How to Choose the Best Whole Water Filtration Systems

If the water coming from the sink in your kitchen has a terrible taste and also smells a little funky, then you may need to install a filtration system for your entire home. The problem, however, is that you are not sure which system is right for you. The selection process can be a little daunting, and that’s because your water supply has its own unique biochemical properties. These invisible agitators in our water supply are a lot more prevalent than you may think, and you will need to take action at some point.

Several chemicals and pollutants will commonly show up in our water supplies. The water filtration process that you decide to install in your home will largely depend on the contaminants that you are removing. You will need to identify what’s inside your water before deciding on a filtration system. Some of the more common culprits include Aluminum, Ammonia, Arsenic, Copper, Chlorine, Lead, Fluoride, Nitrates, and Bacteria.

Municipal water supplies do not always contain the same contaminants, and it’s your responsibility to find out what’s inside it. Your water supply will inevitably intercept different pathogens and contaminants as it makes its way to your home. You should test the water that comes out of the faucets in your home. You can always purchase an at-home test kit or you can have a professional perform an inspection. If you learn about any potential groundwater contaminants in your area, then you should always call and inform your local health department about it.

In recent years, more and more filtration technology has emerged and there are now several standardized water treatment systems for your home. Each of them serves a unique purpose and you should carefully consider the different ways in which they will benefit you. The system that you install will be based on what it is exactly that you removing from your water supply.

Water softeners are among the more traditional solutions to whole home filtration. They involve an ion exchange process which reduces the presence of hard minerals in your water supply (e.g., magnesium and calcium). The minerals are replaced by sodium ions, which render your water safe and potable.

UV purification involves the use of ultraviolet light to disinfect your water supply. It effectively kills off and eradicates any harmful bacteria in your water as it passes through the apparatus. UV disinfection will easily eliminate over 99.9% of living elements and micro-organisms.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration systems are becoming an increasingly popular method of water purification. What they do is they reverse the natural flow of water to dilute it and pass it through a semi-permeable membrane. RO systems also include pre- and post-filters along the membrane. The permeated water is what dispenses from your plumbing fixtures and the filtration system will discard all of the wastewater/brine.

Distillation is a method of purification where contaminants are removed by heating your water supply until it boils so that it vaporizes and condenses. During the process, the contaminating elements are left behind as the vapor forms into a liquid again. Distillation is an effective approach to removing heavy metals from your water supply. Other elements that easily convert into gas include volatile organic compounds.

NSF certifications are determined by an accredited coalition of people who test and certify the product so that it meets certain health and safety standards. Filtration systems are not required to be NSF certified because there are no regulatory factors involved in the process. Most reputable water filtration manufacturers, however, will have an independent laboratory test their products.

Do NSF Certifications matter? To a degree, they do. Most successful filtration systems greatly exceed the minimum standards set down by the NSF certification board. There is no requirement for companies to have NSF test and approve their products.

There are several different technologies to choose from, so make sure your home filtration system is suitable for your needs. The effectiveness and versatility of every method of filtration play a huge role in your decision. You should always know exactly what it is that you are installing in your home and whether you can make the most out of it.

There is always some maintenance involved when it comes to whole home filtration systems. You want to make sure that you are changing out the filters regularly because this could end up contaminating your water. You should also hang onto the instruction manual so that you will have all the information you need to take care of your filtration system.

Have any questions? We’ve got answers! Contact us today and one of our contractors can provide you with detailed information on various home filtration methods. We can also help you decide on a system that fits your needs.