What is the difference? Can I use tap water instead of distilled water in my CPAP Machine?

You can use tap water but there is the possibility (probability- depending on the tap water where you live) that you will get mineral deposits and lime buildup.  This can shorten the life of your humidifier water chamber a lot and thorough cleaning is impossible.
Distilled water eliminates this problem totally.  There is no build up and your water chamber will last a long time and clean very easily.

tweetylbc wrote:

What is the difference? Can I use tap water instead of distilled water in my CPAP Machine?

Typically, distilled water is obtained by literally boiling "tap water" and condensing the steam.  This leave the minerals behind resulting in fairly pure H2O.  Minerals can severely corrode the tank bottom of your humidifier, and should be avoided.  I confess to using tap water a night here and there while on vacation.


_________________
My life was restarted on June 29th, 2007

57 yr. male
pre-CPAP apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 64
ResMed S8 Escape w/humidifier
ResMed Mirage Swift II nasal pillows system
Prescribed for a 6 but I like to fool with things, and prefer 7

The only reason that I don't use tap water is the chlorine, I find it irritates my nasal passages.  The mineral scale buildup is unsitely and eventually will reduce the heat transfer to the water chamber, but it is no worse than the average kettle.    When I started using RO water 2 years ago I picked up a spare heat chamber tank and it was less than $20.  I haven't used it yet and the tank is as clean as when it was new.  My cleaning regimen is worse than most, I will dump out the unused water when refilling, or maybe I'll swish some clean water through the tank once a month or so (or so can stretch to 2 or 3 months).  When I am traveling I try to look for demineralized bottled water, Aquafina is my preferred brand in Canada.  In the US I will choose what ever I can find as the Aquafina there was labeled purified, not demineralized.

Chris

The standard bottled drinking water in the US has a full load of minerals in it, some of it even has added minerals.

if distilled water is expensive, demineralised water is usually cheaper and OK


_________________
resmed S6 lightweight, respironics comfort gell mask using CPAP since 1995, no humidifier
during my many years of severe fatigue, no doctor ever asked me if I snored

At Winn Dixie, I pay approximately $1.00 for a gallon of distilled water. That gallon lasts approximately 2+ weeks.  I don't believe that is expensive when compared to the potential problems caused by tap water.


_________________
As a Christian, you may be the only bible someone ever reads.

I have to use tap and bottled water sometimes when I travel. It does leave mineral deposits. But I think the hazard of that has been overstated here. You can completely clean the mineral deposits with a 1:3 white vinegar and water solution and a soft bristle brush. I cannot imagine the minerals in tap water actually "corroding" a water tank. If something in tap water was actually corrosive to plastic and aluminum, it would likely kill you to drink it. I went to an AWAKE meeting once and the guest speaker was a factory rep from one of the major CPAP manufacturers, an RT by training and an apnea patient. He admitted to the audience that despite his own company's user instructions, he only uses tap water in his humidifier and he only cleans out the mineral deposits a few times a year. He said it is really not a problem.

Hawthorne wrote:

thorough cleaning is impossible.

WRONG!

Its straightforward, as already explained above.

do wonders.


Sleeping

I am traveling to Africa (so excited!) - part of the time I won't be able to use my CPAP because the camps are on generator electricity.

But my question is...will using tap water (not recommended for drinking there) work? I doubt if I can find distilled water. I'm wondering if it is even worth taking my machine but I feel so much better if I use it.

Is there some kind of pill or something you can put in tap water to purify it????/
Thanks
S

travelbug wrote:

I am traveling to Africa (so excited!) - part of the time I won't be able to use my CPAP because the camps are on generator electricity.

But my question is...will using tap water (not recommended for drinking there) work? I doubt if I can find distilled water. I'm wondering if it is even worth taking my machine but I feel so much better if I use it.

Is there some kind of pill or something you can put in tap water to purify it????/
Thanks
S

Depending on the country in Africa the tap water may be better than the local tap water (where they add minerals and chemicals).  You shouldn't have a problem with that for a short term.  You probably will not find distilled water without a long search, its not high on the priority list in many of those countries.  You could make your own but you are probably better off with the tap water.