Hey folks. I am poised to purchase a Rheem 80 gallon Hybrid (Heat Pump) Warer Heater. This heater has a condensate outflow, and there is no drain near the future heater’s location in a basement. There is a 3” SCH 40 PVC waste line directly above where the heater will sit. Can the condensate (using a condensate pump) be injected into the waste line somehow?
Hybrid (Hear Pump) Water Heater
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Tuttles Revenge
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Typically a drain set up to receive condensate from a pump would have a trap, a vent. Because the water heater will work all the time, it shouldn't need a trap primer.
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I have the exact same issue as the original poster. I am putting in a heat pump water heater but I don't have any drains in the basement except for a waste line going to a septic tank. I'm not sure hot to get rid of the condensate. I don't want to drain it outside because of the risk of freezing in upstate NY. I also have a water softener drain line connected to the waste line in the same room.. Anyone have any ideas on what can be done?
Fitter30
Well-Known Member
Drill a hole through kitchen cabinet y fitting in sink drain and a condensate pump.
Jadnashua
Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Is there a washing machine on that floor? You could pump it to that stack.
Unfortunately there are no other drains on that basement level for a washing machine or bathroom. The main waste line that goes to the septic goes out through the foundation about 1ft above the concrete slab floor of the basement.
If I connect the condensate drain to the waste line that runs through the water heater room do I need to add any kind of airgap or check valve? If I could just tap into the water softener drain line and add some check valves that would be ideal so I don't have to mess with cutting the waste line.
If I connect the condensate drain to the waste line that runs through the water heater room do I need to add any kind of airgap or check valve? If I could just tap into the water softener drain line and add some check valves that would be ideal so I don't have to mess with cutting the waste line.
Jadnashua
Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
You should be able to use the water softener drain line.
Can you take a picture of that?
Can you take a picture of that?
The water softener line is connected with a Y to waste line. I don't know what the brass fitting is that transitions from the poly tubing to the black waste line. Is that come kind of back flow preventer? I sure hope so since there is no air gap anywhere on that drain line. Seems like it is this check valve but I'm not sure.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Bluefin-SCT050-1-2-Threaded-Swing-Check-Valve-Lead-Free
EDIT: Edited post to remove photos included incorrectly and posted a reply with pictures below. Thanks.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Bluefin-SCT050-1-2-Threaded-Swing-Check-Valve-Lead-Free
EDIT: Edited post to remove photos included incorrectly and posted a reply with pictures below. Thanks.
Last edited:
Jadnashua
Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
To get pictures in your post, use the "Attach files" tab beneath the main entry area...you can't cut and paste.
You don't have a sump pump?
No, no sump pump. The basement is always dry. We have decent drainage and grading so we've been lucky so far.
John Gayewski
In the Trades
The connection in the picture is really illegal. And not sanitary.
You need pump it to the laundry room or a sink or a floor drain or a standpipe.
You need pump it to the laundry room or a sink or a floor drain or a standpipe.
Ok, that's what I figured. I have found a lot of shoddy and unsafe work on this house after moving in. I guess I'll add this to the list of things to fix. I believe my best option is going to be a standpipe (no floor drains, laundry, sump pumps, etc.) for both water softener and heat pump condensate drainage.
