HH and Tap Water

bigcat · Post by **bigcat** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 2:00 am

I have seen some posts about distilled water and should you empty it out each night or just top it off. My DME just told me that tap water was fine to use, but to empty and refill it each night.

Is tap water ok for a HH? Maybe I just live in a place with good water.

Then I hear that the minerals are bad for your lungs (and the HH chamber). Just confused...

Then I read stuff like this...

http://www.mercola.com/2002/may/8/distilled_water.htm

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Ric · Post by **Ric** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 3:11 am

The minerals in tap water that you are concerned about are pretty much non-volatile, they don't evaporate, but stay in the HH. If you don't drain the water at least occasionally, the concentration of minerals can build up and precipitate into the HH causing calcium or other kinds of deposits, depending on what is in the water. But nothing serious to worry about getting in your lungs.

As for distilled water, that is less likely to mess up the humidifier. And despite the stuff mentioned on the website, distilled water is safe for the humidifier and your lungs, and a whole lot of other things. That website is pure nonsense. Distilled water is exceedingly close to pH 7.0, almost by definition. It's not acidic. The fellow writing that clearly doesn't understand basic chemistry. The suggestion of exposing distilled water to the atmosphere to restore the trace contaminants is just plain SILLY. And despite his observations about "distressed snowflakes" and a few other irrelevant "observations", the website is a crock of bull.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 4:48 am

My husbnad and I both use machines. Distilled water is all he uses and I use it also.

The chamber that holds the water stays clearer and cleaner. I like that idea.

yardbird · Post by **yardbird** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 8:17 am

If you use tap water all the time, you'll get mineral buildup on the heated portion of the humidifier first and then noticeable buildup on the container itself.

For you body... drink "natural water" or as close to it as is practical. For most of us that's tap water, bottled water, whatever.

For the health of your humidifier, use distilled water. Oh you could use tap water in a pinch, but seriously I think I use a gallon of distilled water about every 3 weeks this time of year. It'll be less in summer. At $1.59 a gallon or less... it's easy.

As for that article and that website...
If you read that site.....at SOME point.... they will be trying to sell you a device that makes the water natural again or some such nonsense.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 9:09 am

We pay $0.79 to $0.95 a gallon for our distilled water. Our one store will run specials like 5 one gallon jugs for $3.00 with no limit. You can bet what I do.

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 10:03 am

Ric is exactly right, but less tactile than I am.
The site referred to is PURE BS.
There is nothing remotely accurate in virtually all of the claims.
But there will never be a problem attracting those who will believe anything-

One day, I hope to solve all the water problems in the world.
If Perry and Ric and Derek and some of the others could help me.

It is Instant Water and shipped in highly concentrated powder form.
I need help in developing the solvent.

This could change the world.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:03 pm

tomjax wrote:It is Instant Water and shipped in highly concentrated powder form.
I need help in developing the solvent.

ROTFL!! I like that, Tom!

bigcat, distilled water is much, much better for your humidifier. Grocery stores around here sell it for about 80 cents a gallon. I use a funnel to pour it in up to the fill line each night. I don't dump it out in the mornings. Chamber stays crystal clear.

I used tap water for almost a year with my first heated humidifier. The metal bottom of the chamber showed signs of pitting. Made a believer out of me, in favor of using distilled water only in the humidifier.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 6:04 pm

Looks like radioactive water is ok too...

Link

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 9:37 pm

Thanks for the information. I thought it was odd the DME said tap was ok, then another said the minerals were bad for your lungs. There is no substitute for experience. That is what I love about this place

bigcat · Post by **bigcat** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 9:39 pm

oops, that last one was me, bigcat.

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HH and Tap Water

HH and Tap Water

no cause for alarm

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