What kind of tubing should I use for draining condensate from a furnace / boiler?












2














"High efficiency" & condensing boilers or furnaces produce an acidic water byproduct called condensate that has to be drained away.



My boiler has an outlet fitting for this condensate water but the manual doesn't say what kind of of tubing should be used to drain it. The other tubing attached to my boiler is copper (for the water in/out) and steel or iron for the gas connection.



The fitting for the condensate is plastic, however, which I'm sure is for a good reason. But I'm still not sure what kind of tubing to use.










share|improve this question



























    2














    "High efficiency" & condensing boilers or furnaces produce an acidic water byproduct called condensate that has to be drained away.



    My boiler has an outlet fitting for this condensate water but the manual doesn't say what kind of of tubing should be used to drain it. The other tubing attached to my boiler is copper (for the water in/out) and steel or iron for the gas connection.



    The fitting for the condensate is plastic, however, which I'm sure is for a good reason. But I'm still not sure what kind of tubing to use.










    share|improve this question

























      2












      2








      2







      "High efficiency" & condensing boilers or furnaces produce an acidic water byproduct called condensate that has to be drained away.



      My boiler has an outlet fitting for this condensate water but the manual doesn't say what kind of of tubing should be used to drain it. The other tubing attached to my boiler is copper (for the water in/out) and steel or iron for the gas connection.



      The fitting for the condensate is plastic, however, which I'm sure is for a good reason. But I'm still not sure what kind of tubing to use.










      share|improve this question













      "High efficiency" & condensing boilers or furnaces produce an acidic water byproduct called condensate that has to be drained away.



      My boiler has an outlet fitting for this condensate water but the manual doesn't say what kind of of tubing should be used to drain it. The other tubing attached to my boiler is copper (for the water in/out) and steel or iron for the gas connection.



      The fitting for the condensate is plastic, however, which I'm sure is for a good reason. But I'm still not sure what kind of tubing to use.







      furnace boiler condensate






      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question










      asked Dec 16 at 13:47









      DaveInCaz

      933623




      933623






















          1 Answer
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          4














          TLDR: Plastic tubing seems the safest to use. You may be able to use certain types of metal in some cases, but acidity in the condensate can damage those materials.





          ICC model building code as an example says the following (in part):




          SECTION 314 - CONDENSATE DISPOSAL



          [M] 314.1 Fuel-burning appliances. Liquid combustion byproducts of condensing appliances shall be collected and discharged to an approved
          plumbing fixture or disposal area in accordance with the
          manufacturer’s installation instructions.



          Condensate piping shall be of approved corrosion-resistant
          material
          and shall not be smaller than the drain connection on the
          appliance.



          Such piping shall maintain a minimum horizontal slope in the direction
          of discharge of not less than 1/8 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal
          (1-percent slope).



          [M] 314.2.2 Drain pipe materials and sizes. Components of the condensate disposal system shall be cast iron, galvanized steel,
          copper, cross-linked polyethylene, polybutylene, polyethylene, ABS,
          CPVC, or PVC pipe or tubing
          . All components shall be selected for
          the pressure and temperature rating of the installation.



          Condensate waste and drain line size shall not be less than 3/4-inch
          (19 mm) internal diameter and shall not decrease in size from the
          drain pan connection to the place of condensate disposal.






          However Inspectapedia has some additional information on this topic which seems more conservative:




          Condensate from condensing boilers is quite corrosive... That's why
          plastic is a good drain material. Stainless steel might be acceptable
          in some situations. I'd be careful about using brass, iron, copper,
          galvanized pipe.




          [Those materials would be sensitive to acid and could be gradually eaten away]





          It seems that cases where you can use metal are when the condensate is diluted to a level which won't cause a problem. For instance, when it is introduced into a sewage line which is regularly used for other purposes. However, copper, brass, and related metals seem like a bad idea even in those situations.



          This was described clearly in a Green Building Advisor post:




          Don't sweat the acidity of the condensate going into the septic tank.
          The volume is low (relative to daily drain flows...) and of things go down the drain that are at least as acidic as
          natural gas or propane condensate
          . It's strong enough to react over
          time with copper drains
          , but with iron, not so much.



          The lower the pH, the more acid the solution is. Even the most-acid
          gas-burner condensate has a pH no lower than 3, most are between 3-5.
          Dry wine has a pH of about 3.3 (about the same as orange juice), even
          sweet wine still under 4, typical soft drinks are between 2.5-3.5,
          cranberry juice is between 2.0-2.5.



          [In cases where the condensate will be diluted it would be a mistake to use]
          copper, which is far more reactive to acids than iron/steel.
          Brass/bronze and other alloys of copper will have the same issues when
          chronically exposed to condensate. With drains down stream of a
          dilution point such as the laundry sink hardly matter what the
          material is, since in a typical applications there is many times
          greater flow of the washer outflow as there would be from a condensing
          natural gas or propane burner mixing in with it.







          share|improve this answer





















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            1 Answer
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            active

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            active

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            4














            TLDR: Plastic tubing seems the safest to use. You may be able to use certain types of metal in some cases, but acidity in the condensate can damage those materials.





            ICC model building code as an example says the following (in part):




            SECTION 314 - CONDENSATE DISPOSAL



            [M] 314.1 Fuel-burning appliances. Liquid combustion byproducts of condensing appliances shall be collected and discharged to an approved
            plumbing fixture or disposal area in accordance with the
            manufacturer’s installation instructions.



            Condensate piping shall be of approved corrosion-resistant
            material
            and shall not be smaller than the drain connection on the
            appliance.



            Such piping shall maintain a minimum horizontal slope in the direction
            of discharge of not less than 1/8 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal
            (1-percent slope).



            [M] 314.2.2 Drain pipe materials and sizes. Components of the condensate disposal system shall be cast iron, galvanized steel,
            copper, cross-linked polyethylene, polybutylene, polyethylene, ABS,
            CPVC, or PVC pipe or tubing
            . All components shall be selected for
            the pressure and temperature rating of the installation.



            Condensate waste and drain line size shall not be less than 3/4-inch
            (19 mm) internal diameter and shall not decrease in size from the
            drain pan connection to the place of condensate disposal.






            However Inspectapedia has some additional information on this topic which seems more conservative:




            Condensate from condensing boilers is quite corrosive... That's why
            plastic is a good drain material. Stainless steel might be acceptable
            in some situations. I'd be careful about using brass, iron, copper,
            galvanized pipe.




            [Those materials would be sensitive to acid and could be gradually eaten away]





            It seems that cases where you can use metal are when the condensate is diluted to a level which won't cause a problem. For instance, when it is introduced into a sewage line which is regularly used for other purposes. However, copper, brass, and related metals seem like a bad idea even in those situations.



            This was described clearly in a Green Building Advisor post:




            Don't sweat the acidity of the condensate going into the septic tank.
            The volume is low (relative to daily drain flows...) and of things go down the drain that are at least as acidic as
            natural gas or propane condensate
            . It's strong enough to react over
            time with copper drains
            , but with iron, not so much.



            The lower the pH, the more acid the solution is. Even the most-acid
            gas-burner condensate has a pH no lower than 3, most are between 3-5.
            Dry wine has a pH of about 3.3 (about the same as orange juice), even
            sweet wine still under 4, typical soft drinks are between 2.5-3.5,
            cranberry juice is between 2.0-2.5.



            [In cases where the condensate will be diluted it would be a mistake to use]
            copper, which is far more reactive to acids than iron/steel.
            Brass/bronze and other alloys of copper will have the same issues when
            chronically exposed to condensate. With drains down stream of a
            dilution point such as the laundry sink hardly matter what the
            material is, since in a typical applications there is many times
            greater flow of the washer outflow as there would be from a condensing
            natural gas or propane burner mixing in with it.







            share|improve this answer


























              4














              TLDR: Plastic tubing seems the safest to use. You may be able to use certain types of metal in some cases, but acidity in the condensate can damage those materials.





              ICC model building code as an example says the following (in part):




              SECTION 314 - CONDENSATE DISPOSAL



              [M] 314.1 Fuel-burning appliances. Liquid combustion byproducts of condensing appliances shall be collected and discharged to an approved
              plumbing fixture or disposal area in accordance with the
              manufacturer’s installation instructions.



              Condensate piping shall be of approved corrosion-resistant
              material
              and shall not be smaller than the drain connection on the
              appliance.



              Such piping shall maintain a minimum horizontal slope in the direction
              of discharge of not less than 1/8 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal
              (1-percent slope).



              [M] 314.2.2 Drain pipe materials and sizes. Components of the condensate disposal system shall be cast iron, galvanized steel,
              copper, cross-linked polyethylene, polybutylene, polyethylene, ABS,
              CPVC, or PVC pipe or tubing
              . All components shall be selected for
              the pressure and temperature rating of the installation.



              Condensate waste and drain line size shall not be less than 3/4-inch
              (19 mm) internal diameter and shall not decrease in size from the
              drain pan connection to the place of condensate disposal.






              However Inspectapedia has some additional information on this topic which seems more conservative:




              Condensate from condensing boilers is quite corrosive... That's why
              plastic is a good drain material. Stainless steel might be acceptable
              in some situations. I'd be careful about using brass, iron, copper,
              galvanized pipe.




              [Those materials would be sensitive to acid and could be gradually eaten away]





              It seems that cases where you can use metal are when the condensate is diluted to a level which won't cause a problem. For instance, when it is introduced into a sewage line which is regularly used for other purposes. However, copper, brass, and related metals seem like a bad idea even in those situations.



              This was described clearly in a Green Building Advisor post:




              Don't sweat the acidity of the condensate going into the septic tank.
              The volume is low (relative to daily drain flows...) and of things go down the drain that are at least as acidic as
              natural gas or propane condensate
              . It's strong enough to react over
              time with copper drains
              , but with iron, not so much.



              The lower the pH, the more acid the solution is. Even the most-acid
              gas-burner condensate has a pH no lower than 3, most are between 3-5.
              Dry wine has a pH of about 3.3 (about the same as orange juice), even
              sweet wine still under 4, typical soft drinks are between 2.5-3.5,
              cranberry juice is between 2.0-2.5.



              [In cases where the condensate will be diluted it would be a mistake to use]
              copper, which is far more reactive to acids than iron/steel.
              Brass/bronze and other alloys of copper will have the same issues when
              chronically exposed to condensate. With drains down stream of a
              dilution point such as the laundry sink hardly matter what the
              material is, since in a typical applications there is many times
              greater flow of the washer outflow as there would be from a condensing
              natural gas or propane burner mixing in with it.







              share|improve this answer
























                4












                4








                4






                TLDR: Plastic tubing seems the safest to use. You may be able to use certain types of metal in some cases, but acidity in the condensate can damage those materials.





                ICC model building code as an example says the following (in part):




                SECTION 314 - CONDENSATE DISPOSAL



                [M] 314.1 Fuel-burning appliances. Liquid combustion byproducts of condensing appliances shall be collected and discharged to an approved
                plumbing fixture or disposal area in accordance with the
                manufacturer’s installation instructions.



                Condensate piping shall be of approved corrosion-resistant
                material
                and shall not be smaller than the drain connection on the
                appliance.



                Such piping shall maintain a minimum horizontal slope in the direction
                of discharge of not less than 1/8 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal
                (1-percent slope).



                [M] 314.2.2 Drain pipe materials and sizes. Components of the condensate disposal system shall be cast iron, galvanized steel,
                copper, cross-linked polyethylene, polybutylene, polyethylene, ABS,
                CPVC, or PVC pipe or tubing
                . All components shall be selected for
                the pressure and temperature rating of the installation.



                Condensate waste and drain line size shall not be less than 3/4-inch
                (19 mm) internal diameter and shall not decrease in size from the
                drain pan connection to the place of condensate disposal.






                However Inspectapedia has some additional information on this topic which seems more conservative:




                Condensate from condensing boilers is quite corrosive... That's why
                plastic is a good drain material. Stainless steel might be acceptable
                in some situations. I'd be careful about using brass, iron, copper,
                galvanized pipe.




                [Those materials would be sensitive to acid and could be gradually eaten away]





                It seems that cases where you can use metal are when the condensate is diluted to a level which won't cause a problem. For instance, when it is introduced into a sewage line which is regularly used for other purposes. However, copper, brass, and related metals seem like a bad idea even in those situations.



                This was described clearly in a Green Building Advisor post:




                Don't sweat the acidity of the condensate going into the septic tank.
                The volume is low (relative to daily drain flows...) and of things go down the drain that are at least as acidic as
                natural gas or propane condensate
                . It's strong enough to react over
                time with copper drains
                , but with iron, not so much.



                The lower the pH, the more acid the solution is. Even the most-acid
                gas-burner condensate has a pH no lower than 3, most are between 3-5.
                Dry wine has a pH of about 3.3 (about the same as orange juice), even
                sweet wine still under 4, typical soft drinks are between 2.5-3.5,
                cranberry juice is between 2.0-2.5.



                [In cases where the condensate will be diluted it would be a mistake to use]
                copper, which is far more reactive to acids than iron/steel.
                Brass/bronze and other alloys of copper will have the same issues when
                chronically exposed to condensate. With drains down stream of a
                dilution point such as the laundry sink hardly matter what the
                material is, since in a typical applications there is many times
                greater flow of the washer outflow as there would be from a condensing
                natural gas or propane burner mixing in with it.







                share|improve this answer












                TLDR: Plastic tubing seems the safest to use. You may be able to use certain types of metal in some cases, but acidity in the condensate can damage those materials.





                ICC model building code as an example says the following (in part):




                SECTION 314 - CONDENSATE DISPOSAL



                [M] 314.1 Fuel-burning appliances. Liquid combustion byproducts of condensing appliances shall be collected and discharged to an approved
                plumbing fixture or disposal area in accordance with the
                manufacturer’s installation instructions.



                Condensate piping shall be of approved corrosion-resistant
                material
                and shall not be smaller than the drain connection on the
                appliance.



                Such piping shall maintain a minimum horizontal slope in the direction
                of discharge of not less than 1/8 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal
                (1-percent slope).



                [M] 314.2.2 Drain pipe materials and sizes. Components of the condensate disposal system shall be cast iron, galvanized steel,
                copper, cross-linked polyethylene, polybutylene, polyethylene, ABS,
                CPVC, or PVC pipe or tubing
                . All components shall be selected for
                the pressure and temperature rating of the installation.



                Condensate waste and drain line size shall not be less than 3/4-inch
                (19 mm) internal diameter and shall not decrease in size from the
                drain pan connection to the place of condensate disposal.






                However Inspectapedia has some additional information on this topic which seems more conservative:




                Condensate from condensing boilers is quite corrosive... That's why
                plastic is a good drain material. Stainless steel might be acceptable
                in some situations. I'd be careful about using brass, iron, copper,
                galvanized pipe.




                [Those materials would be sensitive to acid and could be gradually eaten away]





                It seems that cases where you can use metal are when the condensate is diluted to a level which won't cause a problem. For instance, when it is introduced into a sewage line which is regularly used for other purposes. However, copper, brass, and related metals seem like a bad idea even in those situations.



                This was described clearly in a Green Building Advisor post:




                Don't sweat the acidity of the condensate going into the septic tank.
                The volume is low (relative to daily drain flows...) and of things go down the drain that are at least as acidic as
                natural gas or propane condensate
                . It's strong enough to react over
                time with copper drains
                , but with iron, not so much.



                The lower the pH, the more acid the solution is. Even the most-acid
                gas-burner condensate has a pH no lower than 3, most are between 3-5.
                Dry wine has a pH of about 3.3 (about the same as orange juice), even
                sweet wine still under 4, typical soft drinks are between 2.5-3.5,
                cranberry juice is between 2.0-2.5.



                [In cases where the condensate will be diluted it would be a mistake to use]
                copper, which is far more reactive to acids than iron/steel.
                Brass/bronze and other alloys of copper will have the same issues when
                chronically exposed to condensate. With drains down stream of a
                dilution point such as the laundry sink hardly matter what the
                material is, since in a typical applications there is many times
                greater flow of the washer outflow as there would be from a condensing
                natural gas or propane burner mixing in with it.








                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Dec 16 at 13:47









                DaveInCaz

                933623




                933623






























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