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Are you considering getting a water filter but not so sure its worth the time and money? Well, that all depends on what you want to use it for. Does your tap water have a taste you don’t like? Are you concerned about contaminants in the water? Then a water filter might be able to help with that. Don’t worry if you don’t know where to start with water filters. In this blog, we are telling you everything you need to know before buying a water filter.
Why get one?
In most areas tap water is 100% safe to drink. If your water supply isn’t safe, then getting a high-grade water filter is essential to your health. Same goes if you live in an area where there is a high risk of contamination. For everybody else, there are three main reasons why you would need a water filter.
Taste
In some areas tap water can have a peculiar taste depending on the kind of treatment it goes through. There are sometimes additives that sterilise the water but leaves a funny aftertaste. A good filter can get your water tasting clean and fresh again.
Sensitivity to chemicals
You might need to get a filter if you are sensitive to the chemicals commonly used to treat water. For example, there are sometimes very low traces of chlorine in water after treatment.
Peace of mind
Even if the water is treated and safe to use, you may feel more secure if you have a filter system of your own. Perhaps you feel safer knowing exactly what is going into your body and that is perfectly valid.
How do they work?
Your average at home filter isn’t going to have the same effect as a water treatment. It will be effective in changing the taste and in stripping away some chemicals and contaminants. If you are looking for a more heavy duty filtration system you might need a combination of the following types of filters:
- Adsorption: Adsorption filters use a material that makes certain particles stick to it. Common types of absorption filters are coconut, charcoal and ceramics.
- Softeners: These are designed to tackle old or stale water that can cause build-up in the sink or a kettle. This type of water is often referred to as ‘hard water’ and it contains a high proportion of dissolved minerals. This is achieved by exchanging the magnesium and calcium ions with sodium or hydrogen ions.
- UV treatment: Using ultraviolet light on water disinfects it. This technique isn’t for water that needs a heavy filter as it generally is used for cleaner water.
- Reverse osmosis: Water is pushed at high pressure through a thin membrane that blocks contaminants. This process uses up a lot of energy and wastes a lot of water.
- Distillation: By boiling water and collecting the condensation, the contaminations are separated and left behind.
Countertop filter
A countertop filter is basically a large urn that will mostly filter 2-3 litres per hour. While it is slow, you don’t have to install any plumbing to get your filtered water going. Depending on what type you get they can be delicate. So be careful when cleaning them.
Inline water filter
An inline water filter is so seamlessly built in, you’ll barely know its there. It can be fitted easily into any cold-water hose and you don’t need to install a second tap for it. No remodelling needed to fit this water filter into your life. All you really need to do it change the cartridges every now and then. Like most water filters the water pressure will be lower than an unfiltered tap.
Separate water filter
If you don’t need to use filtered water 24/7 then a separate water filter is the right fit for you. In order to install a separate water filter, you often need to also install another tap. Like the inline water filters, you also need to change the cartridges in order to keep the water pure. It’s more convenient and saves a lot more time than lugging a water filter jug around.
Remember, when you are getting a water filter make sure you put in a little time to research the product. Not all filters do exactly as they claim. So always look at what they are certified to do. Taking the extra time will save you time and money later on
Still need a hand figuring out which water filter is best for you? JPG Plumbing offers personalised, friendly and skilled plumbing services. Don’t take our word for it, you can browse out testimonials and check out our services. If you have any questions or would like a quote – call us today on 0400 978 442.
