Humidifier Water Poll

[imtired]

i think i might try the grey goose. that should kill whatever else is in the water and work just as well as distilled

[Cpapfan]

Just received my ResMed S9. If people think they are confused, the manufacturers are just as much at a loss. The instruction book has a photo showing the reservoir being filled from a sink tap and says to just descale it when necessary with diluted vinegar. The tank, itself, though has a warning label to only use "distilled water."

Knowing how much manufacturers like to minimize customer complaints, I'm going to guess all the distilled water recommendations are really about avoiding limescale. Since limescale is easily dissolved with coffeemaker descalers, I think I am going to stick with tap water.

For people who are committed to distilled water, let me suggest the supermarket reverse osmoses machines as a cheaper alternative. Their mineral content is near zero (I've measured it).

[torontoCPAPguy]

I only use quality distilled water in my humidifier; I don't want any issues due to crud. When I travel I have a metal water bottle that I used to use when exercising and I fill that up with distilled water and toss it in my XPAP case along with spare mask, etc. (Whatever I can jam in).

[Ruffinit]

I use well water which is then run through an iron curtain to take out the iron, then through a softener and finally a reverse osmosis filtering unit.

[Nord]

I was just wondering what everyone uses. ResMed only specifies "fresh clean water."

A minor correction from the User's manual of H4i by ResMed as follows:
" Q. Do I have to use distilled water in the water chamber? A. Using distilled water will maximize the life of the water chamber and reduce mineral deposits."

For the S9 it states " the use of distilled water is optional" and in the Clinical Manual as: " 3. Fill the water tub (through the center hole) with distilled water up to the maximum water level mark (12.5 fl oz / 380 mL)."

The difference between using distilled or filtered water and regular tap water will depend on the quality of both. Water with minerals may be good for you to drink in... but when heated and made to vapourize... will leave behind some mineral deposits (especially calcium) that is not good for your tank or heater plate. But if you follow the cleaning schedule given... then you will probably not have any long term problems.

My own choice is Reverse Osmosis for both drinking and Humidifier... it is essentially the same as distillation process but I control the quality and don't leave behind any deposits in the kettle, iron or humidifier.

Nord

[RJW1249]

I use Denver tap water though manual says distilled. Was told by the Med Equip person to clean tank and hose with mix of 3 parts water & 1 part white vinegar and be sure to rinse throughly. Suppose to act as disinfectant and removes scale from tank.

[nghy]

I have used nothing but distilled water since I started sleeping with my biPAP device. Shortly, I realized that I would be needing a continuing supply. I found a reconditioned home water distiller on eBay for $55 including shipping. When I checked just now on eBay I found the same product from the same seller, crosslakesales, is now $69.95 + 14.95 shipping. It is listed as "The AquaVie House Water Purifier System Distiller Filter" and is marketed for making drinking water. I skipped adding minerals because I don't drink the water. This is a reasonable unit that works unattended to produce about one gallon of water in about four hours. I have four, one gallon plastic containers which I can fill in a day or so. My humidifier requires 400 ml for each night. I discard any water remaining in the humidifier in the morning. So with some distilled water used to rinse the other equipment, the four gallons lasts for about 30 days. Once a month I get the unit out and start distilling the water. When finished, I store the unit out of sight. I like the fact that I don't have to shop for the water and risk not finding it in the store when I need it.

Regards,
Aaron

[park_ridge_dave]

Grey Goose should only be used with distilled water ice cubes

Way OT I use liquid Nitrogen to make Grey Goose Cubes Makes for a very dry Vodka martini

I guess that GG might kill any bateria????

Cheers,

Dave

Returning control of your thread

Seriously, I only use distilled water. I wait for a sale and it costs about $0.90/gal. So at a usage rate of approx 1 Gal/mo that is 144 month (12 years??) versus the $130.00 distillation unit mentioned YMMV.

Just my $0.02

[LinkC]

When I travel I have a metal water bottle that I used to use when exercising and I fill that up with distilled water and toss it in my XPAP case.

I am really surprised that a metal container filled with liquid gets past TSA! My first flight with CPAP I filled a plastic Evian bottle with distilled and clearly marked it "Distilled water for CPAP". It got "grounded".

[nghy]

DSM, I've read a few posts where folks are just using tap water so I was wondering if you could comment on any real health risks involved. I only use distilled water but don't know why other than keeping the tank looking clean.

DoriC

I used tap water for about 2.5 years before finally deciding to switch to distilled water. I wasn't aware of any problems but was having trouble with scale deposits.

I was concerned about the need to clean the air hose & H/H more than I was & concluded switching to distilled water eliminated most potential for germs, microbes or whatever.

Cheers

DSM

The hard water scale deposits if allowed to build up will act as an insulator essentially reducing the capacity to humidify the water. nghy

[Paul56]

I never understand why there is so much discussion regarding the type of water to use.

It is real simple...

-use distilled

-if distilled is not available then using what is available for a night or two won't cause a meltdown.

[nghy]

I think the issues are cost and the trouble to obtain distilled water. I think distilled water is the right product for the xPAP humidifiers. However, bolling water and then condensing the steam takes a lot of energy. That being the case, other purification methods permit greater profits for the suppliers. It is also easier to go to the tap for drinking water then to go to the market to obtain gallons of distilled water.

Distillation is the answer to a broad range of water contamination problems, including hardness, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and most volitile contaminants. Distillation is the method of choice for preparing pure water for laboratory testing. Other water purification methods may solve some issues like hardness without dealing with other problems such as bacteria or contamination with organic materials.

Aaron

[nghy]

I use well water which is then run through an iron curtain to take out the iron, then through a softener and finally a reverse osmosis filtering unit.

This treatment will remove the minerals. Have you tested your water for biological organisms or organic (hydrocarbon) contaminants?

[AndrewB]

Odd - I dump my water out each morning to give the reservior a chance to dry. I would be worried about an ecosystem growing in the water if I left it...

99 cents gives me distilled water for a week so the cost isn't an issue - I spend more on doughnuts.

[fotoguy]

Tap water will leave mineral deposit build-up. Distilled water only, for me.