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How To Choose The Right Home Water Filters and Water Purifiers For Your Needs
By C.J.Gustafson
When it comes to home water filters and water purifiers, consumers have many
choices. You can choose from leading name brands such as Brita, Culligan, PUR,
and Braun. You can go with counter top water filters, under the sink models, or
whole house water filters. You can pick from systems that use carbon filters,
reverse osmosis water filters, and ultraviolet (UV) light technology. It’s great
to have so many options, but how do you know which home water purifier is right
for you?
Do You Need a Home Water Purifier?
The first question to ask when considering a residential water purifier is
whether you even need one. If you have a municipal water source then your water
is already treated. But many people don’t want to drink the chlorine or other
additives that city’s use to treat water supplies. And there have been many
instances when city water supplies have become contaminated despite treatment
procedures.
If you feel secure about your city water supply and enjoy the taste of
chlorinated water, then you may not need a purifier. If you’re not sure what’s
in your water, you can ask to see a water quality report that all cities are
required to provide.
Although well water isn’t treated, it comes from an underground source that can
often be cleaner than municipal water. But if you live in areas with farming,
manufacturing, and other industries that may inadvertently or purposely dump
chemicals into the water table, your water is at risk.
Additionally, well water may contain sediments, such as iron, that can cause
discoloration and odor. These sediments can also build up in dishwashers and
other appliances and cause malfunctions. Many home water filters and purifiers
can help improve the taste and quality of well water. To find out what type of
impurities are in your well water, purchase a home testing kit or for more
reliable results, have your water professionally tested.
What Contaminants Do You Want To Target?
If you’ve decided you need a home water purifier, the next step is to decide
what type of contaminants you want to filter out or protect against. Are you
concerned about bacteria and other microorganisms? Do you want to remove
chemicals and compounds such as chlorine? Maybe you know your water contains
sediments and high mineral content. Or perhaps like many people, you’re
concerned about all of these things and you want a comprehensive home water
purifier/filtration system.
Bacteria and microorganisms
If bacteria and other organisms are your targets, then you want to consider home
water purifiers that use UV technology. Of the three most common water
purification technologies, UV is the only one that effectively immobilizes
bacteria. However, it does not remove sediments, chemicals and other
contaminants.
Chemicals and sediments
Home water purifiers that use either carbon filters or reverse osmosis
technology will remove suspended solids such as sediments, dissolved chemicals,
and many other contaminants. Of the two, reverse osmosis is effective on a wider
range of contaminants. However, neither of these technologies is effective at
removing bacteria.
For a comprehensive home water purification system, it is important to combine
UV technology with one of the other options. A carbon pre-filer is the most
common choice. It’s also critical that you change your home water filters
regularly and follow manufacturers’ maintenance schedules. If you don't
routinely change the filters on your home water filters and water purifiers, you
could wind up creating an even bigger problem with bacteria than the one you may
be trying to avoid in the first place.
Where Will You Put Your Home Water Purifier?
Where you want to locate the filter/purification system can also influence your
decision. Faucet mount and countertop water filters typically only come in
carbon filter technology. You can usually find both carbon filters and reverse
osmosis water filters in under sink systems. And both reverse osmosis and UV
technologies come in whole house systems. Each of these can also be fitted with
a carbon pre-filter for comprehensive treatment.
If your only concern is your drinking water, then you may prefer one of the many
countertop or under sink water filters. They are less expensive than whole house
systems, ranging from about $20 to $30 for a countertop pitcher or faucet filter
to around $200 or $300 for an under the sink model. The under sink water
purifiers are capable of processing water much more quickly, and the filters
tend to last longer.
If you want to treat your bathing water and keep sediments and bacteria from
building up in your appliances, then you will need to consider a whole house
system. They start at around $400 for basic models and can cost upwards of $1000
for high-end systems. In the end, your budget may be the ultimate factor in your
decision.
Installation and Maintenance
One final aspect to consider when choosing between different home water filters
and purification systems is whether or not you want to install and maintain it
yourself. Faucet mounts and countertop models basically require no or minimal
installation. And the only maintenance is changing the filters, which is a
simple process.
Depending on your mechanical aptitude, under sink models and whole house water
purifiers may require professional installation and maintenance. Some companies
require that their technicians perform all the work. The companies say this is
to avoid mistakes and improper setup. Others say it is simply another means of
charging more money.
But for those who don’t want to deal with the fuss and possible mess, a service
plan may be well worth the extra money. In addition, a service plan often covers
the equipment if it malfunctions or breaks down.
There are several factors to consider when choosing between the various types
and styles of home water filters and water purifiers. The best place to start is
with an analysis of your water. Different water purifier technologies target
different types of contaminants, and a water test will help you determine which
technology will meet your needs. Considering how much we depend on clean water
for drinking, cooking, bathing and other daily activities, a home water purifier
can be an inexpensive way to provide safe and healthy tap water for you and your
family.
About the Author
C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for
http://www.water-filters-n-purifiers.com, providing consumer information on
water purifiers.
She uses a system employing
whole house water filters to remove iron and other contaminants from her
well water. Her gifts of
counter top water filters have been greatly appreciated by family and
friends.
Copyright 2005 Water-Filters-N-Purifiers.com
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/5909.html
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