Wondering if you should use reverse osmosis water in a humidifier?
Reverse osmosis water works fine in most humidifiers, but it’s not the best option. Distilled water is the best kind of water to use in a humidifier because it doesn’t have any dissolved solids that can cause scaling. Although not the best option, using RO treated water won’t cause significant scaling or shorten the life of your humidifier. If your house has an RO system, you can use it in your humidifier and save a lot of money compared with purchasing distilled water.
In this article, we review the pros and cons of using reverse osmosis water in a humidifier. We also compare RO water to distilled water to give you a sense of which is better so you can make an informed decision. Continue reading to learn more about the best water to use in your humidifier.
Table of Contents
How Do Humidifiers Work
Humidifiers add moisture to the air by evaporating water into the air. There are several types of humidifiers, but the most common type is the ultrasonic humidifier. These humidifiers use a vibrating plate to create a fine mist that is then blown into the room by a fan.
The water that is used in a humidifier can come from many different sources. Some people use tap water, while others prefer to use distilled water or reverse osmosis water. The type of water that you use in your humidifier will not affect how well the humidifier works. However, it can affect the life of your humidifier and the quality of the air that is emitted.
Humidifiers and Scaling
When water evaporates, it leaves behind minerals and other substances that were dissolved in it. These deposits, known as scale, can build up on the inside of your humidifier and cause it to work less efficiently. In some cases, the scale can even damage the humidifier.
Distilled water does not contain any dissolved solids, so it will not leave behind any scale when it is used in a humidifier. This makes distilled water the best choice for use in a humidifier.
Using Reverse Osmosis Treated Water in Your Humidifier
Reverse osmosis is a process that is used to remove impurities from water. A reverse osmosis system has a semipermeable membrane that filters out contaminants, such as lead, mercury, and chlorine.
Reverse osmosis water has very low levels of dissolved solids – usually less than 30 parts per million (ppm). While 30 ppm of TDS is very low, it’s not as low as distilled water, which has 0 ppm. This makes it a good choice for use in a humidifier. Although RO water will not cause as much scaling as tap water, it can still lead to some build-up over time.
Read my complete guide to reverse osmosis.
Watch my YouTube video about using RO water in your humidifier.
Benefits of using RO water
If you use RO water in your humidifier, you’ll be able to enjoy the following benefits:
- It’s more affordable than distilled water
- It has very low levels of TDS and mineral that can leave scale deposits on your humidifier
- It is readily available (if you have an RO system in your home)
Reverse osmosis water works fine in most humidifiers
Although RO treated water is not as good as distilled water, it’s still a good choice for use in a humidifier. It’s more affordable than distilled water and it won’t cause as much scaling. If you have an RO system in your home, you can use the water from that system in your humidifier and save even more money.
When it comes to using reverse osmosis water in a humidifier, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. RO water is more affordable than distilled water and it won’t cause as much scaling. If you have an RO system in your home, you can use that water in your humidifier and save even more money. Although RO treated water is not as good as distilled water, it’s still a good choice for
Is RO water as good as distilled water
Distilled water has no dissolved solids or minerals. Reverse osmosis treated water has very low levels of TDS. A typical TDS concentration for RO water is less than 30 ppm. Some reverse osmosis filters produce water with less than 10 ppm. This is an acceptable level for use with a humidifier, but it’s not as good as distilled water, which has no TDS.
Problems with RO water
The problem with using reverse osmosis water in your humidifier is that it can lead to scaling. This is because RO water has dissolved minerals that are left behind when the water evaporates. Although the level of minerals in RO water is low, it’s still higher than distilled water, which has no minerals.
The more often you use reverse osmosis water in your humidifier, the more deposits will build up. Over time, these deposits can reduce the efficiency of your humidifier and even damage it. If you live in an area with hard water, you may want to use distilled water instead of RO water to prevent scaling.
What Type of Water Does a Humidifier Need
All humidifiers need water that is clean and free of dissolved solids and minerals. The best type of water to use in a humidifier is distilled water. This is because it has no dissolved solids or minerals that can leave behind deposits. If you don’t have access to distilled water, you can use reverse osmosis treated water. RO water has very low levels of TDS and will not cause as much scaling as tap water.
This table summarizes the different types of water you can use in a humidifier and their pros and cons:
| Type of Water | Pros | Cons |
| Distilled Water | No dissolved solids or minerals that can cause scaling | More expensive than other options |
| Reverse Osmosis Treated Water | Low levels of dissolved solids, more affordable than distilled water | Can still cause some scaling over time |
| Bottled Water (distilled or RO filtered) | Convenient if distilled or RO filtered, can work as an alternative to distilled water | Can be expensive and may still contain minerals |
| Tap Water | Readily available | Can cause scaling and reduce efficiency of the humidifier, especially in areas with hard water |
1. Water with No dissolved solids
The best water to use in your humidifier is water that has no minerals or dissolved solids. This type of water is called distilled water. It’s easy to find at most supermarkets and it’s very affordable.
If you can’t find distilled water, you can use reverse osmosis treated water. RO water has very low levels of TDS and will not cause as much scaling as tap water. Although RO water is not as good as distilled water, it’s still a good choice for use in a humidifier.
2. Distilled water is the best kind
Almost every humidifier manufacturer recommends using distilled water in their humidifiers. This is because distilled water has no minerals or dissolved solids that can leave behind deposits.
If you use tap water, it can still lead to some build-up over time. This is why it’s important to clean your humidifier regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Using bottled water in a humidifier
Can you use bottled water in your humidifier? The answer is yes, but it’s not the best choice. This is because bottled water can be expensive, and it may contain minerals that can leave behind deposits.
If you’re going to use bottled water in your humidifier, make sure it’s distilled water or water that is reverse osmosis filtered. You can find this type of water at most supermarkets.
You should avoid spring water because this type often has very high levels of minerals in it. You should also avoid alkaline bottled water because they contain high levels of minerals and dissolved solids.
4. Using tap water in a humidifier
Tap water should only be used as a last resort because it can lead to deposits and scaling. If you must use tap water, make sure you clean your humidifier regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
It’s also important to note that if you live in an area with hard water, you should avoid using tap water altogether. This is because hard water can damage your humidifier and reduce its efficiency.
The Best Type of Water to Use in a Humidifier: Distilled
If you’re looking for the best type of water to use in your humidifier, distilled water is the way to go. It’s affordable and easy to find, and it has no minerals or dissolved solids that can leave behind deposits. This is why virtually every manufacturer recommends using distilled water in their humidifiers.
If you can’t find distilled water, reverse osmosis treated water is a good alternative. RO water has very low levels of TDS and will not cause as much scaling as tap water. Although RO water is not as good as distilled water, it’s still a good choice for use in a humidifier.
Just remember that if you use tap water, you should clean your humidifier regularly to prevent deposits and scaling. And if you live in an area with hard water, it’s best to avoid using tap water altogether.
How to Remove Scale from a Humidifier
If you’ve been using tap water in your humidifier, it’s likely that some scale has built up on the inner surfaces. This can reduce the efficiency of your humidifier and cause it to work harder than necessary.
Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to remove scale from your humidifier. One way is to add vinegar to the water tank and allow it to dissolve the scale. You can also use a descaling solution that is specifically designed for removing scale from humidifiers.
Once the scale has been removed, be sure to rinse the humidifier thoroughly before using it again. And remember to use distilled or reverse osmosis water in your humidifier to prevent scale build-up in the future.
Final Take
In conclusion, it is generally recommended that you use distilled water in your humidifier. However, if you are unable to find distilled water or do not want to purchase it, reverse osmosis water will work as well. Just be sure to regularly clean your humidifier and remove any built-up scale using a vinegar solution so that your humidifier can continue to function properly and keep the air in your home healthy and free of bacteria.