Four Types of Home Water Filters
The type of home water filter you’ll need depends on your water quality. Look up your city’s official water quality report. Small amounts of contaminants that are acceptable to the government may not be acceptable to you. For a more accurate assessment of your home’s water, have a professional inspector test it for you. The results of your water test will help you determine which water filtration method is best for your household.
1. Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier
Reverse osmosis is one of the most thorough types of home water filters. Reverse osmosis happens when strong pressure pushes water through a semipermeable membrane leaving contaminants to be flushed away. These filters remove heavy metals, harmful chemicals, bacteria, and viruses from your water. However, reverse osmosis filters also remove healthy minerals. It is a more expensive water filtration system that is effective at filtering out a wide range of particles.
2. Activated Carbon Home Water Filter
Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal, traps pollutants in the pores of the charcoal. Most refrigerator and pitcher water filters are carbon filters. Activated carbon filters remove pollutants like chlorine, VOCs, and sediment. However, they don’t remove as many contaminants as reverse osmosis, including heavy metals. If you live in an area that doesn’t have heavy metals like lead and arsenic in the water, an activated carbon filter may work well for your home. Carbon filters keep healthy minerals in the water, which is a benefit.
3. Ultraviolet Water Purifier
A UV water filter is the best way to eliminate parasites, bacteria, and viruses from the water. Ultraviolet rays kill any living organisms. UV filters do not remove sediments, chemicals, or heavy metals so they are best used in conjunction with another type of water filter. UV purifiers require more energy to operate and have higher operating costs than other types of home water filters.
4. Water Distillation
Water evaporates at a lower boiling point than chemicals, metals, and pathogens. With a water distillation system, the water vapor collects and then continues through the system. It cools and reverts back to a cleaner, liquid state. Distillation is effective at removing viruses, bacteria, chemicals, and metals. Like reverse osmosis, distilling water also removes beneficial nutrients and minerals, so a well-balanced diet is important.
Using Multiple Home Water Filter Systems
Home water filtration systems have their pros and cons. By combining different methods, you can provide clean, healthy drinking water to your home. The first step is to learn more about what is in your water. Have a professional test and analyze your drinking water before shopping for water filters.
Outlook Home Inspections provides home water testing and other home inspection service to Greater Charlotte, Upstate South Carolina, and Western North Carolina. Contact us to schedule our services.