High Efficiency Furnace Problems And Reviews

Question: How do i drain the water out of my high efficiency furnace?

(Posted by: hunter on 2009-01-15 07:03:39)

I have a Gibson high efficiency furnace in my shop and want to shut it down for a few weeks. How do I drain all the water out to keep it from freezing?

Posted by: gizmoe on 2009-01-15, 07:34:26

Not sure what type of condensate trap the Gibson furnaces use but you can follow any drain tubing you see and it should lead to the trap. Some furnaces just have a loop in the pipe for a trap. Remove the trap and drain it. This will not guarantee that all water is removed and some water may still be in the combustion blower area where it may lock up the fan blade when trying to start it back up. Maybe you should disconnect any tubing to verify there is no water anywhere.

Posted by: William B on 2009-01-15, 07:15:39

Info info is this a boiler ? how doe,s the water come in to play with it ? is it the heat source ? most furnaces don,t have water in them,

Posted by: Ricardo on 2009-01-15, 07:16:37

You should have a condensing unit that drains the water automatically.

Posted by: fluffernut on 2009-01-15, 07:18:27

Phew, call your heating contractor! Since high efficiencies also have the pump.....you'd best give the pros a call!

Posted by: Scott B on 2009-01-15, 08:37:18

Im assuming the condensate drain is draining into a pee trap, then into your sewer/ septic system. A high efficiency furnace produces condensation in heat mode as well as cooling so in a cold climat you cant drain it outside because that freezes and backs up the line, breaks the line then causes water damage. If you shut off the furnace water will no longer be produced water so pour RV grade antifreeze into the pee traps sinks toilets ect. If you are gone for a while the trap may dry out and allow the smell to escape. Personally I would keep the furnace on low just to keep the temp above freezing. Im sure you have other things in your shop that could also break if frozen. Good luck