How to Choose the Right Water Filters for Your Home

Getting Started with Water Filters

Healthy drinking water is essential for good digestive and overall health, and filtering water is an excellent way of keeping a steady supply of clean drinking water.  Lead, arsenic, nitrite, chloroform, and even E. coli bacteria can contaminate seemingly clean drinking water, but running water through a filter can remove those and other serious contaminants. There are multiple types of water filters that have various features; this guide will discuss these elements so that customers can decide which filter is the best option to get that clean glass of water.

Types of Water Filters

While all filters purify water of contaminants by removing them from the water, not all filters accomplish this in the same way or store the water in the same manner. Some are installed in the plumbing while others are free-standing water filters.

• Faucet-mounted filters. These are a popular choice for people who do not want to have to store filtered water somewhere. With this type of water filter, the filter simply attaches to the water faucet where the aerator would go. Some people do not like these because they can slow water flow, but other people would be willing to put up with slower water in order to avoid having to store the water in the refrigerator.
• Under-sink filters. Another method of filtering directly without having to store water is to put a filter under the sink. While these can filter lots of water and are not visible to the average kitchen visitor, they take up lots of space under the sink and do require a professional in order to install them.
• Whole-house filters. On a larger scale, this type of water filter can filter all the water in the house. They are inexpensive and convenient but do not catch the same wide variety of contaminants that other water systems may catch. These also require plumbing changes to set up.
• Reverse-osmosis filters. These also function on a larger level than the average water filter; they work by forcing water to pass through a semi-permeable membrane by using household water pressure. These can remove a wider range of contaminants than whole-house filters but must be cleaned routinely—and they generate several gallons of waste water per each filtered gallon.
• Countertop filters. These filters are immensely popular with families because they can filter and store a solid amount of water without requiring much in the way of expense and nothing in the way of plumbing modifications. While these take up a decent bit of space on the countertop or in the refrigerator, some feel the loss of space is worth not having to install a complicated filtering system.
• Carafe filters. Immensely popular with single people or couples, these filters feature the filter itself inset in a pitcher or carafe. They do not take up much space and are easy to use and maintain; as with their larger countertop counterparts, they do not require any plumbing alterations since they are free-standing.

Features of Water Filters

In terms of features, water filters are fairly simple, but there are some features of water filters.

• Easy plumbing connections. Some of the under-sink and reverse-osmosis water filters use plumbing connections that screw on easily rather than connections that have to be installed professionally.
• Electronic indicator. Some filters have electronic displays that notify users when the filter needs to be changed.
• Spout or lip. Countertop and carafe models generally have some sort of spout for dispensing or lip for pouring for easy transport between the storage container and the cup.
• Easy-fill window. Some countertop models have a little window or panel that can be removed from the top cover that provides easy access for filling the reservoir with water to be filtered.

Brand Names of Water Filters

Brita, Pur, and Culligan are some of the biggest names in terms of water filter brands, but they are not alone. Whirlpool, Amway, and Kenmore also make water filters, as do Aquasana and GE. Brita and Pur merchandise is most likely to be found in big-box retailers for sale as carafes or countertop units while most of the other brands traditionally offer the more complicated options that need plumbing changes for installment.