Choosing the best water filter system can be confusing since there are so many different types on the market today. Each system has its own installation requirements and uses a different method of purifying the water so it is difficult to choose which one is right for an individual’s home or office. With the price of bottled water going up, sometimes costing as much as ten dollars per gallon, a water filter system will cost a person much less, with even the more expensive models still costing under a dollar per gallon of filtered water.
Choosing the best water filter system has to start with the types of filtration being used in each system. The most common and least expensive systems usually use some sort of particulate or absorption filter or a combination of the two. These are usually seen in pitcher and refrigerator types of filtration systems, as well as faucet based systems and countertop filtration systems. These systems usually run the individual anywhere from twenty to three hundred dollars depending on the system. They filter out chlorine and particle matter such as sand, bacteria and some pathogens.
The downside of these types of systems, which makes them not necessarily the best water filter system, is that the filters have to be monitored and changed regularly. This puts the responsibility on the owner of the system to make sure it is functioning to capacity and there is the additional cost of buying filters on a regular basis. In addition, these systems do not filter as much water as other systems and tend to be awkward and in the way, especially in a kitchen environment where they are most likely found.
Under the sink water filter systems use a process called reverse osmosis water filtration. This is a much more efficient method of water filtration, even though it costs a little more initially for the unit and installation. Under the sink systems cost anywhere from fifty to nine hundred dollars, depending on the system. Unless the individual is a plumber, the system usually has to be professionally installed, since the system hooks directly into the water pipe. Although the unit does take up space, it is one of the best water filter systems because it is stored under the sink which is not used as often as the counter and faucet. This type of system supplies an unlimited amount of purified water since it is hooked directly into the water pipe.
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