Sorption purification
There are several methods of water purification used in modern filters. The cheapest and most common filters are sorption filters. Their work is based on the principle of adsorption - the absorption of substances from a solution by a solid or a layer of liquid. Activated carbon is most often used as an adsorbent in such filters.
Sorption filters are cheap, do a good job of purifying water from chlorine and large pollutants such as sand and rust, and do not require installation. However, they do not clean water very well and do not protect against bacteria, viruses and hardness salts. The water still needs to be boiled, and boiling will cause scale to form on the kettle.
Membrane cleaning
This is a more modern and high-quality cleaning method. The key element here is a semi-permeable membrane with tiny pores that traps polluting particles. Water passes through the membrane under pressure, purified water enters the storage tank, and dirty water with impurities goes into the sewer.
There are several types of membrane cleaning:
- Microfiltration. Membranes with holes ranging in size from 0.015 to 5 microns, rolled into rolls or tubes, are used. Water is supplied under pressure of 2–3 bar.
- Ultrafiltration. Membranes with smaller pore sizes of 0.015–0.02 µm are used. Works at higher pressure - up to 6 bar.
- Reverse osmosis. Membranes with the smallest pores of 1 angstrom (0.0001 microns) are used. They only allow water molecules to pass through and nothing else. At the same time, modern systems do not require high pressure; 1.5–2 atmospheres is quite sufficient.
The reverse osmosis system today is one of the most popular and high-quality membrane purification systems.
In addition to the semi-permeable membrane, modern reverse osmosis water purification systems have pre-filters and post-filters. For clarity, let’s look at how filtration occurs in a reverse osmosis system with mineralization Expert Osmos MO520 from Prio.
Reverse osmosis system with mineralization Expert Osmos MO520
First, tap water enters mechanical prefilters (A and B), which remove particles larger than 0.5 microns, rust, grains of sand and other large impurities from it. After this, water under pressure enters the membrane (C). Passing through it, the liquid is cleared of everything else: organic and inorganic compounds, heavy metals, bacteria and viruses. Ready water goes into a storage tank, and untreated water goes into the sewer.
Before reaching the user, water from the tank passes through an additional post-filter mineralizer (D), where it is cleaned of foreign odors and saturated with minerals.
However, not all reverse osmosis systems purify equally well. First of all, the quality of water purification depends on the main element of the system - the membrane.
How to determine membrane quality
Reverse osmosis membranes differ in the degree and selectivity of purification, resistance to chlorine and bacterial contamination, filtration speed, pressure required for operation and the degree of pH correction of water.
One of the best options on the market today is the Japanese Toray membrane made of polymer composite film. It has high scores in all of the above parameters.
Toray membranes are quite expensive, but they provide the highest quality cleaning. In this case, you can not rely on the manufacturers’ assurances, but check the quality of the membrane yourself using a TDS meter, or salinity meter.
A TDS meter is a device that measures the concentration of impurities in a liquid and shows how many particulates per million (ppm) are in the water being tested.
For example, water suitable for drinking ranges from 50 to 170 ppm, and ideally readable water ranges from 0 to 50 ppm.
With tap water readings of 260 ppm, Toray membranes provide an output of 8 ppm, and if the water from the water supply system is particularly dirty - about 480 ppm - then the membrane will provide water with a reading of 13 ppm.
Cheaper membranes, for example Chinese ones, allow you to get water no purer than 60–80 ppm - suitable for drinking, but still quite hard.
In addition to the quality of water purification, Toray membranes have several more advantages over cheaper options. They operate at an input pressure of only 2 atmospheres, and their high performance allows you to create reverse osmosis systems without a storage tank - modern direct-flow systems.
Direct-flow reverse osmosis systems
What it is
These are the latest water purification systems that require less space and filter water much faster. Here is an example of such a system - Econic Osmos Stream OD320.
Direct-flow reverse osmosis system Econic Osmos Stream OD320 Unlike a system with a tank, after cleaning with a pre-filter (K870) and a membrane (K857), the water does not flow into the storage tank, but through the post-filter mineralizer directly to the user.
Let's figure out why this system is beneficial, using the example of Osmos Stream series filters from the Prio Novaya Voda company.
Pros of the system
Compactness
The ability to get rid of a bulky tank can be considered a real revolution in reverse osmosis filtration. Now the dimensions of the kitchen and the space under the sink do not matter: the filter takes up very little space.
This is, for example, what the installed Expert Osmos Stream MOD600 direct-flow split system looks like - everything is neat, compact and beautiful.
Expert Osmos Stream MOD600 No restrictions on the amount of water
When your reverse osmosis system tank runs out of water, you have no choice but to wait for it to fill up again. This problem does not arise with direct-flow systems. Osmos Stream systems filter water the moment you turn on the tap, they do not store or do anything in advance. In this case, water consumption is not limited. There is no need to focus on how full the tank is; you can turn on the tap at any time and get up to 1,500 liters per day.
Long service life of consumables
Some Prio direct-flow filters include an automatic membrane cleaning system, which significantly extends the life of this expensive consumable.
Prio Osmos Stream cleaning systems of the MOD, OUD or OD360 series are equipped with an automatic Prio® Jet control unit, which flushes the membrane after each cycle of turning on the pump unit. Due to this, the membrane lasts longer.
Prio® Jet Block Saving water
One of the significant disadvantages of conventional tank-based reverse osmosis filters is their high water consumption. Purified water makes up only about 20% of the total mass of incoming water, the rest is discharged into the sewer.
In direct-flow filters, this problem was solved. High selectivity of the membrane and better filtration can significantly reduce the consumption of water discharged into the sewer. Typically, with such a filter, no more than ⅓ of the total volume is sent to the drainage system, and ⅔ is purified water. Savings of several tons per year!
In addition, direct flow systems are easier to maintain and require fewer mandatory cartridges, which also helps save significant amounts of money. For example, in the Prio Econic Osmos Stream OD310 direct-flow system, only three elements need to be changed: a pressed activated carbon pre-filter, a granular activated carbon post-filter and a Toray membrane. Unlike 5-6 cartridges of a conventional filter, such minimalism significantly saves money.
Compared to conventional reverse osmosis filters, direct-flow models can save significant amounts of money. But are they as economical as compared to no filters at all? Let's figure out what would be more profitable: buying water or using a high-quality direct-flow filter.
How direct-flow filters help you save money
We will not compare direct-flow reverse osmosis filters with conventional sorption filters, since the latter do not provide the same quality of purification. Even filters with ionic resin do not purify water from hardness salts and bacteria, as a result of which it still needs to be boiled, constantly removing scale from the kettle.
Clean and tasty water from reverse osmosis filters can only be compared with purchased water, so we will compare the cost of purchasing and maintaining a filter with the cost of bottles of purified water.
Five-liter bottles of purified water cost about 80 rubles. On average, one family consumes about 4 liters of water per day: tea and coffee, cooking, just drinking water. It turns out that a family needs 1,460 liters of drinking water per year - that’s about 290 bottles, which will cost 23,200 rubles.
Now let's calculate how much money it will take to purchase and maintain the filter. For example, let's take Prio Econic Osmos Stream OD310 for 11,950 rubles. We add the cost of replacing two cartridges: 870 + 790 = 1,660 rubles.
The total is 13,610 rubles per year - almost two times cheaper than purchased water.
Even the premium Prio model - a split system with mineralization Expert Osmos Stream MOD600 for 25,880 rubles - will fully pay for itself within a year and a half, after which you will save about 25,000 rubles per year.
At the same time, reverse osmosis filters with a Toray membrane, which allow only water molecules to pass through, can provide even better quality than factories that purify water for sale. After all, purchased drinking water is often taken from the central water supply system, so chlorination by-products may well remain in it.
You can check the quality of purchased water using a TDS meter and decide whether it is worth paying money for. But even if it is perfect, direct-flow filters "Prio Novaya Voda" will help you get the same much cheaper and faster without the need to constantly carry heavy bottles.
The World Health Organization notes that most human illnesses are caused by poor quality drinking water. And that even a “respectable” looking liquid can contain a lot of harmful components in its composition. Experts recommend that everyone who values their own health and the health of their loved ones purchase water filters - we will now tell you how to choose them.
Methods for purifying water from a well or water supply
To purify water from harmful substances, it is necessary to pass it through a special medium - this is the principle of filtration technology. Depending on the type of medium used, the properties of the liquid also change. Different filters use their own work resources. To ensure the acceptable content of impurities in the liquid, they must be changed before the resource is completely exhausted.
Mechanical
Mechanical water purification is preliminary
Mechanical filtration is carried out to remove insoluble mineral and organic impurities from water. A positive quality of this process is the ability to use it at normal temperatures without adding chemicals. Typically, such purification is a preliminary method; in rare cases, it is a final method of water treatment.
Sorption
Overall dimensions are a significant disadvantage of sorption purification systems
Sorptive purification of liquids involves the use of porous materials that bind contaminants and retain them. Carbon filler is often used. It is effectively used in the presence of inorganic and organic substances, as well as chlorine compounds, in water.
The main disadvantage of sorption filters is the very large dimensions of these devices. Fillers are placed in them in several layers to ensure the most complete removal of hazardous substances.
Carbon filters require proper care. Only professional service guarantees high-quality and effective filtration. Since bacteria can live in the pores of the charcoal, use hot water to rinse it.
Ion exchange purification
Such systems are expensive
However, ion exchange purification alone will not be enough, since such filtration:
- does not remove heavy metals, minerals and pesticides;
- Ozone, unlike chlorine, which has a similar effect, disintegrates very quickly and there is no residual cleaning effect.
Also, ozonating water is not cheap, so it is not a good idea to use ion exchange purification at home.
Membrane
The membrane system provides a high degree of water purification
With membrane filtration, high purification is ensured due to the precise division into elements of impurities present in the liquid. The main advantage of using membranes is that impurities will not remain there; they are removed due to the drainage system.
However, this method of water purification also has one caveat: during the treatment process, the accumulation of impurities occurs extremely close to the membrane itself. This phenomenon is called concentration polarization, which can affect the filtration results and reduce the properties of the membrane.
Electrochemical
When using this method, an electric current is passed through water.
In electrochemical water purification, an electric current is passed through it, as a result of which the impurities contained in the liquid usually break down into non-toxic substances.
The main advantages of this method are the small size of the complex, ease of operation, no need to use reagents, and effective bactericidal cleaning. However, there are certain disadvantages, namely, low productivity and high energy consumption.
UV disinfection
UF disinfection is an environmentally friendly cleaning method
UV disinfection is considered universal because it destroys all types of pollutants. The environmental friendliness of the cleaning method, its low cost and the absence of the need for expensive maintenance are also noted. After filtration, the structure of the water does not change, and all useful elements are retained.
Which cartridges to choose
The choice of cartridge will depend on the filter used and the exact result you want to achieve.
For jugs, there are cartridges with several types of cleaning; in flow-through and main-line types, each type of cartridge is designed for a specific type of cleaning; there are also those with complex cleaning.
Depending on the type, the cartridge can perform one of the functions listed above.
When choosing, consider a few simple rules:
- mechanical cleaning with a filtration fineness of 1 or 5 microns is required;
- on the riser, water must pass through mechanical deep cleaning of 10 or 100 microns;
- if you want to get rid of iron, choose a cartridge containing components designed for this;
- for softening, it is better to take cartridges with ion exchange resin;
- To improve the taste of water and clean it of chemical impurities, pay attention to carbon cartridges.
Selection of system depending on water contamination
The efficiency of using the cleaning system and the quality of liquid filtration depend on the specificity of the existing contamination. Before deciding on a water filter, you need to carry out a comprehensive check for impurities. Only after this will it become clear where to choose.
| Problem | Which filter to use |
| Corrosive neutral acid water | Ion exchange filter and reverse osmosis system |
| High hardness water | |
| Insoluble particles, sand, etc. | Mechanical filtration |
| There is a fishy or woody smell | Sorption and UV disinfector |
| Chlorine smell | |
| Hydrogen sulfide smell | |
| Chemical odor from detergents | Sorption filter |
| Smell of oil | Reverse osmosis filtration |
| The water is cloudy and smells of methane | |
| Phenolic odor | |
| Salty water | Ion exchange filter |
| High acidity | Sorption filter |
Additional options to keep in mind when choosing a filter
Now you should familiarize yourself with the additional parameters that you need to pay attention to when you move on to choosing a filter for water purification.
There are several other factors to consider when choosing a filtration system.
Filtration of cold and hot water
Most purification devices are designed to filter cold water. The maximum permissible temperature in this case should not exceed 400C. For this reason, if you want to purify hot water, then you need to look for filters with a high temperature limit.
Performance and resources of the filter module
Filter performance refers to its ability to pass and purify a certain volume of water per minute. This indicator is minimal for reverse osmosis systems, since it will take a long time for the liquid to pass through the filter membrane. So when choosing a filter, you need to decide how often it will be used and how much water will need to be purified per day.
Almost every one has a filter module designed to purify a specific volume of water. Once its resource is exhausted, it will no longer be able to provide adequate water quality and will have to be replaced.
Availability of consumables
You need to pay attention to the cost of filter modules - cartridges, since in most filters they quickly exhaust their working life, which means you will have to pay a lot.
Any cartridges have their own working life
Manufacturer selection
It is no secret that both domestic and foreign companies are engaged in the production of filtration units. Some have been realizing themselves in this area for decades, while others are just setting out on this path, without placing the main emphasis in their activities on water treatment systems.
If you just can’t decide which is better, we recommend that you abandon the stereotypes that “everything foreign is better, higher quality, more reliable,” and choose products from experienced companies with a name and positive reviews. By the way, there are enough of these on the Russian market. It is enough to look at the rating of water filters to understand that “our” companies know how to make high-quality, durable units.
It is better to choose products whose manufacturers have been working in this market for a long time and have proven themselves well. Each of them has its own developments for different cleaning systems.
Price
If the price of the desired model is very different from the average market value, then you need to think about where this product comes from. If this product was purchased from an official supplier, but the price is very different from prices in other stores, then it is 100% fake.
Availability of certificate
If you doubt the quality of the product, you can ask the seller for a quality certificate. Moreover, this document must be original, and not an ordinary photocopy.
Which water purification filter to choose for an apartment or house
These units may differ in technical characteristics and design. Therefore, when deciding which filter to choose for your house, apartment or cottage, it is very important to clearly define your needs and objectively match them with real possibilities.
The effectiveness of the filter depends on which filter is chosen in each particular case. Modern manufacturers are ready to offer many models of different cleaning equipment and filters.
Pre-filters
Pre-filters purify water from solid impurities
Pre-filters are used to purify water from solid impurities that significantly worsen its taste and can harm household appliances. When choosing a specific model, consider the amount of water consumed.
Mud filters
Mud filters are used for mechanical water purification. When passing through a special mesh, it leaves solid impurities on it. Mud collectors can be used for preliminary cleaning of both cold and even hot water up to 150°C.
Jug
Jug filters are the most affordable water purification device
These are the most primitive devices; the resource of their cartridges is very small (usually up to three hundred liters). Their main purpose is to rid water of chlorine and unpleasant odors, and partly of hardness. The jugs are mobile and compact; They can be successfully used both at home and on the road. With them, clean water is always at hand. The frequency of cartridge replacement is once a month. The maximum degree of purification is 20 microns.
Advantages:
- does not require connection to a water supply system;
- extremely easy to use, does not require human supervision.
Flaws:
- in them the degree of purification is an order of magnitude lower than in those “integrated” into the water supply;
- small volumes of purified water.
The amount of liquid purified at one time cannot exceed the volume of the jug itself - usually one or two liters. That is, if cooking requires three liters of water, the jug will have to be filled twice one way or another. And this is not always convenient.
A pitcher filter is the best option for those who have a fairly limited budget or, due to the small size of the kitchen, cannot allocate space under the sink for a stationary system.
Water purifiers for faucets
The filter attachment has a compact size and an affordable price
These are small-sized devices that fit directly onto the tap. Their advantages are their low price and the ability to take them with you on trips.
Disadvantages - small volume of sorbent and low productivity - up to half a liter per minute (if manufacturers' advertising slogans say that it can be done faster, do not believe it). And here, containers for storing purified liquid are also needed.
Dispensers
Dispenser filters are designed for water purification
Dispensers are used to carry out post-purification of drinking water at home. They are easy to use since there is no need to connect this filter to the water supply.
The filter removes unpleasant taste and odor from water. Replaceable cartridges can remove solid suspensions, many organic and inorganic impurities and soften water.
Flow-through for washing
The cartridge is located next to the tap and is connected using a flexible hose
Such water purifiers are not placed on the faucet itself, but placed nearby. Such installations are attached to the tap using a flexible hose.
Their main advantages are sufficient productivity (higher than that of a faucet attachment) - up to one and a half liters per minute. Plus, there is no need for separate containers for purified water.
But such a filter takes up precious space on the sink. True, if he is beautiful, this item can be excluded from the list of shortcomings. Well, you should remember that it requires connection and disconnection after water purification.
Flow-through water filters for sinks
This filter has many advantages, but unfortunately, the price is high.
A stationary filter under the sink is built into the water supply. The unit itself is located under the sink, and a separate tap is connected to it - exclusively for purified water. The frequency of changing cartridges is once every six months. The maximum degree of purification is 0.05-1 microns.
Advantages:
- high degree of water purification;
- sufficient performance;
- great resource;
- the presence of a separate tap for purified liquid;
- Ease of use;
- the required volume of purified water is always available;
- location under the sink - no clutter in the work space.
There is only one drawback - the high price.
Stationary filters are chosen by those users who understand the value and importance of highly purified water and are ready to invest in their health.
Softeners
The disadvantage of the system is that it does not remove bacteria and metals.
Water is softened by reducing the amount of salts, usually chlorides and sulfates. To do this, replaceable filters with a cation exchange resin that adsorb salts are used, instead saturating the water with hydrogen and sodium ions. The downside is that softeners do not remove bacteria and metals.
Home reverse osmosis systems
Thanks to reverse osmosis systems, it has become possible to obtain water at home that is not inferior in quality to bottled water.
These are perhaps the best water purifiers available today. They allow you to remove not only excess water hardness, excess iron and chlorine, but also all kinds of bacteria and viruses.
The key filter component of such systems is the reverse osmosis membrane. Its pores are significantly smaller than the size of most known viruses, therefore your body will be protected as reliably as possible.
The main advantages of reverse osmosis systems over other purification plants:
- highest degree of purification;
- low cost of purified water;
- constant supply of liquid (ten liters).
The configuration of such installations looks like this:
- pre-cleaning cartridge system;
- reverse osmosis membrane;
- special post-cleaning filter.
These units, if desired, can be equipped with a structurer and a mineralizer - this will make the water rich in useful minerals, capable of improving digestion and blood circulation.
The maximum degree of purification of such systems is 0.0001 microns. The frequency of replacing the reverse osmosis membrane is once every three years. The frequency of replacing post-cleaning cartridges is once a year.
Reverse osmosis systems are chosen by people who want to constantly consume highly purified water without overpaying for it (bottled products).
Trunk
Main filters are installed in the water supply
Filters of this type are mounted directly into the water supply. They are designed to purify water from mechanical formations and chemical compounds. By type they are divided into coarse and fine cleaning systems, as well as for water softening.
The most suitable apartments or houses of medium size are units capable of flowing from 20 to 50 liters per minute. But in some cases, the calculation of the required power is individual and depends on the maximum amount of water consumption. In addition, it must be taken into account that the pressure in the water supply system must correspond to 0.1 - 0.5 bar.
The service life depends on the intensity of use and can even be unlimited with proper operation, with the only condition that the cleaning cells need to be washed.
Advantages:
- Thanks to comprehensive purification from bacteria and technical impurities, the taste of water improves;
- the service life of water pipes and household appliances will significantly increase;
- it is small in size, easy to use, and you can replace the filter components yourself;
- Another advantage of these units is the low price of replacement cartridges.
There may be one drawback - the installation process. If you have not installed and connected the water supply, then most likely you will need the help of a specialist. But this is not such a serious minus.
Fibos type main filters with flushing system
Unlike mud filters and mesh filters, Fibos filters provide fine water purification. Their filter element is made in the form of a cylinder with ultra-fine microwire wound turn to turn. The distance between adjacent turns in the winding does not exceed 1 micron. This allows you to retain not only dirt particles, but also 99% of bacteria that form a biofilm on these particles. To prevent the Fibos filter element from becoming dirty, the microwire is covered with a thin layer of glass insulation, which prevents particles in the water from sticking to the microwire.
Microwire is a unique technology developed back in the USSR for defense and space purposes; the only mass production of it in the world is in Russia.
Fibos filters have direct flushing through the outlet tap into any suitable container or into the sewage system. An additional device allows you to automate the washing process.
The performance of the Fibos filter line has wide limits. Practically without reducing the pressure in the water supply system, the filters purify 5 liters of water per minute when used in the kitchen under the sink, 16 l/min when cleaning in an apartment or country house, 50 l/min in cottages, 83 l/min in cottages and swimming pools , up to 1000 l/min in production.
Since Fibos does fine water purification, if necessary, inexpensive cartridge filters can be installed after it to soften water, reduce iron content, and remove chlorine. In this case, the service life of the cartridges is significantly increased.
Fibos filters cost from 7,990 rubles with a service life of more than 10 years. The filters operate in both cold and hot water supply systems up to +95°C.
Fibos fine filter – the leader among mainline filters
Postfilters
Such filters improve the taste of water
Post-filters are used in reverse osmosis systems to eliminate unpleasant odors and improve the taste of water. The active element here is activated carbon. These systems also use mineralizer filters. They are necessary to restore the natural mineralogical composition of water, which is disrupted after the liquid passes through the membrane.
Video: review of cleaning filters
General requirements for water purification systems for a house or apartment
Since the filter is constantly in contact with drinking water, it must be made of environmentally friendly, safe materials that do not emit any chemicals or a characteristic odor. Just smell the plastic parts and you will understand whether the product is in front of you or not.
For high-quality operation of the water purification system, all cartridges must be replaced in a timely manner.
For a stationary system connected to a water supply system, strong, durable housing materials are very important. Modern high-quality water purifiers are made of glass-filled plastic - it is much better than conventional one.
The choice of a water filter should be entirely based on the principles of common sense - you should not naively assume that a jug-type unit will serve you for ten years. But if you are single and accustomed to an active lifestyle, this (or a faucet attachment) will suit you best. For a large family, it is almost impossible to overestimate the convenience and importance of a stationary device.
Any of the cartridges used in the cleaning system has its own resource, which, if exhausted, should be replaced. It is usually expressed in the volume of liters of liquid treated or the time of use, but taking into account the average water consumption per day. Filters used for mechanical cleaning must sometimes be cleaned of accumulated dirt. If you do not follow the operating rules, then the system will pollute the water instead of cleaning it.
Tap water almost never meets the requirements for purity - impurities appear in it one way or another, as a result of which the taste, smell and even transparency change. It is clear that you should not drink water directly from the tap. You can solve the problem by installing a main filter for water purification in the apartment. This device is mounted directly into the pipeline and allows you to purify the entire volume of passing water.
Main filters for cold or hot water are used for the following needs:
- Water purification. This is very important, because not everyone can live above a deep well, and drinking water comes to houses, most likely, from the nearest reservoir, river or lake. At the same time, city treatment stations often do not remove carcinogens and heavy metals from water, but only chlorinate, while a number of bacteria resistant to chlorine may remain in the liquid.
- Improving the taste of water. Chlorine, rusty metal, hydrogen sulfide - water with completely unexpected tastes can flow from the tap. Naturally, it changes the quality of food. And purified water allows you to prepare truly delicious dishes.
- Softening water to reduce its impact on skin and hair. After all, contaminated water spoils hair and skin, leads to the appearance of wrinkles, rashes, and destruction of the hair structure. And purified water will not allow all these manifestations to form.
- Maintaining the functionality of equipment and plumbing fixtures. If you do not remove solid particles and dirt, then scale appears on boilers, dishwashers, washing machines, and electric kettles.
Different types of devices and how they work
Trunk filters for water purification for apartments and country houses are classified into:
The main filter for water purification most often works in conjunction with additional devices. Thus, a softener is installed along with a coarse filter, which allows you to normalize the chemical composition of the liquid and prevent the formation of scale in equipment. Reagent-free filters with permanent magnets can act as softeners, the action of which causes salts dissolved in water to precipitate without causing harm to plumbing and other appliances.
AND Only after the coarse cleaning system are fine cleaning devices installed- in this case they will be less susceptible to contamination and the cartridges will have to be changed less often.
Information about this is in a separate article on the site. You will also find a video example there.
Read about the room in another material. Describes how to troubleshoot basic problems.
You can also purchase grain loading equipment. It is a main filter for complex cleaning, allowing to eliminate both chemical and biological contaminants. Externally, it is a large cylinder, the productivity of which ranges from 16-400 liters per minute. Such main water filters for an apartment or a private house are at the same time water softeners and deep cleaning filters. The downside is their large size.
Rules for choosing a suitable filter model
So, in-line water filter - how to choose for cleaning? Keep in mind that in ordinary apartments, as a rule, two lines - with cold and hot water. If we are talking about individual heating systems, then they require devices for purifying cold water.
Important: The main hot water filter is made of materials that are resistant to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. It can also be used on cold water lines, but not vice versa.
To choose main filters for cold or hot water, you must consider:
The mesh filters used are multilayer and fixed in a metal pipe. With its help, water is purified from all large particles (sand or scale), the size of which exceeds 50 microns. It is better to choose a main water filter with flushing - it is able to catch more contaminants. When choosing a mesh filter, you must specify the pipe diameter, on which the fastening will be made, and in accordance with this value, purchase the device.
As for cartridge devices, a mainline mechanical water purification filter is a structure consisting of a flask, a lid and a replaceable cartridge. They are able to catch any small particles - accordingly, the finer the degree of filtration, the more transparent and tastier the output water will be.
The cartridge for main filters for water purification should be regularly change and purchase depending on needs:
- BA - to normalize the amount of iron.
- BS - for water softening.
- With activated carbon - for cleaning from chlorine.
- With polyphosphate loading - eliminates lime deposits and protects devices from scale.
The main filter is installed directly into the water main. It is also advisable to install shut-off ball valves and a bypass in the area where water is supplied and drained from the filtering device. The installation location of the cartridge filter must be freely accessible, since the cartridges will have to be replaced regularly. We eliminate the most common faults.
Brief overview of filter manufacturers
Among the popular companies producing high-quality main filters, it is worth noting Honeywell and Aquaphor, New Water and Geyser.
Thus, the Aquaphor company produces a wide range of cartridge main filters - for drinking water, for household appliances (for washing machines or dishwashers), for showers. You can select devices designed for use with cold and hot water, eliminating chemical compounds or only insoluble impurities such as sand or rust.
The German brand Honeywell offers devices of unique quality, designed for ten times the operating pressure in the network. Here you can choose elements for coarse or fine cleaning, and the filter element is a metal mesh enclosed in a highly reliable flask.
Novaya Voda's products are characterized by availability and high quality. The range includes main filters with a separate tap, and the degree of cleaning can be adjusted by installing certain cartridges.
And Geyser filters are high-tech scientific developments, thanks to which filter elements based on ion-exchange polymer were created.
The initial stage of choosing a filter is to become familiar with all types of devices available on the market. There are only two of them; they are very similar in appearance, however, they differ radically in content and operating technology.
Household filters for purifying tap water are of the following types:
- equipped with a flow-type filtration system;
- using the reverse osmosis function.
The answer to the question: which water filter is better depends on the initial quality of the water. Next, the characteristics and differences of each of them are presented in detail.
Flow type
Such a filter consists of three or four modules, which are connected to each other in order (series). The first stage is rough purification of tap water, followed by the main stage of purification, and at the end – final purification. Since the device uses several different filters based on different cleaning methods (mechanical, using sorbent, with silver), the water flowing out of it is of high quality.
First, large particles of dirt and rust are removed from tap water. At the next stages, the liquid is disinfected and unpleasant odors are removed from it (for example, the smell of chlorine). This option is the best choice if the water contains heavy metal salts, residual oil products, and even pesticides. Choosing a flow-through option is the answer to the question: which water filters for sinks are better?
The modules that make up the filter may differ in content and functions:
- for rough, mechanical cleaning;
- universal, used for water of medium degree of contamination, without a high content of impurities;
- aimed at softening too hard water;
- for liquids with a high content of salts of heavy metals and metals themselves;
- with an antibacterial effect, providing maximum protection against viruses, bacteria and cysts.
Before purchasing, you should decide which household water filters for sinks will best cope with water purification in a particular case. The flow filter has one significant disadvantage - if the water is very hard, you will have to change the filter modules frequently. This will affect the cost of servicing the device; it will increase significantly.
Using a reverse osmosis system
Externally, such filters are very similar to the previous version, however, their operating technologies differ significantly. From one (in budget versions) to five (in premium models) cartridges are mounted on a single plate. Each of them is a plastic flask, inside of which there is a filter element for different purposes. The main difference is the mandatory presence of a cartridge with a reverse osmosis membrane; passing through it, the water undergoes ultrafine purification.
Types of modules included in the reverse osmosis filter:
- for mechanical purification from large impurities and inclusions;
- with carbon sorbent inside. This cartridge removes organic contaminants, oil refining residues, heavy metal salts, unpleasant odors and tastes from liquids;
- removing excess iron content. Their “filling” consists of active substances that react with the iron in the water and completely neutralize it.
At the beginning of the system there is a coarse filter, then cartridges with other filling and, at the very end, a reverse osmosis cartridge. This membrane allows water to pass through while retaining all other contaminants. This is reverse osmosis. For the entire device to operate, the minimum water pressure in the water supply must be observed, usually 3 - 3.5 bar. Often, an electric pump is included with the filter to create the necessary pressure. There are models on the market that are equipped with an ultraviolet lamp. It disinfects and kills all pathogenic microorganisms.
Almost distilled water flows out of the reverse osmosis filter. Many manufacturers complete the device with a mineralizer, thereby replenishing the missing elements and microelements. Another feature of this type is the presence of a storage tank. Since the cleaning procedure is slow, it will take a long time to collect a large amount of liquid. A storage tank comes to the rescue; its volume varies from 5 to 10 liters.
Water from a reverse osmosis system can be compared in quality to bottled water. However, its cost is much lower than store-bought analogues. Owners of these devices note significant savings, high water quality and ease of use.
Selection of the optimal option
Selecting the most suitable option is the first stage of choosing a filter for the sink. First, it is worth critically assessing the quality of the water flowing from the tap. It may differ not only in different areas of the city, but even in different houses (due to the different state of the plumbing system). The liquid may contain rust, sand, pathogens, infections and viruses. The presence of certain contaminants determines which water filter to choose for your apartment.
To ensure the accuracy of the results, it is necessary to conduct a laboratory examination. To do this, you need to take tap water into a clean plastic bottle and hand it over to specialists from the research laboratory.
After some time, experts will issue an opinion on the quality of the sample given to them and the content of various impurities and contaminants in it. A free version of the examination can be carried out at the sanitary and epidemiological station, although in this case you will have to wait a little longer for the results.
In the laboratory, water is assessed using more than 30 criteria. These include:
- presence of radiation contamination;
- high salt content;
- the presence of iron and lime;
- the presence of organic contaminants (germs, viruses, bacteria);
- presence of color, smell;
- assessing the level of transparency;
- pH level indicator;
- a lot others.
All these indicators will be reflected in an official document, in writing. Based on these data, you can select a suitable filter element.
Based on the results of the examination, it is much easier to decide how to choose a water filter for washing. If the water contains an increased amount of iron, chlorine or other chemical compounds, while the hardness is within normal limits, preference should be given to the following set of cartridges:
If the water hardness indicator significantly exceeds the norm, then flow-through devices should be abandoned. Even if the manufacturer indicated that this model softens water, it will not cope with very hard water. In addition, the cost of maintaining a flow filter with hard water will increase significantly, since it will have to be changed two to three times more often. The answer to the question: which water purifier is better for an apartment, in this case, will be a reverse osmosis system. It not only purifies water efficiently, but also performs a softening function.
Such a filter is especially necessary if there are small children and elderly people in the house; the quality of water for these categories is most significant.
Which manufacturer should you choose?
In stores you can find a wide variety of models produced by domestic manufacturers. All of them are distinguished by high quality workmanship, corresponding to world standards and analogues. It is Russian manufacturers that occupy leading positions in requests for “water filter for washing, rating 2019.”
Barrier
The owner of this brand is the Russian company METTEM Technologies, which was founded more than 20 years ago (in 1993). The company owns its own research laboratory and includes four production plants where filters for water purification are assembled in a fully automatic mode. The company produces both flow-through and reverse osmosis filters.
Most Barrier complexes consist of three stages; they are connected at the top by a lid; all elements are completely sealed and will not allow leaks. The filter can be equipped with any cartridges of your choice from the huge assortment produced by the company. They can be changed easily, in one motion, without the use of special tools or skills.
Aquaphor
The history of this brand is somewhat shorter than its previous competitors, but even in such a short period of time it managed to gain popularity among consumers. “New Water” was founded in Ukraine in 1996; in 2006, the manufacturer became a member of the World Water Quality Association WQA.
The Novaya Voda product range includes all types of filters, components and consumables for them.
Geyser
One of the oldest companies on the Russian market, the year of its foundation is 1986. The company’s intellectual property includes many scientific developments, which Geyser actively uses in its models.
In total, the manufacturer owns more than 20 patented developments. Particularly significant is the microporous ion-exchange polymer, which brings the company’s filters closer to the level of world leaders in this field.
Geyser can offer its customers any type of filter available on the market. It is convenient that the fastening and design of the replaceable Geyser and Aquaphor cartridges are completely identical, this circumstance makes them easy to replace.
Atoll
pros BARRIER EXPERT FERRUM
High degree of purification from impurities of chlorine, iron and other substances undesirable for drinking water;
Affordable price;
- Lightweight and easy to install;
- Does not reduce the water pressure from the tap;
- Quick replacement of cartridges, implemented thanks to patented technology for replacing them;
- Absolute tightness and protection against leaks;
- Small size, nice appearance;
- Compared to a filter jug, the cartridge needs to be changed 2-3 times less often.
Cons BARRIER EXPERT FERRUM
- Does not cope with increased water hardness;
- Replacement cartridges are expensive. There is a problem in finding the right one; most often you have to order them or buy them in an online store;
- With rare use, the taste of activated carbon appears. To get rid of it, you need to drain from 2 to 5 liters.
Conclusion. This model is well suited in apartments and houses with very rusty, yellow water flowing from the tap. This is especially noticeable by the rusty sediment on the walls of the sink or the specific taste of iron in the mouth. The filter has a compact size and is suitable for any kitchen. However, its use for hard water is irrational.
BARRIER EXPERT HARD
Pros of BARRIER EXPERT HARD
- As a result of purification, an absolutely colorless liquid with high organoleptic characteristics is obtained. Completely removes the smell of chlorine;
- The model does not take up much space, is compact in size and has a pleasant design;
- Performs the function of water softening;
- The service life of one cartridge without replacement is at least 6 months.
- Special replacement technology greatly simplifies the filter maintenance process;
- The filter is easy to install and dismantle;
- Affordable price category;
- High productivity - more than 1 liter in 1 minute.
Cons BARRIER EXPERT HARD
- Large mass. When filled with water, the filter gains significant weight. For reliability, the manufacturer recommends placing it on the floor or bottom of a cabinet;
- The ball valve included in the kit does not differ in quality and durability. There are no nuts for mounting;
- Not a universal faucet mount. The adapter that you already have at home may not fit; you will have to install a new one that comes with the filter;
- At the beginning of use, cloudy water flows from new cartridges. According to the manufacturer's recommendation, it is necessary to drain 10 liters of water before use;
- With hard water, the life of the cartridges is significantly reduced.
Conclusion. The system is justified when used to soften water and remove chlorine taste. The option compares favorably with competitors due to its low cost and high operating efficiency. Thanks to this filter, tap water is as good as bottled water. Disadvantage: not suitable for very hard water.
AQUAPHOR CRYSTAL N
Pros of AQUAPHOR CRYSTAL N
- Convenient shape and design. High quality build and materials;
- The result of filtration is tasty, clean water without impurities;
- Long cartridge service life – up to 1.5 years;
- Copes with water softening.
Cons of AQUAPHOR CRYSTAL N
- With increased hardness, the cartridge quickly exhausts its resource and requires maintenance. The approximate service life is 200-250 liters, depending on the indicators;
- Requires regular maintenance. The softening cartridge must be washed at least once every two months. Purchasing a new one is unreasonably expensive.
Conclusion. The filter fully justifies its purpose - it copes well with hard water. The advantages also include low cost and compactness. The downside is the difficulty of maintenance, which must be carried out regularly.
NEW WATER EXPERT M410
Pros NEW WATER EXPERT M410
Small sizes. The width of this device does not exceed 10 cm. There will be space in the closet for household items;
- Made of high quality, pleasant plastic;
- The set includes a stylish and reliable mixer;
- Low cost;
- Complete set that does not require the purchase of additional items;
- Completely eliminates the presence of chlorine in water;
- High filtration rate;
- The presence of an ultraviolet lamp for disinfection, five stages of cleaning;
- Easy replacement of cartridges.
Cons NEW WATER EXPERT M410
- With increased hardness, the cartridge will have to be changed monthly, otherwise scale will appear;
- High price of replacement elements (cartridges).
Conclusion. The model has a high degree of purification, including disinfection from pathogenic bacteria and microbes. A definite plus is the mixer that comes as standard. Not suitable for increased hardness, since frequent replacement of cartridges will significantly affect the final cost.
AQUAPHOR CRYSTAL QUADRO
Pros of AQUAPHOR CRYSTAL QUADRO
- Wide selection of replaceable modules, including high purity cartridge;
- Easy replacement of cartridges by turning;
- Compactness of the device.
Cons of AQUAPHOR CRYSTAL QUADRO
- There is not always a need for a fourth filter, however, it is impossible to refuse it. This fact increases the cost of maintenance;
- High cost of replacement cartridges;
- Risk of leakage due to unreliable fastenings and the large mass of the filter filled with water;
- Regular cleaning of the softening cartridge is required. Its resource is enough for 1-2 months.
Conclusion. This model is chosen for its variety of replaceable elements and compact size. Among the disadvantages, users note the unreliability of the fasteners and the high cost of replacement cartridges. Also, many buyers are not satisfied with the need to regularly wash one of the cartridges.
Rating of reverse osmosis filters placed under the sink
Below are the best water filters for apartments.
| Characteristics/Name of filters | GEYSER PRESTIGE 2 | ATOLL A-550 STD | BARRIER PROFI OSMO 100 | NEW WATER EXPERT OSMOS MO 510 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presence of osmosis | + | + | + | + |
| Number of purification levels | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Availability of mechanical cleaning | + | + | + | + |
| Ion exchange | X | + | X | + |
| Availability of carbon filter | X | + | + | + |
| X | Availability of a storage tank | + | + | + |
| Tank volume | - | 8 | 8 | 3,2 |
| Standard capacity l/min | - | 0,159 | 0,2 | - |
| Maximum output l/min | 0,3 | - | - | 0,13 |
| Availability of filter module | + | + | + | + |
| Resource in liters | 3500 | - | 5000 | - |
| Minimum temperature in C0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Maximum temperature in C0 | 40 | 40 | 35 | 35 |
| Minimum water pressure in atm. | 1,5 | 2,8 | 3 | 2 |
| Maximum water pressure in atm. | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Membrane porosity in microns | 0,0001 | - | 1 | 5 |
| Mineralization | X | X | X | X |
| Deferrization | + | + | + | + |
| Mitigation | + | + | + | |
| Free chlorine removal | X | + | + | + |
| Pressure pump | X | X | X | X |
Conclusion. The optimal ratio based on the cost and service life of this device. The main difficulty is finding and purchasing a cartridge. It is better to hire a qualified specialist to install the filter.
ATOLL A-550 STD
ADVANTAGES OF ATOLL A-550 STD
- Convenient classification of hoses by color;
- High quality filter elements;
- Pleasant to the touch, durable plastic;
- High performance;
- Mixer included;
- The manufacturer took care of the installation and included FUM tape and silicone sealant in the box.
CONS ATOLL A-550 STD
- The plastic key included in the kit is not durable. It breaks easily;
- Rapid wear of the rubber seal on faucets;
- Many connections, the tightness of which must be constantly monitored;
- There are no spare circlips available;
- High price. Payback can only be achieved with a consumption of more than 20 liters per day.
Conclusion. This model is the optimal choice of water filter for washing.
Suitable for connoisseurs of clean and tasty water. This quality is achieved through the use of foreign components and leading developments. The filter is of high quality and high performance. The optimal choice for a large family.
ADVANTAGES OF BARRIER PROFI OSMO 100
- Low price compared to other models;
- Collapsible flasks, which ensures low replacement costs;
- Five stages of cleaning;
- Special tube for removing filtered particles;
- Rare cartridge replacement.
CONS BARRIER PROFI OSMO 100
- Poor workmanship. Defective parts are common;
- Low quality of plastic used;
- Noise when filling the tank with water;
- Big sizes;
- The manufacturer does not provide the option of installing a mineralizer;
- During filtration, up to 80% of water is removed;
- Small range of permissible pressure in pipes.
Conclusions. The model is characterized by low cost and functionality. It copes completely with filtering and purifying water. Often, during installation you will have to purchase additional sediment, otherwise the filter will refuse to work. The downside is high water consumption.
NEW WATER EXPERT OSMOS MO 510
PROS NEW WATER EXPERT OSMOS MO 510
The model uses Japanese developments, some of the elements are produced in this country;
- Nice design and functional construction;
- Compactness;
- Easy to install;
- High quality cleaning;
- 24/7 customer support on the official website;
- The ability to replace not only the cartridge, but also the membrane.
CONS NEW WATER EXPERT OSMOS MO 510
- Very high cost;
- Replacing cartridges and membranes will also hit the budget;
- Cartridges quickly become clogged, which affects the filtration speed;
- There are defects - leaks inside the structure;
- The need to adjust the volume of the storage tank before first use.
Conclusion. This filter copes well with hard water and is suitable for a large family. However, installing it when there is a large amount of mechanical contamination is not justified. It is better to entrust the installation of the filter to a specialist, as you will have to make many adjustments.
