Central Heating Condensate Pipe Trace Heating – Reliability/Recommendations

LucianH

I am planning to fit trace heating to a 4m long external 32mm condensate pipe that is not easily accessible (it would require climbing onto a conservatory roof if it needed to be thawed out – something that cannot be done without laying scaffolding boards on the conservatory which is not something I would like to do in freezing weather!).

I’ve just read through over 40 posts on this forum that reference trace heating but have not found any with comments on reliability or recommendations so I hope that I’m not duplicating any similar requests for advice.

I have come across a Condensate Trace Heater kit from First Trace Heating Direct (currently marketed as Boilertrace):

https://www.first-traceheating.co.uk/media/Boilertrace_data_sheet.pdf

It’s the only one that I’ve found that says it can be installed inside the condensate pipe which I would prefer to do.  The pipe has 4 elbow joints (three of which are close together) and it will be easier if the trace heater cable simply ran inside the pipe rather than tying it on the outside and contorting it around all the elbows.  And, to me, it feels like it would be more effective if it was inside the pipe but I have no technical evidence to back that up.  

Given that it’s going to be quite an exercise to get to the condensate pipe to install the trace heating in the first place, I would like to ensure that it will work for many years to come. So, I would welcome any comments in relation to the following:

1) The First Trace product has an externally mounted thermostatic control in a plastic housing.  Has anybody had one of these fitted for several years and, if so, is it showing any signs of deterioration (eg, UV damage, water ingress)?

2) Has anybody had any other reliability issues with the First Trace product?

3) Are there any other recommendations for an alternate product?  Specifically if the trace heater cable can be installed inside the pipe.

Thanks

plumb1_2

Change the 32mm to 50mm pipe 

LucianH

plumb1_2 said:

Change the 32mm to 50mm pipe 

Thank you but, from everything I've read, that may slow down the time it could take to freeze but not guarantee that it will never freeze in a very severe cold snap (of the sort that may get more likely in coming years).  So I will only sleep comfortably through winter nights when I know that it's definitely not going to freeze unless the trace heater packs up (hence my questions)

So humour me - I've spent loads of time looking at other options and concluded that a trace heater is what I want.

ashe

Following this because our boiler is in the loft and frozen pipe twice in 4 years!

LucianH

ashe said:

Following this because our boiler is in the loft and frozen pipe twice in 4 years!

And I fear similar things happening with our 4m long pipe running outside and down an incline.  Hence my attempt to find out about peoples experience with trace heaters and their reliability.

coffeehound

Do you feed the heating tape upwards from the open end? 

LucianH

coffeehound said:

Do you feed the heating tape upwards from the open end? 

No, First Trace provide a rubber bung that fits into a 32mm Tee joint which can be used where the pipe exits the building - see the first image on page 1 of their datasheet:

https://www.first-traceheating.co.uk/media/Boilertrace_data_sheet.pdf

coffeehound

Thanks @LucianH.  I don't have experience of boiler condensate line trace heating (though have used it in industry) but a couple of observations:  most condensate pipe runs are smaller than 32mm so I would check that the supplied bung will fit your installation.  The flyer you link to mentions 17th edition electricity regulations.  The current version is 18th edition so it might be worth confirming with the supplier that the system conforms to that.  I would guess that the thermostat unit should be installed in the shade to ensure that sunlight doesn't affect the temperature reading so UV shouldn't be an issue.  The 2-year warranty gives some reassurance.

I can remember only one other thread here on this subject, so you are something of a trail-blazer and might not get much hands-on feedback . .

bris

For a 4 meter external run you should lag the pipe, I would and have installed long runs but in 40mm and the lagging might not be need but I do it anyway. 32mm lagged would also work.

Coffeehound you use an adapter that takes from 21.5mm to 32mm or 40mm before it leaves the building.

I have never used trace heating so can't comment but I have never had a pipe freeze yet so never looked into it.

ashe

In our case the pipe goes out of the loft and into the gutter, which I know is not meant to be done but it wasn't our decision and would be expensive to undo, our waste pipe is internal to the house in the bathroom capped off with an air admittance valve so no easy way to get to it. 

I read you can either route it to the waste pipes, but thats a no go. Or you can install a pump, but again we have nowhere to easily route it to internally.

Other options I saw in a PDF:

Alternative Solutions Cold weather protection methods approved or endorsed by boiler manufacturers and/or service organisations may be adopted if these are considered suitable by the parties involved. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer of these products to ensure they have completed the necessary testing or calculations to ensure the product offers suitable protection to prevent the condensate pipe from freezing. The product manufacturer should provide information as to what level of external temperature and for what time period the product can protect against sub-zero temperatures, i.e. -15°C for 48 hours. BS6798 refers to devices that pump the condensate produced by a condensing boiler to a fine misting nozzle in the boiler flue terminal so that the condensate is discharged with the hot flue gas. (BS6798 section 6.3.8 note 4). The boiler manufacturer’s instructions will provide advice regarding fitting and siting of the flue terminal to ensure safe disposal of the condensate

Does anyone know what the bold part refers to as it seems to suggest there is a way to exit it via the flue, but I cant seem to find specifics of the BS quoted

Another_Level

Which boiler do you have ? some manufactures have their own accessories to help prevent condensate freeze up. Has it ever frozen up ?

Tbh the condensate route should be in an area where it will never freeze up But there are always reasons why.,, 

Have used baxi (bdr therma) multifit 720665101 condensate trace tape in proper cold country's on condensate run's under standing snow and they work. 

Not a fan of buying Chinese electrical imports which use resistance to heat wires, unless a well known manufacture reseller adds them to their sales lists. If its not Chinese forgive me