Z H,

There isn't any (good) reason that condensate pipe looks burnt. It suggests the furnace is probably not working right. Take the front panel off the furnace take a picture of that. If you can find the data tag take a picture of that too. (model # / Serial # of the furnace)

If this furnace is a standing pilot furnace as I suspect it will probably be in your best interest to replace this furnace. Just replacing the burnt section of condensate pipe? there's a reason why it's burning. Treating symptoms are a lost cause. Real solution is what is needed to fix the problem.

New furnaces have a plethora more number of safeties that will drop your fire risk substantially.

Not fixing the problem: increases your risk of fire.

Under no condition should you have an AC condensate drain pipe showing what looks to be burning that is well outside the cabinet of the furnace.

Do not run this furnace without getting it checked by a licensed HVAC contractor in your area.

I service the Katy, Texas area.

I suspect that a new, more efficient furnace would pay for itself. It might take 5-10 years for the payback period, but I suspect it's a better option that putting money into the one you've got. Look for a model number, Google it to figure out the age, and then see what the EPA says about your payback period.

I'm in a rental house and landlord knows about it but can't ever get any proper work done or money spent. Looking for a quick solution. Why is there an opening if heat isn't suppose to release from there? Seems like a sketchy place to run piping to begin with.. It is a standing pilot light. Trane sometime from 80s probably.

Seems like a sketchy place to run piping to begin with.. It is a standing pilot light. Trane sometime from 80s probably.

Yeah technology back then was / is no where near what it is today. Most heat exchangers in that era came with a 20 year warranty. Some as little as 10 years.

Today's modern heat exchangers come with lifetime heat exchanger warranties. (essentially 99 years) & every time that furnace fires it is tested for proper flue operation, flame roll out, flame sensing, and so on. You don't get even close to that with a 35 or 40 old furnace made in the 80's.

The heat exchanger integrity (no cracks) is the fine line to a safe working furnace from that era among other issues. Flame roll out of the burner compartment is another. The furnaces in that era rely on natual venting principles. There is no forced air inducer fan expelling those flue gases. No checks and balances that the furnace would go thru to "test" proper venting on every start.

Part of this equation is safety from fire, the other is carbon monoxide ( CO ).

If the furnace is failing in one area, it's highly probable that it is failing in other areas as well. If the furnace was manufactured in 1983 that puts it at 40 years old, double the life expectancy of a "good" heat exchanger warranty of the time.

If the landlord won't do it. Maybe you invest the money yourself to at least verify the furnace is safe to operate of which I doubt it is. But you're going to need a licensed HVAC contractor to go thru and document everything. Then present that info to your landlord.

You're paying for a safe place to live via your rent. It's common sense that if you are doing your part that your landlord should too.

Safety and "Quick Solutions" should be considered Oil and Water... they don't mix.

The furnace sucks. It's been since the early 1980's that you could buy and install a furnace like that - which is beyond the general lifespan of such a furnace. It's hard to imagine that the heat exchanger is still good (as others have mentioned).

What's more, because you are paying the heat bill, and not the landlord, he doesn't care that 40% of every dollar you spend on heating just goes up the flue.

Since this is not your house, invest in an inexpensive Carbon Monoxide detector (or two). Be sure you have working smoke detectors also (buy your own if you need to). To solve the immediate issue I would get some aluminum sheet metal at the hardware store and bend it into a "Z shape to provide a heat shield between the PVC and the flue.

HI. First, I would check to make sure it is heat causing the stain. With the furnace running for a while, I would touch that section with the back of my hand, be quick If it is hot, build your shield. Second as the heating season is about to come to an end, call the gas company and check to see if they do inspections. If they do get the inspection, Present a copy to your landlord, it is his responsibility, to do the repairs. The inspection will carry a little more weight than anything we say.

Good Luck, Woodbutcher