Lets Talk Condensate

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jumpincactus

jumpincactus

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G gnome said:
Im having a tuff time imagining how pathogens wud be in the condensate tho....?
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We're discussing condensate trays from mechanical equipment like heat pumps, fan coil units and air handlers with AC coils.

These pieces of equipment have condensate trays which are then drained through a small pipe, usually clear, but not always, with a trap in it, to a drain.

These condensate trays have some standing water in them when the AC is functioning. Should these condensate trays be treated with an algaecide of some sort?

There are risks beyond mold and algae, in particular Legionella bacteria (legionnaire's disease) which can have an alarmingly high mortality rate, and also potential hazard sources such as biofilms that can include other bacterial and maybe other pathogens.

However the risk of formation of problem levels of mold, bacteria, or other pathogen is probably not the same across all buildings nor types of equipment, and much of the risk may depend on installation and maintenance details at individual installations.

Particularly in climates with a high humidity and a heavy cooling load, and depending on details of the design and installation of the air handler unit and duct work, there is risk of blowing pathogen-contaminated water droplets downstream inside the air conditioning duct work and thus exposing building occupants.

With rooftop-mounted cooling units such as cooling towers using water, conditions may be still more attractive for growth of pathogens and there is some risk of movement of pathogens out of the cooling equipment to people located nearby and downwind from the equipment, even if they are outside the building which the equipment actually serves.

While I am not expert on this topic I have collected and provide here some key information and opinions to help sort out these questions.

Use the links listed at the "More Reading" links at the bottom of this article to read additional details on this topic including recommended cleaning procedures and details of the Legionella hazard in air conditioning systems, humidifiers, etc.
 
Aqua Man

Aqua Man

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jumpincactus said:
We're discussing condensate trays from mechanical equipment like heat pumps, fan coil units and air handlers with AC coils.

These pieces of equipment have condensate trays which are then drained through a small pipe, usually clear, but not always, with a trap in it, to a drain.

These condensate trays have some standing water in them when the AC is functioning. Should these condensate trays be treated with an algaecide of some sort?

There are risks beyond mold and algae, in particular Legionella bacteria (legionnaire's disease) which can have an alarmingly high mortality rate, and also potential hazard sources such as biofilms that can include other bacterial and maybe other pathogens.

However the risk of formation of problem levels of mold, bacteria, or other pathogen is probably not the same across all buildings nor types of equipment, and much of the risk may depend on installation and maintenance details at individual installations.

Particularly in climates with a high humidity and a heavy cooling load, and depending on details of the design and installation of the air handler unit and duct work, there is risk of blowing pathogen-contaminated water droplets downstream inside the air conditioning duct work and thus exposing building occupants.

With rooftop-mounted cooling units such as cooling towers using water, conditions may be still more attractive for growth of pathogens and there is some risk of movement of pathogens out of the cooling equipment to people located nearby and downwind from the equipment, even if they are outside the building which the equipment actually serves.

While I am not expert on this topic I have collected and provide here some key information and opinions to help sort out these questions.

Use the links listed at the "More Reading" links at the bottom of this article to read additional details on this topic including recommended cleaning procedures and details of the Legionella hazard in air conditioning systems, humidifiers, etc.
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Uvc
 
1diesel1

1diesel1

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jumpincactus said:
We're discussing condensate trays from mechanical equipment like heat pumps, fan coil units and air handlers with AC coils.

These pieces of equipment have condensate trays which are then drained through a small pipe, usually clear, but not always, with a trap in it, to a drain.

These condensate trays have some standing water in them when the AC is functioning. Should these condensate trays be treated with an algaecide of some sort?

There are risks beyond mold and algae, in particular Legionella bacteria (legionnaire's disease) which can have an alarmingly high mortality rate, and also potential hazard sources such as biofilms that can include other bacterial and maybe other pathogens.

However the risk of formation of problem levels of mold, bacteria, or other pathogen is probably not the same across all buildings nor types of equipment, and much of the risk may depend on installation and maintenance details at individual installations.

Particularly in climates with a high humidity and a heavy cooling load, and depending on details of the design and installation of the air handler unit and duct work, there is risk of blowing pathogen-contaminated water droplets downstream inside the air conditioning duct work and thus exposing building occupants.

With rooftop-mounted cooling units such as cooling towers using water, conditions may be still more attractive for growth of pathogens and there is some risk of movement of pathogens out of the cooling equipment to people located nearby and downwind from the equipment, even if they are outside the building which the equipment actually serves.

While I am not expert on this topic I have collected and provide here some key information and opinions to help sort out these questions.

Use the links listed at the "More Reading" links at the bottom of this article to read additional details on this topic including recommended cleaning procedures and details of the Legionella hazard in air conditioning systems, humidifiers, etc.
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That’s why you DO NOT DRINK CONDENSATE WATER!!
 
Aqua Man

Aqua Man

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Still think if its kept clean and used every day not standing for days on end the likelyhood of any issues are very small. But yeah UVC and small pump eliminates all doubt
 
G gnome

G gnome

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1diesel1 said:
That’s why you DO NOT DRINK CONDENSATE WATER!!
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Do u remember when i was arguing with that kendogsmokes dude about condensate a cpl yrs ago and he ses...i wudnt drink it so im not giving it to my plants...and i sed i dont drink compost tea but ill use it on my plants haha

I seem to remember u being right in the thick of it for that debate....?
 
1diesel1

1diesel1

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I remember, and fortunately I have learned from the errors of my ways, thanks to you gnome. And the hvac techs at work that I have taken the time to discuss the ins and outs of hvac equipment and condensate water.
 
G gnome

G gnome

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G gnome

G gnome

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Toaster79 said:
I don't drink condensate because it has no value for me, against my tap. And it can carry the same bacteria thats floating around anyways.
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This guy loves weed leaves watered w condensate
20180721 174130
 
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