Furnace Pvc Exhaust Pipe Condensation

If your furnace has white pvc exhaust pipes you have a condensing furnace.

Furnace pvc exhaust pipe condensation.

The pvc pipes are used for air intake exhaust gas and to remove the corrosive condensation resulting from the combustion process. In contrast modern high efficiency condensing furnaces exhaust much cooler gasses and need only plastic pipe materials such as pvc cpvc or abs for their exhaust vents. High efficiency gas furnaces have plastic vent pipes that extend to the outdoors to get rid of exhaust gases and bring in fresh air for combustion. This pipe directs combustible gases away from your home.

Condensation in the flue or vent pipe is not dangerous in itself but can create a dangerous condition. Without this indoor air will permeate the insulation and condense internally against the pipe. You don t need to drill any holes in the pipe. The plastic gas furnace intake pipe can be insulated but any insulation strategy must include a vapour barrier on the outside.

Your exhaust pipe is the metal or pvc pipe that connects to your furnace and goes through the roof or side of the house. Other aspects of high efficiency furnace venting. High efficiency furnaces produce high amounts of condensation moisture in the exhaust vent which is designed to run back into and through the furnace in order to drain out into either a floor drain or other approved draining system. These pvc pipes are connected to the furnace and expelled outside.

Condensation on the outside of a plastic tube isn t a safety problem more an aesthetic one. If your furnace has a metal exhaust pipe you have a conventional furnace. The pvc sticks out of the side of the house and the guy who installed the furnace said not to put any screening over the pipe because in very cold weather northern illinois condensation could collect on the screen freeze and seal off the inlet or outlet. If the vent pipes are not protected by screens you take a big risk for furnace problems due to pipe obstruction or infestations from pests.

This high efficiency venting system must be installed when you install the new furnace. Generally the exhaust pipe should slope back towards the furnace about 1 4 per foot. These pvc or cpvc pipes can be inviting to rodents and birds especially in the winter as well as insects mostly in summer looking for a home. Your furnace is designed to collect and drain that condensate.

Over time the moisture as well as the chemicals released by the furnace can damage the. Some high efficiency furnaces also include a plastic pipe for intake area and all types use a third plastic pipe to drain away the corrosive condensation resulting from the combustion process.