Humidity Control / Top Off

[redfishblewfish]

Here’s a crazy idea I was thinking about. Is this sound or am I nuts?

I have a terrible humidity problem in my house. With the colder months, moisture condenses on the windows, with some windows actually showing signs of rot. For a couple years I ran a dehumidifier that needed daily empting, and eventually crapped out on me.

My idea: Set up a new dehumidifier in the fish room with the waste water line going back into the tank. It is “pure” water that is being condensed in the dehumidifier. Does this sound like a reasonable solution to both my humidity problem, and as a partial top-off to the 2 ½ gallons I loose a day? Or is this a crazy idea?

 

[Triggercdog]

Here's a crazy idea I was thinking about. Is this sound or am I nuts?

I have a terrible humidity problem in my house. With the colder months, moisture condenses on the windows, with some windows actually showing signs of rot. For a couple years I ran a dehumidifier that needed daily empting, and eventually crapped out on me.

My idea: Set up a new dehumidifier in the fish room with the waste water line going back into the tank. It is "œpure" water that is being condensed in the dehumidifier. Does this sound like a reasonable solution to both my humidity problem, and as a partial top-off to the 2 ½ gallons I loose a day? Or is this a crazy idea?

Sounds kinda crazy. Install a central dehumidification system on your furnace and I don't know if I would run the drain to my sump. It may be crystal clean water but over time things get dirty (and if it's running that much then it wouldn't take that long). IMO!!

 

[redfishblewfish]

Sounds kinda crazy. Install a central dehumidification system on your furnace and I don't know if I would run the drain to my sump. It may be crystal clean water but over time things get dirty (and if it's running that much then it wouldn't take that long). IMO!!

I should have mentioned, I don't have a furnace (forced hot air), I have a boiler (hot water)! So I can't do the "central" thing.

 

[Yogre]

What are the coils in a residential dehumidifier made of? Depending on the type of metal the humidity is being condensed on, I'd be concerned about gradual heavy metal buildup in your tank. Unless the coil is titanium I wouldn't do it, myself.

 

[Metal Man 1221]

Its not pure water, dont use it. Theres just too much risk of contamination. I had the same idea a while back, posted it on RC and it got shot down.

 

[redfishblewfish]

OK, so I’ve taken your advice and am now running a dehumidifier in the second floor room (the coldest room in the house) where I have moisture condensing on the walls. The water is going to waste.

FYI, the cooling coils in the dehumidifier I'm running are made of aluminum....no copper!

 

[chriscobb]

Regardless still wouldn't use the water from the dehumidifier.....It's not pure