Thread: Condensate drainage system

Just returned from and inspection and came accross a strange condensate drainage system. The owner insists the HVAC contractor installed the system, however it appears to be an idea born over a few beers. Have you ever seen something like this, and is it acceptable. Wrote it up as unconventional.

Similar Threads:

• Condensate leak at furnace exhaust
• condensate drain routing
• Odd Purlin Brace (?) System
• condensate drain connection
• Commercial zone system,

Originally Posted by mathew stouffer

Just returned from and inspection and came accross a strange condensate drainage system. The owner insists the HVAC contractor installed the system, however it appears to be an idea born over a few beers. Have you ever seen something like this, and is it acceptable. Wrote it up as unconventional.

Unconventional indeed. good call.

I also notice a mixture of black and galvanized fittings on the gas line.
No drip/dirt leg observed.
And what appears to be an appliance connector to the furnace. This may be fine if there is protection as it passes through the furnace side cabinet.

Looks like some one is too cheap to buy a condensate pump, and they could charge more to 'make their own' (hourly rates, of course).

Also, that is one big arse PVC pipe for that condensate use ... where does the 'up' part go?

Jerry,
The up part connects to the exhaust vent.

That looks like 3" pvc going up, which means it's probably 120k btu unit putting out a lot of condensate. The pipe on the bottom looks like 2" to 1.5", way to big. The fitting looks like a pvc drumtrap. On a normal installation, it would be a special tee that only has a tubing connection end on the bottom side. With that large pipe at the bottom they could be getting exhaust spillage, especially if there's a problem with the bucket.
They can usually eliminate the drain if the exhaust pipe is pitched outward.
Definitely looks like handyman work.

Any evidence that a permit was issued and an inspection by the municipal inspector? That one always makes it easy - appears to have been installed unprofessionally. Though one local judge would have us to believe that building and mechanical work can - and should - be done without permits. She has apparently had issues with the law in the past. Now that she is a judge, she feels she can make the law. Sorry - rabbit trail.