EcoloBlue Proves Green Is Still Expensive

You’ve heard the term “green” so many times that you’re probably sick of it (I know I am), but something that I’ve always found comical is that “going green” is almost never cheap. In fact it’s usually prohibitively expensive – but the tech sure is cool.

A technology you’ve heard about but probably have never seen in practical application is the ability to get water straight from the air.

Are you an ultra-greenie and want some super-awesome water technology? The EcoloBlue 28 Atmospheric Water Generator does in fact make water out of air. It claims to make up to 28 liters (7.4 gallons) per day and can deliver the water hot or cold.

If you want one, it costs $1,000 – but even if you have the money, be sure to read the manual on how it works. To quote from the manual:

The Atmospheric Water Generator is a humidity and temperature-driven machine. This means the machine’s ability to generate water depends entirely on the level of humidity and atmospheric temperature. To achieve optimum performance, the indicated relative humidity should be 50% or more. In regions with lower humidity levels, the machine will produce water at a slower rate and with less volume than that of a higher humidity environment. In a residential environment, higher levels of humidity tend to be found in kitchen areas, near bathrooms used for bathing, near open windows (in warmer weather), or in more spacious rooms.

The manual goes on to state how well the unit would work in an air-conditioned room and lists other features and general operation.

As with any water machine, this thing has filters. Setup does require the installation of one, which means that filter will have to be replaced periodically. It also means the machine has to be cleaned periodically as well.

Fortunately the EcoloBlue does have the ability to deliver tap water, so if you can’t wait for the thing to produce water for you, it’s easy enough to run your existing tap through the filtration system.

EcoloBlue 28 is a very futuristic machine. The price point is high, but it is a high-tech thing you’re getting.

As far as “do you get what you pay for”, here’s an example:

A standard-sized bottle of Zephyrhills water is one-half liter. Were you to buy this individually at a convenience store, it’s about $1.25 per bottle. Drink two of these a day and it’s $2.50. Over the course of one year that’s a tick over $900 spent on drinking water. If you drink a lot of bottled water daily, then yes the EcoloBlue 28 will pay for itself in a year’s time – but only if you bought the Zephyrhills water at full retail convenience store price.

The EcoloBlue 28 is what I consider to be one of the ultimate green things you can own – especially considering it even has a solar-powered option – but the hit on the wallet is a tad too much for me.

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Kidd
This seems ‘neat’, but not particularly useful. In the southwest, there isn’t enough humidity to justify getting one of these, but in Florida? Maybe after the price comes down some. For ‘ultimate green things’, check out Solar-Thermal water heaters. I’m itching to get one, because the sooner you do, the faster it pays for itself. The savings over my gas-fired water heater could pay it off in 2-3 years.
Funny, a 5 gallon water cooler ad just showed up. For $150, you could get a water cooler, $10 for two jugs, and pay $0.75 to fill it up each time. I think the new tech’s price point is too high for most to justify it.
Cassie Swisher
We have a unit in North Carolina — not only do my kids drink more water but my purse doesn’t take the hit for soda and bottled juices – so we are very happy — besides I hate when I go to the store and they put 2 two liter bottles of soda in a plastic bag, what a waste. You all keep drinking that tap and bottled water, while my family enjoys pure water.
Kidd
Cassie, do you own this particular model (28)? What was your motivation to get this specific device, the savings on the environment by not using more plastic, or the quality of the water?
http://twitter.com/orangepickel2 kermit bengtson
Interesting device reminds me that even though I have into solar energy since age 12 and have an ebook written but unplublished that I have not learned everything about solar energy. Though a tarp streach out over a hole in the sand with a cup in the hole and a stone to make the tarp sag in the middle will make about a half to a cup of water. In the desert at night from condinsation. Same basic principle I belive and you can bet that I will retweet this one.