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AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS

A/C - HEAT PUMP CONTROLS & SWITCHES
A/C DATA TAGS
A/C - HEAT PUMP CRITICAL DEFECTS
A/C DIAGNOSTIC FAQs
A/C REFRIGERANTS
A/C TYPES, ENERGY SOURCES
AGE of AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS
AIR CLEANER PURIFIER TYPES
AIR CONDITIONER BTU CHART
AIR CONDITIONER COMPONENT PARTS
AIR CONDITIONER TYPES, ENERGY SOURCES
AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING
AIR FILTER EFFICIENCY
AIR FILTERS, FIBERGLASS PARTICLES
AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
AIR FLOW MEASUREMENT CFM
AIR HANDLER / BLOWER UNITS
ANIMAL ALLERGENS / PET DANDER
ANIMAL ODORS IN buildings
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings

BACKUP HEAT for HEAT PUMPS
BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
BLOWER FAN CONTINUOUS OPERATION
BLOWER FAN OPERATION & TESTING
BOOKSTORE - Air Conditioning "How To" Books

CAPACITORS for HARD STARTING MOTORS
CAPILLARY TUBES
CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS
CIRCUIT BREAKER SIZE for A/C or HEAT PUMP
CLEANING & Legionella BACTERIA
CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS
COMBUSTION GASES & PARTICLE HAZARDS
COMPRESSOR & CONDENSING COIL, A/C
CONDENSATE HANDLING, A/C
  DRIP TRAY DEFECTS
    Missing Condensate Overflow Pan
    Improper Condensate Drain Connects
    Float Switch on Condensate Tray
    Water in Condensate Overflow Pan
  CONDENSATE LEAKS
  CONDENSATE PUMPS
  CONDENSATE DRAINS
    Locations for Condensate Disposal
    Plumbing Code for Condensate Drains
    Improper Condensate Disposal
    Condensate Drains Connected to Vent Pipe
    Condensate Spills in Crawl Spaces
    Condensate Leaks Onto Heat Exchangers
    Condensate Disposal Outdoors
    Condensate Drains to Hidden Location
  CONDENSATE DRAIN CLEAN & DE-CLOG
  CONDENSATE TRAY CLEANING
CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS
CONDENSING COIL
CONTROLS & SWITCHES, A/C - HEAT PUMP
COOL OFF HEAT Thermostat Switch
COOLING CAPACITY, RATED
COOLING COIL or EVAPORATOR COIL
COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS
CRITICAL DEFECTS on A/C SYSTEMS

DATA TAGS on AIR CONDITIONERS
DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms
DEHUMIDIFICATION PROBLEMS
DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
DIAGNOSE & FIX AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP
DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-BOILER
DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-FURNACE
DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS
DUCTS - Asbestos
DUCT INSULATION, Asbestos Paper
DUCT INSULATION for SOUNDPROOFING
DUCT SYSTEM NOISES
DUCTS, Asbestos Transite Pipe
DUST, HVAC CONTAMINATION STUDY
DUST SAMPLING PROCEDURE

EDUCATION, HVAC SCHOOLS
ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE
ELECTRIC MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
ELECTRICAL POWER SWITCH FOR HEAT
EVAPORATOR COIL or COOLING COIL
EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEMS
EXPANSION VALVES, REFRIGERANT

FAN, AIR HANDLER BLOWER UNIT
FAN AUTO ON Thermostat Switch
FAN, COMPRESSOR/CONDENSER UNIT
FAN CONVECTOR HEATERS - HYDRONIC COILS
FAN LIMIT SWITCH
FAN NOISES
FURNACES WARM AIR HEATING SYSTEMS

GAS EXPOSURE EFFECTS, TOXIC
GAS DETECTION INSTRUMENTS
GAUGE, REFRIGERATION PRESSURE TEST

HEAT LOSS (or GAIN) in buildings
HEAT LOSS (or GAIN) INDICATORS
HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION
HEAT PUMPS
HEATING SMALL LOADS
HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET

INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
INSPECTION CHECKLIST - OUTDOOR UNIT
INSPECTION LIMITATIONS, A/C SYSTEMS

LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION
LOST COOLING CAPACITY
LOW VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER TEST

MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC
MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
MOLD in AIR HANDLERS & DUCT WORK
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER

NOISE AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP
NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE

ODORS in AIR HANDLERS & DUCT WORK
OPERATING COST, AIR CONDITIONER
OPERATING DEFECTS, AIR CONDITIONING
OPERATING TEMPERATURES, AIR CONDITIONER

PORTABLE ROOM AIR CONDITIONERS
PRESSURE READINGS, REFRIGERANT

REPAIR GUIDE, AIR CONDITIONERS / HEAT PUMPS
REPAIR & DIAGNOSTIC FAQs for A/C
REFRIGERANTS & PIPING
RETROFIT SIZING for A/C or HEAT PUMPS

SEER RATINGS & OTHER DEFINITIONS
SPLIT SYSTEM AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS
SWAMP COOLERS
SYSTEM OPERATION

THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING
THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES

WATER COOLED AIR CONDITIONERS
WINDOW / WALL AIR CONDITIONERS
WINDOW / WALL A/C SUPPORTS

More Information

Photograph of  improper condensate drain connected to plumbing vent line Air Conditioning condensate pumps, and their proper installation
     

  • CONDENSATE PUMPS - Air Conditioning condensate condensate pumps, and their proper installation
    • Condensate pump repair, connections, controls, drainage
    • A/C condensate pump piping, condensate pump leaks, condensate pump wiring
  • CONDENSATE HANDLING - home
  • DRIP TRAY DEFECTS - separate article
  • CONDENSATE LEAKS - separate article
  • CONDENSATE PUMPS
  • CONDENSATE DRAINS - separate article
  • CONDENSATE DRAIN CLEAN & DE-CLOG - separate article
  • CONDENSATE TRAY CLEANING - separate article
  • Questions & Answers about the installation, inspection, troubleshooting & repair of air conditioner condensate pump systems used to remove HVACR condensate
  • References

Click to Show or Hide Related Topics

  • AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - home
  • A/C COMPONENTS
  • AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
  • AIR HANDLER / BLOWER UNITS
  • BACKUP HEAT for HEAT PUMPS
  • BTU CHART for AIR CONDITIONERS / HEAT PUMPS
  • CLEARANCE DISTANCE, HVAC
  • COMPRESSOR & CONDENSING COIL, A/C
  • CONDENSATE HANDLING, A/C
  • CONTROLS & SWITCHES, A/C - HEAT PUMP
  • CONDENSING COIL REPAIR REPLACE
  • COOL OFF HEAT THERMOSTAT SWITCH
  • COOLING CAPACITY, RATED
  • COOLING COIL or EVAPORATOR COIL
  • COOLING COIL CLEANING
  • DATA TAGS on AIR CONDITIONERS
  • DEHUMIDIFICATION PROBLEMS
  • DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS
  • DUCTLESS AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS
  • EDUCATION & CLASSES, HVAC SCHOOLS
  • ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE
  • EXPANSION VALVES, REFRIGERANT
  • FAN, AIR HANDLER BLOWER UNIT
  • FAN AUTO ON Thermostat Switch
  • FAN, COMPRESSOR/CONDENSER UNIT
  • FAN CONVECTOR HEATERS - HYDRONIC COILS
  • FROST BUILD-UP on AIR CONDITIONER COILS
  • GAUGE, REFRIGERATION PRESSURE TEST
  • HEAT PUMPS
  • HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET
  • MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC
  • MINI SPLIT AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS
  • NOISE AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP
  • ODORS in AIR HANDLERS & DUCT WORK
  • OPERATING TEMPERATURES
  • PORTABLE ROOM AIR CONDITIONERS
  • PRESSURE READINGS, REFRIGERANT
  • REFRIGERANTS & PIPING
  • REPAIR GUIDE - A/C or Heat Pumps
  • REPAIR TOPICS A/C & HEAT PUMPS
  • ROOFTOP A/C / HEAT PUMP
  • SEER RATINGS & OTHER DEFINITIONS
  • SPLIT SYSTEM Ductless Air Conditioners
  • SWAMP COOLERS
  • THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING
  • THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES
  • WALL CONVECTORS Heating / Cooling
  • WINDOW / WALL AIR CONDITIONERS
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Air conditioner condensate pump guide: this air conditioning repair article discusses the inspection of air conditioning condensate pumps & condensate pump control systems, including their proper installation. This is part of our installation, inspection, & troubleshooting guide for condensate piping, traps, drains, condensate pumps, and the detection and hazards of air conditioning system condensate leaks in buildings.

Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.

CONDENSATE PUMPS - Air Conditioning Condensate Pump Installation & Repair

Air conditioner condensate pumps are a convenient way to collect and dispose of the condensate produced by an air conditioning system when the air handler/cooling coil are located in a building location where the cooling condensate cannot be drained away by gravity. The most common situation is the need to dispose of air conditioner condensate produced by an air handler which is installed in a building basement or crawl space.

How an Air Conditioner Condensate Pump Works

Photograph of an A/C condensate pump

Air conditioner condensate is water removed from the building air as that warm, moisture-containing air moves across the cooling coil in the building's air conditioning system's air handler or blower unit. The photograph shown here is of a common air conditioner condensate disposal pump.

It's a little hard to see the pump's drain tube but it's that clear plastic tube in the upper left of this photo. If you are really alert you may have noticed those two capped-off copper tubes protruding from the concrete floor in the foreground of this photo.

This pair of tubes is a convincing indication that there was an oil tank, probably a buried oil tank, installed at this property - a topic that needs further investigation. See Oil Tanks - The Oil Storage Tank Information Website, for details on that topic. Don't let our focus on any individual building concern make us miss another, possibly important discovery.

The air conditioner condensate pump photo at the very top of this page shows an air conditioning condensate pump installed in an attic where it was used to move condensate across to a final condensate disposal point. The white piping is a gravity drain that moves condensate from the attic air conditioner air handler down into the condensate pump reservoir. We can't see much of the condensate reservoir because the installer placed this pump down into the attic floor (so that she could drain condensate into it by gravity).

The copper tube looping in the air is the drain line through which the condensate pump is moving condensate out of its reservoir to a disposal point. You can also see the black electrical wire bringing power to the condensate pump. The black round motor with a white label is the motor that powers the condensate pump.

The black rectangular device is a voltage transformer that converts the building's 120V to the voltage needed by the pump motor. In the background of this interesting photograph we see a blue sump pump with a green garden hose connected to it. We surmise that the owner had previously tried to use this sump pump to remove condensate from the attic air handler. Stains suggest that the attic floor has previously been wet by air conditioner condensate spillage, perhaps leading to the more careful condensate pump installation shown here.

Sequence of Steps in the Operation of an Air Conditioner Condensate Pump

  • Moisture laden warm air moves across the cooling coil in the air conditioner. As the air is cooled, moisture leaves the cooler air and condenses on the surface of the cooling coil.
  • Moisture on the surface of the cooling coil drips into a collector tray inside the air conditioner's air handler or blower unit
  • Moisture, or now we'll call it water or air conditioner condensate, flows out of the collector tray into a drain opening and downwards in a pipe or perhaps a flexible tube where the water is conducted to the entry opening of an air conditioning condensate pump unit.
  • The air conditioner condensate pump includes a small water reservoir which receives the condensate from the air conditioner. As the water level rises inside this small reservoir a float switch located there is lifted by the rising water.
  • When the water level inside the air conditioning condensate pump rises to a near-full level, the float switch turns on a small electric motor (the air conditioner condensate pump requires electricity to work and has to be plugged-in).
  • The air conditioner condensate pump motor and pump move water out of the air conditioner condensate pump reservoir upwards in a drainage pipe or tube, usually flexible plastic tubing.
  • The air conditioner condensate pump drain tube conducts the water produced by the system upwards to a building drain or in some conditions, outside, where it is disposed of as wastewater.

Proper and Improper Places to Route and Connect an Air Conditioner Condensate Pump Drain Line

Here is an excerpt from the Uniform Mechanical Code pertaining to the disposal of air conditioning condensate: "Section 310.0, 310.1 Condensate Disposal.

Condensate from air washers, air cooling coils, fuel-burning condensing appliances, the overflow from evaporative coolers and similar water supplied equipment or similar air conditioning equipment shall be collected and discharged to an approved plumbing fixture or disposal area. If discharged into the drainage system equipment shall drain by means of an indirect waste pipe. The waste pipe shall have a slope of not less than 1/8 inch per foot (10.5 mm/m) or one percent slope and shall be of approved corrosion-resistant material not smaller than the outlet size as required in either Section 310.3 or 310.4 below for air-cooling coils or condensing fuel-burning appliances, respectively. Condensate or waste water shall not drain over a public way."

To clarify, an indirect waste pipe is something that is upstream of a trap. That means we cannot dump into anything downstream of a trap. That would include the main plumbing vent stack - a common error in disposing of air conditioner condensate in attic installations. -- [Thanks to Al Carson, Carson Dunlop Associates, Toronto]

Acceptable methods to dispose of air conditioning condensate from a condensate pump

  • Building drains with an air gap: The air conditioning condensate pump drain line should be routed to a building drain using an air gap such as that which is used by washing machines. Often we'll see the AC condensate drain line simply routed over to a washing machine drain in the basement.
  • A building sump pump: often the air conditioning condensate pump drain line is routed across a basement to a basement sump pump system where the condensate wastewater joins other water which is collected and pumped out of the building by a larger sump pump.

Air conditioning condensate drain connections which are not recommended or are not best practice

  • Air conditioner condensate spillage on basement floors is often found where an installer simply places the condensate pump drain line on the building floor where it ends near a floor drain. The nice feature of running condensate into a floor drain is that during the cooling season we're assuring that we keep the floor drain trap (let's hope there's a trap) primed with water, avoiding a sewer gas backup.

    Of course this means in dry weather or winter weather when the air conditioner is not running and the trap dries out, we may have a problem with radon or sewer gases entering through the dry floor trap. But a more common problem we find is that the plastic drain tube has been kicked aside and we see condensate running across the floor. In some buildings we've found that this wet condition has caused damage to building flooring, paneling, or drywall, leading to a mold contamination problem.

  • Airtight drain connections Best practice will not connect an air conditioner condensate pump directly by an airtight piped connection to a sewer line without an air-gap. We don't want a possible sewage backup to send wastewater backwards down into the condensate pump and out of the pump's overflow opening onto the building floors. We understand the terms "indirect waste pipe" in the code citation above to refer to this condition and to the need for an air gap.

  • Air conditioner condensate spillage on sidewalks is often found where the installer simply routed the condensate pump drain through a building wall to the outdoors in an urban area. We also see this condition almost without fail in urban and commercial settings where there is a transom-mounted air conditioner whose back-end simply drips onto the sidewalk below. Such installations are in violation of common plumbing codes such as that cited just above.
  • Photograph of an ineffective condensate drain system - a bucket AC condensate spillage into temporary containers seems completely ridiculous, but that's what we found in a florist's walk-in cooler. The employees had to remember to empty the 5-gallon joint-compound bucket which the air conditioner installer used as his destination for the system condensate.

    Naturally sometimes people forgot, or were at home asleep when the bucket overflowed, ran below the cooler floor and into the building where it caused a mold contamination problem.

    Condensate disposal systems should be designed to work without human intervention.

What else goes wrong with air conditioning condensate pumps

Photograph of a damaged A/C condensate pump

In our experience these little devices are pretty reliable and useful. But a few things do go wrong, some more often than others.

  • Kinked or clogged condensate removal tubes can prevent the condensate pump from discharging its water successfully. When this happens air conditioning condensate will just spill out of the pump reservoir into the building. Watch out for kinks in the pump drain tubing, and watch out for low loops in the tubing that collect algae, dirt, or other muck that can clog the tube.

  • Poorly-secured condensate pumps in a few locations have been found moved by occupants (kids) or tipped over or even stepped-on as you can see in the photo above. This unit was working fine, it just looked ugly.

  • Burned up condensate pump motors have never been reported to us nor have we found one, but it's possible.

...


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How to Install, Diagnose, & Repair an Air Conditioner or Heat Pump Condensate Drain Pump

Click to Show or Hide FAQs

...

Question: Requirement for a trap on condensate drain lines; leaks led to ceiling fan collapse

As a homeowner I installed a condensate pump for my attic-located air conditioner as described above.

When my A/C tech inspected he said a horizontal flow air handler does not have a trap on the condensate output so air is drawn in through the air gap at the pump collection tank. This air flow keeps the condensate from flowing out the drain until the air handler blower shuts off, creating a tidal wave of water which sloshes where its not supposed to including the emergency drain pan. (My ceiling has fallen in 3 times due to overflowing emergency pan which did not drain properly.) - Bob Farrell 06/09/11

Reply:

Bob,

I agree that improperly installed condensate lines that don't drain or a tipped condensate pan that does not slope towards its drain are bound to cause air conditioner or heat pump condensate overflow leaks.

If I understand your comment, you are pointing out that a missing trap on the A/C condensate line can allow air to flow up the condensate line into the air handler, preventing proper condensate drainage and causing leaks and damage to the building.

There is another similar hazard: if an installer routes the condensate line over to a plumbing drain or vent pipe there is a risk that the same effect draws unsanitary or even dangerous sewer gas into the building air ducts

Question: The GFCI Receptacle that powers the condensate pump keeps tripping off - is a GFI required?

Frequent tripping GFI receptacle to condensate pump - Larry B 8/7/11

Does a condensate pump need to have a a GFCI receptacle - Bill Hastings 8/22/11

Reply: how to fix nuisance tripping of a GFCI in a damp area, basement, crawl space, etc.

Larry if the GFCI receptacle powering your condensate pump keeps tripping

- there could be a local short or failure in the pump or wiring

- there could be high moisture in the general area causing the GFCI built into the receptacle to trip - if this is the problem you may be permitted to install a SINGLE RECEPTACLE type electrical outlet dedicated to just the condensate pump, and the GFCI protection otherwise required (recommended too) can be forgiven - you will want to confirm this approach with your local electrical inspector.

Bill:

Bill, the requirement for a GFCI receptacle for a condensate pump would come from where the electrical receptacle is located. For example electrical codes want GFCI protection in garages and perhaps in basements and crawl areas.

There can be an issue of leak damage if the GFCI is in a damp location and keeps turning off the condensate pump. In that case you are permitted to install a SINGLE-OUTLET receptacle into which the pump is plugged, and that does not have GFCI protection. An alternative that I have seen work is to move the GFCI device into a dry location that still protects the condensate pump circuit. See my note to Larry on this topic, just below.

Question: Bad condensate sensor switch shuts down the air conditioner system

Photograph of a float switchOne of the condensate switch went bad, thereby shutting down the system.

I have to jumpered the a/c line (yellow) to the hot(24 volts-red) on the ignition board to get the system to come back on while shopping for a new switch or pump.

I set the condensate pump to "continuous run" as a temporary measure to prevent flooding, but risk burning out the motor to the condensate pump.

- Yaga 8/13/11

Reply:

Yaga additional risks from condensate leaks into a building when you bypass or "hot wire" the condensate overflow tray sensor switch are condensate leak overflow, building damage, and mold damage

Question: what is the "overflow" box connected to my condensate pump reservoir?

Hi I have a reservoir with a condensate pump in it~ also there is another pvc pipe coming out of the other end of reservoir going up to a box that says overflow. For the first time water came out and on to the floor? any ideas? thanks! Archie 06/02/12

Reply:

Archie, if that "box that says overflow" is under your A/C or heat pump unit it may be that the main condensate drain line is clogged so condensate is spilling into an overflow pan rather than being routed normally to the condensate pump.

If you've got something else I'd need to see a photo to understand the question.

Question:

breaker, fire o matic?, emergency switch all fine, but condensate pump outlet & ac unit will not work - Will 8/1/2012

Reply:

Will, do you mean that the condensate pump outlet is wired off of air handler circuit or out of a service or utility receptacle that is powered by the air conditioner's own power circuit?

If your A/C system is not running at all start by confirming that it has power and the thermostat is calling for cooling. If the circuit breaker or fuse is on for the A/C circuit but there is no power to the unit, it's time to trace power from the panel thru switch to the unit.

A "fire-o-matic" is an oil line control in my book, so if you're talking about something else, I'd sure like to know about the device you describe by that name- or perhaps send us a photo.

For detailed steps in diagnosing the reason why your air conditioner is not working, start at DIAGNOSE & FIX AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP.

...

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Questions & answers or comments about the installation, inspection, troubleshooting & repair of air conditioner condensate pump systems used to remove HVACR condensate.

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

Click to Show or Hide Citations & References

  • Carson, Dunlop &
Associates Ltd., TorontoCarson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
    • Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
    • Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
    • Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
      Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
    • The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
      Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
    • The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
      Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
    • The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
      Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
    • The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
  • Eric Galow, Galow Homes, Lagrangeville, NY. Mr. Galow can be reached by email: ericgalow@gmail.com or by telephone: 914-474-6613. Mr. Galow specializes in residential construction including both new homes and repairs, renovations, and additions.
  • [3] Reader Stuart Oakner suggested the Mighty Pump (below) as a method for clearing clogged or blocked air conditioning or heat pump condensate drains.
  • [4] Mighty Pump, is a manual pump that is used to clean or clear out a debris-clogged A/C or heat pump condensate drain. The kit from acdrainpump.com includes a reversible, hand operated pump and flexible inlet and outlet hoses designed along with an adapter to connect the pump to a 3/4" condensate drain line. The company can also be contacted by email to Info@ACDrainPump.com.
  • [5] Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, A. D. Althouse, C.H. Turnquist, A. Bracciano, Goodheart-Willcox Co., 1982
  • [6] Simpson Strong-Tie, "Code Compliant Repair and Protection Guide for the Installation of Utilities in Wood Frame Construction", web search 5/21/12, original source strongtie.com/ftp/fliers/F-REPRPROTECT09.pdf, [copy on file as /Structures/Framing/Simpson_Framing_Protectors.pdf ]. "The information in this guide is a summary of requirements from the 2003, 2006 and 2009 International Residential Code (IRC), International Building Code (IBC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2006 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and the 2005 National Electrical Code." broad. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands enforce one or more of the I-Codes.
  • [7] 2006 ICC Model Building Code Chapter 3, General Regulations, New Jersey Mechanical Code, web search 8/2/2012, original source: http://www2.iccsafe.org/states/newjersey/NJ_Mechanical/PDFs/2006_Chapter%203-General%20Regulations.pdf
    Quoting about the ICC:
    The International Code Council (ICC) was established in 1994 as a non-profit organization dedicated to developing a single set of comprehensive and coordinated national model construction codes.
    The International Code Council is a member-focused association dedicated to helping the building safety community and construction industry provide safe, sustainable and affordable construction through the development of codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.
    The International Codes, or I-Codes, published by ICC, provide minimum safeguards for people at home, at school and in the workplace. The I-Codes are a complete set of comprehensive, coordinated building safety and fire prevention codes. Building codes benefit public safety and support the industry’s need for one set of codes without regional limitations.
    Fifty states and the District of Columbia have adopted the I-Codes at the state or jurisdictional level. Federal agencies including the Architect of the Capitol, General Services Administration, National Park Service, Department of State, U.S. Forest Service and the Veterans Administration also enforce the I-Codes. The Department of Defense references the International Building Code for constructing military facilities, including those that house U.S. troops, domestically and a
    ...
  • [8] "GE Zoneline® Owners Manual and Installation Instructions, Heat/Cool Model 2900, Heat Pump Model 3900", General Electric Corporation, [copy on file].
  • [9] "GE Zoneline® Owners Manual and Installation Instructions, Heat Pump Model 5800", General Electric Corporation, [copy on file].
  • [10] "Whirlpool WGPH45 Packaged Heat Pump, Product Specifications", Whirlpool Corporation, [copy on file].
  • Principles of Refrigeration, R. Warren Marsh, C. Thomas Olivo, Delmar Publishers, 1979
  • "Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I & II", BOCES Education, Warren Hilliard (instructor), Poughkeepsie, New York, May - July 1982, [classroom notes from air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance and repair course attended by the website author]
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 5th Ed., William C. Whitman, William M. Johnson, John Tomczyk, Cengage Learning, 2005, ISBN 1401837654, 9781401837655 1324 pages
  • Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
    Special Offer
    : Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

  • NewAir Conditioning SEER - New DOE Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Efficiency Standard
  • Asbestos HVAC Ducts and Flues field identification photos and guide
  • Fiberglass: Indoor Air Quality Investigations: Fiberglass in Indoor Air, HVAC ducts, and Building Insulation

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson DunlopThe Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

    Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
  • GO TO Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course Information - How to Become a Home Inspector: Carson Dunlop's nationally recognized Home Study Course, selected by ASHI the American Society of Home Inspectors and other professionals and associations. This website author is a contributor to this course.
    Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd
  • Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
    Special Offer
    : Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

  • Complete List of Air Conditioning & Heat Pump Design, Inspection, Repair Books at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
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