It would be great for both our plant and our budget if we could find a new way to recycle the dehumidifier water.
Occasionally, you will run the dehumidifier and humidifier at the same time and wonder if dehumidifier water can be used in a humidifier.
The good news is that you can! As dehumidifier water is demineralized, it is a better choice than tap water for filling your humidifier. However, you should avoid using stagnant water as it may contain harmful bacteria and mold.
This post will go over the type of water that is suitable for humidifiers, analyze the components of dehumidifier water and then tell you if using dehumidifier water is safe for your humidifier.
Various interesting facts are waiting for you to explore. Let’s get started!
What type of water is the best for humidifiers?
Humidifiers combat dryness by dispersing water vapor or mist into the air. Therefore, the quality of water is crucial for its functioning.
As the water tank is warm and humid, it could become the breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms. If the added water is not clean, the situation can worsen as it already contains these microbes. These dangerous pathogens will enter the air with the water vapor, putting you at risk.
In addition, most types of water contain a certain amount of dissolved minerals. Tap water, for example, contains calcium and magnesium. These minerals are beneficial to our health when consumed, but they may convert to mineral deposits in the tank, clogging the machine and preventing it from producing mist.
It will also create white dust, which can prolong your time on cleaning and may cause discomfort.
As a result, the water can contain limited minerals, and microorganisms would be better.
Experts recommend using a humidifier with distilled water since it is free of minerals, germs, and dust. If the dehumidifier water is close to the distilled water, it would be a suitable choice for your humidifier.
(See also: What Type of Water to Use in Your Humidifier?)
Is it suitable to use dehumidifier water in a humidifier
In this section, let’s dive into the dehumidifier water itself to see if there are any similarities and differences between it and distilled water.
What is dehumidifier water?
Dehumidifier water refers to the collected water left in the dehumidifier. A dehumidifier draws the damp air into the machine with the help of a fan.
When moisture in the air comes into contact with the chilled coil, it condenses into liquid and accumulates in the water reservoir. When the moisture is removed, the dry air is released back into the environment.
Since the air is free of minerals, so is the condensed dehumidifier water. Look, it is quite similar to distilled water. When you add it to your humidifier, you will notice a significant reduction in mineral buildup.
Difference between distilled water and dehumidifier water
However, dehumidifiers can’t make distilled water. Condensation is different from distillation in that distillation includes additional boiling and evaporation steps.
Due to this difference, the dehumidifier water is not as pure as distilled water. The airborne contaminants have the possibility to get into the water along with the condensation and the coils may leach metal.
Furthermore, the water reservoir of a dehumidifier, like the water tank of a humidifier, can be a thriving environment for those harmful microorganisms if the water is not changed on a regular basis. You should never put stagnant dehumidifier water in your humidifier.
In a word, you can use dehumidifier water in a humidifier since it is free of minerals. However, the water may contain contaminants, especially when the water reservoir is not maintained regularly.
When will you use the dehumidifier and humidifier at the same time?
People rarely use these two household appliances at the same time because their functions are diametrically opposed.
While running them in the same room seems absurd, it is possible to run them in separate areas.
The basement and attic, for example, are typically the most humid areas of a home.
You may need to dehumidify it all year round. But in winter, you may turn on your humidifier in the bedroom when heating equipment is sucking up the moisture further.
What to do if you want to use dehumidifier water in your humidifier?
Although dehumidifier water is suitable for filling the humidifier, you should exercise caution when doing it.
Picking a reliable dehumidifier is important as you should make sure the coil leaches metal in the water.
For the quality of dehumidifier water, you should clean your dehumidifier frequently, including the coils because the residue on it can creep into the water.
On top of it, rinsing the water reservoir and changing the water every day is required if you do not want contaminants to harm your health or your humidifier.
Conclusion
Using it in a humidifier is a proper way to recycle your dehumidifier water. The big advantage of using it is that it is free of minerals, making the humidifier hard to get clogged.
However, unlike distilled water, dehumidifier water contains contaminants. Mold spores, bacteria, and other germs can enter the dehumidifier and pollute the water.
If you decide to do it, you should commit to routine cleaning and change the water every day. Please don’t use standing dehumidifier water!
