Heat Pump Hvac Condensate Drain Line Design

If you spot any of the tell tale signs of a condensate line or drip pan clog the average homeowner is more than capable of clearing simple clogs if confident.

Heat pump hvac condensate drain line design.

Plumbing code citation for installation of air conditioning condensate drain piping. Carson dunlop associates sketches left illustrate both acceptable and not recommended locations for the discharge of an air conditioner or heat pump condensate drain line discharge. Condensate lines are typically made of plastic commonly pvc or sometimes metal although plastic is prefered. This drain deserves an f.

Condensate pumps shall be used where gravity drains are impossible to install. Why would a condensate pump line into a drain be a problem when the pump has a check valve which allows no back leakage of gas or water and if the drain ever clogged it would back up either way anyhow. As indoor air circulates through the evaporator coil dust dirt and other airborne particles can be trapped by moisture. Its job is to efficiently funnel condensation away from your hvac unit.

Enter the condensate line which essentially functions as a drain line. Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line s access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit. Condensate switches imc 307 2 3 states that all hvac equipment that produces condensate must have either a secondary drain line or a condensate overflow switch a secondary drain pan with a secondary drain line or condensate switch or some combination of these installations should be used to prevent overflow if the primary drain line blocks. Uniform mechanical code section 310 0 310 1 condensate disposal.

The growth can clog the drip pan or even rinse into the condensate drain lines causing a clog in the piping. Questions why it s not advisable to pump condensate into a sewer drain mar 16 2014 anonymous said. If the condensate drain line is clogged you will need to use a wet dry vacuum or a special pump to unclog the line. Little giant condensate pump.

It can air lock because there is no vent after the trap. Clear condensate line clogs. Signs the ac drain line is clogged. The piping from the cooling coil to the condensate pump reservoir should be installed with minimum 1 8 inch slope to enable gravity flow.

Build up of this debris can be carried off as condensate drains from the coil. This is commonly seen in residential and commercial sites where no floor drains were provisioned to drain condensate. Over time it can become trapped in your condensate drain line causing blockage. This will kill any algae mold or mildew that has formed in the pipe.