#131345 - 04/28/08 12:44 PM
Re: Collecting AC condenser water
[Re: Blast]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 01/12/04
Posts: 265
Loc: Stafford, VA, USA
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I would collect it and use it much like grey water, watering plants etc. The condenser coils collect a significant amount of dirt, pollen, and potentially fungus so without treatment, I wouldn't count on drinking it.
Bill
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#131353 - 04/28/08 01:07 PM
Re: Collecting AC condenser water
[Re: Blast]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 01/12/04
Posts: 265
Loc: Stafford, VA, USA
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I understand that one. Since you probably run the AC a fair amount, why not plumb the condenser outlet into a black hose laying on the surface of the ground or directly into a soaker hose. It should heat up fairly quickly and if it gets too hot, bury it.
Bill
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#131354 - 04/28/08 02:14 PM
Re: Collecting AC condenser water
[Re: williamlatham]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 08/23/07
Posts: 227
Loc: Sector 16
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I ran a PVC line from my AC runoff so it would slowly drip into my garden, worked great. I never had to water my garden.
I set it up, so it would drip into a small bowl set right in the middle of my garden, and set some rocks in the bowl that would stick up out of the water. That made a small "pond" to attract beneficial insects, and the water would run over the top of the bowl and soak into the ground and spread through the garden.
One thing my heating and AC guy told me though, if you use a central air unit like me, where the runoff comes out of a pipe in your foundation, NEVER use a system that can allow that to back up and overflow if your line becomes blocked.
I avoided that by rigging the pvc line to "catch" the drip from the AC and divert it, but did not directly attach it to the pipe.
Edited by Bear_Claw_Chris_Lapp (04/28/08 02:17 PM)
_________________________
In omnia paratus
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#131378 - 04/28/08 07:43 PM
Re: Collecting AC condenser water
[Re: ]
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INTERCEPTOR
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 07/15/02
Posts: 3760
Loc: TX
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Wow, scary.  Maybe I'll just keep sending the 80+ gallons of water down the drain each day... It seems like such a waste. -Blast
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#131393 - 04/28/08 11:44 PM
Re: Collecting AC condenser water
[Re: Blast]
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Old Hand
Registered: 11/09/06
Posts: 870
Loc: wellington, fl
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Legionella was a problem to the Legionnaires because the HVAC system was spraying bacteria laden droplets upon them for days on end; the ones that got bad sick from it were the ones with compromised immune systems. Transmission is by aerosol distribution and inhalation. Run the outflow directly into the earth via seep hoses, and there will be no aerosol problem. The other bugs are scary, but, again, if you put the condensate directly into the soil, all those scary pathogens will merely be joining others like them-clostridia varieties come to mind-tetanus and gas gangrene bugs-that are already living happily, and safely, pretty much-in the soil. All of the bacteria that cause infection in humans are around us in the environment all the time, colonizing our skin, saliva, telephones, computer keyboards-and our immune system fights them off handily. Infection occurs when there is a breakdown in the immune system-a break in the skin, nutritional deficiency, other disease. Anyway, the condensate is probably no more dangerous than any other water in the garden.
_________________________
Dance like you have never been hurt, work like no one is watching,love like you don't need the money.
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#131395 - 04/28/08 11:51 PM
Re: Collecting AC condenser water
[Re: nursemike]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 08/23/07
Posts: 227
Loc: Sector 16
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Legionella was a problem to the Legionnaires because the HVAC system was spraying bacteria laden droplets upon them for days on end; the ones that got bad sick from it were the ones with compromised immune systems. Transmission is by aerosol distribution and inhalation. Run the outflow directly into the earth via seep hoses, and there will be no aerosol problem. The other bugs are scary, but, again, if you put the condensate directly into the soil, all those scary pathogens will merely be joining others like them-clostridia varieties come to mind-tetanus and gas gangrene bugs-that are already living happily, and safely, pretty much-in the soil. All of the bacteria that cause infection in humans are around us in the environment all the time, colonizing our skin, saliva, telephones, computer keyboards-and our immune system fights them off handily. Infection occurs when there is a breakdown in the immune system-a break in the skin, nutritional deficiency, other disease. Anyway, the condensate is probably no more dangerous than any other water in the garden. What he said. As long as the runoff is going into the ground to water plants, it is not dangerous at all.
_________________________
In omnia paratus
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#131437 - 04/29/08 12:34 PM
Re: Collecting AC condenser water
[Re: ]
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Enthusiast
Registered: 01/12/04
Posts: 265
Loc: Stafford, VA, USA
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You don't need straight bleach to sanitize anything. Bleach mixed with hot water will work fine. In fact, that is what comes out of the washer every time you do a white load and is emptied into PVC drain lines.
Bill
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