While worshippers at a temple in Vrindavan, India, recently drank air conditioner (AC) water mistaking it for a divine offering, thousands of miles away in Nigeria, some are eyeing the same liquid as a business opportunity.
“AC water can change your life,” claim a wave of social media posts, suggesting that harvesting the water dripping from your cooling unit could make you millions of naira.
In a country where side hustles are a survival skill, such claims naturally draw attention. But how much truth is there behind this trend? Is AC water the new liquid gold, or just another internet-fuelled illusion?
What Exactly Is AC Water?
Let’s break it down. That steady drip from your air conditioner isn’t from a hidden tank or a leak, it’s condensate. As warm air passes over your AC’s cold evaporator coils, moisture from the air condenses and turns into water, which is then drained out through a pipe.
Because this water is a byproduct of humidity and not sourced from a tap, many assume it’s as pure as distilled water. Technically, it’s close, but not quite the same.
What Can It Be Used For?
The internet would have you believe that AC water is in high demand among mechanics and tech repair shops. Some suggest you can sell it to inverter battery vendors or car service centres. But experts caution against this.
Batteries, especially lead-acid ones, require properly distilled, deionised, or demineralised water. While AC water might appear clean, it can still carry impurities from metal coils, pipes, or even mold and algae lurking in the drainage system. Using it in batteries can actually cause long-term damage.
So Is There Any Real Value?
Yes, but it’s all about scale and usage. If you’re in a large building, say, a hotel, commercial plaza, or event centre, with multiple AC units running daily, then you’re potentially collecting litres of condensate water per day.
When collected and lightly filtered, this water can serve non-critical functions: watering plants, cleaning electronics, steam ironing, or even being used in certain cosmetic or industrial processes where ultrapure water isn’t a strict requirement.
How Much Can You Make?
This is where expectations need a reality check. The idea that one wall unit in your bedroom can make you millions is fantasy. However, if you manage a building with dozens of ACs and can properly collect, treat, and store the water, then maybe, just maybe, there’s a steady income stream waiting.
Some vendors and small-scale industries might be open to buying, but you’d need to guarantee consistency in quality and quantity. Think of it more as a niche recycling business than a full-time hustle.
Bottom Line
So, can you make money from AC water in Nigeria? Yes, but not overnight, and not with minimal effort. You need access to a large volume of condensate, a reliable collection system, some basic purification process, and, most importantly, interested buyers.
Like most things, the truth lies somewhere between the hype and the hustle. Until then, feel free to use your AC water to press your shirts or water your garden. Just don’t expect it to pay your rent.
