herrmidifier draining into condensate pump

Steve Schey

I have a heat pump system with oil backup that can be used full-time (which I do). The furnace sends hot water to the blower unit and heats the air, which is then humidified after the heat exchange by a Lancaster Herrmidifier mounted in the main duct. The herrmidifier drains directly into the condensate pump, which looks like it pumps the condensate up a plastic tube and out towards the outside heat pump unit (presumably to drain it outdoors). I moved into this house back in June 2002 and recently discovered the water supply to the herrmidifier was turned off. I turned the water supply valve on enough to hear water flowing into the herrmidifier. It seemed like all was working well when after about 1 1/2 weeks, I noticed water leaking out of the top of the condensate pump (it is not a sealed unit). The pump seems to be working since after discovering the leaking water, I turned off the water supply to the herrmidifier and the pump eventually emptied its resevoir, but it seemed not able to keep up with the extra water added by the herrmidifier. I can see the pump fan engaging when the pump turns on, so I don't think that is the problem. I did not have any problems before turning on the water supply to the herrmidifier. Anyone have any ideas what could be causing the problem and/or how to solve it? Should I provide only a trickle to the herrmidifier so that there is not as much excess water draining into the condensate pump? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks, Steve

Mike Reavis_2

is there any possibility that the water froze in the tubing?

Steve Schey

is there any possibility that the water froze in the tubing?

Thank you for your response. I thought of that possibility because it had been below freezing for over a week when I first turned the herrmidifier water supply on. We had a warm up into the mid forties the last 3 days so I turned the water supply on again and left it on overnight at a trickle. Last night I checked it and although there was no water leakage, the condensate pump was about 1/2 full. It was not running so I need to confirm that the pump is still functional. It was working during the initial incident but I did not see it running last night. The tube could have still been frozen despite the warm-up so I will check into that. I need take a look outside where the tube drains to verify. Thanks!