In the northern united states it s important to make sure the condensate pipe won t freeze up during winter when you re installing a new furnace especially if you re installing a high efficiency furnace as these models produce.
High efficiency gas furnace condensate drain freezing.
As the condensate forms in the exhaust pipe it should flow back into the unit where go through tubes in the unit and then out the unit from a smaller.
With the pipes blocked the condensate backed up into the furnaces where safety switches shut the units down.
In high efficiency furnaces the gas temperature is low enough that it can go through pvc which is good because the low temp gas produces lots of condensate which would corrode a metal pipe.
These pipes direct condensation that collects during the heating process out of the heater and usually outdoors.
A high efficiency condensing furnace is a little more complex than a conventional furnace and troubleshooting is somewhat more complicated since there are more potential problems.
The condensate trap is absolutely mandatory for a high efficiency gas furnace.
If the condensate from a high efficiency furnace leaks out of the pvc pipes or if the pipes are not draining the condensate correctly you could experience damage to your home and you may not.
Condensate drains on the high efficiency condensing units were freezing where the drain pipes terminated outside the house.
The main difference between a conventional furnace and a condensing furnace is the heat exchanger technology used to extract heat from the combustion process and exhaust the combustion gases.
Additionally the inducer motor would suck air through the drain if it weren t trapped which could.