How do you find the best home water filters? A drinking water filter is the best investment you can make to protect the health of you and your family members. You should use an effective water filter that will remove all pollutants found in your area’s water. It may be a supply or well water but contaminants can be found in both types of water. The supply water may also contain chemicals like chlorine that is used to treat and disinfect the water. Keep in mind that a water filter may not be the right solution if the water quality of your area is really bad. Then you will need packaged water sourced from other areas where the water quality is good.
You should first check the quality of your water. It is not possible to do so at home. Send a sample of your home water to a certified lab that tests the water. Its report will reveal the type of contaminants found in the water in your area. The report will make it easy to select the right type of water filter. There are different types of water filters in the market. Each type of water filter has some pros and cons. You should do proper research to find the right model of water filter for your home. The following information will help you select the right system for filtering your water.
The Pitcher
Pros – it is the cheapest option. This carafe style unit is sufficient if the water quality of your area is not that bad.
Cons – It does not remove many types of contaminants. It requires frequent refilling so it is not suitable for a large family.
Charcoal Stick Water Filter
Pros – it is reusable and cheap. It does not require electricity and retains the healthy minerals of the water. It can be used as a pre-filtering medium before sending the water to a more advanced filtering device.
Cons – If not used regularly, the filter becomes home to bacteria. This problem can be solved by flushing the stick for a minute. This filter is not effective in removing certain pollutants and microorganisms.
Reverse Osmosis
Pros – It is capable of removing maximum types of contaminants. It can even remove heavy metals, fluoride, asbestos, and arsenic that cheaper filters cannot remove.
Cons – It is the most expensive water filtering system for home use. It requires electricity to operate. Most RO water systems produce wastewater in the filtering process. It does not work without adequate water pressure and has a high maintenance cost.
Consult a water filter expert at the store to know the best home water filters.