Rumors about the inefficient quality of tap water have long been a fact. And so, after reading another article with horrific prophecies, you hastily going to the store for a water filter. And only there you understand that you can not answer the main question - what filter for water it is better to buy? The following instructions will help you make the right choice.
Task 1: calculate the volume of
The average citizen consumes from 2 to 3 liters of water per day. In addition to pure water, this volume includes water in the form of coffee or tea, soup and other compotes. Of course, some of the water you drink at work, on the street or while swimming in the pool. But we will proceed from the most extreme conditions, especially since a small stock will not hurt. So, we take a daily consumption of 3 liters per person( 90 liters per month).
Task 2: from what to clean?
The best water filter is a filter that matches your conditions. Chlorine, for example, will save any filter. But tap water is not only stuffed with chlorine.
Take a look inside the kettle, in which you boil tap water. If you see "drifts" from the scale, then your water is rich in salts of metals( primarily calcium and magnesium), i.e.is rigid. Therefore, you need a filter( or cartridge) with a softening "bias".
Next experiment: pour tap water into a glass and wait a couple of days. If after this period a greenish sediment forms in the glass, then there is a lot of organic matter in the water - all kinds of bacteria and similar microorganisms. To get rid of such "guests" filters with bactericidal components( ions of silver, etc.) will help.
Task 3: select the
filter Before deciding which water filter is best to buy, you need to find out what they are in general. We will move from the cheapest.
Filter jug
The most affordable option, it is suitable for a family of two people. The filter-pitcher will help in the event that the family is large, but a more expensive filter is too expensive, and clean water, meanwhile, is extremely necessary( for a small child, for example).The best option is a filter at the dacha.
Cartridges of filter-jugs are designed for the volume of water from 150 to 300 liters, so it must be changed every 1.5-2 months.
Nozzle for the
. Another inexpensive version of the filter. By the principle of operation it is similar to a filter pitcher, although the resource has a somewhat larger one. Of course, the quality of cleaning nozzle - not the best filter for water, but with the most common impurities, he copes quite successfully.
Desktop filtering systems
Such devices belong to the average price range. On one cartridge the filter can clean up 1500 and more liters of water. The best option for a family of three or four people. The quality of cleaning is not the highest, but quite acceptable.
Two- and three-hull cleaning systems
As a rule, these filters are installed under the sink with a cut-in into the cold water pipe and the output of a separate crane to the sink. If you choose a water filter, focusing primarily on quality, then this is exactly what you need. The filter provides multi-stage water purification and removes a very wide range of harmful impurities. The resource of the cartridge depends on the model and the manufacturer, but even for the most inexpensive filters of this type it is so large that cleaning one liter of water costs a penny. That is why such filters have gained wide popularity, despite the high cost.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Undoubtedly, these are the best water purification filters. They not only purify the water, but also mineralize its composition, bringing the quality of water to the ideal state. The efficiency of reverse osmosis plants is 99%.Their cost significantly exceeds the average level, but if you really value your health - your costs will justify themselves.
Task 4: choose manufacturer
Now that you know what water filters are, it's worth discussing the manufacturers. Unconditional leaders in the domestic market of household water filters are the companies "Aquafor", "Barrier" and "Geyser".Products of each manufacturer has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is unequivocal to decide what is best: a barrier or aquafor is very difficult.
"Aquaphor"
This company is famous for its own developments. One of them is the Akvalen technology. Its essence lies in the use of an ion-exchange fiber, which is an obstacle to manganese, iron and all heavy metals. The bactericidal "version" of the filter contains silver ions, which in combination with high-quality activated carbon give an excellent result.
The weak point of filters of this brand is unique cartridges for each model. For this reason, when buying a new cartridge, it is recommended to take the old one with you as a sample. The resource of the most affordable - "pitchers" - cartridges is from 170 to 300 liters.
"Barrier"
The most widespread we have just filter-jugs of this brand. On the conscience are made not only filters, but also their packaging. As a result, the "Barrier" has the lowest percentage of products. Cartridges are unified and can be installed in any model of filters "Barrier".In total there are five varieties of them, which are designed for different composition of water. Resource filters pitcher type is 350 liters. We will add that only the "Barrier" has cartridges that saturate the water with fluorine - a very useful element for human health.
"Geyser"
The reputation of this company is beyond doubt. Realizing this, the staff makes a lot of efforts to ensure that consumer confidence remains at a high level. The product range covers both low-cost filters and super-systems for water treatment on an industrial scale. Also, like the "Barrier", the cartridges are unified, when you buy them, you need to remember only that your filter is from the company "Geyser".
There are less well-known manufacturers. It is not difficult to make a choice: if the funds allow, then get a better geyser or aquafor, otherwise you will have to take something cheaper. But remember: unnecessary savings in this case is inappropriate. Your health depends on the quality of water.