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If You Choose To Use Bottled Water In Your Humidifier
#1
If You Choose To Use Bottled Water In Your Humidifier
I've noticed an increase in discussion concerning the use of bottled water in CPAP Humidifiers due to availability of distilled water. Nothing unhealthy about that but, as you know, bottled water may result in an increase in mineral deposits on the walls of your reservoir.
You can minimize mineral deposits by choosing a bottled water with fewer Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Solids (minerals) are dissolved in water to modify the taste. Some people prefer the taste of water with a higher level of TDS while others do not. But for a CPAP Humidifier, fewer is better.
I found a website that measures TDS in several bottled waters. You may find it useful if you choose to use bottled water in your humidifier.


<img src="https://watertestingkits.com/.../2019/01/tds-graph.png" alt="bottled water test"/>

[Image: tds-graph.png?fbclid=IwAR2sbfWNshQhkoU8i...OU6AvvHUDs]
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#2
RE: If You Choose To Use Bottled Water In Your Humidifier
Please forgive the typo in my title
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#3
RE: If You Choose To Use Bottled Water In Your Humidifier
Fixed Smile
OpalRose
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#4
RE: If You Choose To Use Bottled Water In Your Humidifier
You might find it interesting that the Water Refill Dispenser in my local grocery store dispenses water with a TDS level of less than 10 PPM, and it's only $.35 a gallon.
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#5
RE: If You Choose To Use Bottled Water In Your Humidifier
Tap water works well. Deposits can be removed with vinegar.

Alternatively, get a ZeroWater pitcher and filter if you want to use bring the TDS of your tap water down.
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#6
RE: If You Choose To Use Bottled Water In Your Humidifier
I second the use of Zerowater filtration as extremely effective. I have used discolored, high solids (over 200 ppm) well water as a source and gotten clear clean water under 5 ppm TSS suitable for use in the humidifier.  Most sources start in much better condition. I will use most tap water without treatment.
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#7
RE: If You Choose To Use Bottled Water In Your Humidifier
Many of the newer refrigerators have water dispensers that use an activated charcoal water filter.  This could be another consideration.
Crimson Nape
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#8
RE: If You Choose To Use Bottled Water In Your Humidifier
The ZeroWater alternative sounds interesting. I wasn't familiar with it so I did some research. I was most interested in cost per gallon of ZeroWater vs grocery store distilled water. 
According to the ZeroWater website, my tap water, which contains 250 PPM TDS would require 1 filter per 15-25 gallons produced. Amazon sells replacement ZeroWater filters for $10 each. That shakes out to $.40 - $.67 per gallon. Not bad when compared to the $1 grocery store distilled. I need to keep in mind that, unlike distilled water, ZeroWater contains a minimal amount of TDS so some residue of mineral buildup will probably still need to be addressed.
Something to consider.
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#9
RE: If You Choose To Use Bottled Water In Your Humidifier
I use tap water. It's clean and safe here in Oz, though it contains chlorine. I never notice the chlorine when using it in the APAP and clear out the deposits with vinegar every two weeks or so. I actually like that there is chlorine in the water as it inhibits the formation of biofilm in the tank.
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#10
RE: If You Choose To Use Bottled Water In Your Humidifier
(02-14-2021, 07:34 PM)Crimson Nape Wrote: Many of the newer refrigerators have water dispensers that use an activated charcoal water filter.  This could be another consideration.

Activated charcoal is great for removing various odors, sediments and even dangerous contaminants like VOCs and organometalic compounds.  It will NOT remove the calcium, magnesium, iron, carbonates, sulfates, etc. that constitute the most common TDS responsible for hard water. It will not soften the water.

I use a distiller that costs me about 35cents per gallon.  If I didn't put distilled water in my Bilevel machine, I would certainly depend upon the reverse-osmosis water from my kitchen unit. 

When I lived within a mile of a major fracking operation, I distilled my CPAP water and then ran the product through activated charcoal. That's because some VOC's have boiling points sufficiently close to that of water such that they are not necessarily removed by the distillation process. Activated charcoal is great for absorbing any remaining benzene, for example. (Some studies have detected disturbing levels of benzene within a few mile radius of a fracking operation so I didn't take any chances.)
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