In European countries, people safely use tap water, but in Russia its quality is far from the best. Most problems arise due to old metal pipes, in which microbes multiply and the thickness of deposits almost covers most of the pipe. To protect yourself and your family, you have to install filters and maintain them yourself. Most people prefer a reverse osmosis system that cleans tap water best.
What is a reverse osmosis filter
The essence of the cleaning method is the passage of water through a special porous membrane, which is the main component of the filter. Only water molecules pass through the pores; all other substances, including dissolved ones, go into the sewer. This is a very old method that was used in ancient Greece and Egypt for desalination of salt water. Then it was not so effective, but with the development of technologies and materials, it became possible to completely purify liquids from impurities.
Reverse osmosis filters are used in the food industry, to separate oil impurities in oil refineries, and to purify alcohol and alcoholic beverages - cognac and vodka.
Depending on the modification, the set of equipment may include:
- Pump to maintain pressure. A certain pressure is required to pass through the membrane. If people live on the 9th floor and there is not enough pressure in the system, you need to install a pump.
- Pressure Reducer If the pressure exceeds the permissible norms, it is necessary to reduce it.
- Hydraulic tank for accumulation of filtrate. The volume is selected depending on the number of residents and the consumption of drinking water per day.
- A mineralizer that restores the salt balance in a liquid. Due to the fact that the membrane does not allow dissolved salts of potassium, calcium and magnesium to pass through, the human body lacks these substances, which can negatively affect the health of the cardiovascular system. After complete cleaning, the mineralizing unit returns useful substances to the liquid.
- Cartridge with tourmaline. It is necessary to structure water - in this form, it is better and faster absorbed by body tissues, and they do not spend energy on fluid adaptation.
- An ultraviolet lamp destroys bacteria and viruses, although the membrane itself does not let them through, since the pore size allows only water molecules to pass through.
Reverse osmosis systems have many advantages. The main disadvantages are the high cost of the installation and its volatility. There are certain rules and time intervals through which you need to change cartridges. The membrane itself serves for a long time - in some models up to 5 - 7 years.
When buying a reverse osmosis filter, you need to know that only ¼ of the liquid gets into the hydraulic tank, the rest will be washed away into the sewer.
Filter Rating and Features
Distinguish between household and industrial reverse osmosis filters. Putting a powerful installation in a private house or apartment is expensive and disadvantageous, since it is designed for a large volume. For household use, filters that are installed under the kitchen sink are best suited. They are small in size and can provide residents with the necessary amount of drinking water.
On sale you can find reverse osmosis filters of imported and domestic manufacturers. It’s definitely impossible to buy cheap products, since they most often do not reach the expected service life - the membrane becomes unusable and the product can be thrown away. Such devices cannot be repaired.
Rating of domestic filters
Rating of the best filters for reverse osmosis water of domestic manufacturers:
- Geyser - modification of Prestige and Aquachif;
- Atoll;
- Aquaphor;
- Barrier;
- New water.
Geyser uses a special technology of the protective layer of the membrane so that the filtered dirt does not settle on it, but is completely washed off into the sewer. The pore size is much thinner than hair, so the output is almost distilled water. Filtration takes place in several stages, so that before passing through the membrane, the liquid is completely cleaned of large particles. The cost of the filter is high, but the water does not need additional purification.
Aquafor filters have an advantage in size, so they can be installed in a small area under the sink. The drive always has a supply of at least 5 liters. In this device, less liquid is drained into the sewer, so the filter saves money.
Atoll installations - the best combination of price and quality. Moreover, the product is large and not always suitable for small areas.
New water has a mineralizer, as well as a system in which it is not necessary to open the tap every time - just put your hands up and water will flow. When comparing water filters with reverse osmosis of other brands, New Water produces the most expensive devices.
The best filter in the ranking of middle-class models is the Barrier. The membrane will have to be changed once every 1.5 years, mechanical cartridges - once a year. There is a mineralizer.
Rating of imported water filtration plants
Among imported models, most often buy:
- Ecosoft, including industrial installations for water purification before beer production.
- Zepter;
- Organic;
- Mineral Plus;
- Bluefilter
The choice of a reverse osmosis filter from foreign manufacturers can result in serious expenses when replacing cartridges. They are more suitable for countries in which even tap liquid is several times better cleaned than in Russia, so it will clog faster. Cost starts from 500 dollars. At the same time, 40% of the amount will have to be paid annually to replaceable cartridges.
Criterias of choice
The main selection criterion should be the optimal combination of price and quality. In domestic models, it is more balanced. Do not forget that according to the instructions it is necessary to change the cartridges in time, otherwise the membrane will fail faster.
Before choosing an installation, you need to estimate the area under the sink - not all models can fit on a small patch.
You need to pay attention to the quality of parts. Fragile structural elements break faster and do not withstand water shock, so it’s better to overpay for materials and not worry.
There are models for which replaceable filters are very expensive. The company attracts buyers with an inexpensive installation, but compensates for it with expensive filters, so it is very important to find out this nuance before buying. According to reviews of reverse osmosis systems, it is better to buy an expensive installation for washing, but save on filters, since they will have to be bought less often. Usually this happens: the larger the initial investment, the cheaper the water subsequently.
It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the water structure information. This indicator is important if a person suffers from a disease and it is important for him to save energy. Some filters offer a structurizer in the kit - it can help preserve the necessary substances in the body without spending them on preparing the fluid for absorption.
Owner reviews
Barbara Before arriving in Moscow, she did not complain of headaches, but after a year of living she began to be disturbed by migraines, and seizures sometimes lasted for 2-3 days. I accidentally came to a lecture on the healing properties of water - it was not even a question of its purity. Then I thought, I can put a filter to begin with. I didn’t save - I bought German. The frequency of attacks gradually decreased, then the headaches completely disappeared.I imagine that it flows through pipes in the capital. Maybe someone needs my experience - on health.
Valentine. Got caught - bought a cheap installation with reverse osmosis. Now you have to pay the same amount every year to change the cartridges and membrane. Can throw it and take it more expensive? Who had a similar situation?
Elena. We first read the information and went shopping for a month, checked everything that was written. As a result, they took an American filter, for which the membrane needs to be changed every 5 years. We live together, therefore we use less often. Japanese and American reverse osmosis filters are the most durable. In no case do not buy cheap China.
Vika. They installed a reverse osmosis plant 2 years ago, but now it’s gotten worse with money, and the filters have to be changed every 3 months. I’m looking at Fibos, which, according to the manufacturer, has been working for 10 years. Has someone already set? What can you say?
