Dehumidifier

[Hitch]

I recently bought a dehumidifier from Lowe's for around $200, and living on the coast where it's humid, I'm surprised at the amount of water it generates and collects from the air (as well as drying out areas of the home). Seems to collect several gallons a day.

It got me thinking, if I were to run that water through a filter such as a berkey, it should be fine to drink and cook with, right? Any thoughts on that?

This could be a very inexpensive way to collect water for disasters if/when the water supply gets shut off.

[midnight rambler]

I would check with the manufacturer of your dehumidifier to see if their appliance produces potable water. There may be lead solder or possibly some other chemical in it which would leach into the water and a water filter would not remove that sort of contaminant.

[Hitch]

I would check with the manufacturer of your dehumidifier to see if their appliance produces potable water. There may be lead solder or possibly some other chemical in it which would leach into the water and a water filter would not remove that sort of contaminant.

The manufacturer states it's not potable, but probably for liability reasons. I read one article that says as long as the containment bin is clean, and the condenser coils clean, it's potable.

I think you are right about the possibility of metals being leached into the water though. I still think maybe add a little bleach to the water, and run it through a filter (I use the propur) should filter out any metals in the water. Heck, the filter is rated to filter even nasty pond water.

The water from the dehumidifier looks very clean. I know that's not saying much, but at least it wouldn't, or shouldn't clog up any filters.

[midnight rambler]

It costs something like $50k to get a NSF rating which is probably why they won’t say it’s potable. That or shit leaches into which a water filter may not remove. Suggest you get a sample tested.

[osoab]

I have used my dehumidifier water on seedlings and full grown plants for the past 5 years or so.

I have not seen any adverse affects other than there is no mineral content. You need to amend your soil. A bit of fish emulsion isn't too bad either.

[Neuro]

I recently bought a dehumidifier from Lowe's for around $200, and living on the coast where it's humid, I'm surprised at the amount of water it generates and collects from the air (as well as drying out areas of the home). Seems to collect several gallons a day.

It got me thinking, if I were to run that water through a filter such as a berkey, it should be fine to drink and cook with, right? Any thoughts on that?

This could be a very inexpensive way to collect water for disasters if/when the water supply gets shut off.

You think you would have electric but no water when disaster strucks?