inducer outlet or on the activator enclosure.
How does condensation affect an air conditioner?
Condensation accumulates along with the evaporator coils as the AC collects moisture from the indoor air during the heat transmission process. A condensate drain pan collects the water that drips from the evaporator coils of your air conditioner.
Why is my furnace mounted on the side?
The furnace or air handling unit is mounted on its sides in a horizontal application due to the restricted space available in this location, dependent on roof pitch. This installation application is most commonly encountered when the unit needs to be installed in an attic. The airflow travels from side to side rather than up and down when the device has mounted this manner. The evaporator coils are near the return air ducts next to the furnace or air handling unit, and the condensate drain pan is below it.
How does a secondary heat exchanger work?
The secondary heat exchanger produces water. It collects in a collection box before flowing by gravity through a sloped drain tube. The high efficiency furnace condensate drain is required to release outside the home properly. This design includes a drain trap that allows free drainage. It prevents dangerous combustion gases from escaping the furnace.
How does condensation occur in HVAC?
Condensation is produced by heating and cooling equipment. The evaporator coils in an interior HVAC system drop too low temperatures. And become cold when the cooling process begins. As a result, the coil can absorb the heat from the entering air and cool it.
What happens when a condensate line is stopped?
When the line is entirely stopped, you may see distressing indicators of water leaks in your home. That is difficult to identify from a plumbing or roof leak. When the condensate pan overflows, this can corrode metal elements of your mechanical devices. Create drywall, carpentry, and flooring damage costing hundreds of dollars. A clogged condensate line can reduce the efficiency of your high-efficiency HVAC system. It will also cause musty aromas from algae and mold.
How does a high efficiency furnace work?
High efficiency (or 90%, or condensing) furnaces use a set of two heat exchangers to retrieve more heat from the combustion products than their mid-efficiency counterparts. Because of this, they generate flue gases much colder than those of a mid-efficiency or natural draft unit. That not only completely changes the way the furnace has to be vented (I will talk about venting specifically in a later tip), but a lot of condensate is also generated, which we'll focus on. This water comes from two sources: moisture, which was already present in the combustion air, and the combustion process itself, as the hydrogen atoms from the natural gas molecules (methane, CH4) combine with oxygen to form water. Now, as technicians, you don’t need to know this part, but if you’re a bit into chemistry, here’s the basic chemical equation:
How many drains does a furnace have?
Most furnaces will have at least two internal drains, typically one for the heat exchanger and one for the vent, usually at the inducer outlet or on the inducer housing. The secondary heat exchanger outlet is sealed inside a plastic part called the collector box, designed to collect the condensate and drain it.
How do I clean a drain trap?
The only downside to the trap is the potential for blockage. The trap needs to be cleaned out regularly, and that should be done during every maintenance. Rinse it out, and make sure water flows through the trap properly from all its ports. If there’s any poor flow, fill it up and blow through it a few times to get the dirt out. Hotter water helps with stubborn blockages. The need for regular cleaning also means that drains should be installed as much as possible in a way that allows for the trap to be easily removed. I highly recommend using clamped flexible hoses for the drain, used as close to the trap as possible. Avoid hard-piping the whole drain, as it will be impossible to remove and clean out the trap.
Can you run a furnace drain in an area that freezes?
Avoid running the drain in an area where it could freeze. That includes running it under the natural fresh air inlet if there is one. Finally, note that furnace condensate is acidic, and some states/provinces/countries may require the condensate to be neutralized prior to draining. —Ben. Share this:
Do condensate drains go into traps?
All condensate drains go into a trap. The condensate trap is absolutely mandatory for a high-efficiency gas furnace. Since the drain taps into the exhaust system, leaving it open to the air would allow for a potential exhaust/flue gas leak in the living space, which is a big no-no. Additionally, the inducer motor would suck air through ...
Where is the condensate drain pan located?
The condensate drain pan is part of the evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is a box of tightly wound wires that sits around the furnace. Its exact location depends on the type of furnace installation in your home.
What damages the condensate drain pan?
The condensate drain pan is meant to collect excess water generated during the air conditioning process. However, during the cold winter months, many homeowners only use the furnace. Because the condensate drain pan is located either directly above or directly below the furnace, the drain pain gets a blast of hot air with each heating cycle. The constant battery of heat sucks out the moisture of these plastic pans. Eventually, it leads to cracks.
Introduction
If you notice water around the furnace, the condensate drain may be clogged with slime. Fix the problem with chemical tablets and a larger drain hose.
Clearing a clogged condensate drain: Treat the pan with tablets
Shove the tablets into the drain pan opening and push them in farther using a dowel or long screwdriver. Add new tablets monthly during air-conditioning season, or less often if you rarely use your A/C.
Pan tablets
Pan tablets are available at most home centers and plumbing supply stores.
Install new tubing
Screw the new fitting into the drain pan and slide on the tubing. Route it to the floor drain and secure it with tubing straps.