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Hi

What is better distilled water verses tap water.  I was wondering what is best for the CPAP machine as many say distilled is best and if you are on free prescriptions then you should be able to get it.  As my area is a very hard water area and most kitchen last only around 12 - 18 months before you need to replace them.

If I do get a new machine I am thinking about asking for distilled water so that it protects the very expensive machine.  Also because I have some many allergies it would be safer for me too use.
Dee 

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Distilled water is what we should ideally use, but it's very difficult to get hold of in the UK. Deionised water is sometimes mistaken for distilled, but it's not the same thing and best saved for irons + car batteries.

I live in a hard water area and never use plain tap water.  Most people tend to use boiled water cooled down, or bottled mineral water.  I always keep meaning to buy a distiller, but have never got around to it.  Have a look at the info on this site http://www.h2olabs.co.uk/t-distilled-water-facts.aspx

distilled is better

boiling water concentrates heavy metals and you should only boil once to remove Florine and chlorine 

distilled water has no oxygen in it but you can oxygenate it yourself by stirring or poring from one container to another

minerals good except when boiled as minerals deposit on inside and raise the electric cost of boiling water

I have found bottled water best but you need to look for water which is low in calcium and dissolved solids.They say that you should not notice the difference ,there is a scientific reason why, but if nothing else I find that using a soft low calcium water keeps the humidifier tank cleaner.

My understanding is that only distilled water should be used and that it needs to be changed daily.

If you look on the Resmed website one page says to use distilled water but another page tells you that you can use tap water. Confusing!!

I prefer to use Tesco Ashbeck  bottled water as its low in calcium so should be a lot softer than North London tap.

I also change it daily and wash out the tub weekly

And entered with internet explorer Yipeeee

It is confusing Edam, as the manufacturers originally clearly state to use distilled water, but then they change their minds when specifically aiming information at the UK, which is I suspect because they know how difficult it is for us to obtain it.  In the US (and Australia I think) they can easily purchase distilled water in their local stores, but we can only easily source deionised water, which isn't the same thing.  Even my GP told me to stop using that and leave it for the car batteries and irons!  I've often thought of purchasing one of those distillers, but never get around to it when I have spare cash which isn't often

What I dont understand is that I can "taste", I cant find a better word, the difference between filtered North London Tap and bottled water when used in the humidifier.

I used to buy "Purified Water BP" in a 5 litre container from a wholesale chemist.  Nowadays, I have a water softener for my (North London) home, and use that water.  When I'm travelling, I use bottled water.  When flying, I buy bottled water at the airport at my destination.  The tank does still get scaled up, but not badly.  As I've mentioned here before, soaking it in the cheapest vinegar you can buy, cleans the tank up nicely.

I always use Distilled water now and I buy it on the internet although it can work out expensive. The last lot I bought was a 25L drum with tap, which cost me £22.95 -  company called APC pure in Manchester. Reputable Co. who explain how they distill the water.

I used to use tap water but found there were always bits in it.

How long did that last you June? I tend to use bottled mineral water, but would prefer distilled really.

I've had this one about a month and its well over half full or more. I only

put enough water in the cpap water vessel for what I need, prob just up to minimum mark because I used to waste loads.

 

I been filling my iron up with it too. 

You need to shop around for best value, some is really expensive. 

Someone mentioned on here getting it on prescription but I don't know about that. 

I asked my GP about getting it on prescription, and he didn't think he could or where I would get it from.  He did suggest I ask the local chemist, but I forgot.  He also told me to stop using deionised water (in the days when I thought that was distilled) and told me to save it for the car battery and the iron Children on ventilators do get theirs on prescription though.  I keep meaning to buy a distiller, but I haven't got around to it yet.

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