Features of the choice of water filter in the kitchen

Not all people are willing to use untreated tap water for drinking. This is because often the elements that it contains can have a serious impact on the health of the consumer. But also water that has not been cleaned may have an unpleasant odor and taste. In this situation, filters are the real solution.

Before dividing filters into types, you should familiarize yourself with their main component - cartridges.

They can be of several types:

• mechanical;
• coal;
• softening;
• iron removal.

Mechanical cartridges are based on polypropylene and are able to purify water from sand, rust and other elements. Coal, as the name implies, consists of pressed coal, eliminates the liquid from organic and inorganic substances, beneficially affect its color and smell.Softeners have the ability to eliminate heavy metals, and iron removal due to calcite in the composition can purify water from hydrogen sulfide, improve its smell and taste.

Water filters in the kitchen can be of several types:

• filter jug;
• attachment on the crane;
• standing separately;
• filter for kitchen sink;
• prefilter;
• cooler;
• nanofilter

One of the most simple and inexpensive options is a filter jug. Most often it has a carbon cartridge, which is able to pass up to 500 liters of water through it. The same cartridge has a nozzle for a crane. In the case of it is necessary to adjust the water pressure, which should not exceed 2-3 liters per hour.

Separate filters are connected using a special hose and have a maximum of two degrees of cleaning. The mechanical cartridge in this case lasts for about half a year, it is able to clean about 4 tons of water. The filter installed under the sink is connected to the water supply system. It has 3 cartridges and can change the degree of purification, but the first one always takes place on a stationary mechanical one. These devices are very effective, they are able to purify water from pollution of any type.

The prefilter consists of a grid with small cells and is mounted directly on the pipe. It has the function of protection against mechanical debris and requires flushing during operation. Coolers are used not only in kitchens, but also in offices and other areas. They are devices that can be put in any part of the room, they also have the ability to heat or cool water. Such devices may have different appearance, dimensions and functions.

Nanofilters have a semipermeable membrane, due to which all possible impurities are retained. Are a relatively new kind of filters.

When selecting water filters for the kitchen, it is necessary to consider their basic properties and features. For example, whether the model has reverse osmosis. He is responsible for ensuring that debris retained by the membrane can be discharged into the sewer system.

Cleaning devices with a capillary membrane are mainly located under the sink. It is able to clean the liquid from mechanical impurities and bacteria, while maintaining its mineral composition. To clean especially polluted water in this way, it is recommended to use prefilters.

The process of water mineralization plays an important role in its purification. He is able to improve its taste, in addition, makes the liquid useful for the consumer. For the most part, reverse osmosis cleaning devices have this function, since the membrane does not let in mineral substances.

Ultrafiltration cleaning is used not only in residential areas, but also in wells, as it has the tendency to rid the liquid of bacteria and microbes. Other reagents are not required, as the composition of the liquid is preserved, while it becomes safe and of high quality. In this case, it is recommended to apply additional filtering.

If in principle the requirement that the filter can heat and cool water, it is necessary to choose a device with this function. It is most common in coolers, but other types can also include it. In addition, some models have an indicator that indicates the need to replace the cartridge, which is also very convenient, and eliminates the risk of using water of inappropriate quality.

For cleaning devices that are located under the sink, comes with a faucet. This makes installation much easier as no special connectors are required.And also to increase the pressure, which is not enough for some models, you must use the pump.

Built-in filter models are installed directly on water pipes and can clean any water. In this case, all the liquid that enters the room is cleaned.

Each type of cleaning device has its pros and cons. For a competent choice to dwell on them in more detail.

Filter jugs have a reasonable price, most consumers can afford them. They are very convenient and do not create problems in the application, they are able to clean the liquid from chlorine and other harmful impurities. However, users note that the level of cleaning when using them leaves much to be desired, including the device does not cope with some types of bacteria, and the cartridges require frequent replacement. And also the filters have a small volume, which does not allow to clean large amounts of water at a time.

The nozzle on the crane is also capable of cleaning the liquid from a large number of external substances, it is distinguished by its compactness and is inexpensive. It has a small performance, not too high level of purification. The nozzle is not very convenient to use due to the fact that in the absence of a switch it is necessary to periodically remove the device when its functions are not required.

Stand-alone devices located under the sink are characterized by high speed and a good level of fluid cleaning. Replacing cartridges is easy. However, such filters are not able to fight some viruses, certain types of bacteria, as well as nitrates. In addition, they have a price significantly higher than the previous models.

Reverse osmosis filters provide high-quality cleaning of any liquids, easy to use, capable of destroying a large number of harmful substances. At the same time, they destroy the mineral composition of the liquid, are absolutely not economical, have large dimensions and a rather high price.

The ultrafiltration membrane allows you to quickly and accurately clean the liquid, destroys bacteria and other harmful elements, preserves minerals, and is exceptionally compact.But at the same time, the disadvantage is that after using the contamination remains in the membrane. In addition, the device has a rather high price.

Nanofilters are distinguished by the maximum level of water purification, destroy all toxic substances and impurities, do not change the mineral composition, normalize the pH, work quickly, their cartridges change easily and are used for a long time, and also have the ability to connect additional functional accessories. The only downside is the high cost of the device.

Before buying a water filter in the kitchen, you need to understand what degree of purification is required for the liquid, as well as decide on its volume, because a small device will not cope with large consumption. But it is also important to determine the material manufacturing unit, because it will be in direct contact with drinking water. Each device works optimally at a certain pressure, this point must also be taken into account. In addition, all filters have cartridges, the life of which are different.

In order to understand whether water needs cleaning, you need to pay attention to some points. This, for example, metallic taste of the liquid, contained in it scale, the presence of odor and sediment.

When choosing filters you need to take into account the required volumes of fluid For example, for a small family, it is quite enough to have jug filters, nozzles for a tap or a washing machine, provided that the water is not too heavily polluted. These units are quite simple to install, do not cause problems during operation and have a low cost. However, if more serious purification and large volumes of water are required, these devices will no longer cope; in such cases, systems for washing and reverse osmosis can be used.

In the use of any models have their own nuances. It should be borne in mind that the filter with a reverse osmosis system will require high pressure water supply. And it will also require a mineralizer, because when cleaning, all useful minerals are removed. There is no such problem when using ultrafilters, which not only purify the liquid qualitatively, but also leave the minerals at the same level.

Before you start using the filter in the kitchen, it must be thoroughly washed and dried.Before installing the cartridge, it is recommended to hold it in cold water for about 15 minutes, then install it in the system and let water through. It is possible to use the purified liquid immediately after carrying out these procedures.

If the filter is designed for cold water, do not allow hot water to pass through it, as this may cause damage to the device. In addition, in the absence of an indicator announcing the need to change the used cartridge, you need to track this question yourself. If the cleaning device has not been used for a long time, it must also be washed before using it again.

About what are the features of the choice of water filters in the kitchen, see the following video.