Water Filter Comparison
When it comes to getting a water filter you have a wide range of choices both in terms of systems – how the filters work, and it terms of setup – how they’re set up to work in your home. Here’s a water filter comparison of each type to help you choose the best one for your needs.
There are 4 main types of water filter systems.
The most common systems use carbon (charcoal). When carbon is activated it becomes very adsorbent and so removes impurities from the water. It does this through adsorption meaning a process in which matter sticks to the surface of an adsorbent.
Carbon devices are inexpensive and are effective for removing chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and pesticides.
You need to be careful about passing hot water through carbon water filters as this can release contaminants already stuck there.
Reverse osmosis (RO) water filters work by forcing the water through a semi-permeable membrane from an area high in solutes to an area low in solutes. Chemicals, parasites and other impurities cannot pass through this membrane.
RO systems are highly efficient in removing all kinds of impurities but are rather wasteful in terms of the volumes of water used. These systems also remove beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the water.
Ionic exchange water filters percolate water through special resins. This works well to soften water but not so well in removing contaminants.
Distillers work by boiling the water until it vaporizes leaving solid contaminants behind. The steam then passes into a cooler and is turned back into pure water.
Combination filters combine several filter systems to provide a highly efficient filtration. for example Aquasana filters rely on a blend of carbon filtration‚ ion exchange and sub-micron filtration.
Finally mention must be made of ultraviolet (UV) light based devices. These are not filters so they don’t remove chemical and organic impurities such as lead, asbestos and chlorine. They work by passing a beam of UV light through the water which inactivates bacteria and viruses.
Water Filter Comparison – Water Filtration Set Ups
As for home water filtration setups, you can choose from simple pitcher systems that produce a single jug of drinking water to household filtration systems which filter your entire supply as if enters your home.
The latter not only make all the household water potable but by removing the hardness and chlorine from the water makes washing and shampooing far more pleasant.
The most popular types of filter are faucet mount or under counter/under sink devices. These work to filter water from just one tap. The former is fixed to the faucet and other positioned in the cabinet under the sink. These are fine for the single household or small family who just want better drinking water.
Your choice of water filter will depend on such factors as the size of your household and the space in your kitchen. Hopefully this water filter comparison will give you a clear idea of your options.