Have you ever stopped to wonder what’s in the clear liquid that comes out of your tap? It’s clear, looks inviting, and tastes okay. Plus, it’s been treated by a treatment plant operating to government guidelines.
The problem is that between the testing station and your home are thousands of miles of pipe. The water can pick up debris from the inside of the pipe. It can also pick up bacteria and local contaminants, such as pesticides. All it takes is a tiny nick in the pipe, potentially invisible to the human eye.
The only way you can verify the quality of your water is to run a test on it every time you use it. That’s simply not practical.
Fortunately, you have an alternative, the whole house water filter.
There are two types of water filter, those that fit on the supply line to your home and filter all the water going into your house, and those that filter it to just one tap. Which type you choose is a personal decision.
However, it is worth considering what is in your water. Alongside potential contaminants, the water board will put chlorine and fluoride in the water. These kill bacteria and strengthen your teeth and bones. But, recent research questions whether these are as beneficial for your health as first thought. A whole-house system does offer you protection from the chemicals whether you are drinking the water, showering, or cooking.
An individual filter won’t protect your skin and open pores from chemicals and contaminants entering.
Of course, not all water filters are the same. It’s time you discovered the whole house water filter options for your home. Knowing the different options available will help you to choose the right one for your needs. We also recommend looking into online reviews of water filters to see what people who actually tried these filtration systems think about specific brands and products. For example, WaterOnTop.com has reviewed many filtration systems such as distillers or Reverse Osmosis, and recently they even reviewed Best Whole House Reverse Osmosis systems.
Carbon Based
This is the most common option for a whole house water filter. As with all these types of filters it is fitted in your main supply line before any water is distributed to the taps.
Activated carbon is used, this is when standard carbon has been subjected to heat. It opens the carbon, increasing the surface area and deepening pores.
Carbon is very effective at removing tiny particles and larger debris. It’s also one of the best options for removing chlorine and other chemicals/gases from the water.
Using this in a whole house system stops you from absorbing these harmful chemicals while showering.
Sediment Filtration
An alternative option is the sediment filter. This is the best option for removing larger components such as sand, dirt, and silt from your water. These are the types of components that can quickly cause issues for carbon filters.
The type of components that this filter removes are usually found in well water, which is why this is such a popular option for anyone using well water.
The filter is a cylindrical cartridge. As the water passes through the undesirable components are trapped by the mixture of polypropylene, string, and cellulose. It will make your water appear much clearer.
It’s worth noting that this type of filter is often used in an industrial setting. Although, when used on a bigger scale a large backwash tank is required. The modern versions of this system no longer use the polypropylene mix. Instead, a natural blend of zeolite works with mechanical straining to eliminate unwanted compounds in your water.
Ion Exchange
This is another popular option for whole-house systems. In effect, the filter is filled with special resin beads that attract the minerals in the water. They are replaced with negatively or positively charged ions.
This effectively removes the minerals from your water and is a popular choice in areas that have hard water.
Hard water is simply a high mineral content but it quickly leads to a calcium buildup which makes your appliances work harder and shortens their lifespan.
Calcium buildup can even cause damage to pipes and reduce water flow.
UV Sterilization
It’s been known for many years that UV light can be harmful. In fact, it is one of the most effective methods of killing bacteria in water. If you ever find yourself in a survival situation simply leaving a bottle of water in sunlight for 24 hours is enough to kill the bacteria in the water.
The filters go a step further than relying on sunlight. They actually pulse UV light rays through the water. These attack microbes and prevent them from being able to reproduce.
The filter is cylindrical, allowing the UV rays to bombard it from all sides. It’s very effective at removing some of the most dangerous bacteria that come through the water supply, such as e.coli. The fact that it does this without adding chemicals or changing the taste is a bonus.
Oxidation-Reduction
This process is also known as Redox and uses electrochemical oxidation-reduction and absorption action. In the process, a variety of contaminants are removed from the water, including iron, manganese, and other heavy metals. In particular, it is effective at eliminating electrons and promotes an increase in iron, hydrogen sulfide, and manganese.
These compounds can be easily removed further along the supply line by using a standard sediment filter.
The Bottom Line
The key to choosing the best water filter for your home is to find a reputable firm offering water filters such as cleanandcleanwater.com.au. They can help advise you regarding your personal situation and ensure that your system is installed properly.
With a little maintenance, it should give you years of better quality water. That’s peace of mind and potentially better health.
There are many different options available, you’ll need to talk to the professionals and possibly have a water test completed to see which issues your water system is facing. Getting the right water filter system will make your life easier and ensure the water you are using to wash, drink, and cook in, is safe to do so.
It is worth noting that to eliminate all possible contaminants you may need more than one type of filter.
FAQ:
Q: What is the best water filter for the entire house?
A: – 30-micron filter – Easy to install and maintain – Versatile – The capacity of 30,000 gallons of water – 3-month lifespan
Q: What is the best residential water filter system?
A: Best Pitcher – Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher Best Countertop Water Filter – Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter Best Dispenser – Epic Pure Water Filter Dispenser Best Under Sink Filter – Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under the Sink System Best Reverse Osmosis System – Waterdrop WD-G3-W Best Faucet Water Filter – PUR Advanced Faucet Filtration System
Q: How to install a whole house water filter?
A: You’ll need to access the unit to regularly change the whole house water filter cartridges,so be sure no obstacles interfere with installation. Select a position near the main water shut-off valve. … The water filtration system should be installed in-line with the existing plumbing line. …
Q: What is the best home filter system?
A: Activated carbon filters: They are also called pre-filters that remove large contaminants,such as silt and sediment from the water. Reverse Osmosis: It is a high-end filter that can remove many types of contaminants. Water ionizers: They use electrolysis in filtering the water. …