Does a Condensate Unit Need to be Vented?

David_53

Hi Folks,



I'm not very well versed in steam, so my apologies in advance. After Hurricane Irene I had to replace our old condensate pump and changed to this one below WCS Duplex Watchman WCSD-12-20BMA:

<a href="http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/HOFFMAN-PUMP-Condensate-Return-Unit-4RD30?cm_sp=IO-_-Home-_-VTV70300505&cm_vc=HPPVZ3">http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/HOFFMAN-PUMP-Condensate-Return-Unit-4RD30?cm_sp=IO-_-Home-_-VTV70300505&cm_vc=HPPVZ3</a>



Does it need to be vented? Our old one was just plugged. I'm a bit concerned because  I read that having no vent could be dangerous or cause condensate to return slow? Should I call back the oil company and ask them to vent it? And if I do vent it, can I just vent it into the basement? Would this just mean connecting a pipe where it is plugged? Like I said, the old one was not vented, but since I paid for a professional installation, I would like the job done right.



Also, I don't think the condensate pump was sized, they just gave us what we had there, does the size of the condensate pump really make a difference? I think if anything, the one we got was overkill as it sits 6 feet behind the boiler. We have a 5 or 6 chamber Weil-McLain Model 80.

Thanks for any advice!

JStar

RE

http://www.deppmann.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/wc_iom.pdf



Second page, under Installation > Piping Vent



It absolutely needs a vent. Do you have any other air vents on the system? If not, the tank is the air vent. Also, the tank vent acts as a safety overflow, so that it does not become over pressurized, causing a very dangerous failure.

nicholas bonham-carter

condensate pump

there are a few situations where a condensate pump is necessary, but most systems are better off without them. my suggestion is to have the return piping change to function without a pump, or at least configured so that by closing a valve you can isolate the pump from the system, which will function finally as it was originally installed [all gravity].

usually these pumps are installed as a bamdaid to fudge over some other issue, so if you have not pulled the trigger yet, then go with gravity as does my 55 radiator system. what ever problem your system may have had is more easily solved than the added complication of a pump.--nbc