I have a portable AC unit on wheels, and collect the condensation from it and pour it into a barrel on the front porch to water plants with.
So, I looked it up on the web and there are varying points of view as to whether or not AC condensation water is safe to use. Some people say it's the same as rainwater, so it's ok to use on plants. I've also seen some people say it may be ok to use for drinking water IF it's boiled first.
Does anyone know for sure about either usage?
Yes, you can use it for plants but several factors are considered for drinking.
First, the water is clean enough for plants since it doesn't contain chlorine and other additives from the plant but reconsider watering edible vegetation unless you're certain of the condition of the unit from which it came.
Second, one reason for not watering vegetation and drinking is the potential to carry bacteria from stagnant water, dirty coils or pans from ACs and dehumidifiers. The worse case scenario could be Legionella disease. Boiling would most likely eliminate the bacteria but uncertain at what temp is required for most. Though, for Legionella disease, the temp needs to be a minimum of 140 degrees F for 30 minutes.
Overall, I'd use it for plants but I'd probably withhold from drinking it or watering edible veggies.
It is distilled water, pure as you can get. It is purer than rain water. Whether it is drinkable depends upon what happened to it after it condensed. It is suitable to water plants in any case.
Sort of pure. Depends on what is on the fins of the coil where it condenses and the dust/smoke/pollen/crud in the air passing over it. I'd use it on plants, but no way would I drink it.
ok Thanks! I was just going to use it for potted flowers.
OK I don't plan on using it for drinking.
k. Thanks.
On a day with high humidity, I'm getting a little more than a gallon of water every 4 hours, and have been adding it to a water barrel on the front porch. It'll come in handy for watering the potted flowers.
Check the coils and the drain pan sometime. You'll find a thin film of slippery goo on it. That stuff is alive, it's a biofilm. I don't suppose it will hurt a plant but there's no way you want it near human food or drink, or anything you handle.
Good thread. I have dehumidifier water to get rid of and don't need for plants but my thinking was same as others in that coils could easily add bio accumulated crap making it bad for human consumption. If you save it, it might be useful in steam ironing where bacteria would be killed.
The bio stuff would accumulate and gunk up the iron, just like minerals
ok Thanks for the info!
So far the plants haven't died from using it to water them.
I probably would not use the water for iron until the ac has been running for a while and flushed most of the crap off but think it may not be worth it. I did have a problem with home ac last summer where drip line that also drips excess from winter humidifier got gunked up and overflowed to basement floor. Exit was in French drain. I had to snake it.
Mine drips into a bucket on my back porch. I dump it over the side as needed. It is the greenest spot in town.
I'm hoping for similar results, now! :)
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