How to choose a water filter

Despite the different treatment systems used in urban water supply networks, water quality in many cities leaves much to be desired. For this reason, many citizens are forced to use filters for water purification - special devices that allow filtering harmful impurities and slags. To get a drinkable liquid, it is enough to choose the right filter model and install it in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

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1. Top water filter manufacturers
   
2. Kinds of water filters
3. The main criteria for selecting a water filter
4. Features of the choice of water filter for washing
5. Features of flow filter selection
6. Features of the jug filter selection
7. Features of the choice of filter to give
8. Features of the choice of the main filter

Top water filter manufacturers

The best brands on the market are:

1. Geyser;

2. Barrier;

3. Atoll;

4. Aquaphor;

5. New water;

Before you give preference to a particular model, you should be familiar not only with its technical features, but also with customer reviews that have tried it in action. It is easiest to find them on the relevant portals dedicated to healthy lifestyles, as well as on the pages of similar communities on social networks.

Kinds of water filters

Despite the common tasks solved with the help of these devices, the principle of their functioning varies in many ways. The following types of water filters are distinguished.

Jug

Mobile filter, the design of which includes two separate compartments between them, as well as a special filter element (usually coal). Water is poured into the upper tank, passes through the filter and flows into the lower tank. Filter cartridges can be different: disinfecting, iron removal, with activated carbon and built-in ionizers.

Virtues

• Inexpensive;

• High mobility, allow to use in any conditions;

• A large number of models with different volume;

• High filtering ability;

• Compact size;

disadvantages

• Slow cleaning speed;

• With excessively dirty water cartridges quickly fail;

Flow Filters

Compact portable solutions designed for installation on a crane. They represent a compact cylinder equipped with two porous membranes, as well as an insert made of a special filtering material. The principle of their operation involves the passage of water through the filter insert at the time when the valve is open, which directly affects the convenience of operation.

Virtues

• Compact;

• Long service life;

• Can be installed on all types of mixers;

• Installed on the tap and filter the water in real time;

• Inexpensive;

disadvantages

• Slow water pressure - not less than 0.5 liters per minute;

• The vast majority of filters of similar design are non-separable;

• May cause interference with the operation of the crane;

Main filters

They are integrated directly into the water supply system and perform the function of cleaning the water flow without reducing its intensity. They represent a flask of durable plastic, in which a special filter element is mounted. Its density should not be excessively high so as not to create excessive resistance to water flow. There are main filters for hot and cold water.

Virtues

• Inexpensive;

• There are models for cold and hot water;

• Do not prevent the passage of water flow;

• Possess the good filtering ability;

• Well purify water from impurities, chlorine and iron;

disadvantages

• Requires frequent maintenance and item changes;

• Careful control of the absence of leaks is needed;

• Can weaken a stream at installation in a multi-storey building;

Filter systems for installation under the sink

Multifunctional complexes designed for maximum water purification. Installed under the sink by integrating into the water supply. They allow solving the tasks of cleaning from mechanical and harmful impurities, as well as air conditioning and ionization of water. They work on a cumulative basis and have a reservoir of significant volume, which allows to supply purified water in real time, without having to wait for the completion of the cleaning procedure.

Virtues

• The maximum possible degree of purification;

• Performance is several years in continuous operation;

• Allow to deliver water in real time;

• High functionality;

• Disposal of harmful impurities, as well as ionization and aeration;

disadvantages

• The complexity of the installation;

• The need for a thorough analysis of the state of water before choosing one model or another;

• Expensive to maintain;

• Quality road models;

Nozzles on the crane

Compact and inexpensive models, convenient in operation in the city and country mode. Represent a compact container that is fixed directly to the faucet and purify water using an integrated filter.

Virtues

• High degree of filtration;

• Minimum cost;

• Ease of operation;

• Compact size;

disadvantages

• High cartridge life;

• Common models are indivisible;

• They require constant switching between the filter and the mixer;

Ultrafiltration

A separate category of flow filters that purifies water based on the operation of a special membrane, the pore size of which does not exceed 0.1 micron. This feature makes it possible to purify water from both pollution and mechanical fraction, and from pathogenic bacteria.

Virtues

• Miniature and ease of use;

• Purify water from impurities and bacteria;

• Well filtered water;

disadvantages

• High cost;

• Insignificant membrane resource;

• They require regular discussion;

Reverse Osmosis Filters

Composite structures, which are based on reverse osmosis membrane. They perform multi-stage water purification and are distinguished by excellent functionality. Primary water purification is provided by a three-stage prefilter, which holds the mechanical fraction, chlorine, iron and other impurities, while the main water purification is provided by means of a special reverse osmosis membrane.

Virtues

• The maximum quality of water purification, remove up to 99% of impurities;

• Spacious tank;

• Long filter life without the need for maintenance;

disadvantages

• High cost;

• Purified water becomes tasteless;

• Poor performance;

• For high-quality cleaning, the membrane requires significant pressure in the system, which implies the installation of a pre-filter with a built-in pump;

Cartridge Line Filters

Currently the most common type of water filtration device. They are installed directly into the water supply system and purify water from large particles, suspended matter of various substances, iron and chlorine. They represent a plastic transparent flask, inside which is located the filter element. Depending on the required functionality, the material from which the latter is made can vary quite significantly: cellulose filters are used to clean mechanical particles, special iron removal cartridges are used to remove iron, while chlorine removal will require a special carbon element.

Virtues

• High functionality;

• The degree of contamination can be controlled thanks to the transparent casing;

• Inexpensive;

• Various forms of filters to work in a variety of conditions;

• Performance;

disadvantages

• Requires regular replacement of the filter element;

• Plastic filters can leak;

• To clean various contaminants, different filter element systems will be required;

Coarse Filters

The most simple to use filters designed to purify water from large particles and dirt - from 50 to 500 microns. They are a special mesh insert through which the water flow passes and which delays debris and other fractions. Unpretentious care, durable and reliable.

Virtues

• Unpretentiousness;

• Well hold mechanical particles and debris;

• Low cost;

disadvantages

• Not able to filter small particles, iron and chlorine;

• Substandard metal inserts tend to corrode and oxidize;

• Requires regular cleaning and maintenance;

The main criteria for selecting filters for water

Number of cleaning steps

The simplest filters have a single-stage cleaning system. They are designed to combat a certain type of pollution - mechanical, chemical, designed to remove iron, chlorine and other substances. Such a filter is selected depending on the initial state of the tap water;

Filters with two or more cleaning steps are much more functional and perform their functions much better. As a rule, the first stage of purification is to remove mechanical impurities, the subsequent purify water from chemicals, iron and even bacteria. The disadvantage of such a system is the fastidiousness of service and the presence of many components, each of which requires attention;

Module cartridge life

Any filter element has its own resource and needs regular maintenance. Cleaning or replacement of the filter is carried out at intervals of once every 2-3 months to once a year. Neglecting manufacturer’s recommendations regarding service regulations may result in reduced performance and device failure.

Features of the choice of water filter for washing

Complex cleaning systems, designed for installation in the water supply system, allow to solve many different problems:

1. Rough water purification from impurities and large particles;

2. Salt removal, ionization and sorption purification;

3. Deironing and softening;

4. Mineral enrichment and water conditioning;

Before choosing such a device, a thorough analysis of the water supplied to the mains should be carried out for the presence of diverse contaminants. Depending on the results obtained, the appropriate filtering systems are selected to neutralize one or another source.

An important element of the design is an osmosis filter, which passes purified water, as a result of which the resulting liquid becomes almost a complete analog of distilled water.

Preference should be given to filters equipped ion exchange resin inserts. Their task is to soften water and replace magnesium and calcium ions with sodium and potassium ions.

In order for the water pressure to be sufficient for daily use, it is necessary to give preference to systems whose filtration carried out under pressure from 2 to 3 bar. It is quite enough for high-quality water purification without damage to the water pressure.

Features of flow filter selection

Flow-through filter is an excellent mobile option that you can take with you on a trip, a business trip or to the country.

Preference should be given to collapsible models with replaceable filters.

1. The force of pressure in this situation plays a secondary role: for such operating conditions, models are enough, whose performance will be at the level of 0.3 to 0.6 liters per minute.

2. The functional features of the filter are selected based on the quality of water and the presence of certain impurities in it, as well as chlorine, iron, phosphates.

Features of the jug filter selection

The universal volume of the filter jug ​​is 1-1.5 liters;

1. Cartridges used in everyday life should be well de-ironed water, as well as clean it from chlorine and various impurities;

2. Device performance should be at the level of 0.3-0.5 liters per minute;

3. Filtration range - from 2 microns;

4. The frequency of replacement of the filter element - once every 2-3 months;

Features of the choice of filter to give

1. If there is no central sewage at the dacha, and a well is the water source, preference should be given to traditional jug filters. For domestic needs of the device of this class is more than enough;

2. With a central water supply, the flow filter made in the form of a nozzle on a faucet becomes optimal. Taking into account the fact that the chemical composition and the presence of impurities are stable, it is possible to choose an inexpensive nonseparable model;

3. If the dacha is a more or less permanent place to live, and the water quality leaves much to be desired, one should pay attention to the filtration systems installed under the sink. The high cost and capriciousness of such devices is more than offset by their quality and purity of the water produced at the outlet.

Features of the choice of the main filter

High-quality main filter should have the following characteristics.

1. The volume of the tank - from 2 to 3 liters;

2. Two- or three-stage cleaning system;

3. Corrugated cartridge with a capacity of 40-50 liters per minute;

4. The design allowing installation in a place, necessary for the user;

5. Experienced plumbers recommend installing separate main filters for hot and cold water.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.