Filters are useful devices that help improve the quality and taste of water. Modern models have a different design and operating principle, which determines their properties. The choice of household appliances must be approached very responsibly.
Scope of devices
Water filters are called aggregates that are designed to purify it from various polluting elements:
- insoluble foreign particles;
- chlorine and its derivatives;
- heavy metals (lead, mercury), iron;
- viruses;
- bacteria.
Most filters make water less hard. Devices improve its characteristics, eliminate any deviations from the norm. With the constant use of purified water, a person feels better, prevents the development of dangerous diseases.
Filters are suitable for home use in apartments or in private houses in the presence of a well, well. They also perform water treatment for coffee machines, washing machines.
Browse Popular Models
The market offers many different filter modifications. Therefore, it is important to understand the characteristics of popular models in order to make the right choice.
Jug
The unit looks like a regular jug. In its upper part, water is poured, which is subjected to purification. It flows by gravity into the lower tank through a special cartridge. This element contains granules with activated carbon. They carry out rough cleaning of large particles, work as a sorbent, absorbing harmful substances.
Advantages of the filter jug:
- improves the taste of water;
- eliminates the smell of chlorine;
- retains rust;
- mobility and usability;
- low price.
The disadvantages of the model in the form of jugs include their inability to destroy viruses and bacteria, to neutralize heavy metals, pesticides. Such devices do not have a softening effect. Every 2-3 weeks, it is necessary to change the cartridge modules, because over time they lose their cleaning qualities. Also, when buying a similar model, you need to be prepared for its low speed (no more than 0.5 l / min).
Popular manufacturers of filter jugs are Brita (Germany), Rosa, Aquafor Standard.
Attachment on the crane
The compact unit allows you to quickly purify water, as it is worn directly on the tap. The device is characterized by mobility, it can be easily removed and moved to another place. Moreover, it is inexpensive, easy to use. Nozzles on the crane help to detain small particles-impurities (rust, silt), relieve an unpleasant smell.
The disadvantages of such models:
- do not cope with viruses, bacteria, fungi;
- Do not save from increased water hardness;
- produce only "surface" cleaning;
- characterized by a small resource of work;
- have a low speed.
The most popular filter nozzles on the crane are the products of Morion, Aquafor Universal.
Flow devices
Devices are an improved version of filter nozzles on the crane. They are equipped with replaceable cartridges - carbon, ceramic, polypropylene, ionizing, track-membrane. The latest variety of nozzles helps in the fight against hard water. Thanks to special technologies, calcium and magnesium molecules are replaced by sodium cations.
Flowing stationary devices have several advantages:
- eliminate mechanical impurities, smell and taste of chlorine;
- delay heavy metals, some organic compounds;
- for ease of use, the filter is equipped with a separate tap;
- both desktop and hidden installation are possible;
- long service life (hundreds of liters);
- performance is about 1 l / min.
The disadvantages of flowing devices include the need to attract specialists to their installation. To maintain a high degree of cleaning, it is necessary to change cartridges in a timely manner, which is especially true for coal options. Also, such a model is not able to eliminate most viruses, bacteria, chemicals.
A separate type of flowing devices is called salt filters. They are installed on the main pipelines in the sequence specified in the instructions. The salt filter for water is designed to protect dishwashers and washing machines, water heaters from scale.
Units with a flowing principle of action are produced by many manufacturers - Aquakit, Aragon (replaceable cartridges), Atlas (Italian brand), Breeze Compact Lux, Crystal, Poseidon, Prio (New Water). Such models as Geyser Typhoon (main for cold and hot water), Akvafor Favorit, Akvafor Trio Volna (with three replaceable cartridges), Aquaphor Osmo, Geyser Bio, Geyser Classic, Breeze Eurolux, Geyser Eco are also popular.
UV aggregates
Devices are excellent for cleaning water from pathogenic microorganisms - viruses, bacteria. The principle of operation of the ultraviolet device is that the liquid passes through a special closed tank, where it is affected by electromagnetic radiation. The degree of purification reaches 99%.
The advantage of ultrasonic filters is their speed, reliability. The disadvantages of such devices are their dependence on electricity, high cost. Such filters are installed together with other coarse cleaning devices. They are also ineffective in the fight against heavy metals, high water hardness.
Reverse osmosis filters
Equipment passes liquid through a special membrane. Only water and oxygen molecules can pass through its openings. Other compounds in the form of heavy metals, salts, oxidizing agents do not penetrate through the gasket and merge through the drainage.
Reverse osmosis filters have many advantages:
- the degree of purification from harmful compounds is 99%;
- when installing the unit, a separate crane is mounted;
- the quality of regeneration does not depend on the initial composition of the water.
The disadvantages of reverse osmosis filters are their high cost, the complexity of installation, the need for additional installation of the pump.
Popular brands are Aquakit, Emerald Diamond-60-11, Atlas, Crystal, Honevell. Reverse osmosis filters can be ordered in online stores (Citylink) or in specialized outlets.
Other varieties
To get live and high-quality water throughout the day, you can use a membrane-type device called Snowflake. It is made in the form of a plate, inside of which there is a cleaning element. The filter directly affects the structure of water, which eliminates its harmful impurities. The advantage of the device is called the fact that it operates without electricity and additional pressure.
Criterias of choice
Before buying filters, you need to evaluate how thorough the cleaning should be. It is recommended to submit water for analysis, determining its composition, the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, and stiffness. Preliminary diagnostics can be performed at home. For example, the presence of scale on a kettle indicates the need for cleaning from salts.
The selection criteria for household water filters are also called:
- unit operation mode - filters for domestic needs are cyclical or continuous;
- duration of operation without additional maintenance - filters require periodic replacement of cleaning elements;
- cleaning system performance - you should determine the amount of water that you need to get for a specific period of time.
When buying filters, their price is also taken into account. Typically, jug models are the cheapest, and reverse osmosis units are the most expensive.
