AHR Expo - HVAC School

Don’t miss HVACR’s essential event – AHR Expo heads to Orlando!
AHR Expo Orlando is your opportunity to experience the latest updates, product advancements, best practices and industry trends heading to market in the year ahead. It’s a comprehensive showcase of the industry’s leading manufacturers – all standing ready to introduce you to products and solutions that solve workplace problems and boost your professional development. It’s the most efficient way to learn about everything new directly from the experts. You’ll have a chance to engage in dialogue and share experiences with professionals from across the industry. Gain access to interdisciplinary network contacts and level up in your career by expanding beyond your typical day-to-day interactions. Our New Product Theaters, located right on the show floor, give you a 20 minute look into more than 200 products and technologies that you’ll find in booths. Podcast Pavilion will showcase the industry’s top talent as they interview professionals and dive into real issues and topics affecting today’s market. In the 2025 education program we’ll explore trending topics in all sectors of the industry including AI & controls, decarbonization, plumbing & hydronics, heat pumps, refrigerants, workforce development, business & professional growth, and much more. Registration is free and grants you access to everything HVACR – professionals, products, perspectives and more. Don’t miss the chance to experience all things HVACR at the industry’s most comprehensive gathering of the year!

Check out our most recent video

How to Evacuate an AC system, Full Vacuum Procedure

Our latest Podcast

HVAC School – For Techs, By Techs

Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.

Bryan and Craig Migliaccio (AC Service Tech)dive deep into the complexities of managing condensate drainage in high-efficiency (90%+) gas furnaces. The conversation begins with a clear explanation of why these furnaces produce condensate in the first place – they have two heat exchangers that extract so much heat from the combustion gases that water vapor condenses out. This condensate is acidic (pH 3-5) and requires special consideration for drainage and disposal.

The discussion explores various challenges contractors face when installing these systems, particularly in cold climates where freezing is a concern. Craig shares practical solutions from his experience in New Jersey, including using larger diameter pipes for exterior drainage and creating air gaps to prevent complete freezing. They address the ongoing debate about whether to combine AC condensate lines with furnace condensate lines, noting that while it’s technically possible, there are potential risks and code considerations to keep in mind.

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on code compliance and best practices for condensate disposal. The International Mechanical Code (IMC) provides several acceptable options for drainage, including floor drains, utility sinks, and standpipes. However, as Craig points out, local interpretations and requirements can vary significantly, making it crucial for contractors to maintain good relationships with their local inspectors and understand their specific jurisdiction’s requirements.

Key Topics Covered:

How 90% efficient furnaces produce condensate through their dual heat exchanger system
The acidic nature of furnace condensate and its corrosion potential
Solutions for preventing condensate line freezing in cold climates
Pros and cons of combining AC and furnace condensate lines
Code-compliant drainage options (IMC 307.2)
Use of condensate pumps as a solution for difficult drainage situations
Importance of proper trapping and venting in condensate systems
Requirements for auxiliary drain pans under furnaces
Role of condensate switches and safety controls
Challenges with different installation locations (crawl spaces, basements, etc.)
Considerations for neutralizer usage when draining into septic systems
Best practices for maintaining professional relationships with code officials

Check out some of Craig’s great educational books at https://www.acservicetech.com/.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.