In this episode of the Ask Derek Cole Show, host Derek Cole answers two homeowner questions. First, he explains why a constantly clean HVAC filter is a warning sign, describing three possible causes: (1) using an ultra‑thin, low‑efficiency filter that captures little debris, (2) air bypassing the return grille so the filter never sees the return air, and (3) excessive duct leakage that lets unconditioned air return to the unit without passing through the filter. He stresses that dirty filters protect the system because dirt is a leading cause of breakdowns, and recommends checking filter type, return airflow paths, and duct integrity. Second, he discusses condensate pumps, outlining why they are needed when a condensate drain line cannot rely on gravity (e.g., low‑lying homes, basements, or split‑system units). He notes typical pump lift capacities (15‑22 ft), warranty limitations (usually 1‑2 years, separate from the HVAC unit warranty), and the distinction between pump accessories and core equipment. The episode concludes with a reminder to submit questions using #AskDerekCole.
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Hey, on this episode we talk about why is my filter always clean and do I need a condensate pump? You ask your comfort and energy questions and they get answered. This is the Ask Derrick Cole Show. Hey, this is Derrick Cole. Welcome to episode 84 of the Ask Derrick Cole Show, answering your home and energy questions. And we missed last week because of travel and then Thursday, I got back Thursday, like Thursday afternoon, I was like, you know what, I'm in a really good spot, I think I want to do a show. I was like, wait a minute, Carolina's not here, so I can't do the show. So that is why we're doing it today.
You always talk about changing filters, but my filter never gets dirty at home. Is that good?
Filter never gets dirty, that is not good. You could be having a couple things. One could be the filter you're putting in is so, so terrible, it's so bad, it's so thin that it's catching nothing as it comes through, right? So it's staying clean that way, or it's just bypassing the return altogether and not going to the filter. Now, how's that happening? So what could be going on is with your duct system, you could be losing So much of that is coming through the duct, is breathing from the house. So it's not— it doesn't need to get the return because the house or the duct is so leaky that it's coming back to the unit through that method and not through the filter, which is what it's designed to do. The reason you want it going through the filter is because you want that cool conditioned clean air coming back to the unit, not the dirty hot under the house and the attic air coming back to the system. Make sense? So one of the big problems is dirt. So dirt is the cause of most breakdowns, and the reason being is because that filter, at the point where it's supposed to filter that air before it gets into the unit, it's not doing that. It's not getting to the filter, it's not coming through the filter, or if it is coming through the filter, the filter is not stopping it from getting through, and that is also a problem. But yes, uh I've heard that quite a few times. You look at the filter, you're like, oh, it's clean. And then 30 days later, you look at the filter, oh, it's still clean. Okay, after about 2 or 3 of those, you're like, wait a minute, there's a bigger problem because the filter is not getting dirty. So either we need to change the type of filter, or we're having a problem where the air is not even getting to the filter or the unit because it's going through other paths to get there. Which is also a problem.
Why do I need a condensate pump?
Condensate pump is very crucial because anytime— obviously, okay, with air conditioning you are dehumidifying. So with— when you dehumidify the air, water is the byproduct of doing that. The water needs to go somewhere. So that's why we have drain lines. All right? So when you need a condensate pump is when that drain line either is going below where it needs to. For example, my house, okay, I have a small 1,300 square foot house, but it's so low under my house that by the time the unit sitting there, by the time the condensate line comes out, it cannot have enough grade or slope down enough to get outside before that happens. So we have a condensate pump because if I didn't have one, the Then the condensate line would be like this. Okay, water doesn't go sideways or uphill. You know, it's not going to work. So condensate pump, it goes to the condensate pump. That pump then pumps it out to the outside. So the most common pumps can go up to 15-foot or 22-foot lift. So if you have a basement or if you have that low house, you're having a problem somewhere where that condensate line cannot grade enough. To get to the outside, so then you need a condensate pump to push it out for you. So it's not a bad idea. Only bad thing about condensate pumps is they only have a 1-year parts warranty coming from the manufacturer. Depending on which one you use, you can have 1 or 2 years. I think Diversitech has a 2-year warranty, but that is an accessory, just like an air cleaner or anything else added onto your system. It's not The 10-year parts and labor warranty of the equipment because it is outside the equipment. It's like a thermostat. It's in a— you need it, but at the same time, it's not part of the unit. It's not the unit. It's not from Carrier. It's not from Trane. It doesn't come with that. You see a lot of them too with mini splits because again, you're having that problem where you can't get outside fast enough, so the condensate pump then pushes it to the outside. That makes sense? I didn't know that. Did y'all know that? I did not. Yeah, so the most common problem is that low house. Obviously you don't have these on package units, you have these on split units. So you have that low house that you basically, depending on where that unit is sitting, you can't get to the outside fast enough for it to still be downhill. So then you feed into a condensate pump and then that pushes it out. So you need a condensate pump. Most cases around here, unless it's just a ginormous house, when you have a split unit, you just don't have enough room to get that condensate outside. So condensate pump is needed. So that is a good idea. All right, it's episode 84. Or make sure you hashtag your questions #AskDerekCole and we'll get them on the show.
