I saw comments on this product from last Nov. The new home we purchased has a Goodman furnace in it....I am concerned about the way it was installed and have read through the books through and through and have found no answers to my questions....one is this, our furnace is in the walkout basement (currently unfinished) and was put "up" on a plywood box as I think there is some type of return or output that goes in under the furnace.....then a metal (tin I think) pan sort of thing made/put under it. Now, I live in East Tn and it does freeze here....so, the PVC pipe that goes out through the basement wall, under the concrete patio slab to carry the condensate (as they state in the book, not condensation...)- has frozen up, causing the water to "back-up" and go into the "tin pan" - which was not sealed so it ran all over the floor....thank heavens we have not finished the basement yet.....does anyone out there know if this is the correct installation - I'd like to know before I go hammer the builder.....we have already approached him about the freezing pipe - he said, "oh, they all do that" (he sub-contracted this out and uses the same outfit all the time I think).....well the installation instruction book that was left with the furnace specifically states if there is any possibility that the line will freeze (going outside) then precautions must be taken to [prevent that....SO, in anyone's opinion, (mine excluded) was this unit installed properly? We have remedied the frozen water pipe temporarily by cutting into the pipe and having it drain in a bucket and we empty that....but assuming the "tin pan" didn't leak, and it backs up often enough wouldn't the plywood "box" its sitting on eventually rot/come apart? We are concerned because we plan to sell this home in another year and think a new buyer would probably have an independent Home Inpsection done and this would come to light....right now the builder is responsible for fixing things.....AND NO: THERE ARE NO REQUIRED INSPECTIONS in the county we live in - TN is pretty "loose" about this...only in some of the larger towns/cities do they have inspections......the rest of it is catch as catch can or if you're smarter than the builder (which in this case isn't taking much....)
Cn anyone help???

Let me get this straight, 1. The furnace generates condensate when it runs (normal). 2. The furnace normally runs in winter. 3. The condensate generated during normal winter operation backs-up into your house due to freezing pipe outside.

Obviously the solution is very easy. Be sure only to operate your furnace in summer so it won't freeze. I'm sure all your builder's customers do this. or

You didn't mention the location of any plumbing (floor drain in basement)? so I assume there is no floor drain? Could the drain pipe be rerouted to drain to a point just through the basement wall above ground? The less pipe outside the less likely it would be to freeze.

If the plumbing drains are up in the ceiling or across the basement, consider installing a condensation pump to collect and discharge the condensate. This pump is about the size of a lunchbox and has a discharge hose which can be run to say an automatic washer drainpipe, a floor drain or other approved/trapped opening in the plumbing system (not allowed to drill a hole in the closest drain pipe and stick the hose in). Contact your builder to hire a plumber or mechanical contractor to install the pump and drain hose to proper location.

Goodman brand has nothing to do with problem and no this is not a proper installation because it is not protected from freezing. Yes, any good, observant home inspector should catch this as a problem and report poor installation practice and evidence of past moisture back-up.

I'm a licensed commercial contractor in GA and sadly, we see this done frequently in the residential market. Although we are located in GA, the Standard Mechanical Code should be applicable to your area or a least a variation of it.

First, the "wooden box" unless lined with metal is a violation of the Mechanical Code. No combustible material is allowed in return air plenums/ductwork.

Secondly, it sounds as if you have a condensing furnace. This type of furnace will produce condensation in the winter. The drain off the furnace and the cooling coil are most likely tied together. This is why you will see condensate spilling outside during the winter months as well as the summer. Make sure the drain line in question has at least a 1% (1/8" per foot) slope from the unit to the discharge point. If this slope is maintained no water should collect to freeze. This is also a Code requirement.

Thirdly, the pan should be water tight with a unit shut off device present if it is not piped out. Typically a 24 volt float switch is wired to the furnace to shut it down in the event significant condensation is detected in the pan. This again is a Code requirement.

I hope this helps.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Duct,

that's funny
heheh only use it in summer
heheh

thanks for this post Dr. Duct. It's important to know the differences in furnaces

Fishfool @ The Reef Tank