High Efficiency Gas Furnace Water Drain

High efficiency furnaces naturally produce condensation as a by product of the natural gas burning.

High efficiency gas furnace water drain.

The resulting no2 nitrogen dioxide and no nitrous oxide dissolve into the water vapor in the exhaust stream to form nitric acid. This is one of the things that make it different from a standard efficiency furnace. This is typically flown out of a pvc pipe that comes from the furnace and drains into the floor drain in your furnace room. It moves the air with a circulating fan.

While the condensing furnace is different in its design and repair needs it does have some similarities to a conventional furnace like a conventional furnace it takes in cold air from the house and runs it through an air filter. What is vented is a residual corrosive condensate of water and carbon dioxide. And it has a gas burner with electronic ignition although condensing. The epa recommends that household water be between 6 5 and 8 5 for health reasons not because of damage to pipes.

In old fashioned low efficiency gas burners all that gas the co2 the water vapor and the nitrogen products known collectively as nox went up the hot chimney into the atmosphere. But a high efficiency furnace. A high efficiency condensing furnace can achieve efficiency ratings of 90 or above. Additionally the inducer motor would suck air through the drain if it weren t trapped which could.

How a high efficiency condensing furnace differs. Condensate from a high efficiency furnace typically has a ph of about 5 0 but can range from 3 5 to 6 5. High efficiency boilers and furnaces require a condensate neutraliser to protect drain pipes from corrosion. Fix the problem with chemical tablets and a larger drain hose.

It s all about how the furnace extracts heat from combustion gases. Why a high efficiency furnace creates condensation how in the heck does a high efficiency furnace create condensation water anyway. Add new tablets monthly during air. Shove the tablets into the drain pan opening and push them in farther using a dowel or long screwdriver.

If you notice water around the furnace the condensate drain may be clogged with slime. The condensate trap is absolutely mandatory for a high efficiency gas furnace. A lower efficiency furnace extracts some heat from combustion gases and then quickly vents them out the flue pipe. 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.