High-efficiency, gas-fired furnaces remain widely popular in U. S. households, especially since many homeowners are looking to reduce their home energy costs. These high-efficiency heating appliances utilize advanced condensing technology to achieve a much higher annual fuel utilization efficiency rating compared to old-school furnaces. By 2028, all gas-fired furnaces sold in the U.S. will use this technology to achieve an annual fuel utilization efficiency of at least 95%, in accordance with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) residential gas furnace efficiency standard.
The acidic furnace condensate issue explained
However, these high-efficiency (i.e. condensing) furnaces create a residue that many industry professionals who install and/or service HVAC systems are not aware of: acidic furnace condensate. Acidic condensate is a byproduct of the condensing technology that extracts additional heat from the combustion gases, which then cool into a liquid inside the furnace. Unlike air conditioning condensate, acidic furnace condensate is corrosive because it includes various acids from burning natural gas (or propane). If discharged untreated, this residue can corrode plumbing, concrete foundations, floor drains, septic systems and other wastewater infrastructure. This can spell disaster and monstrous repair bills for homeowners.
Condensate neutralizers are purpose-built to treat acidic furnace condensate
There is a simple solution to this problem: a condensate neutralizer should be installed on every condensing furnace. Condensate neutralizers work like filtration devices to treat acidic condensate from condensing furnaces so the acidic condensate can be safely discharged from the home.
Reliable, purpose-built condensate neutralizers, like those from industry pioneer JJM Alkaline Technologies®, are designed to work with condensing furnaces to efficiently and effectively neutralize the acidic furnace condensate before it is discharged into the plumbing or wastewater system. For example, the JJM® NBT-400P is a tank neutralizer with a built-in condensate pump, which can both neutralize acidic furnace condensate and handle non-acidic condensate from the a/c coil or mini-split.
Codes require the treatment of acidic furnace condensate
HVAC industry professionals have an obligation to ensure safe treatment and discharge of acidic condensate produced by today’s high-efficiency, gas-fired furnaces. In fact, treatment of acidic condensate is required by local, national and industry plumbing codes around the country. For example, the 2018 and 2021 editions of the International Plumbing Code (IPC) prohibit the release of corrosive wastes, like untreated acidic condensate, into the plumbing system to prevent the damage that untreated acidic condensate can cause to local wastewater systems. As a result, condensate neutralizers should be installed on every condensing furnace to prevent property damage and ensure code compliance.
Next steps
Visit our resource page to learn more about why JJM® condensate neutralizers are a must-have accessory on every high-efficiency, gas-fired heating installation, including condensing furnaces.
To purchase JJM® products from a JJM® authorized distributor, click on our “Where to Buy” page. We built the pHIRST condensate neutralizer. Now, we build the best ones on the market.