Theme 1 – Little effect on ambient humidity
Most commenters argue that harvesting water from the air would not noticeably change outdoor humidity because the atmosphere holds an enormous amount of moisture.
“In humid regions, there is no practical limit that would cause any noticeable effects on the humidity of outdoor air. There is just so much water in the air that even if you were running dehumidifiers across all available land area, the air is still going to feel humid.” – jawns
Theme 2 – Water quality and safety concerns
Several participants point out that condensate can contain contaminants, mold, or pathogens, requiring treatment before potable use.
“For non‑potable use, probably. Potable use might require some more treatment checks on it… showering might be ok. Not sure about washing dishes.” – shagie
“The condensate water is laden with bacteria, mold spores, and pollution concentrated from the air.” – LarsAlereon
Theme 3 – Economic viability and practical applications
The discussion also weighs the cost‑benefit of atmospheric water harvesting against alternatives like trucked water or wells, noting it may be feasible for household or irrigation needs but expensive for large‑scale agriculture.
“Absolutely can pull the water you need for e.g. household purposes out of the air – somewhere north of $0.10 a gallon or so, spendy, but close to trucked water … People pay that much for trucked water, though a well is rapidly cheaper if it's available.” – jaggederest