Can You Use a Dehumidifier for an Emergency Water Source? Prepper SHTF Survival!

[@numberoneappgames]

It's not a bad idea, but the water needs to be treated really well. It needs to be filtered, boiled, and tested.

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

Heads up! I had slight lingering diarrhea for months. It got to where I accepted it as normal. A vision came to me at night that I should check my water cooler. It was full of mold.

[@madmikesmountianmadness1917]

Ohhhh that's horrifying

[@MrBod4life]

God was looking out for you

[@drleo6409]

Sure good to know. Thanks.

[@christopherclayton8354]

Just to clarify for anyone thinking of this, you will need power/electricity for this to work. If your prepping for a grid down scenario then make sure you have a way to run the dehumidifier. Good way to be resourceful though when water is needed.

[@vladimir7370]

Solar panel, uv light, filter sawyer and mineral tablets.. 😉

[@SteverRob]

I just got one about a month ago. If I’m not mistaken it’s pretty much a mini fridge, producing condensation like any other system like your AC. Our chickens drink from the AC condensation drain (even though they have several water sources). People all over are looking for uses for the water because we hate wasting it. Great timing!

[@zaraali5259]

I use that on my iron..instead of buying in supermarket

[@kathym2501]

At my old place I put my dehumidifier water through my alaxapure. Last Christmas got all my kids and grown grands a Zero water pitcher and extra filters. It comes with a water tester.

[@odin9425]

As I look at those strips, the colors for both the tap and the dehumidifier water tests look very close / almost identical on my screen. Have you tested these strips before for another water source and gotten different results/colors? The stripes may have expired or lost their sensitivity due to storage conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) and may not be offering solid results.

[@beachricki]

Hey, nice to see someone with common sense here in a world full of NPC's. 👍

[@drleo6409]

I’m wondering how I got chlorine in the humidifier water like you said it would be a good idea to make sure those are still working. It seems like there should be some difference but definitely no chlorine.

[@TheChartistYT]

There is a company called "Source renewable drinking water" that creates water from condensation. The trick is they have their contraption encased in an air tight box and zero contaminates get in the water. It is the purest water on the planet because of this. If you can figure out how to make the purifier air tight, you would have something.

[@flukeman022]

Be good idea if you tested both of the waters after filtering it. Be interesting to see the results

[@soulsbreaker]

Filtering it won't do much, I bought a nice filtration system for home, but wasn't aware that those don't remove hardness nor minerals. Reverse osmosis systems do lower the hardness, that will be my next addition

[@drleo6409]

Good reminder

[@NoNORADon911]

So the test strip claims the distilled water has chlorine? That can't be right. I have been using water dripping off of the window AC and dehumidifier to water plants with no problems. If I was going to drink it I would put it through a simple pitcher filter or something.

[@PrepperUniversity]

Thought about that after, might have been some residual left in the tube after the tap water test. Reading looked low.

[@claytonyoung1351]

The answer is yes. I plan on using one to fill my rain barrels between rain. I live in the deep south with extreme humidity year round.

[@bronsonguidry1744]

I live in deep south as well... and started wondering... if everyone down here would run a dehudifier and collect their own water... could it possibly drop this dang humidity?????

[@claytonyoung1351]

@@bronsonguidry1744 😆

[@Dang_Near_Fed_Up]

If you plan to drink from a dehumidifier make certain that you clean the coils regularly, as this is the surface the water collects on. And absolutely filter the water before consumption, I saw men die from contaminated water while in the Army. It's not a way you want to go, trust me.

[@williamwilson6499]

Sure you did. 🙄

[@jonaichs1976]

Yes,you can use it for water as long as you keep the pan clean to prevent mold from growing. The best way to do this is washing it out with dish soap and dropping a chlorine tab or a small chip from a 3 inch or 1 inch tab. Don't worry about the ph or alkalinity or even copper.

[@PrepperUniversity]

good tips

[@SherrickDuncan]

Or just have it collecting in a barrel rather than in the tray.

[@theFLshark]

I would still drop an aquatab in there and filter it, and my pan is spotless.

[@cherylreiter2107]

My public water from the faucet test over 400, my dehumidifier test at 6. I also have a zero water filter that I put all my water through.

[@OffgridVictory]

Put it through a Berkey filter and call it good 👍🏼

[@snoopyspichka1741]

Maybe you should try a third sample of water to see if your test strips are all coming out the same no matter what water you use

[@RichardMorris-m9h]

Great show & info thank you..

[@anthonyromano8565]

I have been filtering tap water for years no problem in a Bereky filter. When I run dehumidifier water through the Berkey for my high value medicinal plants it clogs the filter after filtering just 5 gallons. When I place the filtered dehumidifier water in the reservoir for the plants it grows slime much faster. Much much faster than Reverse osmosis water or tap water. Its wrecking my filters. You would need gallons of water to clean them too. I have had to scrape a micron or 2 off the surface of the filter just to get it to work again. Initially it looks fine and tastes fine but there must be invisible particles in from the air I cant see in the dehumidifier water. This leads me to believe I would need to prefilter the water to catch larger particles first. Trying to figure out a way as I pour a lot of dehumidifier water down the drain.

[@KRich408]

You can drink it if you first filter it preferably with a RO system and use a UV water sterilizer. Because anything that was in the air is in that water in concentration. Mold spores, Legionaries disease, etc. This is because it works by the water condensing on a cold surface then dripping into a container. It's not really evaporation it's condensation like a glass of ice water how drops form on the glass, also depends on where it's collecting the water a basement is probably the worst place because of the environment.

[@SumFugaziSalt]

I would not do an RO system if you have a scarce water source . They waste 5 gallons per 1 gallon of RO water , some dispose of 10 gallons per 1 gallon. A good charcoal filter and a UV filter.

[@jessiwilder8359]

CLO2(Chlorine dioxide solution)removes almost all biological, chemical pathogens; including phthalates, mold, viruses and is safe for internal/external use and consumption in humans/animals.

[@sgtbrown4273]

We put one outside just to see and powered it with 4 solar panels WITH CHARGE CONTROLLER a car battery and 500 watt inverter which made 2.4 gallons in 24 hours easy. I got tired of dumping it. I told my girlfriend I was now a moisture farmer like in Star Wars😂. I would still filter and keep your tank clean. I got a medea dehumidifier works great, remember it needs fresh air from outside to work the best . 😊

[@drleo6409]

Did your girlfriend understand the Star Wars thing ? 😊

[@Scaliad]

Exactly my usage plan! Looking at a Midea Cube and control through Home Assistant using the Midea integration.

[@brutusmaximus5380]

I’d add an ozonator and a UV light to get rid of microbes before filtering it using reverse osmosis The ozone will bind to metals and precipitate them out of the water. The filter in the reverse osmosis will take care of the precipitates. This will be great for washing clothes but I would still distill it before drinking it.

[@theFLshark]

You can drink from it if you drop an Aquatab in there (treats up to 5 gals...I have a 50 pint) and then run it through a pitcher filter (Zero Water) or a gravity filter bag afterwards to get the heavy metals out of it.

[@doe9de995]

Even if the water was contaminated in the dehumidifier, a simple water filter should make it safe.

[@PrepperUniversity]

I would think so.

[@theFLshark]

Depends on the filter. If you're using a PUR pitcher, I would say no as it doesn't kill bacteria and mold, but one Aquatab treats up to 5 gallons for bugs, then a Zero Water pitcher would filter out the rest.

[@wtywatoad]

Good information, thanks. I’ll definitely be purchasing those test strips.

[@jonmiller7181]

Have considered this as we run a dehumidifier in winter here in the UK as we can get mold issues in this House. I have a tiny one which I used when I was in a caravan and running 100% solar and a similar sized one to yours. I personally found it too expensive to run now I'm back on mains electricity. Which leads me to think. If the situation is such that you need to be sucking water out of the air, are you going to have the power to do it?

[@sandiearmagost2914]

I wonder if it also might change with air quality?

[@PrepperUniversity]

That could be

[@alexfunk2047]

If you are worried about the quality of the condensate, I would be even more worried about the air quality it comes from. Our stomachs are much better at handling bacteria than our lungs are. The main concern for me would be aluminum and lead, not bacteria.

[@carolynstovall9753]

If it’s the difference between life and death, I’ve heard stories of people drinking their own urine, so yeah, I’m drinking it.

[@carpediem4887]

Definitely! Boil it and ur good for sure

[@whysprs]

Its interesting that it has chlorine in it considering it was evaporated. I would not have expected that. Have you seen the use if a teracotta pot as a filter?

[@NoNORADon911]

I would not put too much faith in those test strips

[@PureDWhiteCloud]

Interesting.

[@wtywatoad]

“I’m from New York City, so when I get homesick, I pour urine in my humidifier.” -Comedian Emo Phillips

[@SacredDirt]

I lived in SF for a while, sometimes i break into it and take a shit in it

[@wtywatoad]

@@SacredDirt Sounds like the plot for a new Kurt Russel movie, reprising his role as Snake Plisskin.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

Except the water in New York City is cleaner and purer than the country. It's brought from the mountains. Seriously. It's amazing.

[@vladimir7370]

I thing so brita filter, uv light, filter sawyer. will be good metod.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

Brita filters are shit. Get a more expensive cartridge filter that guarantees removal of harmful organisms.

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

John P. Craven, Oceanographer (deceased) based in Hawaii, in one of his books, touched on an experimental water system that used cold deep ocean water pump through coils located above ground. The moist ocean air would hit the cold pipes and produce condensate.

[@offgrid2010]

Is just boiling the water from a dehumidifier as good as filtering?

[@CT-if2tt]

The condensing coil is not food grade and likely has lead solder points, as well as contact with other toxic substances. Your test strips came out fine but if you want to know for sure, have a lab check it. In the worst case, you could use dehumidifier water for washing clothes.

[@PrepperUniversity]

Fair enough

[@shawnbain1904]

I was hoping you would test after running it through a filter.

[@josephreisinger33]

I also have 2 dehumidifiers. I would definitely filter the water. When I dump it out, it doesn't look that appetizing. You gotta love (NOT) BASEMENTS. as a matter of fact, I just dumped it ten minutes ago. Small world, isn't it.

[@wearesolarfarmers]

We have a Peltier Model, that thing reall sucks the moisture out of the air a great deal, every 4 days I have to empty the thing. so here is the question, If I am using a peltier design, i will have to test it. But When I make the video, I will do more than the 16 in one, I will also test for Mold, as well as ameba and other things, if need be I will send it to a lab and have it tested profesionally.

[@nancib2963]

Good idea. Be mindful of bacteria inside the dehumidifier as well.

[@Alle8ia]

Can we use it in a winter humidifier in the northeast?

[@topsecretbear9918]

There are new machines that pull the moisture out of the air and create water on a greater and cleaner scale.. can't remember what they are called but that is a thing.

[@nateg7100]

Atmospheric water generator. Which is the same as a dehumidifier except it filters the water. It would make more sense to buy a dehumidifier and filter the water yourself.

[@exodous02]

How would it get heavy metals in it? That would mean heavy metals could be constantly be inhaled. I'd be more worried about bacteria. I'd filter the water, research for a really good filter. Also, clean the dehumidifier regularly, get one that comes apart and is easy to clean.

[@theFLshark]

The heavy metals are from the poorly refined Chinese materials and lead solder they use to build the dehumidifier. A dehumidifier also concentrates any elements in the atmosphere.

[@manyinterests1961]

Of course you can. Should be ready to filter and/or disinfect tap water anyway. At least you can flush your toilet once a day with it.

[@jaymay2877]

i tested water from my dehumidifier and the only bad thing it had was lead, but that's pretty bad. Must be coming from the coils? I wonder if there is one that does not have lead.

[@Joseph_Dredd]

Presume you need to run the distilled water from the dehumidifier through a filter system(Berkey?) and then add some minerals back into it? Key is the state of the filter in the dehumidifer right?

[@PrepperUniversity]

It helps to make sure you have a clean unit. Ours has been running four years now, water still comes out looking as clean as the tap.

[@Joseph_Dredd]

@@PrepperUniversity I have a dehumidifier I used to use occasionally when living in Asia. Not used it in 15 years odd - never changed filter/cleaned dehumidifier. But then it was hardly used to be fair. I might need to google the model vis a vis cleaning it/replacing filter I suspect.

[@manyinterests1961]

Congrats on your successful citizen water patrol!

[@PreparednessVeteran]

Interesting and novel. Yeah I acannot see why it isn't drinkable. I WOULD. Good alternate sources.

[@Kamal_AL-Hinai]

Before watching - my dehumidifier collects bugs most times

[@Kamal_AL-Hinai]

We appreciate the info sir

[@manyinterests1961]

So you get food and water Excellent

[@Kamal_AL-Hinai]

@@manyinterests1961 that's exactly what i was thinking!

[@robinhood4640]

Are you sure you haven't spelled fly catcher wrong? Does it actually catch the bugs, or do the bugs go in to get the water and not get out?

[@CasaDeAdonai]

Great job buddy

[@vladimir7370]

UV light and filter sawyer 😉, mineral tablets and you have clear water 😉.

[@SacredDirt]

Of course keep clean as jonaichs1976 said, but also run the water thru a Berkey water filter. That is your best bet. Remember, the cleaner the water to start before you filter it, the longer your filter lasts. So far as AZ, I ran a prtable AC, $600, which included a dehumidifer. Got about a half cup of water per day. The hose run off which i put into a pan had evaporated before the day was over. I was afraid it would drip and make a mess in my RV. Yeah right.. that water was better off evaporating into the air anyway. There are companies which make like $10k-40k dehumidifiers for the purpose of drinking water. I think that's wasteful. In most places on earth which aren't Arid-Zona, you can get plenty of water to run through a Berkey!

[@James-zj9ky]

This will work, but you can't drink the water straight from the humidifier drain. After collecting 10 or 15 gallons of water, run it through a Berkey Filter. This will remove 99.9999% of all impurities. Then add 1/4 tsp of Himalayan Sea Salt per gallon and mix until completely dissolved. After that, you can safely drink the water.

[@virginiamcclain1775]

What about mold and mildew

[@showme360]

Metals and minerals are one thing to test for, biological would also be necessary. Make sure you clean and disinfect your dehumidifier on a regular basis.

[@donaldf.switlick3690]

Filter and Boil???

[@PrepperUniversity]

Just to be sure I would. Boil, then filter...

[@PrimeKobeBryant]

Probably use it to water plants?

[@mangravy2000]

Please redo this test. Condensate is virtually distilled water with dust in it but should never have chlorine. Use HVAC condensate is a test subject too, should be very similar to the dehumidifier. Then run them through Berkey vs Brita.

[@brigittehoffmann8965]

My dehumidifier produces about a gallon every SIX hours :O Then again, I live right on the beach in Florida, and it is summer ... I run some of it through an Aquapur filter, and no problems so far. Thanks for the tip with the test kit. See if it is really safe ...

[@rouleslite5312]

I tried it once and the water taste like somekind of plastic and moss.

[@MrPoisonMilk]

should probably boil it, but in an emergency looks good.

[@OffGridAussiePrepper]

shud have used several test kits.... i would not trust only 1

[@CallMeFil]

good call

[@rickhunt3183]

After seeing the results of that test. I'd still not recommend not drinking the water. One thing your test kit doesn't take into account is biological agents. A dehumidifier can be a source of bacteria. Bacteria can and will grow in the reservoir and on the drain channels of the condensation coils. I imagine if you boil the water and the water goes through a filter you can eliminate those, but don't take my word for it, because I don't have any test data to show. If this is a brand new dehumidifier I would venture to guess the only thing to worry about are dissolved metals being added to the water. since a dehumidifier isn't a piece of lab equipment designed to produce drinking water. I would guess after a month in operation it would be teaming with bacteria. That's not to say it would be harmful bacteria. We're exposed to bacteria everyday and our bodies are covered with it. I would still seek a lab to do a thorough analysis. Your Berkey should make the water a lot safer, but Biochemistry wasn't my major. So without more information, caution would be advised.

[@wearesolarfarmers]

So, wehre is the Chlorine coming from? its not inour Air natually thiswouldmean that we have a lot ofpolution occuring. Other things to include would be undetected things like Mold,and other unforssen hazzards. water kitts needtotest for a lot of things other htan chemicals.

[@sheilamailhes3329]

I have a dehimidifier. I tasted the water. It's gross.🤮 Might be okay for plants or dishes, but I won't drink it.

[@ColtonGuman]

I dont care about the saftey lol Thats what ozone and boiling is for But the question is will it be substanible water source that can replace them dumb no reason to be expensive atmospheric water generator people use

[@oceanbreeze3907]

Your test strip kinda error. Look the result exactly the same. Test different water and if the result still the same, your water tester is fake

[@stephenmitchell3569]

👍😀

[@fakechecknumber1198]

So...how about zero filter with dehumidifier duh it's a slam dunk Your final conclusion is causing algorithm that is making me question the source a I at work

[@FreeClimbersNet]

I do not believe those strips are accurate. Water out of your dehumidifier is distilled water. There should be nothing in it aside from possible contamination where it condensed. Your tap water hardness is high. This means it has minerals in it. The distilled water should have Zero minerals in it. In fact, distilled water is bad for you because without added salt and minerals, your body doesn't treat it as hydration, and while you think you're drinking a lot, it does nothing for you, and you could die. Adding minimum 0.25 tsp of table salt to a gallon of distilled water is absolutely necessary for human consumption. The textbooks say a teaspoon or more, but experience proves otherwise. I am building a 55 ft long 6ft deep copper coil collection system in a desert location where the humidity can go very low, but generally will be above the sweetspot: 17%. Below that, getting water is tough, but above that, I am meant to be able to schedule 5 gallons per day. It's been suggested as much as 30+ gallons per day, but that seems a little ambitious. We'll see. Is distilled water safe? Absolutely, as long as the collection system, the areas that touch the water, are kept sanitary, and minerals are added to the water to allow human absorption.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

Why are you using a CHINESE made dehumidifier?