Heat Pump Condensation Water for SFG

68carguy 6/16/2014, 6:33 pm

I have a Heat Pump for both cooling and heating of my home. In this time of year I gather a lot of water from the drip tube that is taking moisture out of the air, I assume that is what is happening anyway. I have a 2 or 3 gallon bucket I just place under the drip tube on the outside of my house. On really hot humid days the bucket will fill up in a 24 hour period. Now I have used this water on non-vegetables plants, like flowers, shrubs, etc. Question is, do you all think it is safe to use on the plants I plan to consume??

Heat Pump Condensation Water for SFG Water10

Heat Pump Condensation Water for SFG Water10

**camprn** 6/16/2014, 6:59 pm

Unless your pump is contaminated I would say that is good stuff for the vegetables, but I don't know that for a fact. BUT, go ahead and call the company that installed it and ask because this is a great question.

68carguy 6/16/2014, 7:20 pm

The Heat Pump was just installed a couple of years ago, and I have a company come once a year for cleaning and maintance, so I would think it isn't comtaminated, only thing that bother me is the cooling coils on these unit are soldered and I know that can contain lead. You are right I need to contact one of the service guys and ask my question.

**camprn** 6/16/2014, 8:34 pm

You could also do a lead test or send a sample of the water to a lab for testing.

68carguy 6/16/2014, 10:04 pm

Think I will start with something like this, and see what it shows.

http://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-WT1-Drinking-Water/dp/B000FBMAVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402969995&sr=8-1&keywords=lead+water+test+kit

Thanks for the Idea.

**sanderson** 6/17/2014, 1:37 am

In addition, if you can access any of the solder, you can try a Lead Check (R) swab, available at Home Depot, Lowes, paint stores.

68carguy 6/17/2014, 6:50 pm

Sanderson,
My air handler is installed in a attic which is hard to get at, also the cooling coils are enclosed inside the unit which requires a bit of work to get at...removing side panels and stuff. I think I will try the home water test kits first and if it shows lead is in the water, if so I may send a sample for more detailed test results for a test lab. In the mean time think I will just use the water for non food items. I also catch rainwater to use for food crops but that depends on the weather, some years are okay so are not so good, but you know how that goes.
sunny

**sanderson** 6/18/2014, 1:18 am

Got it. So, please let us know how the home water test goes.

**walshevak** 6/18/2014, 9:40 am

The best geraniums I ever grew were in a window box that sat under a window a/c unit.

Kay

johnp 6/18/2014, 10:14 am

Cooling condensate comes from an aluminum coil into a plastic drain pan and drains normally from pvc pipe. It is safe. Condensing furnace water is not safe and is toxic.

**camprn** 6/18/2014, 10:29 am

johnp wrote:Cooling condensate comes from an aluminum coil into a plastic drain pan and drains normally from pvc pipe. It is safe. Condensing furnace water is not safe and is toxic.

NICE!

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Heat Pump Condensation Water for SFG

Heat Pump Condensation Water for SFG

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