Do you remember learning about the pH scale in high school chemistry class? Although it probably didn’t seem relevant at the time, pH levels play a critical role in terms of water quality.
If you use gas-powered equipment — such as furnaces or boilers — at your commercial facility or home, it’s important to know how to measure and monitor the pH of your condensate. Condensate that’s too acidic can damage your piping or septic tank, resulting in the need for expensive repairs. Acidic condensate can also damage your landscaping, killing shrubs, trees or your lawn.
What is the pH level?
pH is a measurement that determines how acidic or basic water is. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, with 7 being “neutral.” A pH level of less than 7 indicates acidity, while a pH level higher than 7 indicates a base.
Why is monitoring the pH level important?
If you run gas-powered equipment, it’s important to focus on the acidity of the condensate output. Gas-powered equipment usually releases condensate that’s between 3.5 and 4.2 pH. However, it’s possible for pH to dip to 1.8 or even lower. In order to prevent damage to your piping, equipment and landscaping, you want to keep the pH level of your condensate between 5 and 7.
Can I manage the pH level on my own?
Pure water is always neutral. However, once chemicals are added into the mix, it becomes acidic or basic. This is what happens when you run gas-powered equipment. The combustion process produces the acidic condensate. Unfortunately, there’s no way to stop this process from occurring, but you can restore balance with a condensate neutralizer.
What is a condensate neutralizer?
A condensate neutralizer is a device that raises the pH of the condensate in a gas-powered appliance. By doing so, it makes the waste condensate safe for disposal into a sewer, septic tank or treatment facility.
Here at Neutra-Safe, we manufacture high-quality condensate neutralizers. Using a proprietary design and blend of condensate medium, we can keep your facility running smoothly. To learn more about how we can assist you in better managing the pH levels at your home or facility, call us today at 781-616-3951.
