What Is a Condensate Neutralizer?

Have you upgraded any equipment in your Saskatoon home recently? A new high-efficiency furnace or tankless water heater means you can enjoy greater efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint—but have you considered what upkeep your new equipment might need?

High-efficiency furnaces, for example, offer many benefits. But they also create acidic water that can cause corrosion. AquaTemp is here to answer all your questions to ensure your home is comfortable and safe for you and your loved ones. We are proud to offer lasting heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing solutions.

What Is Condensate?

As a high-efficient appliance (such as a furnace, tankless water heater, boiler, etc.) extracts heat from exhaust gases, the vapor in the gases condenses into liquid condensate. This condensate has an acidic potential hydrogen (pH) level, usually between 2.9 and 4.0 pH, which makes it corrosive to floor drains, pipes, building foundations, sewer lines, and wastewater treatment systems. 

What Is a Condensate Neutralizer?

A condensate neutralizer is a device that utilizes a media to react with the condensate and brings the pH level to harmless levels to protect your drainage pipe and sewer system.

What is this media composed of?

The media is composed of little white pebbles made from limestone.

Is there any servicing that these devices need?

Yes. After a few months, you will notice a green coating on the pebbles inside the unit. These pebbles need to be removed once a year and rinsed with water to clean the debris off. It can then be reinserted into the device and put back into service.

Does this media have to be replaced?

The media eventually needs to be replaced according to how much condensate runs through it. On average, the media lasts up to 3 years, although sometimes there will be multiple appliances hooked up to one device, which decreases its replacement period. The only way to verify it is still working is by using pH strips and confirming the outgoing pH levels of the condensate.

Do I need a condensate neutralizer or is this an unnecessary add-on?

A condensate neutralizer is necessary for all high-efficient gas-fired equipment applications.

Neglecting to protect your drainage system can and has caused homeowners to tear up the basement slab and replace all drainage pipes due to damage caused by acidic condensate.

Septic systems rely on the bacteria inside the tank to perform their natural process to deal with solid wastes. Acidic condensate kills this bacterium and will cause septic tank issues.

The plumbing code demands that these devices be installed on all high-efficient equipment.

What company can I call to install or service a condensate neutralizer?

Our AquaTemp professionals! We are happy to install, replace, and maintain your condensate neutralizer. Give us a call for a free consultation today.

We Provide Trusted Home Solutions

AquaTemp is a local, family-owned business based out of Warman, SK, serving the greater Saskatoon and Corman Park area for over 13 years. Call us for any heating, cooling, electrical, or plumbing services today at 306-370-8678 or request service online.