Final flush using AC water condensate?

[DMike]

Hi,
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but someone must have done the thinking already… We had a new air conditioning device installed in our house a few weeks back, wonderful device during the hottest summer. The piping between the indoor and outdoor devices go through my garage and all water condensate from the indoor device is channeled to a sink in my garage — which led me to think, obviously, that if collected, would this condensate be any good washing cars? As a final stage rinse water?

 

[Pondy]

Hi,
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but someone must have done the thinking already… We had a new air conditioning device installed in our house a few weeks back, wonderful device during the hottest summer. The piping between the indoor and outdoor devices go through my garage and all water condensate from the indoor device is channeled to a sink in my garage — which led me to think, obviously, that if collected, would this condensate be any good washing cars? As a final stage rinse water?

Short answer....yes! It is essentially distilled water from the atmosphere, so contains very little minerals and is as 'soft' as it gets.

The ONLY problem is you will need quite a bit and storing it is not a good idea. It is prone to harbouring Legionella.

OK if you keep it refrigerated, but that may not be practical!

 

[DMike]

Thanks Pondrew, I’ll try to collect some to see how many days it takes to fill up a canister.

 

[Pondy]

Thanks Pondrew, I’ll try to collect some to see how many days it takes to fill up a canister.

You did read the bit about Legionella, yes?

 

[DMike]

Thanks Pondrew, I’ll try to collect some to see how many days it takes to fill up a canister.

You did read the bit about Legionella, yes?

Yes, thats more a problem in evaporative ACs, not so much heat pumps. But storing water, which will have contaminations, will leave an opportunity for microbes. My plan was to use the water next day or so. Doubt that the AC will produce sufficient amounts, but we’ll see.