Water Filters
Types of water filter systems
Types of water filters offered include countertop home water filters, under-counter filters, whole house water filter systems for home or commercial use, shower filters, refrigerator filters, reverse osmosis filters and ultraviolet purifiers.
Countertop Water Filters and Faucet Mounted Water Filters
Countertop water filters, also known as point of use filters, are connected to your faucet using a diverter. The diverter has as tube going to the countertop water filter, and it directs water to your countertop filter from the sink. Filtered water is produced at the countertop filter and sent through a spigot in the filter. Faucet mounted filters connect directly to the spigot of your kitchen faucet, and water flows through the filter and is purified. This filter can be installed by the home owner without the need for a plumber. Filters using KDF/GAC cartridges have a 3 year life.
Under-counter Water Filters
Under-counter filters are also point of use filters that connect to your water line under the sink. They usually have a separate faucet installed next to the kitchne faucet, where you dispense water only when you need it. Under-counter water filters can also be connected inline with your cold water shut of valve and the faucet. The advantage is you don't have a separate faucet in your sink, however, all cold water going through your kitchen faucet is purified, including water you use to wash you hands and dishes. This can reduce the life of your filter cartridges. This filter needs to be installed by a licensed plumber, unless you are experienced working with plumbing. KDF/GAC cartridges used have a 3 year life.
Whole House Water Filters
Whole house water filters connect directly to the water line, where the water enters the house, and filters all water in your home, to remove chlorine.. This type of filter is called point of entry. Carbon granules used in this type of system have a 1 year life. If KDF is added to the filter tank, that extends the life to 3 years. KDF-55 is used for municipal filtration.
Portable Water Filters
Portable water filters are small, and lightweight for travel. Some are for camping use a gravity type filter while other portable water filters may be connected to hotel sink faucets using a diverter for filtered water.
Refrigerator Water Filters
Two types of refrigerator water filters are available. Most refrigerators have a built-in carbon filter cartridge. A second method is to install an inline filter to the water line connection on the back of the refrigertor. This inline filters is available with just carbon, or a combination of carbon and KDF (copper/zinc). Filters using only carbon have a six month life. The KDF and carbon (KDF/GAC) refrigerator filters last 2 to 3 years.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filters (a portable reverse osmosis filter is pictured)
Reverse osmosis is a method to purifiy water using a special membrane cartridge as a part of a 2 or 3 stage filter. It will remove chlorine, fluoide and all other solids in the water including the healthy minerals. It's a thorough way to purify your water, however, because it removes everything, all the minerals, the water tends to be on the acid side. This can be corrected later by adding minerals to the water that was generated. A second problem with reverse osmosis is that it wastes 4 gallons of water for every gallon generated. And lastly, the storage tank or container that holds the filtered water needs to be sanitized every year or sooner. Because the water is not protected from bacteria contamination with chlorine, bacteria can start growing, so to prevent the problem, the holding tank needs to be sanitized. RO membranes last from 2 to 3 years, depending on the usage and type of water filtered. The membrane is tested using a total dissolved solids meter (TDS). It's time to replace the membrane when it allows more than 15 ppm dissolved solids to pass through.
Shower Water Filters
Most shower water filters use KDF-55 (copper/zinc) media to remove chlorine, heavy metals and pesticides. They require use of a water saver shower head to slow the water for more contact time to remove the most chlorine. A newer shower filter design uses vitamin C to remove the chlorine and chloramines.
Ultraviolet Purifiers Kill Bacteria & Viruses using short wave UV light
Ultraviolet purification is a proven technology (EPA approved) that can protect your family from waterborne disease-causing microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, algae, and fungi. Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection works by delivering concentrated amounts of UV light energy to the reproductive mechanism of the microbe, effectively killing it. As water passes through the UV chamber, it instantly disinfects it. UV bulb is replaced yearly.
Chlorine is widely used as a disinfectant, but it has several drawbacks. Chlorine requires constant monitoring for proper dosage, as well as a holding tank to allow proper contact time. Chlorine reacts with naturally-occurring organic matter in water to form byproducts such as chloroform, a known carcinogen. In addition, chlorine leaves an objectionable taste and odor in the water. UV purifiers have none of these drawbacks - it disinfects without chemicals.
