How to Choose a Water Filter by Type

If you are going to get a water filter, you should think about what exactly you need
and how much water you need to filter. There are different water filtering systems
and several types of their classification. I'm going to give you two ways of choosing
a water filter by type and here is the first one.

Our first classification is based on the type of installation and includes:

• Whole house filters


• Under sink filters


• Faucet mounted filters


• Pitcher filters.

Whole house filtering systems provide filtered water throughout the house and
are installed at the water source for the house. It's the choice for people who
want to get clear and clean water for all uses and not just cooking and drinking.
Showering and bathing in clean and free from contaminants water is always good
for health. One can establish much more water softening or elaborate filtering
after he got to this size of system.

Under sink water filters usually come with a dedicated tap or faucet and are installed

under the sink. Under sink filter services a single sink in your flat or house.
And you get clean water for cooking and drinking, household duties and washing.
If the choice falls on undersink filters, they are usually installed in the kitchen
and in the bathroom.

Faucet mounted filters are usually small and allow filtering water from the tap.
If you want to get unfiltered water, you can easily get it as many faucet filters
models divert the water from the filter.

Pitcher filters are perfect for people who have occasional need for clean and
filtered water. The water is added to the top of the jug and flows through the
filter into the main container so you get some filtered water in several minutes.

The other classification of water filters is based on the type of filtration and
is the following:

• Activated carbon filters


• Reverse osmosis filters


• Distillers.

Carbon filters treat chlorine residue and other odor problems as well as general

taste. Contaminants stick or adsorb to the carbon particles' surfaces while flowing
through the filter. Activated carbon filter is the best for removing radon, pesticide
residues and other specific organic chemicals. Carbon water filters are available
in different designs and sizes including whole house systems and small units for
the kitchen.

Reverse osmosis technology is widely used to provide industries with clean and
purified water. First it was used to desalinate seawater. RO filters have proved
to be really effective and are in great demand nowadays. They work this way: water
is forced under the pressure against a fine semi-permeable membrane which rejects
most contaminants and allows only single molecules through. Oxygen passes through
as well and it saves the water from dead taste.

Distillers use an ancient method of heating water until it vaporizes. Dissolved
oxygen is lost during the filtration process and that's why distilled water is
dead-tasting. The process is ineffective against most chemicals and is rather slow.
It means that distillers are still useful but not for getting clean drinking and
cooking water.

Choose the water filter carefully thinking about details beforehand. The price
shouldn't be the most important factor because more expensive whole house system,
for example, will serve you for years providing all your housing with clean and
filtered water. But it's up to you to decide and the widest choice of water filters
is available.