HVAC Condensate Drain

[CADru]

Can the end of a condensate drain line have a hard pipe connection? I see open ended hoses dumping into laundry tubs, sump pumps, all open ended (not connected) drain lines.
Attached: HVAC condensate drain line (end of line)

 

[MicEd69]

No, a condensate drain line CANNOT be hard piped into a sanitary sewer.

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

Can the end of a condensate drain line have a hard pipe connection? I see open ended hoses dumping into laundry tubs, sump pumps, all open ended (not connected) drain lines.
Attached: HVAC condensate drain line (end of line)

It’s called an “air gap” and it’s there by design. In addition to creating an air gap by doing things the way your photo shows, you can also purchase a device to do the same thing which is a little neater and tidier, and has threaded fittings: https://a.co/d/dhK4skx

 

[CADru]

Thank you for the "air-gap" reference @Mitchell-DIY-Guy. With this info in my pocket & additional research:

From NACHI
Why Not Direct Connection?:

• Directly connecting condensate lines to a DWV (drain-waste-vent) pipe is prohibited in some locations.
• The potential danger is that sewer gases may enter the house through the condensate drain line.
• Even with a trap, direct connections can allow sewer gas to enter the air handler, which is unsafe and unhealthy.
  
  https://forum.nachi.org/t/condensate-drains-and-air-gaps-why/191649/16

 

[Twowaxhack]

If you had a fixture close by you could connect it to a dishwasher tee on the house side of the Ptrap.

Check with your inspector. I have to say that or panties get pissed in.

 

[MicEd69]

Thank you for the "air-gap" reference @Mitchell-DIY-Guy. With this info in my pocket & additional research:

From NACHI
Why Not Direct Connection?:

• Directly connecting condensate lines to a DWV (drain-waste-vent) pipe is prohibited in some locations.
• The potential danger is that sewer gases may enter the house through the condensate drain line.
• Even with a trap, direct connections can allow sewer gas to enter the air handler, which is unsafe and unhealthy.
  
  https://forum.nachi.org/t/condensate-drains-and-air-gaps-why/191649/16

I didn't open up your picture and I thought the black hose was the condensate line. So, after Mitchell-DIY-Guy said there was an "air-gap" there, I opened up the picture. You have an "air-break" that is kinda the same. It depends on how far down the vinyl tubing goes down the rubber hose. If it goes pretty far, an inspector could flag it as there is a chance alga could grow and "seal" the annular space between the vinyl tubing and the rubber hose making that essentially a hard piped connection.

And in opening the picture, I see several things that are a little strange looking.

There is a hose connected to a line with check valve in it that connects to the drain ahead of the condensate hose. What is that for? And what is the gate valve hard piped to the drain line for? Where does that line originate? The copper wye fitting the condensate drain line connects to the vertical drain is wrong as is the depth of the P-trap made out of copper fittings. What fixtures are draining down the vertical line?

Can you provide a sketch of you drain and vent lines in this area?