install in attic

[btownchops]

Any ideas on ways to keep condensate pump from freezing up in the winter

[martyinlincoln]

Heat tape

[cjpwalker]

1. Do not install condensing furnaces in attics in locations that freeze.

2. Heat tape.

[btownchops]

Thanks install in attic was only option

[tinknocker service tech]

heat tape
never put a pump in attic, gravity drain it

[crmont]

Any ideas on ways to keep condensate pump from freezing up in the winter

Besides heat tape;

Mount the pump as close to the supply duct work as possible and insulate the exposed sides. Use the pumps float safety switch. Design the aux drain pan so the pump is over the pan. Use a pan safety switch.

And why pump in an attic?

[2old2rock]

We've done a few where there are insulated walls around the furnace.
Done properly, these work very well.
Done poorly....not so well.
Of coarse you still need to use the safety on the pump.
2" foam board insulation works well, and is cost effective.

[btownchops]

thanks everyone this gives me a few ideas , reason in attic unknown was called to try and resolve the issue without using heat tape

[cuchulain]

Not for a condensing furnace, but for a straight A/C in a church. Installed a pump because there was no spot to put a drain line that sloped the correct way. To keep the pump from sweating I built a sheet metal pan (but a Tupperware type would work as well) that was ~3" bigger then the pump all the way around and used expanda foam to fill that pan up and while it was still expanding I placed the pump into it and the foam expanded around the pump. I cut any excess from around the top so that we could pull the pump section from the container section of the sump pump to clean it and such. Worked great. Granted thinking about it now I don't think it would help ya for the freezing problem. We don't have to worry about that down here. What about heater elements and a safety, much like a freezer drain pan?

[Thomasg]

Could install heat tape with , temperature sensor to cut relay on when below a certain temperature .

[LibertyTree]

Gravity run the drain, usually doable in the attic. May have to prop the furnace up higher. Or you could put the pump in a utility room or laundry room and gravity drain it to there.

Or you could build a sheet metal box, put the pump in there and run a 4" supply to it LOL

[genduct]

by removing the ceiling insulation below the unit and with studs or just insulation board, construct the equivalent of walls then insulate the roof rafters to make the space around the unit inside the thermal envelope. that way the temp should drop below freezing and we hope not below dew point