You could be right about that. I spend 25 cents per gallon for RO water from a dispenser. So how much would running a 580 watt unit for 5 and a half hours cost? I assume only a few cents but am not sure.
Water distiller
- Thread starter gmh
- Start date
Well, it will depend on how much you pay for electricity, but take an average of about 12 cents per kWh, then 580w = .58kW * 5 hrs * .12 = ~35 cents.
You can buy steam distilled water from water vendors (Culligan) for $8 per 5 gallons. Depending on how much you need its cheaper than the grocery store.
25 cents per gallon for RO sounds like it will be hard to beat. I'm not sure if this is what you are paying now through some retailer or figure that is what it would cost after you install a unit.
45g tank, 50% WC, $35 per WC??? You'd pay off a 25gpd RO unit in about 2 water changes.
It's nearly impossible to not find a lfs that sells cheap RO water....it's a PITA to lug jugs back and forth, but you should be able to find it for $.25-$50/gallon
25 cents/g would put just about any other source out of the money except for installing your own system. It was mentioned that the water is mixed with tap so I'm guessing a top o' the line wouldn't even be needed.
Speaking personally, convenience has huge value. If I can do without having to stop at the LFS (not that I don't love to but sometimes I just can't) then to me it is worth considering spending a little more to bring a task in house.
Speaking personally, convenience has huge value. If I can do without having to stop at the LFS (not that I don't love to but sometimes I just can't) then to me it is worth considering spending a little more to bring a task in house.
I'm with you, actually. Currently I have great soft water, practically RO out of the tap as is. However, if and when that changes, I definitely be looking at getting an RO unit. With freshwater, you never need 100% RO, so a 25 or 50 gpd unit is plenty for most people...and those are cheap. You can pick up a brand new 25 gpd on amazon for like $75. With a 50% weekly water change, that'll handle up to a 300g tank(as long as you can store 150g of water for the water change)....and that's assuming 100% RO. Most people could get away with 50/50 RO/Tap, and then a 25gpd would do up to a 600g tank 50% weekly WC.....point is, you don't need a 100gpd unit, just a few 55g jugs in the basement.
And, $75 is definitely worth not having to lug jugs back and forth from the LFS, even at only 25 cents a gallon.
