High-efficiency water heaters, boilers, or furnaces come with a ton of benefits. As someone who has installed many tankless water heaters from Noritz and Eemax over the years, there are very few drawbacks to getting a system like this. But one issue people deal with is condensate. Many times, the condensate is not able to drain through gravity to an existing drain line. This is where a great condensate pump comes into the picture.
High-efficiency heating appliances create condensate because they use a process called condensing combustion. This process captures more of the heat from the combustion process, which makes the appliances more efficient. As a byproduct, it also produces more acidic condensate. The acidity of the condensate from high-efficiency heating appliances can cause problems if it is not properly treated or disposed of. The acid can corrode pipes, drains, and other infrastructure. It can also pollute the environment if it is not properly treated. Many times, the condensate is not able to drain through to an existing drain line with gravity alone. This is where a great condensate pump comes into the picture.
Let look at some of best performing condensate pumps:
Saniflo 044 SaniCondens Best Flat Condensate Pump
Saniflo has made what I consider to be the Cadillac of condensate pumps. The 044 model replaces the discontinued Sanicondens Best 041 pump. The Saniflo 044 Sanicondens Best Flat Condensate Pump is a powerful and quiet condensate pump that can be used to pump condensate up to 15 feet in height and 150 feet away from a soil stack or drain. The pump also features a built-in neutralizer to raise the pH of the condensate, making it less acidic. This is a rare feature on a condensate pump, as many of Saniflo’s peers only focus on the pump and let the consumer worry about treating the condensate with a different product. The Saniflo 044 makes installation very easy, as you do not need to plan on adding additional components to the system. High quality materials are used for the pump and the built-in float as well as 1/30 HP oil-filled, thermally protected motor making this an easy choice for our number 1 pick.
Little Giant VCMA-20UL (554421) Automatic Condensate Removal Pump
The Little Giant VCMA-20UL (554421) Automatic Condensate Removal Pump is a powerful and efficient pump that comes in at a great price point. The pump has a capacity of 80 gallons per hour and can lift condensate up to 20 feet. Naturally, Little Giant equipped this pump with a built-in float switch and a 1/30 HP motor. The Little Giant VCMA-20UL Automatic Condensate Removal Pump is easy to install and maintain. A condensate neutralizer would be needed in addition to this pump. If you are looking for a powerful and efficient way to remove condensate from your appliances, the Little Giant VCMA-20UL (554421) Automatic Condensate Removal Pump is a great option.
Zoeller 519-0005 Multi-Purpose Condensate Pump
The Zoeller 519-0005 Multi-Purpose Condensate Pump is an absolute work horse. Zoeller is one of the best pump manufacturers out there, so of course they would have an excellent condensate pump. The Zoeller 519-0005 is a fully automatic, easy-to-install pump, it has a capacity of 110 gallons per hour and can lift condensate up to 20 feet. It is also equipped with a built-in float switch that will automatically turn on the pump when the condensate level reaches a certain height as well as a 1/30 HP motor and a vertical centrifugal pump. A condensate neutralizer is purchased separately from the pump, and with the 519-0005 being a little higher cost, it comes in as our # 3 choice.
Saniflo 040 SANICONDENS Condensate Pump
The Saniflo 040 SANICONDENS Condensate Pump is a great option for anyone who needs a reliable and efficient way to pump condensate. This is for sure Saniflo’s budget option compared to the 044. It’s small, powerful, and easy to use, and it comes with a one-year warranty. Saniflo offers the Saniflo043 SANINEUTRAL neutralization kit that can be paired with this pump to treat the condensate. The pump is capable of pumping condensate up to 15 feet in height and 150 feet away from a soil stack and a 1/30 HP oil filled thermally protected motor and a discharge rate of 30-86 GP. The 040 Sanicondens can be floor or wall mounted. It comes ready to install with connections to an external overflow, shut-off switch or alarm system. It also includes all necessary hardware for ease of installation; 20 Ft of vinyl tubing, inlet adapter, discharge adapter.
Little Giant 554401 VCMA-15UL Condensate Removal Pump
The main difference between Little Giants two pumps in this list is their capacity. The Little Giant 554401 VCMA-15UL Condensate Removal Pump has a capacity of 65 gallons per hour, while the Little Giant VCMA-20UL (554421) Automatic Condensate Removal Pump has a capacity of 80 gallons per hour. The Little Giant VCMA-20UL (554421) Automatic Condensate Removal Pump also has a higher lift capacity of 20 feet, compared to the Little Giant 554401 VCMA-15UL Condensate Removal Pump's lift capacity of 15 feet. Other than those differences, the two pumps are very similar. They both have a vertical centrifugal pump, a built-in float switch, and they are both easy to install and maintain. A great pick if you don’t need more capacity.
In conclusion, a condensate pump is a great way to make sure that the condensate is removed properly and safely. The pumps listed above are some of the best on the market. When choosing a condensate pump, it is important to consider the capacity, lift, and features that are important to you. With a little research, you can find the perfect condensate pump for your needs. If you have any questions on anything, please feel free to contact us.
