Condensation line question from potential boiler

[stigedis]

I am in the planning stages of my build of a detached 30x40. Have all intentions of making it as efficient as possible including use of in floor heat. My specific concern is the option for heat source. I know there is much controversy about heat sources and quite frankly will not be able to afford that for a season or two as concrete and building itself will eat current budget. But I want to be ready for all heating source options. If I use NG in lieu of electric (which I am leaning towards) what can I expect for condensate being produced during heating cycle. My home forced air produces lots of condensate. How does one deal with a similar amount in a detached garage with no running water or drain system. I plan on daylighting a floor drain but that is minimal in regards to moisture and could run a connecting PVC from where I will house said heating unit to underground drain pipe. My fear is that going to daylight will freeze, then I'll be in trouble. What kind of options do I have? Maybe instead of draining to daylight, when they excavate for footings hand dig a dry pit filled with rocks and and have pipe(s) go in there and cover with insulation so that it won't freeze? What have others done..... Thanks

 

[koditten]

Interesting. i'm sub'd for pending responses. I got an idea how I would do it but it may not be feasable.

 

[koditten]

This is one of the reasons I went with a conventional boiler. I wasn't too worried about a 8-10% in fuel savings. Shops are inefficiant anyways and after doing the math, it would have taken me 30 years to notice any saving. I'll be done in the shop by then.

 

[sevenzeronova]

Boiler drain to acid neutralizer to condensate pump to outside.

 

[BillK]

st,
Most of the houses around here that have HE furnaces just drain to the out side through the wall. That's how mine is and I have not had any problems.

 

[anthony666]

what can I expect for condensate being produced during heating cycle

if you size your boiler properly you can expect a lot of condensate .. the more efficiently the boiler operates etc etc

how to deal with it is to dig a pit that goes well below the frost line, fill it with large gravel so there's tons of void and run your condensate drain line into that, also below the frost line

 

[Jackfre]

I like the dry well idea. Be aware that the PH of the condensate is about 3.2. The suggested neutralizer is basically an in-line pipe with limestone chips to neutralize the condensate. Terminating the drain line to atmosphere in MN is, IMHO, asking for it. If the drain line freezes the boiler shuts down.

 

[GreyOwl]

My HE furnace/ac condensate drains to a condensate pump that pumps it into the sewer system. No chance of freezing.