Water is a basic requirement for everything we do in our lives. For drinking, washing, cooking, and maintaining overall hygiene, water is a resource we cannot live without. Despite how essential it is to our daily lives, many households are supplied with hard water or chemically treated water, which might not be entirely safe for consumption. The solution to this issue lies in using water filtration systems that can efficiently purify water, making it safe for all types of uses. However, with the abundance of options in the market, deciding on the right water filtration system for your home can be a daunting task. This article seeks to simplify this decision by highlighting some of the best water filtration systems for home use.
What is a Water Filtration System?
A water filtration system is a unit or device that removes harmful substances such as chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals from water, making it safer for consumption. Depending on the model chosen, these systems can be installed at various points such as at the source of water (point-of-entry systems), under the sink, on a countertop, or even on the tap itself (point-of-use systems).
Types of Water Filtration Systems
-
Activated Carbon Filters: These filters are the most common, primarily because they are easy to maintain and are budget-friendly. The activated carbon in the filters traps impurities as water passes through, thus removing harmful substances.
-
Reverse Osmosis Systems: These systems are more comprehensive. They operate by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane, which filters out a wide range of contaminants.
-
UV Filters: UV Filters utilize ultraviolet radiation to kill bacteria and viruses present in the water. They are, however, not effective in removing non-living impurities.
-
Infrared Filters: Primarily used in areas with hard water, Infrared filters utilize heat and light to charge the water negatively, thereby altering its molecular structure to make it softer.
-
Alkaline/Water Ionizers: These systems use electrolysis to separate water particles into acidic and alkaline components.
The Top Water Filtration Systems for Home Use
This section will examine five of the best water filtration systems currently available in the market, discussing their features, pros, and cons.
-
Aquasana Rhino Whole House Water Filter System: This system makes use of both carbon and UV filters to deliver clean water throughout your home^1^. The filter has a long lifespan of up to one million gallons. However, its large size may make it unsuitable for smaller homes.
-
Home Master TMAFC Artesian Full Contact Undersink Reverse Osmosis Filter: One notable feature of this filter is its seven-stage filtration process which ensures the removal of about 98% of chemicals[^2^]. It also adds minerals twice during the purification process. However, this model requires professional help to ensure proper installation.
-
APEC Water Systems ROES-PH75: This 6-stage system not only purifies water but also adds calcium minerals to enhance the water’s taste. High capacity filters mean that maintenance is needed less often[^3^].
-
iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage Water Filtration System: Known for its high capacity filtration, iSpring RCC7AK is ideal for large families. The water is passed through a 6-stage filtration process which removes up to 99% of over 1,000 contaminants^4^.
-
Brita Tap Water Faucet Filtration System: This point-of-use system offers a more affordable and compact solution to water filtration^5^. The Brita filter can remove 60 contaminants, including 99% of lead.
Conclusion
Safe and clean water is not just essential for our health but also for the appliances and plumbing fixtures in our homes. While there are many water filtration systems available in the market, the final decision should cater to individual household needs. Budget, maintenance, installation process, and the type of contaminants present in the supply water are all factors to be considered when choosing a water filtration system.
[^2^]: Home Master
[^3^]: APEC Water