While you may drink the water from your tap at home, it likely contains chemicals, bacteria, and other contaminants. Your water will taste better and be healthier to drink when you use a home water filter. There are different types of home water filters to choose from, a few of which we’ve outlined below.
Comparing Home Water Filters
Different types of water filters target and remove specific contaminants. So, you don’t want to choose a water filter without first knowing what your water contains.
If you choose a UV water filter that kills bacteria, but you don’t have microorganisms in your drinking water, you’ll be wasting your money. There may be unsafe levels of lead in your water, but not all water filters remove heavy metals.
Have your home’s tap water tested by a professional and consult the results before choosing a water filter.
1. Activated Carbon Home Water Filters
An activated carbon filter is the most common type of water filter. This technology is used in most built-in refrigerator filters and is readily available in pitchers and faucet attachments.
Activated carbon removes contaminants like chlorine, which is added to most municipal water, pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and sediment. It does not remove heavy metals, salts, or microorganisms.
2. Reverse Osmosis System
One of the most thorough home water filter options is a reverse osmosis system. This is one of the few water filter systems that remove fluoride, which is added to most water by municipalities.
It also removes heavy metals, salts, bacteria, nitrates, sulfates, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. One drawback of a reverse osmosis system is that it wastes a lot of water.
3. UV Water Purifiers
An ultraviolet water purifier uses UV light to destroy the DNA of microorganisms, like bacteria, viruses, and microbial cysts. Some areas have higher concentrations of microorganisms than others, so determine if you could benefit from a UV water purifier by having your water tested.
Drinking plenty of water is important for your health, but you want to make sure that your water doesn’t contain harmful pollutants and toxins. Have your water tested by a professional first, and then install a water filter.
Esham Inspections provides home inspection and water testing services to Maryland and Delaware. Contact us to schedule an appointment.