why Distilled water?

[david.thistlethwaite]

For the humidifer?
Is this just to reduce scale build up?

Or is there a health reason?

David

[Julie]

No particular health issue, it's just to protect the humidifier itself, but if your tap water is ok, not a lot of hard chemicals, then you can use that too.

[jweeks]

David,

I have been told that it is to keep from getting build-up in the humidifier, to prevent the sensors in the machine from getting a build-up on them, and to keep anything that is in your tap water from getting into your lungs.

-john-

[DaveMunson]

I had thought it was the poor quality water. In some part of America you can leave a glass of water out and be disgusted by what happens. Some places see things floating in the glass or poor smell.

Surprisingly, good water is rare. Another reason I like where I'm at. 4 seasons, good water and trees.

[john57]

Another good reason to use distilled water is that it has no chloride in it which can irritate the lungs. Sometimes the tap water will have a high level of chloride to purge the water system. Usually if you let the tap water sitting in a container in a few days the chloride which is a gas will leave the water.

[david.thistlethwaite]

Thanks for your replies everyone.
I have very good tap water and a whole home chlorine filter so I will switch to tap water.

I have been using distilled water but at the end of 2 months of usage I have calciifation on the bottom of the humidifier tank.

I mean if they cheap out on making distilled water what won't they skimp on ?

David

[Julie]

David you may well have other chemicals in your tap water causing the calcification - don't assume it is the distilled water causing it because it shouldn't, and if you can get your tap water checked you should.

[kopoloff]

If your tap water is good, then I don't think there is any good reason to use distilled water.

If you do use tap water, just empty the tank onto your vege patch each morning and refill. There should be negligible mineral deposits

K

[blarg]

Where are you getting your distilled water from? Even WalMart's didn't leave any calcification in my humidifier.

[mboy]

I use regular tap water (for past 3 weeks since I am a noob) and noticed no issues.

[drubin007]

I use tap water (well, run thru the purifier on my fridge where I get the water from). I drain it twice a week (Wednesdays and Sundays). Been using this water chamber for maybe 3+ months now? looks as good as new. The Wednesday drain is just to let it air out, the Sunday is part of the cleaning process which involves a baby shampoo bath, followed by the white vinegar wash and a day to dry out...

[Autopapdude]

Distilled water is due to the fact that most municipal water has Calcium, Sodium, or Magnesium hardness. That results in scale buildup. Although I don't use a humidifier (never needed it), many friends of mine do, and those who've used tap water have a bigger cleaning issue.

[LinkC]

most municipal water has Calcium, Sodium, or Magnesium hardness

Hardness refers to dissolved mineral content. Sodium is not a mineral. In fact, because of the way some water softeners work, the soft water they put out contains more sodium than the hard water going in.

[Autopapdude]

Sodium is not a minera

Sodium is an element. Active side of the periodic table. It is a metal. It combines with the Chlorine that is in domestic water for purification purposes to form NaCl, which is "Sodium Chloride." Better known as salt. Definitely present in domestic water supplies.

[LinkC]

I agree.

Now read what I quoted from your post and tell us what "sodium hardness" is? Not being a mineral, sodium does not cause hardness, as I said.