This question has been on the minds of many people all over the world. “Is water from a dehumidifier drinkable”, “can I use the water from the dehumidifier to water my plants”, “can I use it to cook”, “can I use it to wash”, etc. It is very likely you have been asking yourself these questions since you find yourself on this page.
It is not safe to drink water from your humidifier because it might contain some bacteria which is very harmful to the body system. Water from dehumidifiers can be used for other purposes but not for drinking and cooking.
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What is Dehumidifier Water?
For newbies, you might be wondering what a dehumidifier is. A dehumidifier is a machine that takes moisture out of the air in your home. It drains water from the air passing around in the area it is placed.
Dehumidifiers help to eliminate musty odors in the air. It also reduces dust that triggers allergies in some people.
And so, dehumidifiers are very important appliances for people living with asthma.
Wikipedia states that “a dehumidifier is an air conditioning device which reduces and maintains the level of humidity in the air”.
Now, how do dehumidifiers work? Dehumidifiers work like refrigerators and air conditioners; it converts wet air into dry air through a cooling process.
If you reside in a very humid region, a dehumidifier is a helpful tool you will need. As you know, there are a lot of bacteria in the air which leads to a lot of effects on the body when the air is taken in.
A dehumidifier cleanses the air and makes the air fresh and harmless for the body.
In doing this, some mass of water is accumulated inside the tank of the dehumidifier. That water is known as dehumidifier water. Some people do not like to waste their water so they wonder if the water collected by the dehumidifier is safe to drink.
Can You Drink Dehumidifier Water?
As stated earlier, water collected by a dehumidifier is not safe to drink. There are reasons why it is so. Keep reading to know more.
Why Can’t You Drink Water from a Dehumidifier?
Remember, a dehumidifier works like a refrigerator and air conditioner. Two processes are common in the working of these appliances: refrigeration and absorption.
How does the refrigeration process work? The humid air around the dehumidifier moves through the coils of the appliance aided by an electric fan.
There is a cold layer in the appliance, as soon as the air hits this cold layer, condensation occurs. The harmless and neat air is then sent out into the atmosphere.
A part of the dehumidifier called the drip chamber is where the condensed water is accumulated. Even though the vapor of the water has been condensed, note that the water is still harmful to our health.
It is a known fact, as scientifically proven that bacteria and mold are much present in the air we breathe on a daily basis. Condensation alone, CANNOT remove these filths from the water.
Now, consider the other process, which is absorption. There is a product in dehumidifiers that absorb water from the air.
This device moves round in a circular motion and absorbs most of the humidity in the environment. As a result of this process, the air loses much humidity.
Furthermore, an electrical fan, as used in the refrigeration process blows very warm air into the dehumidifier.
As the air absorbed into the dehumidifier moves in front of this fan, vapor present in the air is drained. Finally, the purified and neat air is slowly released into the environment by the dehumidifier.
You might still be wondering, “all these processes and the dehumidifier water is still not drinkable?”. These processes, although in-depth, cannot purify the water. Dehumidified water is not distilled water. We will discuss that in subsequent paragraphs.
Can You Drink Water from a Dehumidifier If You Boil it?
Oh well, boiling is a form of purifying water. Boiling removes filths/impurities/foreign bodies from water thereby making it useful for drinking. Boiling kills germs in the water.
If you decide to boil dehumidifier water, it is safe for drinking then but does not drink dehumidifier water without boiling. Even after boiling, drain the water into another container to leave the impurities at the bottom.
How Do I Make My Dehumidifier Water Drinkable?
Knowing that your dehumidifier water is not drinkable, you can make it drinkable. Purification of water is a process of making water fit or healthy for drinking and cooking. A few ways you can make your dehumidifier water drinkable are discussed here:
- The process of reverse osmosis
- The distillation process
The Process of Reverse Osmosis
Remember your high school Biology, osmosis? Reverse osmosis involves the use of a semi-permeable material. It is a way of purifying water, I’ll explain it.
When the dehumidifier water passes through this material, the filths (bacteria and mold spores) are trapped on the surface, thus purifying the water left.
The Distillation Process
Distillation is a popular method used in water purification. The organisms in the water are removed chemically and the water is safe for drinking.
Can You Use Water from A Dehumidifier in The Dishwasher?
Nope, I would not recommend you do this. The water used in washing your dishes is very important because you eat from those dishes. If you cannot drink water produced by dehumidifiers, you certainly should not be using the water in your dishwasher.
How is Condensation Different from Distillation?
As mentioned earlier in the article, distillation is a process used to remove impurities in water. Equipment used in distillation boils the water to a high degree.
The water is evaporated into a chamber, for condensation to occur. The impurities present in the water are left behind in the first chamber.
Now, what makes condensation different from distillation is very simple, it is evaporation.
In distillation, evaporation is present. The evaporation is what separates the water from the impurities. However, in condensation, evaporation does not occur first. Hence, distilled water is drinkable. Check out: Can You Drink Water From The Sink?
Where Can You Use Dehumidifier Water?
Since you know that the dehumidifier water is not drinkable, there are several uses of the water instead of throwing it out.
Places to use dehumidifier water are:
- For use in a steam iron
- For use in the washing machine
- For use in watering your garden
- For flushing the toilet
These are only some of the uses of dehumidifier water. There are many other applications.
Final Thoughts
The water produced by the dehumidifier is not safe for drinking at all. It contains impurities that are harmful to your health, obviously. However, if you want to make the water drinkable, you can distill it. Other uses of the dehumidifier have been listed in this article; it will do you good to make use of that. But, always remember not to drink water from a dehumidifier.
