Furnace Freezing

On seriously cold afternoons, homes with gas heating systems are at risk of a identifiable concern which is cold.

If moisture doesn’t respectfully drain out of the condensate line, it can freeze within the line when temperatures drop below 32 degrees.

To prevent cold, the condensate line should be sloped at least a quarter of an inch per foot of PVC pipe. It should also be supported between the furnace plus exterior discharge point plus be as short as possible between the furnace plus sidewall termination location. Condensate pipes on high efficiency condensing heating systems commonly freeze due to improper installation of the drain line. When the pipe sags, moisture can collect in the low areas plus freeze when exposed to low temperatures. If the line is pinched or is too long, moisture takes longer to drain plus may freeze as it cools while in its travel through the pipe. Improper placement of the furnace is another installation concern that contributes to frozen condensate lines, which is proper when a up-to-date high efficiency heating equipment replaces an old conventional model. The location of the original furnace may not be ideal for the up-to-date equipment if it is in an part exposed to colder temperatures, and measures that prevent your furnace from cold are not always taken when a up-to-date furnace is installed. When the line freezes, you must thaw the line plus then take measures to prevent your furnace from cold in the future. You should pour hot water over the condensate pipe, plus fill a warm water bottle plus hold it in place on the line. Wrap the line in a heat wrap or electric heating pad plus apply heat slowly using a hair dryer or heat gun. Setting up a space heating system a few feet away from the line to hot the area. After uncold the line, it’s time to prevent it from cold again, and place a small mound of rock salt below the exterior opening of the condensate drain line. Insulate the condensate drain line plus floor drain plus wrap the interior condensate line with heat tape. Working with a Heating, Ventilation plus A/C contractor will ensure proper installation plus official existing cold issues.

 

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