Humidifier chambers to empty or not to empty

Every now and then (weekly?), I give my tank the 'look and sniff' test.
If anything is the least bit iffy, I wash it.
Tap water seems to be OK, as long as I let it dry before using it.
I only found a silverfish in it once--long ago.

The simple way to do this and not worry that you're "wasting" distilled water (that costs a whopping 87 cents a gallon at Target):

Measure out 1 cup or more of distilled water and put it in water chamber at night. In the morning pour the water that is left in the water chamber back into the measuring cup to check how much water you used the night before (a simple subtraction operation is required). In most cases we use the same amount of water per night unless relative humidity changes drastically, or you sleep 5 hours one night and 10 the next.

If you only put what you need in the water chamber at night, in the morning you will be dumping out 1 tablespoon or less of unused distilled water. Not enough to be concerned with waste.

Then you can rinse out water chamber, let dry and not need to worry about growth, or be concerned that your laziness will negatively impact your health.

I just empty it and let it sit open part up to dry out. Putting only a certain amount in would not work for me as I usually use the same amount of water but some nights I really use a lot more water.

Randy, I agree completely with the cost. I get it at Walmart for 88 cents a gallon.

Tap water is NOT the same for everyone. I think you'll just have to do some tests and find out what works for you.

When I use the humidifier, I use distilled water. Since I live in a humid part of the world, it's not always needed during the summer months.

Using distilled water, I just top off the tank. I also give the tank a "sniff" test on a weekly basis. In the past 22 or 23 years, I've only had to clean it due to something growing in the tank about five times. I've actually cleaned the tank / hose / mask more often than has been needed. Sometimes, I feel that once a year is an appropriate excuse to clean it. .. 8^)

Remember, this assumes sterile water and filtered air coming into the unit. It *should* not grow anything. And most of the time, it does not. When it does, it's the old wash and rinse time.

I top it off with distilled water. I dump it perhaps twice a year, slosh some vinegar around, let it stand with the vinegar in it for half a day, rinse with distilled water, and start over again for many more months of just adding more distilled water each night. Been doing it that way for about eight years with no problem.

Here are many topics discussing many routines people have:
Links to Cleaning mask, hose, humidifier
viewtopic.php?p=567264#p567264

rested gal wrote:I top it off with distilled water. I dump it perhaps twice a year, slosh some vinegar around, let it stand with the vinegar in it for half a day, rinse with distilled water, and start over again for many more months of just adding more distilled water each night. Been doing it that way for about eight years with no problem.

Here are many topics discussing many routines people have:
Links to Cleaning mask, hose, humidifier
viewtopic.php?p=567264#p567264

You should take a culture of that water before you dump it at the 6 month mark. You must have a GREAT immune system!

(I am teasing so please don't be offended...)

Hello, RG, haven't seen you on here in a while

Randy, thanks a lot you just reminded me that I haven't had my well water tested in a while. UGH

RandyJ wrote:The simple way to do this and not worry that you're "wasting" distilled water (that costs a whopping 87 cents a gallon at Target):

Measure out 1 cup or more of distilled water and put it in water chamber at night. In the morning pour the water that is left in the water chamber back into the measuring cup to check how much water you used the night before (a simple subtraction operation is required). In most cases we use the same amount of water per night unless relative humidity changes drastically, or you sleep 5 hours one night and 10 the next.

If you only put what you need in the water chamber at night, in the morning you will be dumping out 1 tablespoon or less of unused distilled water. Not enough to be concerned with waste.

Then you can rinse out water chamber, let dry and not need to worry about growth, or be concerned that your laziness will negatively impact your health.

This sounds like a great idea but I assume I'm not the only one whose nightly water consumption from the humidifier varies greatly.

Nate

I have the humidifier in place only so I can use the ClimateLine hose. Climateline is great, as it warms the air nicely. Never have needed humidification. Bet many users could do without humidification. ResMed approves of an empty chamber and temp set to zero. Love not to hassle with chamber cleaning and condensation in the hose.

I've been using almost the whole chamber each night. And because I'm a good little newbie, I do a vinegar/water rinse daily. I figure I'll give it a more thorough scrub once a weekly as well.

smurfyabs wrote:I've been using almost the whole chamber each night. And because I'm a good little newbie, I do a vinegar/water rinse daily. I figure I'll give it a more thorough scrub once a weekly as well.

Using a large amount of water is an indication of LARGE leaks or mouth breathing.

Be sure to check using software.

GumbyCT wrote:

smurfyabs wrote:I've been using almost the whole chamber each night. And because I'm a good little newbie, I do a vinegar/water rinse daily. I figure I'll give it a more thorough scrub once a weekly as well.

Using a large amount of water is an indication of LARGE leaks or mouth breathing.

Be sure to check using software.

What about number of hours running? When I have a sleep lasting more than 8 hours, sometimes up to 9+, I definitely use up more water, even with my Ruby chinstrap.

Nate

GumbyCT wrote:

smurfyabs wrote:I've been using almost the whole chamber each night. And because I'm a good little newbie, I do a vinegar/water rinse daily. I figure I'll give it a more thorough scrub once a weekly as well.

Using a large amount of water is an indication of LARGE leaks or mouth breathing.

Be sure to check using software.

I have the humidifier on 5 and one of the first nights I used it for 13 long, long hours.

I do the same as JBF, use to clean too much and wear out the equipment, I only use distilled water, top it off every nite, for me just putting in what I need varies too much. Long ago I did have a bit of build up when I was traveling with my Respironics Tank, so I used a half tablet of denture cleaner and walla, no problem.