Chlorine, sediments, mud, Godzilla eggs, an entire hepatitis alphabet, you name it – if it's dirty and potentially unhealthy for you, chances are it can be found some of the water we drink! Buying bottled water can be a solution, but this can be costly in the long run, not to mention all those plastic bottles ending up in landfills. To significantly cut your water-related expenses, and secure a healthy water source for yourself and your family, get a filtration and purification system! They're easy to install, and will save you a ton of money in the long run.
Choosing a brand new filtration and also purification system is certainly not going to be an easy purchase because there so many different options. Although, these contraptions do pay off in the long run, depending upon the system you get the initial investment may set you back a few bucks. If you aren’t ready to invest in a whole room or whole home system, we recommend taking a look at our separate reviews for
water dispensers with filters and
water coolers.
What is the Difference Between Water Filtration and Water Purification?
One of the most important things you need to pay attention to is whether or not the system that piques your interest is meant to only filter the water or if it also purifiers water. The main difference between these two processes is that the purification removes the dirty and potentially unhealthy particles from the water. This does not necessarily means all foreign particles from a water source, however, as most water purifying systems are made to remove only certain specific hazardous matters. In contrast, a filtering system is there to ensure that the water which has already been purified does not get dirty again due to poor plumbing or other contaminating factors. Bottom line, for a complete process where the end result is a clean drinkable water, you probably need both of these working side to side.
More often than not, folks tend to use the terms
water filters and
water purifiers interchangeably, as both of these contraptions tend to: 1) look important, delicate and similar to one another, and 2) somehow make the tap water better. It's an easy mistake to make, really, so let's clear it up once and for all:
- Water Filters- elaborate, bulky apparatuses that tackle chemical pollution in water. This would include such vile impurities as chlorine, mercury, lead, hydrogen sulfide and so on and so forth. They're also expected to inhibit the growth of bacteria and algae, but this is not their primary function.
- Water Purifiers- elaborate, bulky apparatuses that tackle bacterial pollution and also viruses. The list of unwelcomed microorganisms that will get obliterated by these mean machines (99.99% of it will, that is) includes Legionella, Coliforms, and even Fecal Indicators, no less.
Now, the trick is that once you've acquired the knowledge about all the potentially harmful particles that lurk about in the pipes, you'll probably want both of the aforementioned 'good guy' systems working for you. Since manufacturers have recognized this rather obvious niche, as well, you can rest assured that there are plenty of different models combining the two mighty water-treating technologies. These go by a not necessarily too original, but certainly a story-telling name of
water filtration and purification systems. So, if you'd like to equip yourself with one of these doubled-up configurations, or perhaps just settle with either a purification or a filtration utensil, make sure to test your tap water beforehand. This will help you pinpoint the culprits, and also save you some money in case you don't need both of the systems!
By the way, for those of you who are looking for a way to purify (not just filter) water while you are on the go, take a look at our
review for water purifiers. It also includes some nice home countertop options if you are not ready for a full system.
Price
Built-in Water filtration systems, especially if you are looking at a whole home system, are not cheap, let's get that out of the way. What you’re looking at is an investment that will improve both the quality and taste of your water, as well as help to prevent potential health problems. One of the things that will impact the price the most is whether you are getting a system for a single room, for multiple rooms or one for an entire home or building.
Another factor that is tied directly to cost is the quality and type of materials. For example, if the housing is made of plastic and it doesn't come with a faucet, chances are- the price will be lower. If it's made out of stainless steel, however, you can expect a higher price. Additional features such as custom-made faucets add to the price as well.
Some other properties that would fall into the category of 'additional' include leak sensors, LED indicators, and drains. There are some other aspects that can affect the overall price, such as the inclusion of a warranty, but these are the most common ones. All in all, getting yourself a water filtration and purification system can be a costly venture, so make sure that you choose a model that suits your needs the best from the first shot! While you could save money by getting a super cheap water filtration and purification system, when it comes to the water you are putting in and on your body, this is not the place to cut costs.
Features
Nowadays, filtration devices and systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it may be difficult to decide just what kind of contraption you need for yourself and your family. Therefore, we're providing you with a list of features to look out for when buying a filtration and purification system. Hopefully, you'll manage to find exactly what you need!
The list of the most common features to look for in a water filtration and purification system include:
- Transparent Housing
- Easy Installation
- Drain Requirement
- Electricity Requirement
- Flood Leak Sensor
- Type of Filter
Depending upon your needs, you may want to determine whether or not a faucet is included.
Another factor to take into consideration when buying one of these devices is the capacity of the system. More often than not, these contraptions are capable of delivering up to 15 gallons of processed water per minute, which is enough to fully support a medium-sized household. Of course, the sizes and capacities of these utensils vary so when buying one of these, make sure to decide what amount of water you'll be needing on a daily basis in the following period.
Finally, filtering typically comes in stages, so you can choose from systems that feature one, two or more stages. The more stages a purification system has, the cleaner results you'll get as the output. All in all, a large three stage water filter may be the best solution in the end of the day, if you've got the bucks for it, that is.
Construction and Design
When it comes to the construction of filtration devices, it's pretty darn complex, so we wouldn't bother trying to explain all of the details of how it all works in this short guide. Instead, we'll simply give you a bit of insight about what you should pay attention to when buying. Since these devices have a rather simple job of filtering water, they feature a plastic construction or that made of high-quality stainless steel. These surfaces are easy to clean and tend to look good under the sink (or wherever you choose to install them).
Another commonly-included feature worth mentioning is the faucet, which can either be made out of stainless steel or other durable materials, depending on the manufacturer. Of course, some of the filters take on a completely different shape. For example, there are certain models you can simply attach to your faucet and then continue using it as before! These filters are typically much smaller than the full-blown reverse-osmosis models, and they don't require a mighty effort when it comes to installation.
All things considered, a well-made filtration system should be sturdy, reliable and possibly also feature a faucet for good measure. Of course, this is not written in the stone, so you should pick the model that suits your needs the best!
Performance and Ease of Use
One of the most feared aspects of getting a brand-new water filtering system is that installation is going to be a major drag. Often enough, this fear is unjustified, as even the most complex reverse-osmosis systems can be installed pretty easily, if you have a little patience. What's more, most manufacturers provide their customers with how-to guides so you needn't really worry about that.
Once you've set them up, the maintenance is going to be a piece of cake. Mostly, it amounts to just dusting the whole configuration every now and then. Perhaps the most major chore about it you'll need to do is to change the filter regularly. In conclusion, we recommend getting a model which has a warranty that goes with it, as this will make your life much easier should something go awry.
Now that we have a good understanding of what to look for in a water filtration and purification system, it’s time to turn our attention to our top 5 picks. Keep in mind, while we have reviewed a great product from 5 reputable brands, if it’s not what you are looking for each one offers other options that may be exactly what you need.
We hope this review has helped you navigate the somewhat confusing process of choosing the best water purification and filtration system for your needs. We are confident that anyone of these products will not only make your water taste better, but also make it healthier for you and your family. Drink up!!
