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Impacts of High Efficiency Gas
Furnace Condensate on Septic
Systems
Combustion of Low Efficiency FurnacesCO2 H2O NOX
• Older Design
• Pollutants to Atmosphere
• No Damage to Septic
Not the same for High Efficiency Furnace
Natural gas or Propane furnaces
Combustion results in fluid or condensate forming
Propane or Methane + Oxygen >> Water + Carbon Dioxide
(C3H8) or (CH4) + O2 > H2O + CO2
Chemical Processes
N2 + O2 + Heat >
NO2 + NO + H2O >
HNO3.H2O
Image: www.pittsburghcitywide.com
Combustion of Hi Efficiency Furnaces
Condensate
• Fluid or Condensate Forms
• Directed to sewage system
• 4L (1 US gal) per 100,000 BTU per
hour
• Damage to Septic
Example
As an example a 150,000 BTU furnace or boiler running approximately 8 hours
a day in the winter months would produce roughly 50L or 11.1 IG of
condensate
150, 000 BTU /hr x 8 hr = 48 litres / day
Volume of Damage
Equals to 2 five gallon buckets
per day of condensate going into
septic system.
pH Scale
The pH scale is not linear, it is logarithmic
Each whole pH value below 7 is 10 times more acidic than the previous value
Image: Bernansconi at www.mechanical-hub.com
A pH of 4 will cause damage
▪ Drainage pipes
▪ Septic tanks
▪ Treatment plants
▪ Other materials handling wastewater
Volume of Damage
Condensate is Corrosive
Low pH
Photos: Bernansconi at www.mechanical-hub.com
pH Tests of Condensate
As low as 1.8 to 2.0
Odorant added to natural gas
Propane and sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide increases acidity
Example - Filters
Example - Filters
Example - Filters
Example - Filters
There is a simple solution…
Install a Neutralizer
Neutralizer
• Inexpensive
• Available at hardware stores or wholesale plumbing suppliers
• EMCO, Corix, Home Depot
• Self Regulating – will not dissolve in non-acidic fluids
In Conclusion
• Confirm if HE Furnace in is installed with homeowner
•Take necessary precautions
•Add neutralizer to design of project
Questions?
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