Heat Pump - condensation dripping ?? What’s normal

[Riddler0520]

Have a Jandy HeatPump
I knew that it would create condensation while running

WHATS NORMAL ? Meaning how much

I have a puddle in front of the unit

also, I plan to lay river rock around it next week so that might help so it isn’t straight dirt which I am sure doesn’t help

thanks for your input

 

[JamesW]

Your heat pump may not be leaking; it may just be condensation draining from the unit.

When heating, heat pumps can produce upwards of 9 gallons of water an hour depending on the temperature and humidity conditions.

This is a natural by-product of the heating process. It is a lot of water too, almost two 5 gallon buckets of water an hour!

So, do you have a leak or condensation draining from your heat pump? The methods below are simple, effective tools to help you figure that out!

METHOD 1
1. Grab your pool chemical test strips or kit.
2. Test for the following items in your pool water: chlorine, salt, and stabilizer levels (be sure to note the levels).
3. Now test the water coming from the heat pump. It shouldn’t have chlorine, salt, or stabilizer in it. If it does, you may have a leak. We suggest trying the method below before calling a pool professional to check for a leak. Sometimes leaks can be hard to find and deceiving as to the origin.

Why is my swimming pool heater leaking? - AquaCal Website

Your heat pump may not be leaking; it may just be condensation draining from the unit. When heating, heat pumps can produce upwards of 9 gallons of

www.aquacal.com

 

[Riddler0520]

Thanks
Pretty sure it isn’t a leak as I expected dripping/condensation as we are running it pretty hard at the moment.
Just seems like a lot but if the above is accurate 9 gallons an hour is a lot and can sure produce a puddle like I’m seeing

I’ll see how laying river rock around the equip pad helps out

any other ideas to try and stop or reduce, it’s killed the grass in front of the unit staying constantly wet as you can see in the image

 

[JamesW]

You could put it in a tray with a line to allow the tray to drain to wherever you want.

They sell drain pans for this purpose or you can make something from available parts.

Master Flow 42 in. x 28 in. Drain Pan with PVC Connector - 26 Gauge 26DDP42X28 - The Home Depot

Drain pans collect condensation to prevent leakage in walls and ceilings due to moisture run-off from primary AC pans. Galvanized steel construction with attached PVC fitting. Locate under HVAC unit and

www.homedepot.com

https://www.grainger.com/product/3HAJ8

 

[Riddler0520]

You could put it in a tray with a line to allow the tray to drain to wherever you want.

They sell drain pans for this purpose or you can make something from available parts.

Master Flow 42 in. x 28 in. Drain Pan with PVC Connector - 26 Gauge 26DDP42X28 - The Home Depot

Drain pans collect condensation to prevent leakage in walls and ceilings due to moisture run-off from primary AC pans. Galvanized steel construction with attached PVC fitting. Locate under HVAC unit and

www.homedepot.com

https://www.grainger.com/product/3HAJ8

Great idea
Maybe I’ll see if my lawn guy can install and then run a drip line from it down the side of my house a few hundred feet and irrigate all the plants - repurpose the water

 

[JamesW]

Galvanized seems like it would rust over time.

Plastic might be the best choice.

If you use the galvanized steel, maybe paint it with a good paint to protect from rust.

Maybe put down a thin layer of rubber below the pan and then in the pan to reduce vibration noise that might be generated by the pan .

 

[sktn77a]

It's been pretty sticky here in NC for the last month or so. I'd certainly expect a lot of condensation from the heat pump. I think your idea of river rock is your best bet. You could use this in combination with a pan as a sort of pidgeon-French drain!

 

[Newdude]

Both my window ACs and heat pump might as well have been showers this time of year.

If you can’t redirect it to a better spot, make that area gravel so it’s not mud.

 

[Riddler0520]

Both my window ACs and heat pump might as well have been showers this time of year.

If you can’t redirect it to a better spot, make that area gravel so it’s not mud.

Yep, that’s my intent with the river rock 3”-4” thick to some what drain it and help it slushy mud

agree, it’s never dry as you can see in the picture

maybe I’ll dig a small trench in front of the grass and fill with stone so it channels down vs swamping put the grass

always something