Nutrition 13 Jun 2008 05:14 pm
Finding The Best Home Water Purifier Systems
Home water purifier systems are becoming increasingly important today, with the growing possibility of compromised drinking water systems and more questions about the safety of our water supply. But it will take more than just a faucet water filter to give you great results. Good home water purifier systems need professional installation and take up a good bit of your under-counter space. This means you must consider cost of the system, cost of installation, and the space it will take up as well as its appropriateness for purifying your water, and compare that with the costs of drinking bottled water or doing nothing. The purification system that works best for your needs is always the best one for you.
When you’re looking for the best home water purification system, there are several questions you should ask. First, how long will it last without needing a filter to be changed? This isn’t just important from the perspective of cost, but also convenience. Depending on where your home water purification system is installed, one that requires frequent changing could be more trouble than it’s worth.
Which contaminants do you need to remove with a home water purifier? Home water purification systems all remove different contaminants and contaminant types, from biological contaminants to heavy metals. You should be absolutely certain that your chosen filter type removes the contaminants that are a problem for your water. The good news: a reverse osmosis system removes almost every type of contaminant, and though it delivers a relatively small quantity of water daily (about 15 gallons) it’s more than enough for your drinking water requirements.
How much does the home water purification system cost? Cheap systems are simple and attach directly to your faucet; they remove contaminants by filtering water through activated carbon, but don’t get much. On the high end, industrial-grade UV systems destroy all biological contaminants, like bacteria and amoeba, far more effectively and safely than chlorine, but can cost over a thousand dollars. Most systems run around $200 or a little more, but installation may cost you more if you need to have a plumber or other professional install it. Offset the cost with an assessment of how much your bottled water is costing you. Also, if you’re examining a shower filter, your filter will save you money in quality shampoos and body soaps; these filters remove drying and damaging chlorine, and will help your expensive bath products work the way they’re supposed to.
There are four basic types of home water purification systems that are available on the general market. Reverse osmosis systems install under the counter, and use a passive filter system (one without pressure) to collect water in a reservoir at a rate of about fifteen gallons a day. UV systems use light technology to kill germs in your water supply, but don’t remove any other contaminants; this makes them great for spring water or other non-municipal supplies that are otherwise fine. Activated carbon filters are commonly used in the faucet filter systems, but are also used in larger systems to provide clean water on a larger scale; they work pretty well, but need frequent filter changes. The KDF-55 filters are generally attached to a showerhead to remove chlorine and soften your water, making your shower water healthier for your skin and enabling your expensive bathing products to work better as well. Know these differences before you buy, and you’ll save yourself money and time.
