Blog

With warm weather approaching, air conditioning systems will soon be kicking in to high gear.  Keep your cooling system running trouble-free with a pre-season inspection that includes checking refrigerant levels, cleaning air filters and cooling coils, and emptying the condensate reservoir.

All but the most basic cooling systems include some type of drain pan to collect condensate generated by the cooling coils. Condensate drain pans can fill with sludge and should be thoroughly cleaned at the start of the cooling season.

Discrete condensate pumps generally have a removable reservoir that can be easily washed.

When inspecting this type of pump, make sure slope and area conditions are conducive to safely expelling condensate.

Condensate flow will decrease in accordance with the height it must travel until maximum, or “shut-off” lift is reached so be sure your pump has a maximum lift appropriate to your system demands.

In a typical household cooling system, the condensate pump collects and discharges condensate outdoors, near the foundation of the house. This arrangement needs to be closely monitored because the water can flow into a crawl space or contribute to foundation settlement. Install a splash pan/block to direct the water away from the foundation to prevent problems.

In some residential applications, condensate is expelled to a sump pit or municipal sewer system. Because condensate can contain hazardous by-products, it may require special handling. Check municipal guidelines to be sure your condensate is being properly disposed of.

Check out our Condensate Pump Buyer’s Guide for additional information on condensate pumps.

Our Product Experts are standing by to help you select the condensate pump best suited to your needs.  Visit us at  www.pumpproducts.com or call 1-800-429-0800