Humidifier Question

Jaylee · Post by **Jaylee** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:54 am

If I fill up my humidifier tank with fresh water tonight, then I do not use that feature, can I keep the same water for the next night? Or should I empty it and get fresh again? I am trying to figure that out since I don't always use it. I wonder if bacteria can grow in fresh water?

BleepingBeauty · Post by **BleepingBeauty** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:30 am

Jaylee wrote:If I fill up my humidifier tank with fresh water tonight, then I do not use that feature, can I keep the same water for the next night? Or should I empty it and get fresh again? I am trying to figure that out since I don't always use it. I wonder if bacteria can grow in fresh water?

My short answer: Yes, you can.

There have been debates on this issue here on the forum. Some people empty their humidifier tank every day and refill it with fresh water. Some use tap water (if it's good tap water), some use filtered, and most (I think) use distilled.

I only use distilled water, as my tap water is VERY hard and leaves mineral deposits on everything, but I simply refill my humidifier chamber each night and only dump the remaining water if/when I see something in there or when I want to clean the chamber.

If you're concerned about bacteria, there are in-line filters you can buy for that. Check out https://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-p ... lters.html

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:45 am

Jaylee wrote:If I fill up my humidifier tank with fresh water tonight, then I do not use that feature, can I keep the same water for the next night?

Fresh from where?

I use distilled and don't dump everyday either. I think many who had troubles either used tap water and/or didn't keep the filters clean. The air is the only thing blowing over the water - so yes the air can bring in contaminants. Esp. when run w/o filters.

Am I breathing this same air? My nose filters out some of those contaminants.

I think you need to decide for yourself how you will handle your therapy.

Good Luck

Jaylee · Post by **Jaylee** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:27 pm

I make distilled water the way my DME rep taught me. I boil water for 15 minutes, then keep it in the fridge in a container for one week. I make new water every Sunday.

falvesjr · Post by **falvesjr** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:49 pm

Jaylee, that's not distilled water, that's boiled water...

Though boiling water will kill bacteria, etc., it will not remove minerals from the water, so you will probably end up with hard deposits in your tank. True distilled water is made by boiling the water and catching and concentrating the water vapor that escapes the liquid water. The vapor will be free of bacteria and most of the minerals, which are left behind in the liquid water and boiling vessel. You can make distilled water at home with some specialized boilers, but it's also pretty cheap to buy. In my area, it costs me 0.77 cents a gallon...

TWW · Post by **TWW** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 1:12 pm

I replenish distilled water in my tank whenever it gets low, which can be one or two days depending on how many hours I logged on the machine. (I am still only a semi-compliant newbie.)

I believe it is still consuming water when the humidifier is set to "off." On mine at least, I think the knob just controls the heating element.

falvesjr wrote:Jaylee, that's not distilled water, that's boiled water...

Amen to that.

That method is okay for sterilizing questionable tap water, but it will actually increase the concentration of hardness (minerals) and deposit (e.g.) calcium in the tank a little faster.

Shame on your DME if he/she/it called that "distilled."

Note that I mentioned "questionable" tap water. Most municipal water is okay in that respect.

Jaylee · Post by **Jaylee** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 1:18 pm

Bummer! I guess I am back to buying it. Which is fine because boiling enough water for the week was a pain. I will get some distilled water the next time I am out and about.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 1:50 pm

Jaylee wrote:I make distilled water the way my DME rep taught me. I boil water for 15 minutes, then keep it in the fridge in a container for one week. I make new water every Sunday.

And people get upset with me because I refuse to ASS-u-Me.

Communication is a lost part of our culture.

Jaylee · Post by **Jaylee** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:28 pm

Well, I assumed my DME knew her job, but maybe not. I am back from the store with actual distilled water. Was she wrong about only keeping it in the fridge for a week, too? I wont go through the gallon in a week's time.

I cleaned my tank with soapy water. So tonight I will start fresh. I will clean the hose and mask tomorrow as usual. They wont dry out by bedtime if I do it now.

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 3:06 pm

You can keep that distilled water and use it until the container is empty, topping off the water in the humidifier chamber each night. If you have water in it but don't turn up the heat you get "pass over " humidity. The air picks up a little moisture as it passes over the water. If you up the dial, to have heated humidity, more water will be used. You can still just top it off for the next night. I only empty my humidifier about every 2 weeks now. I clean it then, with Ivory Dishwashing soap and warm water and let it air dry all day. That night I start with a fresh tank of water.

You do not need to keep the water in the fridge either. I jsut store my below the small table where my cpap setup is so that it is handy every night. Some people, who use pass over humidity and like the air they breathe at night to be cooler, keep it is in the fridge.

If you are using a heated setting or are happy with the air you breathe through you cpap at room temperature, keeping the water in the fridge makes no sense.

DMEs can tell such tales!!

BleepingBeauty · Post by **BleepingBeauty** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 3:10 pm

Jaylee wrote:Well, I assumed my DME knew her job, but maybe not.

That was your first mistake (and a common one among new hoseheads). We assume these people know what they're doing - often to our detriment.

I am back from the store with actual distilled water. Was she wrong about only keeping it in the fridge for a week, too? I wont go through the gallon in a week's time.

No, you don't have to refrigerate the distilled water. I keep the jug on the floor, next to the nightstand where the machine is.

Jaylee · Post by **Jaylee** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 3:30 pm

Well keeping it in my room will simplify my life a lot. I live in the attic section so carrying it down the stairs in the morning is a pain because I usually forget it or it spills because my hands are usually full. I will keep it in my room from now on.

Yeah I just did what she told me. I mean, I knew boiling it wasn't the same as being distilled but I figured it must be comparable if she told me that. But I was getting a white build up so hopefully now that wont happen.

letchworth · Post by **letchworth** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 3:46 pm

Jaylee wrote: But I was getting a white build up so hopefully now that wont happen.

Glad you asked-- some municipal water systems have pretty soft water, but if you are getting deposits, you definitely want to use distilled.

Think of it this way: If you did damage to your humidifier, who stands to benefit??? Perhaps that explains why the DME gave you such "unbiased" information. (It's hard to not be paranoid if so many people are out to get you).

You mentioned "attic area"-- my assumption is fully finished attic area-- if not, you will probably want to take even more precautions with air filter cleaning, etc.

Good luck--- and very glad you asked
letchworth

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