Furnace condensate pump

[scottish]

My condensate pump was running continuously.   Had to be either a bad check valve, or a clogged drain line.    Put some die in.   

Pump comes on, die goes up the line.   Pump turns off, die comes back down the line.

Sure enough it was the check valve.    How to fix this?   $120 for a new condensate pump, or $250 to have someone come and install one.   :-(

it's the little pink thing in the picture.    Costs about 0.005 cents to manufacture.   Designed for easy replacement.



Best price I could find was at plumbersstock.com.   $6.29 + shipping + low price order surcharge.

Hopefully I can remember to empty out the pan that's collecting the condensate regularly.

In case this helps someone else.

[sparkytheop]

Not sure if you've tried calling your local HVAC companies, but I've been successful in just buying parts from mine, an igniter, flame sensor, fan motor and control card over the course of the last 15 years.  Only once did they question if I knew what I was doing (and that was easily proven when I showed them the burnt up igniter).

Anyway, they might have them in stock pretty cheap.

[Jon Bon]

A check valve can go just about anywhere. Most effective closest to the pump. So 6 inches further us going to make no difference right?

So just cut the line and put it a few inches up the condinsate line.

Unless you have other issues not mentioned a small check valve can be got at your local big box store.

But yes a replacement of the entire pump for a check valve is null crap!

[scottish]

My HVAC company said they never fix the pumps, they just replace them.   So no parts there.

Sticking a generic check valve in the line is a good idea.   I didn't think of that...