Heater condensate options

Greg_19

Hi,
I have a heating system condensate drain and pump, and am looking for a simple solution. Currently it drains into a floor drain in the basement, which leads to gravel below.

I don't want to send the condensate into the septic system (would require a treatment step, increasing complexity). We are in the northeast, with cold winters.

What I would like to do is send it outside, but it must not freeze. How about a small tap into the plastic exhaust?

Any ideas are appreciated.

-Greg

Wayco Wayne_2

I use a

3/8 vinyl tube to the outside, with a barbed tee fitting just inside the wall. From the barbed tee I run to an inside drain. That way it runs outside most of the time, but if it freezes it bypasses to an inside drain. If you are concerned about the acidity of the water on an inside drain. run it into a small pail of marble chips. They will nuetralize the acidity before it goes on to the drain. (just an aside. I ran a drain outside in the same fashion in my Parents house. It just so happened the water came out into his blueberry patch. Blueberrys love acid soil. The next Spring his berrys were as big around as nickels. He was strutting around thinking he was the best gardener in the world. I kept quiet. No use turning down all the blueberry pies when I visit.)

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Brad White_2

I agree with Wayne-

Outside if you can and marble chips otherwise. (Had no idea about blueberries so now I have yet another hobby- thanks Wayne!)
For a neutralizer I use a drywall compound bucket with a 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 inch threaded nipple to drain. I mount the nipple about a foot from the bottom so it "skims" the top of the water. Use course marble chips from the garden center. Keep a lid on it (reaction produces a tad of hydrogen for your fuel-cells, you efficiency maven!)

Christian Egli

Don't you have a boiler to connect to?

How about pumping the condensate back to the boiler? You're installing some piping anyway?

About the piping for the outdoors, rubber will resist to higher heat than vinyl. Anything black will resist the sun better.