FACT-CHECK: Air-conditioner water can’t make you a millionaire

Nigeria’s cyberspace was recently awash with claims of water generated from air- conditioners selling at thousands of naira due to its multipurpose use. The claim, which went viral on most social media platforms, saw content creators claiming that they bought a 25kg of air-conditioner water from N180,000 to N210,000. While most of them did not […]

Nigeria’s cyberspace was recently awash with claims of water generated from air- conditioners selling at thousands of naira due to its multipurpose use.

The claim, which went viral on most social media platforms, saw content creators claiming that they bought a 25kg of air-conditioner water from N180,000 to N210,000.

While most of them did not state what they used it for, some claimed that it was used as alternative water for team ironing, planting and inverter batteries. For instance, an X user, Zulfiqar Ahmed tweeted that the use of an air-conditioner left over water could be used to wash delicate cloths, “steam ironing as it is distilled water. Your plants would love this water. It is perfect for your batteries (car or UPS).

Similarly, a post on a Facebook page: Olori Naturals Fertility hub, advised against throwing away air-conditioner water, saying, “Most of us just let the water from our air-conditioners drip away, but did you know that the water (condensate) has real value?

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“Here’s how you can put it to good use, especially in Naija, where every resource counts. AC water pulls from the air and cools your room. It is not rainwater or tap water, it is distilled but not for drinking; I repeat, not for drinking. It can be used for washing cars and bikes as it doesn’t leave white spots like hard borehole or well water. Your ride will shine clean and clear.

“Also, it is for mopping tile or marble floors because it reduces streaks and keeps surfaces looking fresh.”

It also stated that the water could be used for watering plants, with care for non-edible plants like flowers or ornamentals.

“Just mix a little tap water; they will love the moisture in this heat. It can also be used in filling car batteries or inverters. AC water is almost like distilled water, which is very low in mineral content, so it is safe to top up batteries and reduce corrosion.

 

 How AC water is generated

Basically, air-conditioners work by dragging hot air from a room and replacing it with a colder air. As such, when the warm air passes over AC’s cold evaporator coil, moisture from the air condenses into liquid. That’s the clean-looking water you see dripping out of the unit’s drainage pipe.

Since the water comes from humidity in the air and not a tap, it is often referred to as distilled.

According to Lex Air-conditioning, an online platform, evaporator coils play a key role in cooling by absorbing heat from indoor air, while condenser coils release that heat outdoors.

“These components work harmoniously within air conditioning systems, facilitating the regulation of indoor temperatures for maximum comfort,” the platform noted.

A research paper authored by Sandra Matarneh explained that air conditioning systems employ a method to extract moisture from the surrounding air. It states that the liquid produced by air conditioning machines is referred to as condensate as an air-conditioner operates by employing a refrigeration cycle to extract warm air and substitute it with cooler and more humid air within a confined and enclosed area.

“Air-conditioners are extensively utilised in residences, workplaces and vehicles located in hot and humid climates to enhance comfort by lowering indoor air temperature. Condensate water generated by air conditioning systems can be used for landscape irrigation in specific areas, particularly in places where the interior area is significantly larger than the outdoor, such as public and commercial areas. Since condensate is derived from atmospheric moisture, it typically has a high-quality chemical composition, which means that it usually requires minimal or no treatment before it may be stored or used for direct irrigation.

It went on to state that the amount of condensate produced by an air conditioning unit varies and is influenced by the level of humidity in the surrounding environment.

“The water production of modern air-conditioners ranges from 15 to 70 liter per day, depending on the capacity of the unit. As an illustration, a 2000-pound air- conditioner operating for 7 to 8 hours has the potential to produce approximately 10 litres of water. If the water is collected and processed correctly, it is classified as distilled water. If the condensate is not collected, it is frequently discharged through a sewer pipe or left to evaporate into the atmosphere,” it stated.

 

 Why recent hype on AC is fake

While air-conditioner water might be useful, its purpose does not suggest that it could be a money-spinning venture as ordinary water could be used as replacement.

On its use for inverters and batteries, a research fellow at the Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Adegoke Borisade, explained that laboratory-grade distilled water is produced through a stringent process of boiling, condensation and filtration to ensure its chemical purity and safety.

Speaking with DUBAWA, Nigeria’s foremost fact-checking platform, Boridade cautioned against using air-conditioner condensate as a substitute, noting that it is neither sterile nor chemically refined. 

“AC water may appear clean, but it often contains dust, trace metals and microbes from the system. Using it can compromise experimental accuracy, damage equipment and even pose health risks,” he warned.

Adegoke explained that distilled water for scientific use must meet certified national and international standards, which air-conditioner water does not. He said, “Distilled water must go through approved processes and comply with standards like the United States Pharmacopoeia–National Formulary (USP-NF), the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). In Nigeria, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) enforces these through the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) to ensure safety and quality.”

Adebayo Abolore, an engineer who is into making of solar inverters at Florex Apex Nigeria Limited, warned against using air-conditioner water in tubular batteries. He noted that only distilled water should be used because it is chemically refined and safe for battery cells. 

He said, “Distilled water is the best to refuel the tubular battery. Using AC water will kill off the cells inside the battery. It is not ordinary water or condensate, it is well refined, particularly in terms of purity.”

Similarly, Samson Imoudu Ezekiel, an engineer, said air-conditioner water sale and purchase was likely a misinformation and scam.

He added that the water is essentially moisture drawn from the air, condensed and drained by the cooling system.

“It is free from chlorine and municipal chemicals, making it attractive for re-use in households. However, AC water may contain mold spores, bacteria like e.coli and heavy metals, making it unsuitable for drinking or sensitive systems without proper treatment.

He said that while some people collected and sold air-conditioner water, profits were minimal due to the labour-intensive process and limited quantity produced (about 7-10 litres per day.

“Most people sell air-conditioner water for a relatively low price, about N200 per jerry-can, making it unlikely to generate significant income. Let nobody fool you to believe that they make millions from AC water,” he advised.