March 2024
Pure Perfection: Unraveling the Science of Water Distillers
More and more people are starting to realize the benefits of purified, clean, and safe water. Water distillers have gained popularity as one of the most effective methods to purify water for several uses. Water distillers mimic nature’s hydrological cycle, where evaporation and condensation constantly strive to maintain a delicate balance in environmental water quality.
Today, water distillers have become more accessible and affordable to the average person. This gives you the option to own a water distillation machine with quality and consistency you can bank on.
In this article, we’ll explore water distillers in detail, from how they function to their benefits and flaws. We’ll discuss scenarios where water distillers shine and guide you through selecting the perfect one for your needs.
What Is a Water Distiller and How Does It Work?
A water distiller is a specialized device designed to purify water by transforming it to vapor and then condensing it back to liquid form.
Water distillers operate on the principles of evaporation and condensation. Evaporation occurs when water is heated to high temperatures. The buildup of thermal energy excites the water molecules, prompting them to break free into a vapor state. During this process, impurities in the water are left behind because they don’t have the same boiling point as water.
The water vapor produced by evaporation is directed into a cooling system suitable for condensation. Condensation is the process in which water vapor is converted back to liquid water. Condensation occurs when water vapor is cooled, effectively changing it back to purified water.
The end product, which is pure distilled water, is free from the contaminants left behind during evaporation.
Which Contaminants Are Removed by Water Distillers?
Water distillers are highly effective in eliminating a range of impurities, including heavy metals, unwanted minerals, and other contaminants.
Some contaminants removed by water distillers include:
- Fluoride
- Lead
- Mercury
- Cadmium
- Calcium
- Sodium
- Magnesium
- Nitrates
- Sulfates
- Chlorine
- Pesticides
- Dissolved solids
Apart from these contaminants, water distillers also get rid of disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These microorganisms are unable to withstand high temperatures when water is boiled.
Despite their success with several common water contaminants, water distillers are not fully effective in removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a group of contaminants with high vapor pressure and low water solubility at room temperature. Popular sources of VOCs include paints, cleaning products, pesticides, petroleum products, and chemicals from manufacturing processes.
VOCs have a boiling point lower than or close to that of water. Therefore, they evaporate earlier in the distillation process and are present in the steam produced. The best way to remove VOCs is through activated carbon filters.
Luckily, some water distillers in the market are fitted with carbon filters to remove VOCs. If possible, choose a water distiller with a carbon filter to further enhance the quality of your water.
Basic Components of a Water Distillation System
Water distillers excel in many ways, positioning them as a suitable choice for water purification. There are four main advantages of using pure water distillers.
Effective and Consistent Purification
Water distillers produce high-quality purified water by eliminating 99.9% of contaminants. Apart from that, they are also lauded for their consistency. While several factors affect the output quality of other water purification methods, water distillers deliver contaminant-free water throughout their lifespan.
Chemical-Free Purified Water
Water distillers purify water without the need for chemicals like chlorine. Chlorine is usually added to water to get rid of pathogens. However, chlorine imparts an unpleasant taste and odor in drinking water. Water distillers eliminate the need for disinfectants like chlorine. In fact, water distillers help remove residual chlorine from tap water.
Long-Term Cost Efficiency
Many water distillers contain few moving parts and as a result, have few maintenance requirements. Water distillers will also relieve you from the costs of having to purchase bottled water.
Simplicity in Operation
The operation of standard water distillers is straightforward. They also don’t require complex installation procedures. This makes them suitable for home use since little or no technical knowledge is required.
What Are the Drawbacks of Water Distillers?
Just like any other water filtration method, the use of water distillers comes with some disadvantages. Here are a few drawbacks of using water distillers.
High Energy Consumption
Compared to other water purification methods, water distillers are less energy efficient. The distillation process uses heat to convert water to steam. This requires a high energy input and may increase your electricity bill. However, in the long run, you may be able to offset this extra cost since you won’t need to purchase expensive bottled water.
Slow Production Rate
Water distillers have a slower rate of production. The distillation process usually takes a long time, depending on the specific water distiller machine. Water distillers may not be suitable for scenarios where rapid production of pure water is required.
To bypass this setback, investing in an automatic water distiller will ensure that you always have purified water in your reservoir. You can also extract and store distilled water in glass containers and keep them in a refrigerator.
Flat-Tasting Drinking Water
Purified water from distillers lacks the alluring natural taste of water. Distilled water tastes flat because it’s low on oxygen. Water distillation also removes minerals from the water. While excessive mineral concentration causes an unpleasant taste, a total lack of minerals results in a flat taste.
High Initial Costs
Water distillers are a bit more costly compared to other water purifiers. The high initial investment is a setback to people on a tight budget. However, the initial investment may be offset in the long run due to lower maintenance costs.
Maintenance and Cleaning of Water Distillers
Water distillers need regular maintenance to keep their performance at optimum levels. It’s vital to clean the boiling chamber regularly.
During distillation, impurities usually remain in the boiling chamber as water evaporates. Hardness minerals like magnesium and calcium result in the buildup of hardened limescale. Accumulation of limescale can reduce the efficiency of the distiller or even cause total damage.
Regular cleaning of a water distiller also prevents the growth of organisms such as bacteria and mold. Apart from routine cleaning practices, it’s important to rinse the boiling chamber in between distillation cycles to remove residue and maintain the efficiency of the distiller.
When Is a Water Distiller Good for You?
Water distillers are among the most versatile water purification tools. Determining whether a distilled water maker is the best option for you depends on your water quality requirements, specific circumstances, and preferences.
Some scenarios where a water distiller may be the best alternative include:
- High purity requirements: Distillers eliminate a wide range of contaminants. If your main concern is achieving the highest quality of pure water, distillers may be the best option. Distilled water is suitable for laboratories, medical use, and specialized industrial processes.
- Wide variety of contaminants: If your water sources contain a variety of contaminants, water distillers will relieve you from the cost of having to invest in multiple water purification methods.
- Need to avoid chemical use: Water distillers provide a more natural way to purify drinking water without chemical additives such as disinfectants.
- Concerns about specific contaminants: Some water sources are riddled with contaminants such as toxic heavy metals. Water distillers excel in eliminating these contaminants with unmatched efficiency.
Choosing the Right Water Distiller
When selecting a water distiller, start by considering your capacity needs. Choose a water distiller that matches your daily volume requirements. Volume output can be impacted by the distiller's gross capacity or its distillation speed. Either way, ensure your distiller can produce enough pure water without sacrificing efficiency.
Another thing to consider is the quality. Generally, stainless steel water distillers are the most durable. Food-grade 304 stainless steel is one of the best materials for making the interior of water distillers. Apart from great build quality, opt for distillers that offer warranty services for their customers.
Perhaps the most important factor that will determine your choice of a water distiller is the cost. For simple home use for an average family, a countertop water distiller with a capacity of about 5 liters can suffice, and these are more affordable. Long-term costs can be cushioned by selecting a water distiller with a higher energy efficiency rating.
Aside from the basic features, some water distillers have additional unique features that may influence your decision. Some brands add features such as self-sterilization, water quality monitoring, and automatic shut-off. If these brands are within your price range, it’s worth considering these additional features.
Revitalize Your Water Today
Access to clean and safe water is necessary for good health and well-being. More often than not, your water sources contain harmful contaminants that lower the quality of water. Worried about the quality of your drinking water? Water distillers provide a practical solution to get rid of 99.9% of contaminants.
If you’re looking for the best solutions to purify your water, check out HomeWater’s comprehensive home water treatment systems. We’ve got a wide selection of home water filters suitable for multiple needs, from removing chlorine to VOCs and PFOS/PFAS. Take the first step today and enjoy pure, crisp hydration with HomeWater’s water filtration systems.
