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  1. #1
    mathew stouffer's Avatar
    mathew stouffer Guest

    Default Condensate pump in attic

    Noted in report; no drain line on pan and pump should be in safety pan. HVAC guy said no need for either, there is a shut off in the pump. My thought was what if the drain line gets clogged? Fire away

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Lake Barrington, IL
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    Default Re: Condensate pump in attic

    And the tech has never seen a leak from the evaporator coil pan? He's not looking at the big picture. His blinders need to be confiscated.

    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Atlanta, Georgia
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    Default Re: Condensate pump in attic

    As seem from another angle...

    Why do you need a pump in an attic? Attics are higher than ground and the water should drain by gravity. There should be no need for a pump in an attic.

    "The Code is not a peak to reach but a foundation to build from."

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Condensate pump in attic

    You did get the missing drain or switch from the secondary and/or emergency (aux) drain pan, right?
    The code is pretty much silent on the subject but it is mechanical equipement that is now part of the A/C which is required to be protected by an auxiliary drain pan.
    Might be a stretch but then it would be pretty persuasive to my client once I explained the potential downside of a leak in their attic.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  5. #5
    mathew stouffer's Avatar
    mathew stouffer Guest

    Default Re: Condensate pump in attic

    Jim, yes. That is what went into the report, no secondary, no drain line on pan, and pump not in pan. Tech said these are not needed becasue of the shut off in the pump. I disagreed and we left it at that.


  6. #6
    Jack Murdock's Avatar
    Jack Murdock Guest

    Default Re: Condensate pump in attic

    I am a " LP gas guy" not an "AC" guy but wouldnt a trap be required or is the drain off the AC coil? Here in upstate NY we would be worried about the pump/line freezing in a cold attic. Just thinking out loud. Thanks


  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Condensate pump in attic

    "Here in upstate NY we would be worried about the pump/line freezing in a cold attic"

    The A/C is not likely to be running when the weather is so cold that the line would freeze.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  8. #8
    mathew stouffer's Avatar
    mathew stouffer Guest

    Default Re: Condensate pump in attic

    Good point with the freezing. There is a humidifier on the furnace with a seperate drain line. Never thought of the freezing.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Rockwall Texas
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    Default Re: Condensate pump in attic

    Pan is undersized also to add to the list.


  10. #10
    David Bell's Avatar
    David Bell Guest

    Default Re: Condensate pump in attic

    Love the fact that they installed the male adapter in the pan but, left it unattached to anything. If you use a pan switch you could cap it but, to leave it open like that is just wrong.


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    Utah
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    Default Re: Condensate pump in attic

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    "Here in upstate NY we would be worried about the pump/line freezing in a cold attic"

    The A/C is not likely to be running when the weather is so cold that the line would freeze.
    Doesn't matter that the AC won't be running in the cold weather, the little pump has a sump and depending on evaporation to get rid of the last AC condensate is NOT advisable.

    I have had to pay to repair walls/ceilings where my guys didn't install a secondary drain pan properly. The entire furnace/AC in the attic is an "iffy" situation. If there is any way the condensate might find its way down the walls, you can bet it will.

    EDIT:

    Just saw your note about the humidifier, that kind of ignites the issue.

    Last edited by Rod Butler; 11-08-2010 at 09:32 AM. Reason: Read later posts.

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