Water Filters for Your Home
Purchase and install a water filtration system to improve the purity of your home’s tap water. To better understand the type of water filter you’ll need, order a water test or request a water quality report from your local utility provider. You’ll learn what types of contaminants you need to filter out. Here are some common types of home water filters.
UV Water Filters
An ultraviolet (UV) filter is one of the more common water filters available. This purification device exposes the water to ultraviolet light, killing various types of viruses and bacteria, including E. coli. A UV filter needs electricity to operate. This filter only kills viruses and bacteria. A UV filter does not remove sediment, heavy metals, or chemicals from your drinking water.
Water Ionization
A water ionizer uses electrolysis to separate water into acidic and alkaline components. Most water ionizers contain an additional filter that removes chlorine, herbicides, and heavy metals. An ionizer produces water that is safer and healthier to drink. However, these purifiers are costly and tend to be slow to produce pure water.
Distillation
A water distiller removes bacteria and organic contaminants like benzene from your water supply. A distiller purifies the water by heating it. This process produces steam which cools and runs through an activated charcoal filter. The purified water is then stored in a reservoir for your use. Distillation kills many types of bacteria and this type of filtration system can last for years. The distillation process can be slow and even beneficial minerals are filtered out.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis (RO) uses a semipermeable membrane to filter inorganic compounds from your water. The filter applies pressure to the water to move it through the membrane which flushes out contaminants.
Activated Carbon Filters for Your Drinking Water
Activated carbon filters may be the most commonly used filters in homes. The filter uses charcoal to absorb impurities while allowing the clean water to flow through. This type of filter improves the taste and smell of drinking water. Activated carbon filters clean the water fairly quickly. They cannot remove viruses or dissolved solids. If your water has high sediment, you might install a separate sediment filter to help the activated carbon system last longer.
Ocean State Home Inspections provides inspection services, including water-quality testing, to Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Contact us to request an appointment.