How to Choose a Water Filtration System For Your Home
Since more and more people are getting concerned about the tap water they consume, the demand for water filtration systems is increasing. With several water filtration systems available today, choosing one can be a daunting task. To make an informed decision, you must consider several aspects such as its design, type, price, and capacity.
Here are some more tips to choose a water filtration system for your home.
1. Consider the Types of Water Filters
You can find several types of water filtration systems, three of which are countertop filters, faucet-mounted filters, and pitcher filters. While pitcher systems use a carbon filter to remove contaminants from the water, faucet-mounted filters also provide unfiltered water if preferred by the user.
They are also cheaper than pitcher filters, which is why they are so popular in middle-class households. The type of water filter you need should be picked based on the taste you like, the budget you have, and the level of contaminants that can be filtered by the system.
2. Determine the Required Size
The size of your water filtration system will be determined based on the number of family members and their needs. Furthermore, the amount of water that needs to be filtered every day is also another deciding factor. If you have more members in your family, the ideal choice will be a large water filter to meet everyone’s needs.
Large water filtration systems provide an uninterrupted water supply with the utmost safety. Moreover, it also increases the interval of service. Basically, consider the gallons per minute by checking the system’s port size. The water pressure and flow can also be determined at this step.
A water filtration system of 4.5″x 20″ is ideally suitable for a medium-sized family. If you live in a larger household, consider getting a system with 25gpm as its flow rate.
3. Consider Your Main Purpose
What do you mainly use the tap water for? Do you access drinking water from your tap, or do you buy bottled water? If yes, do you also use it for cooking and cleaning?
The water filtration experts at wholehousewaterfiltrationsystem.com recommend getting a system that complies with your application and main purpose. At the same time, consider the installation and maintenance factors.
4. Look for a Certified System
Your water filtration system should be NSF-certified. Among several factors, the most important standard that this certificate abides by is the reduction of contaminants. The certified water filtrations systems remove at least 50% of contaminants, especially those that may result in health hazards.
It complies with the safety regulations and eliminates the presence of harmful metals and contaminants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), lead, and harmful pathogens. Furthermore, it overlooks other safety factors such as structural integrity of the water filter, high softening capacity, and safe material use.
All in all, certification ensures that the water is safe for consumption. Even though most of the newer filtration systems are compliant with the NSF certification, check it before buying one.
5. Understand Your Appliances and the Flow Rate
Next, determine the type of appliances and devices that will be connected to your water filter at home. The flow rate of the dispensed water in your house usually flows through various appliances and fixtures, namely washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, heaters, and showers.
As mentioned, you must measure the flow rate with the unit, gallons/minute. To comply with the flow rate of your chosen water filtration system, check your appliances and get details from respective manufacturers. Measure the water filter’s flow rate with the devices and compare your options.
While toilets and dishwashers usually measure around 3 to 5 GPM of flow rate, they will need a more water supply than showerheads that need just 2 to 2.5 GPM of flow rate.
6. Longevity and Durability
Lastly, your water filtration system should be durable and last at least 5 to 10 years. It majorly depends on the type of water that is supplied at your home. If the water to be filtered has a higher level of contaminants and usually contains more sediments, you must invest in a system with a higher filtration capacity.
If you know more about the types of chemicals present in your water, you can purchase a filtration system accordingly. Investigate more about the level of contaminants in the municipal or tap water available at your home. Check the warranty period provided by the manufacturer as it acts as a strong deciding factor too.
When buying a water filtration system, consider these aspects to make an informed decision. Since such systems are supposed to last long, check these boxes to get the best bang for your buck. Your water filtration system should be affordable too.
If you are unsure about the flow rate needed by the water dispensers and appliances at your home, take help from a professional to calculate your actual water needs.