Congratulations! By even considering installing a water filter system in your home you are already a step closer to the wonderful health benefits filtered water can provide. But choosing a water filter can be a difficult decision. There numerous different models available rrn the marketplace that it can confusing to know which is best for you. Here are a few main methods of water filtration available for your home:
1. Reverse Osmosis Purification
Reverse osmosis water filters are well-accepted and obtainable. They can be installed as under-counter models, or even as a whole home water protect you against. Originally invented to clean salt water, reverse osmosis works when you use water pressure to force water the membrane, allowing only molecules that are small enough to pass through, thus blocking toxic compounds. Sediments such as iron, lead, mercury and copper are easily blocked, as are bacteria and viruses. Chlorine molecules also cannot pass through the membrane.
There are two main drawbacks to the reverse osmosis system. First, the process wastes lots of water by needing a higher ratio of unfiltered to filtered water in order to ‘push’ the molecules through the membrane. The ratio is 4:1. Speaking about . a regarding water is exactly going down the sink.
Second, the reverse osmosis process strips the water of important minerals. Drinking ‘soft’ water that cost nothing of minerals is not considered a good quality health do. If you are taking a regarding extra vitamin and mineral supplements, however, this may not be of much concern.
The real advantage several reverse osmosis water filter is that it requires very little maintenance, with only the occasional cleaning of the membrane.
2. Activated Carbon Water purification
Activated Carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is one such filtering system. Active carbon works by binding contaminants to its surface. The surface area in active carbon is massive for its small size, since it contains millions of tiny nooks and crannies. However, the binding process does eventually ‘fill’ the surface, as well as the filters need changing.
The main advantage of activated carbon is they are readily available, Plumbing can be held in one small cartridge, wastes no water, and is usually inexpensive.
The main disadvantages are that the filters need to be changed regularly, and if improperly maintained, can become moldy. Shower filters, in particular, will be exposed to a lot hot water, can wear out the active carbon filter, and become useless at filtration, or worse, a breeding ground for mold. Proper use and regular replacement of filters prevents this problem from manifesting.
3. Ceramic Water Filter
Ceramic filters are made from the fossilized remains of ancient sea life. Usually are very well an excellent filter of larger sediments, and of most bacteria and viruses, while still allowing minerals to secure. Ceramic filters are often used in outdoor filter systems, wherein the main problem is filtering out pathogens, as an alternative to chemicals. Ceramic filters don’t filter out chlorine, keep away from used at home filter system, are usually combined with another associated with filter to accomplish this result.
Other Water filtration Systems
Beyond essential three there are several other associated with filters how the researching homeowner may come across:
Ultraviolet water filters bombard the water that passes through with ultraviolet rays, killing all pathogens. Excellent at disinfecting water, Ultraviolet does not filter out sediments or chemicals.
Ionizing water filters separate alkaline from acid in the water, and still provide both. Many people report health improvements of drinking alkaline water, and ionizer filters widely-used frequently in hospitals and health doctors.
KDF water filters use a brass alloy that results galvanic action which metabolizes chlorine. These are very valuable in shower heads, since the copper and zinc typically the alloy works better at higher weather conditions.
Navigating the confusing world of water filter options can be quite formidable to the house owner. But armed with this basic idea of the different filtering methods available, now you are two steps closer to selecting the right filter for the home and starting out enjoy various health benefits a home water filter brings.