Because water is very essential, people should make sure that the water they have at home is clean and without contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and sediments which can affect your health. There are many people who think that their water at home is clean because they have been assured of it. However, you can’t be too sure about it. If you have recently moved into a new home, it is best to have your water from tap checked by experts to make sure it is not contaminated.
There are some homeowners who prefer to use home water filters to ensure safe drinking water. The best way to make sure your water is clean is to protect the main water source. This helps ensure that the water that goes out of your home faucets – be it in the kitchen sink or showers – are safe to drink or be used for different purposes. As mentioned, checking your water for contaminants is the first step in determining whether or not you need a home water filter. If the results show that your water does contain bacteria or chemicals, experts will suggest what steps you can take including using home water filter systems that have been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation. This organization tests products to make sure it is effective in removing contaminants from the water. Here are the different types of home water filter systems being used.
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Types of Home Water Filter Systems
Carbon Filters
There are different home water filters that use carbon filters as its system such as countertop pitchers, faucet-mounted and undersink models and whole-house system (which are usually installed in the home’s main water source). Carbon is a porous material which absorbs impurities as water passes through it. Carbon filters can remove contaminants such as PCBs, chlorine by-products including chloramines and trihalomathenes, certain parasites, pesticides, herbicides, gasoline additive MTBE and the dry-cleaning solvent trichloroethylene.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis filters by pushing water through a semipermeable membrane which works as a fine filter. It is often used in conjunction with carbon filters. It can get rid of impurities including chemicals. However, it might miss certain chemical such as chlorine by-products and chlorides. It is also not good in removing VOCs such as benzene, toluene and MTBEs. Reverse osmosis systems though can deal with these when an activated carbon is added to it. Another downside is that it tends to waste 4 to 9 gallons of water for every gallon that is filtered. Regardless, reverse osmosis home water filters is the best option for complete elimination of common pollutants. Because it requires a significant investment, there are a lot of consumers who are hesitant to use it at home. The technology itself is expensive and the maintenance costs including regular pre-filter and membrane replacements can be high.
Distillers
Distillers work by heating the water to boiling point in the chamber allowing it to generate steam. The contaminants, particularly pollutant gases, rise together with the steam and leave the distiller filter through a vent which has been specially designed for it. Other contaminants such as heavy metals stay in the chamber and turn into hard deposits. The steam is collected in a surface, often a coiled tube, where it then condenses back into water droplets. The filtered water is directed to a storage tank and is ready to be used. Like reverse osmosis filter systems, it can get rid of different water contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and inorganic compounds. However, it is not highly effective in removing metals including lead and mercury. Because of the way distillers filter, it only gets rid of chemicals if its boiling point is higher than water and it does not remove contaminants with boiling points that are lower.
UV Filters
UV or ultraviolet filters are efficient in disinfecting water and getting rid of bacteria. Countertop units with this system can cost $100 or less while whole-house units cost $700 and up. Because it is best in removing bacteria, experts recommend using it with carbon filters to filter other types of contaminants.
As mentioned, the primary targets of UV filters and live organisms such as bacteria and viruses. However, it does not get rid of it but actually deactivates it by attacking its DNA to prevent it from reproducing. This in turn will make it hard for them to survive. The water passes through a container that features a UV lamp where it is subjected to UV radiation. There are people who are hesitant to use it because of the health effects of the UV rays but experts have made sure that it is safe to use.
Ion Exchange
Ion exchange is a great home water filter system as its technology is used by major manufacturers to remove ceramics and activated carbon. It is also efficient in getting rid of inorganic chemicals particularly heavy metals such as lead and mercury. The technology used by this filter system works by exchanging ions between a chemical element inside the resin and a water-pollutant chemical. As an example, it replaces harmful lead and mercury ions with sodium and potassium ions which are considered as harmless. Thus, it neutralizes the health risks of these chemicals.
How to Choose the Best Water Filter for Your Home
Because there are a lot to choose from, determining the right home water filter to use can be confusing. One of the factors that you should consider is the place where it needs to be installed. Whole house filters are considered to be the most efficient type as it designed to filter the main water line that enters the home. It also has the ability to remove rust and sediment particles. Faucet or sink water filters are also popular as it is easy to install. In fact, you can probably do it on your own as you simply have to attach it to a faucet. This type of filter features multiple cartridges, each of which has been designed to filter a particular contaminant to make the water safe for drinking. There are other types of home filters such as shower head filters which are obviously for bath purposes and refrigerator water filter which helps clean the water coming out of the refrigerator or water used in making ice.
You will be able to choose from a variety of home water filter systems but it would really depend on the quality of your water at home. In fact, you may want to ask your water supplier or perhaps experts for advice on whether or not your water is safe and what type of home water filter you should use at home. It is possible to ask your water company what particular types of impurities are present in your water. This will help you decide what the appropriate water filter technology is for your home. However, it is also important to make sure that you are comfortable with the home water filter system you install in your home. You may also want to consider the investment required for it. The costs of home water filters vary depending on the technology used and the maintenance required. It is also important to consider its operating expenses including electricity use. The home water filters that you install should also have the appropriate certifications from the government. This is to make sure that it is safe to use and that it has passed the strict standards of health organizations and experts.
