[CPAP] Water in humidifier

[keppela]

Hi there. I'm a relatively new CPAP user so forgive me if this is a question that's been addressed before, but I was wondering if there's any downside to boiling and reusing the distilled water you put into the CPAP humidifier. I've heard boiling is a pretty effective means of killing microorganisms and it's not likely to pick up any minerals in a clean stainless steel pot. It seems to be getting harder and harder to find distilled water and I keep hearing about an impending shortage, so it seems like reusing may become a necessity at some point. Thoughts? Thanks!

[Jeff8356]

keppela, welcome to Apnea Board!

Using distilled water is not strictly necessary.  Many people just use tap water (if you have decent city water).  If you have hard water and get mineral deposits in the humidifier chamber you can use some white vinegar to get rid of the deposits.  That along with cleaning the tank with soap and water will suffice.  Some tap water users dump the chamber daily and let it air dry.  Then just refill it again before using.
It is recommended not to use mineral water or well water.

Some (myself included) use a Zero Water type of pitcher filter.  My tap water (city water) is horrible and distilled water was hard to find during the pandemic.  The pitcher filter works great.  I use it in our APAP humidifiers and for drinking.

Depending on your machine settings for humidity, the water may last one night or several nights.  I typically get two nights out of one fill.  Then what's left is dumped and the tub gets cleaned with soap and water and left to dry during the day.

HTH....

[pholynyk]

>>>>if there's any downside to boiling and reusing the distilled water ?

Extra Work? I use distilled water and I just top it up each night, and once a week dump it all and clean and dry it.

If you leave it too long it can develop a biofilm that' feels icky but apparently is not dangerous.

[keppela]

Hi Jeff. Wow, that's so interesting. I searched so many websites looking for information on this and every site I came across was adamant that distilled water was a necessity. The claim was that minerals wouldn't just accumulate in the tank, but would actually mess up the innards of the machine. Of course, that made me wonder if the moisture actually traveled through the electronics, but since I'm not an engineer I figured it was best not to take chances. In any case, I have very hard water coming out of my tap, but I get all my drinking water from those Glacier machines outside of supermarkets. Supposedly that's reverse-osmosis filtered so I imagine it's pretty clean. It would be great if I could use that as it's half the price of distilled and in no danger of running out. It sounds like you're saying that kind of water would be fine, is that right?

[keppela]

Hi Pholynyk. Thanks for the reply. It's interesting that the folks on this board with experience don't seem to follow the standard advice (in this case, to dump the water every day and refill it with fresh). I appreciate that as it's good to know what actually works in the real world. I've gone a couple of days on one fill, but it's nice to know you could go up to a week.

[DaveCar]

... from those Glacier machines outside of supermarkets. Supposedly that's reverse-osmosis filtered so I imagine it's pretty clean. 

The wildcard on that one is the same as any other "handled" product.
Has the machine been serviced, was it set up correctly, are they using non-standard parts to save a buck ?

I think if a distilled water supply issue does arise, Im going with my well water but boiling it and then running it thru one of those pitchers mentioned above.

[Heracles]

Hi,

Another option over here : I already had a reverse osmosis system installed at home before meeting my girlfriend. As such, I just use that water and it is probably even better than home-made distilled water. The system has just been re-tested and cleaned, so I have fresh results about it. The membrane has to remove at least 90% of the mineral. Here, city's water score 145 for minerals and my reverse osmosis system, 9. I doubt I would get home-made distilled water that low myself.

[Jeff8356]

keppela,

I'm not an engineer either, but the humidified air does not travel through the electronics.  Just your tank, hose, and mask.
Think of it this way, every time you shower you are breathing in your tap water (aerosolized).  Including whatever minerals and other things are in it.

I have always been skeptical of those water machines at the supermarket.  There is nothing wrong with reverse osmosis.  But if those machines are not serviced and sanitized regularly then I would question the quality of the water.  It's possible that it may be no different than what's coming out of your tap.  But without actually having it tested, it's merely speculation on my part. 

Generally, if it's safe to drink it's safe to use in your CPAP.  Just a matter of personal preference.

[YipeekiOH]

I distill my own water because a year ago there was nothing in my area. My community water supply is very hard and I was instructed to use distilled by the RT at my supplier. I top off daily, dump weekly & clean the water chamber prior to refilling.

About two weeks ago I had a whole house filter system installed along with a water softener yet still plan to continue distilling as I use distilled water for purposes other than CPAP (in house humidifier and hydroponic garden).

[Sleepster]

It seems to be getting harder and harder to find distilled water and I keep hearing about an impending shortage, so it seems like reusing may become a necessity at some point.

Look for purified water designed for household distilled water use. Glacier Bay drinking water or the like has some minerals added for taste. If you experience a mineral build up you can easily remove it by cleaning with a little vinegar.

I use my softened tap water, rinse tank well in the morning and leave to dry, then fill up again in the evening.