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In the hottest months of the year, high water prices and mandatory water conservation rules may limit household water use for basic necessities.
The use of alternative water sources can provide water for various uses and reduce the use of fresh water.
One of them is gray water.
Ash water is home waste water from washing machines, sinks and bathtubs.
One of the easiest sources of household ash water to get and use is condensation in air conditioning.
The air conditioner cools the warm air through the air conditioning system, and the humidity in the air forms condensation.
Usually, the water is discharged to the sewage pump, floor drain or outdoor.
In hot and humid weather, the air conditioner may produce five to twenty gallons of water per day.
This water can be easily captured in a bucket or redirected to a nearby garden.
Condensate capture systems can help collect and redistribute water where needed.
Air-conditioned condensed water can be used for watering indoor and outdoor plants.
Condensate is extracted from the outside air and therefore does not contain chlorine or other additives that may be present in normal drinking water.
Water can be used to fill the kettle, redirect to the rainwater collection system, or discharge directly to the nearby Garden to water the outdoor plants directly.
Outdoor Cleaning air conditioning condensate does not contain soap, chlorine or other chemicals that may be found in fresh water or other gray water sources.
As a fairly clean water source, it can be used to clean and rinse windows, outdoor furniture and vehicles.
Air conditioning condensate can be used for decorative water functions such as fountains.
Building a backyard wetland is a diligent but potentially valuable project.
Air conditioning condensate and other gray water sources can be filtered for reuse in the backyard wetlands.
Swamp plants help to filter contaminants from groundwater and produce relatively clean, balanced water sources for fish ponds or irrigation.
During the hottest months of the summer, when the air conditioner runs and produces the most condensate, the water fee may rise and water restrictions are imposed.
Using air conditioning condensate can provide much needed water for non-gardenwatering days.
Replacing fresh water with air conditioning condensate can reduce the cost of domestic water use.
WarningsAir conditioner condensate may contain contaminants such as algae.
Although most household ash water is alkaline, the air conditioner condensate is neutral.
It should not be used for applications where pH balance of water is critical, such as an aquarium.
Air conditioning condensate is not safe without special filtration and handling.