What Is a Condensate Pump?

A condensate pump moves the water a cooling coil produces to a drain when gravity alone cannot carry it there. Ductless heads mounted on interior walls, and equipment in basements or tight spaces, frequently need one because there is no downhill path to a drain.

Also called: condensate removal pump · lift pump

Why it matters to you

In a humid coastal summer a cooling coil produces a continuous stream of condensate, so the pump runs often and its failure shows up quickly — as water at the indoor head, staining on the wall below it, or a safety switch shutting the system off.

What to do about it

If a head drips or a system shuts down in humid weather, the pump or its drain line is the first thing to check. Keeping the drain line clear is routine maintenance; replacing a failed pump is service work.