As a homeowner, one of your main concerns would be keeping your water clean and safe for drinking. However, water treatment can get tricky and challenging, so you may not know where to begin. If you are stuck with this dilemma at the moment, one of the best solutions would be to install a water filtration system, such as one from Berkey filters in your home. Having one will require maintenance, where you may have to get Berkey replacement filters to maintain water quality, but overall, the benefits are certainly worth the effort.
A home filtration system essentially helps remove contaminants and other unpleasant components that can make your water unhealthy for consumption. Compounds like arsenic and lead may sometimes go into your water, especially since they can come from lakes, rivers, and streams. These can lead to health risks, making it important to filter your water before using it for drinking. With a proper filtration system, you can save money from buying bottled water and avoid using plastic containers that can harm the environment.
If you are interested in installing a water filter system in your home, it will help to familiarize yourself with the essential information. This way, you can easily decide what will work best for your home based on your needs and situation.
Types of Water Filters
There are many kinds of water filters that you can choose from, and while they all clean your water, they each work differently. Since you will need to get Berkey replacement filters every now and then, you can get to know some of the types of water filters:
- Activated Carbon
Activated carbon water filters are the most common type used in household settings. The activated carbon granules, which are derived from charcoal, can trap chemicals with their high absorption rate. Carbon filters can vary in effectiveness, with the simplest types just removing chlorine and others capable of removing lead, mercury, and other compounds. However, these filters are not designed to remove heavy metals and inorganic compounds.
- Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis filters work by forcing water through a high-pressure membrane, allowing the water to pass through without retaining the contaminants. They can remove most contaminants like nitrates, chlorine, and heavy metals. However, the main drawback is that these filters work slowly, waste lots of water, and may sometimes also remove good minerals.
- Ion Exchange
Ion exchange is a process that splits atoms of contaminants to produce ions and traps the undesirable ions. It is effective in softening water, removing metals, absorbing acids, and performing other deionization processes. The filter uses zeolite beads to trap the contaminants, resulting in softer water that tastes much better for drinking.
- UV Disinfection
UV technology can kill microorganisms and microbes that may be lurking in bodies of water, but it is not effective in eliminating most of the other contaminants. That said, it is important to note that UV radiation from UV lamps are not filters in themselves, but more of additional protection that you get on top of your water filter. As such, if you want to get UV disinfection, you will still need to get a water filter first.
What to Know About Water Filtration Systems
Home filter systems will typically consist of faucet-mounted, on-counter, and under-sink filters, along with whole house treatment units. Take note that filters will not be 100% effective in removing all contaminants, but they will certainly help clean your water and make it safer for drinking. Even with a whole house filter system installed, you can still expect the system to get less efficient over time. When this happens, replacing the filter can maintain the quality of your water.
Typically, it is recommended that you replace your filter every few months, but this still depends on the type of filter you use. Regular maintenance is needed to ensure your water filters are all functioning properly and also so you know when you need to replace the filters. While it may sound like a hassle to maintain the system, the truth is that you only need to watch out for filter replacements, but other than that, maintenance is not too hectic or demanding.
There is no “best” filter per se, as this depends on what you need and prefer, but if you only need to use it for drinking water, you do not necessarily need a fast filter. Filtration systems can vary in costs based on the complexity of the system you are getting, as well as the cost of professional installation.
