By Joel Wensley
Here’s a convenience item and sometimes a necessity to have if you have a humidifier, central air or a high-efficiency furnace.
If you’re tired of tripping over condensation plumbing lines that drag all across the floor to find a floor drain or a sump pump, you may want one of these instead.
What I’m referring to is exactly what you’d think we’d call it: a condensate pump. This inexpensive little item will eliminate those potential toe stubbers and hip breakers by attaching directly to your furnace.
The moisture put out by your furnace, humidifier or even your central air conditioning unit now will run down the tube into this pump. The condensate pump acts like a miniature sump pump. When it fills with water, it raises a float device inside the unit, and when the float reaches the set switch, the pump turns on and lets out the water.
You can pump it overhead to a laundry tub, a sump pump or even right back outside to evaporate. Pumping outside is not recommended for furnaces and humidifiers. The lines could freeze and cause damage to your equipment.
I’ve even seen some creative people use this to drain a basement dehumidifier and eliminate the hassle of emptying that darn pan all summer long.
Using a condensate pump can keep your floors clear, your basement dry and make your home a little bit safer place to wander around.
(Joel Wensley is a licensed mechanical contractor in the state of Michigan, a contributor on Fox 2 News on WJBK-TV Channel 2, and president of Mechanical Heating & Cooling in Dearborn Heights.)