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#1
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PVC furnace exhaust freezes
I have a new gas forced air furnace, Amana. The PVC exhaust
runs about horizontally 30 feet to the outside wall. PVC makes a slight pitch back toward the furnace for draining. Everything has worked fine until the temperature outside dropped into the single digits. (Upstate NY) The furnace will not come on until I go out and clean out the ice formation on the end of the pipe. Now there is not a lot of ice, only a ridge around the edge. What do you suggest I do to stop this? Should I insulate the pipe so it doesn’t freeze? Or should I change the pitch so more moisture drains back instead of out? The shape of the pipes looks like rams horns, 2 pipes up about 3 feet 12 inches apart. Then to 180 degree fittings on top dump down opposite each other. Should I change the outside configuration? Thanks TP |
#2
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Call the installer
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#3
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On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 00:18:43 GMT, TP
wrote: I have a new gas forced air furnace, Amana. The PVC exhaust runs about horizontally 30 feet to the outside wall. PVC makes a slight pitch back toward the furnace for draining. Everything has worked fine until the temperature outside dropped into the single digits. (Upstate NY) The furnace will not come on until I go out and clean out the ice formation on the end of the pipe. Now there is not a lot of ice, only a ridge around the edge. What do you suggest I do to stop this? Should I insulate the pipe so it doesn’t freeze? Or should I change the pitch so more moisture drains back instead of out? The shape of the pipes looks like rams horns, 2 pipes up about 3 feet 12 inches apart. Then to 180 degree fittings on top dump down opposite each other. Should I change the outside configuration? Thanks TP Read the installation instructions for the terminations of your pvc pipes. They are very specific as to how they are to be run. Each manufacturer has a slightly different idea on how this gets accomplished. Bubba |
#4
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"TP" wrote in message .. . Thanks, the installer retired. I have checked the manual and the pipe dia and length are fine. I took a shop vacuum to both pipes, just to be sure. Now the problem has seen to gone away. The only thing that I noticed was there was not a screen on the intake pipe. The manual doesn't specific any size of screen, but shows a picture of one. Could I use standard window screen? Or something heavier gage? TP If your PVC pipes (inlet and exhaust) do not have any kind of screening at the outside ends you are looking for trouble. Those open pipes are quite attractive to various animals who would just love to make a home inside one of them. After one tried, even chewed through some plastic ribs across one of them, I covered the opening with some chicken wire to keep them out. MLD |
#5
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"TP" wrote in message
.. . Thanks, the installer retired. I have checked the manual and the pipe dia and length are fine. I took a shop vacuum to both pipes, just to be sure. Now the problem has seen to gone away. The only thing that I noticed was there was not a screen on the intake pipe. The manual doesn't specific any size of screen, but shows a picture of one. Could I use standard window screen? Or something heavier gage? TP Is this the original 'TP'? Tom? ~kjpro~ |
#6
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TP wrote:
Thanks, the installer retired. I have checked the manual and the pipe dia and length are fine. I took a shop vacuum to both pipes, just to be sure. Now the problem has seen to gone away. The only thing that I noticed was there was not a screen on the intake pipe. The manual doesn't specific any size of screen, but shows a picture of one. Could I use standard window screen? Or something heavier gage? I'd suggest hardware cloth, with the 1/2" mesh. |
#7
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Go out and watch the operation of the exhaust pipe for awhile...and,
especially on a windy day. A common problem is the exhaust dumps back on the intake pipe opening and the exhaust condensate/vapor freezes up the intake. If this is happening, then, you need to redirect the exhaust and/or change the intake to a more suitable position . This can often be done by having the exhaust blow outward from the house at a higher level than the intake pipe is , and, at 45 degrees to the house wall for maximum distance from the intake. Refer to your furnace instructions first. |
#8
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"Jim B" wrote in message
... On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:51:56 GMT, TP wrote: I have a similar problem you mention here. I forced my installer to add a screen. I will post a pic here, after my camera batteries are recharge. No don't, as this is not a binaries group! Which means, no pictures! E-mail them to the party that wants them instead! Thank You, ~kjpro~ |
#9
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On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 14:09:29 -0600, "~KJPRO~" KJPRO @ STARBAND.NET wrote:
OK, no pic and I don't E-mail either. Sorry. "Jim B" wrote in message ... On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:51:56 GMT, TP wrote: I have a similar problem you mention here. I forced my installer to add a screen. I will post a pic here, after my camera batteries are recharge. No don't, as this is not a binaries group! Which means, no pictures! E-mail them to the party that wants them instead! Thank You, ~kjpro~ |
#10
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That's OK about the picture. I understand you shouldn't
screen the exhaust, because it could freeze up. I like the idea (DN B) of raising the intake pipe. The manual shows that as an alternative method. What I have done today is made a 6 inch length of foam insulated pipe. Extended these to both the intake and exhaust. Seems to working. I did notice in the basement the intake pipe drips with condensation. Could this be the source of the problem? Water going into the intake.... TP Jim B wrote: On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 14:09:29 -0600, "~KJPRO~" KJPRO @ STARBAND.NET wrote: OK, no pic and I don't E-mail either. Sorry. "Jim B" wrote in message ... On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:51:56 GMT, TP wrote: I have a similar problem you mention here. I forced my installer to add a screen. I will post a pic here, after my camera batteries are recharge. No don't, as this is not a binaries group! Which means, no pictures! E-mail them to the party that wants them instead! Thank You, ~kjpro~ |
#11
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On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 02:51:49 GMT, TP wrote:
It is impossible for me to explain it, except post the pic. This PVC adaptor screen solved all my problems. I believe you could get this PVC adaptor screen in Home center. That's OK about the picture. I understand you shouldn't screen the exhaust, because it could freeze up. I like the idea (DN B) of raising the intake pipe. The manual shows that as an alternative method. What I have done today is made a 6 inch length of foam insulated pipe. Extended these to both the intake and exhaust. Seems to working. I did notice in the basement the intake pipe drips with condensation. Could this be the source of the problem? Water going into the intake.... TP Jim B wrote: On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 14:09:29 -0600, "~KJPRO~" KJPRO @ STARBAND.NET wrote: OK, no pic and I don't E-mail either. Sorry. "Jim B" wrote in message ... On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:51:56 GMT, TP wrote: I have a similar problem you mention here. I forced my installer to add a screen. I will post a pic here, after my camera batteries are recharge. No don't, as this is not a binaries group! Which means, no pictures! E-mail them to the party that wants them instead! Thank You, ~kjpro~ |
#12
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"Jim B" wrote in message
... On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 02:51:49 GMT, TP wrote: It is impossible for me to explain it, except post the pic. This PVC adaptor screen solved all my problems. I believe you could get this PVC adaptor screen in Home center. No freaking screen you can buy at a local Home center is going to solve his problems! If he'd reply to me and answer the question I gave hime, I would help him. Oh well, his loss! ~kjpro~ That's OK about the picture. I understand you shouldn't screen the exhaust, because it could freeze up. I like the idea (DN B) of raising the intake pipe. The manual shows that as an alternative method. What I have done today is made a 6 inch length of foam insulated pipe. Extended these to both the intake and exhaust. Seems to working. I did notice in the basement the intake pipe drips with condensation. Could this be the source of the problem? Water going into the intake.... TP Jim B wrote: On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 14:09:29 -0600, "~KJPRO~" KJPRO @ STARBAND.NET wrote: OK, no pic and I don't E-mail either. Sorry. "Jim B" wrote in message ... On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:51:56 GMT, TP wrote: I have a similar problem you mention here. I forced my installer to add a screen. I will post a pic here, after my camera batteries are recharge. No don't, as this is not a binaries group! Which means, no pictures! E-mail them to the party that wants them instead! Thank You, ~kjpro~ |
#13
Posted to alt.home.repair
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PVC furnace exhaust freezes
replying to TP, Donald Corder wrote:
Have as little pvc outside as possible. The more exposed to the elements, the better chance on problems. -- for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...es-586902-.htm |
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