Wherever you call home, water is the lifeline of your dwelling. Depending on the water source, there could be varying degrees of dangerous contaminants such as sediments, chemicals and organic matter. There are even treated sources of water in established towns and cities that could be in less than pristine drinking condition. As such, a house water filter system should be a serious consideration.
A water filtration system essentially takes the water that comes into the home from one source and treats it to get rid of harmful contaminants that may be in the water. When purchasing a water filter system, the source of your water and the contaminants it likely contains should be taken into consideration. There are some systems that treat pollutants such as iron and lead better than others. Where calcium and other hard sediments are concerned, you should consider a water filter which is fitted with a built-in water softener that uses a salt-free or salt process.
Retaining some of the water’s healthy minerals is beneficial for cooking and drinking so you should consider filter options that use a re-mineralization process.
Below are five essential things to consider when choosing a water filtration system for your home and if a filtration system is worth the cost:
1. Whole House or Drinking Water filtration?
Essentially, there are two types of water filter systems for home installation. They are the point of use system (POU) and the point of entry system (POE). The former, similar to a reverse osmosis system is installed underneath the kitchen sink. The latter filters all the water that comes into the home.
The decision must be made whether you would like to only treat the drinking water in the kitchen tap or all the water that enters the home. Typically, the best option is a mix of whole house water filter system and an additional refined filter at the kitchen tap for drinking and cooking.
2. City Water or Private Well Water Source
Public water supply is fairly safe; however, hundreds of contaminants are there which are not EPA regulated. Additionally, there is the inconvenience and frequency of boil water notices. Roughly 658 boil water notices are issued daily by the authorities in the United States because of ruptured pipes or contamination.
Homeowners with private wells have their unique concerns. Research has found that 40 percent of private wells have coliform bacteria and/or E. coli. Ultraviolet water purification systems have the capacity to supply whole home protection from dangerous microorganisms. Based on the contaminants and their levels found, a range of treatment alternatives can be accessed.
3. Number of Bathrooms
There are water treatment systems that are sized according to the maximum flow rate of water through the home. For instance, the morning routine could involve the simultaneous flushing of the toilet, the running of the shower, the washing machine and the dishwasher. What volume of water will flow through the home during peak usage is important to know. Being aware of the number of bathrooms in a home is often a fast and easy way of figuring out the required size for your home.
4. How many people are in your household
There are water filtration systems that are sized according to the average total of water utilized by household members daily. What volume of water is used in a typical 24-hour period? Generally speaking, knowing the number of household members can typically provide clues about the usage of water. This will help to determine the water filtration system size that would be most suitable for your household.
5. Knowing What is in Your Water
Being aware of the content of your water will be instrumental in assessing your water filtration needs. For instance, if there is lead in your water, a water specialist from ESP can guide you to a system that has the capacity to eliminate lead. The “Annual Water Quality Report” on the website of your local water supplier is the best source for determining what is in your water.
All community water systems are required by the EPA to prepare and send an annual water quality report for customers; to find this, go to the EPA website. Additionally, for well water or further analysis, a more detailed water test is highly recommended.
Advantages of Whole House Water Filter System
Investing in a whole house water filter system provides healthier water in every tap in the home. This indicates cleaner water for things like drinking, cooking, bathing and doing laundry. Consider going for a unit that is tested and certified by NSF to lower up to 97 percent of chlorine. The unit you choose should be tested and proven to reduce dangerous contaminants from your water. Below are a few advantages of a whole house water filter:
- Get healthier hair and skin
- Decrease contaminants in the water
- Enhance the quality and flavor of drinks and food
- Healthier water for your plants and pets
