I’ve recently installed an Aprilaire humidifier on my furnace (southern MN, gas FA, 70s construction). Due to the lack of a convenient drain, it drains into a small-sized Flotec condensate pump which pumps up and across the ceiling to a drain on the other side of the room. When the humidifier is running the pump runs every 3.5 minutes. Worst case is probably when the outside temp is about 25F and the humidifier is running maybe 50% duty cycle (it forces the fan on to run).
I’m just wondering how long I can expect the pump to last in this service. (The area is unfinished and the pump has emergency shutoff contacts wired to the humidifier, so I’m not concerned about catastrophic failure.)
Replies
3-5 years. I'm on my third such pump in an identical situation (and humidifier, btw) and I installed the heat pump/boiler system 11 years ago. They are pretty much disposable, though can run from 50-70 bucks a pop, depending on where you can find them. I can tell when mine is getting close to needing replacement because the run time gets longer, though the first one just quit and wet itself all over the basement floor.
If you wanted to prolong it, you could maybe disassmeble it annually and clean the little plastic impellar; sometimes it gets junk wrapped around the shaft.
One other tip, ensure the ball check that prevents backflow is working. If the pump cycles often, it's a good indicator that the check valve is leaking by and draining the discharge tube back into the condensate pump sump.
Thanks. 3 years I can live with. If it was going to be 3 months then I would want to be thinking up something different (or at least have a spare pump on hand).
How is the flow adjusted on your humidifier? Ones I have seen seemed to run way too much water through them. I would think that optimum is to have just a little come out of the drain, hopefully with good distribution across the wick media.
No adjustment. The flow does seem a little strong to me, but other than the pump issue it isn't a problem. In fact, since I'm feeding it hot water it's good to have a good flow, since a lighter flow would let the water cool in the pipe too much.
I suspect that a certain flow is needed to assure good distribution across the medium, and to assure that minerals are washed away vs accumulating on the medium.
>>In fact, since I'm feeding it hot water
Why? Increased evaporation?
You'll also have increased mineral deposits using hot water, as well
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Due to the way things are put together, I had to put the unit (a power unit) on the cold air return duct. Aprilaire says to feed it hot water in this case. (Couldn't use a bypass unit either -- no reasonable way to install the bypass pipe.)
There shouldn't be much difference in mineral accumulation whether hot or cold water is used. It mainly depends on how much water evaporates.
I have the same Aprilaire unit, set up on the hot air. It does make a difference, though I have no significant idea how much. The higher the air temperature, the more moisture it can absorb. (I run a bathroom heater everytime I shower and the mirror never fogs, a practical example of the principal.)
When I installed mine, I thought the flow was a little much (I run with a well pump jacked to 80 psi to get good pressure in the 2nd story shower) so I installed a valve in line to the humidifier. Once I adjusted it, it hasn't moved in over 10 years.
Also, change the humidifier pad out annually. About one season is all mine is good for. I get them from a HVAC shop for about 10 bucks a pop. If you have the HVAC people service the unit they'll charge you $35 for the pad and then the labor to replace it.
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Dan,
My house is 25 years old this year. The original pump lasted until we replaced the furnace & AC 4 years ago. We replaced the pump at that time, even though it was still working fine. So I guess it depends on the situation. Before we replaced the heating and cooling system, the pump only had to work in the summer when the AC was running. The new furnace is a Hi E condensing gas type so now the pump works year round.
Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md