Water is an essential part of your daily routine, so it’s justifiable to be concerned about its safety. After all, you wouldn’t want to drink, cook, wash your dishes, or take a bath using contaminated water.
Your water source—whether from your local municipality or private well water—may be rife with contaminants that you’d rather not consume. As tap water quality concerns continue to grow, homeowners are looking for ways to ensure the delivery of healthy and clean water in their homes.
In this case, a good water filtration system like those on offer by Filtap can be your best option. But before you go and purchase the first water filtration system you find, here are a few factors you need to consider to ensure you choose the right one for your needs:
Table of Contents
1. Your Water
The first thing you need to consider when choosing a water filter is the water itself. A water filtration system is useless if it doesn’t remove the contaminants present in your water supply. So, it’s essential to know what you need to remove first before going water filter shopping.
You can do this by testing and analyzing your water to determine the types of contaminants in your water supply. If you want to do a quick DIY, you can purchase water testing kits online or local hardware store. However, it’s better to hire a water specialist to do comprehensive testing of your water.
If your water comes from your local water provider, you can simply request a water quality index report. Then, consider a professional water test to support the report from your local provider.
2. Water Filter Type
Once you have an idea of which contaminants are present in your water, you can start looking for the right product that filters those specific contaminants. As you search for water filters, you’ll find that there are numerous types out there.
However, water filters are often categorized into two:
- Point Of Use (POU)
Point of use filters is smaller water filtration systems often installed near water fixtures, including kitchen faucets or showers. POUs only filter water in the area they’re installed, making them more affordable than POEs. They’re more suitable if your water has fewer contaminants or if you only want to ensure pure and clean water for drinking and cooking. Examples of POU filters include under-sink and countertop water filters.
- Point Of Entry (POE)
Point of entry filters is larger and more complex water filtration systems than POUs. Often called whole-house filters, POEs are installed directly on your main water supply line. This means that it provides filtered water for all fixtures and water-using appliances in your home. Due to their complexity and function, POEs are more expensive than POUs. In general, this type of water filtration system is more suitable if you get your water from a private well, ensuring clean water throughout your home.
3. Budget
The cost of a water filtration system can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. So, consider setting a specific budget in mind, depending on the type of system you want. Always compare systems from different manufacturers to find the most competitive price for the type of filtration you want. In addition to the upfront cost of purchasing the system, you also need to consider other costs, including installation, operation, and maintenance expenses.
Can you install the system on your own or do you need to hire an expert? You also need to consider maintenance requirements such as changing the filters or cartridges, regardless of the type you choose. Make sure to include them in your overall budget.
4. Compatibility
In general, most water filters have a universal fit and are compatible with a variety of faucets, sinks, and other plumbing components. That said, it’s best to confirm whether a specific water filter system works perfectly with your existing fixtures and plumbing or if you need special attachments.
If you don’t have an idea about your plumbing and water fixtures, you can always hire a water treatment expert to inspect your plumbing connections and recommend a compatible system for your home water needs.
Takeaway
In today’s modern civilization, a reliable water filtration system has become a necessity for healthy and safe living. It comes with numerous benefits, from providing clean and pure drinking water and preventing water-borne diseases to increasing the longevity of your plumbing system and water-using appliances.
To get the most out of its benefits, choose wisely. Consider the above factors when choosing the best water filtration system for your home.