How to choose a water filter: types of purification systems and their features

What is a main filter

Such systems are mounted directly on the DHW and cold water pipes. This allows not only to cook food without unnecessary smells and tastes, but also to take a shower without fear of unpleasant consequences. For example, chlorine left after chemical treatment can cause eye irritation and rashes. The presence of lime and metal impurities negatively affects the condition of the skin.

The pipeline and cleaning system do not always comply with current sanitary standards. There is always the possibility of violations, failures, breakdowns.This is evidenced by the fact that even with the declared quality, there are sometimes obvious inconsistencies in the form of rust, sand or white lime sediment.

Washing machines and dishwashers also need protection. With a high content of solid particles, they require additional care measures. If they do not provide this care, they fail.

The device is a housing with a replaceable cartridge. To install it, it is better to call a plumber, but you can do it on your own. Water filters in the apartment crash into the pipeline. To do this, it must be blocked and freed from the liquid by opening the taps. Markings are made on the wall for fasteners, and holes are drilled along it. A secure foundation is essential to avoid damage from the vibration generated by the flow. Connection with pipes is made by means of couplings. Joints are sealed with FUM tape.

After installation, the operation of the device is checked. To do this, the system needs to be started for a few minutes. During this time, air is removed from all its elements, and the cartridge is washed

When installing, it is important to strictly follow the instructions that come with all the parts. It is advisable to prepare rags and basins in case something goes wrong

How to choose?

In order to choose the optimal water treatment system for installation in an apartment, it is not enough to find out the reviews of relatives and friends, you must take into account your own operating parameters.

If financial possibilities allow, then the best option would be a nanofilter that will serve faithfully for many years and does not require replacing the cartridge, and the water after it will be perfect.

But if finances are not unlimited, then depending on the characteristics of the composition of the water, it is possible to select and arrange filters of different types.

To begin with, let's dwell on the aspects of choosing a main filter.

To choose the right choice of trunk, you should take into account a number of fundamental points.

Loss of operating pressure in the system - as a rule, they are in the range of 0.1-0.6 bar and above
If the water pressure in the water supply is small, then this fact should be given special attention - of course, refuse from the idea of ​​water purification should not be, but it will not hurt to install an additional main pump.
The indicator of hydrolosses is important in the case when the filter is planned to be installed in apartments on the top floors.
Filter performance - it is calculated as the ability of the treatment system to pass a certain volume of water through itself.

• Consumption volume - as practice shows, it is always better to buy such a parameter with a large "margin".
• Dimensions, case format - the vast majority of manufacturers offer consumers Slim Line or Big Blue filters. The former differ in diameter of 114-130 mm, and the latter -184 mm and cartridge size 10. It is the second option that is considered ideal for home use.

Replacement cartridges differ in their filtering properties, for example, there are options that eliminate ferrous salts, pesticides or reduce the percentage of chlorine.

As for the devices themselves, here the marking can tell about the purpose and installation possibilities:

• BA - these products are used to normalize the percentage of iron;
• BS - optimal for softening water and eliminating hardness salts;
• with activated carbon - effectively removes chlorine and its compounds;
• with polyphosphate - used to soften water, removes even the oldest lime deposits and reliably protects pipelines and household appliances from scale formation.

The best storage filters for water purification

Pitchers and dispensers with filters are the simplest liquid purification devices. They are suitable for low consumption of drinking water and are suitable for small families or offices. They have a storage tank for purified liquid. To get a portion of clean water, you need to wait a few minutes until it squeezes through the filter under its own weight. But these filters are cheaper than any other.

Xiaomi Viomi Filter Kettle L1 - a new word in cleaning

5,0

★★★★★
editorial score

90%
buyers recommend this product

See review

Behind the modest design of this amazing device lies amazing possibilities. There is a high-performance replaceable cartridge with 7 cleaning steps and an ultraviolet lamp. Thanks to this, the liquid is not only cleaned of harmful impurities, but also disinfected. The lamp is powered by a rechargeable battery that can be charged via the microUSB connector. One charge is enough for 40 applications.

Advantages:

• Moderate price;
• Iron removal;
• Antibacterial effect;
• Large cartridge resource;
• 7 stages of cleaning.

Flaws:

• Small tank volume.
• The filter jug ​​from Xiaomi is the best solution for a family of 2-3 people.

Ecotronic C 6-1 FE - filter and cooler 2-in-1

4.9

★★★★★
editorial score

85%
buyers recommend this product

See review

In addition to 5-stage cleaning, this dispenser also cools water to +15°C. It works from the network, consuming no more than 60 watts.Water can be poured both manually and connected to the water supply. The dispenser has a display that reminds you when the filter needs to be replaced. A convenient faucet on the body will allow you to quickly draw water into any container.

Advantages:

• 5 stages of cleaning, including softening;
• Liquid cooling;
• The display with indication of pollution of the filter;
• Capacious water tank;
• Possibility of connection to a water supply system.

Flaws:

Dependence on the power grid.

The C 6-1 FE filter from Ecotronic is suitable for home or office use. It will be especially relevant in the summer heat.

Barrier Grand NEO - strength in simplicity

4.8

★★★★★
editorial score

83%
buyers recommend this product

See review

There is nothing unusual about this jug, but users note the high cleaning efficiency and the strength of its body. The strengthened handle maintains even big weight, filled to the brim of a jug. Water filters relatively quickly. Moreover, it is not only cleared of free chlorine, but also softens, and also loses an unpleasant odor.

Advantages:

• Low price;
• Availability of replacement cartridges;
• Elimination of an unpleasant smell;
• Rugged housing;
• Capacious reservoir.

Flaws:

Does not disinfect water.

For a house or cottage with not too dirty water or in the presence of a main pre-filter, the Barrier Grand NEO is best suited.

Best Trunk

With medium requirements for the fineness of cleaning and the need to remove a large amount of mechanical impurities (rust, suspensions, silt), main filters with meshes or composite cartridges can be used for water treatment.

Attention! Such devices have high performance and can purify hot water, subject to the selection of the correct body material and filter element.

The top of the best main filters, taking into account their characteristics and prices, is presented below.

Geyser Typhoon

High-performance filter with a reliable steel housing, if necessary, withstanding pressure up to 40 atm.

Typhoon geyser is equipped with a sorption cartridge of combined action Aragon 3 of the company's own design.

The module provides:

• reliable filtration of hot or cold water from rust,
• free chlorine
• hardness salts at a rate of up to 20-25 l / min.

Users attribute the strength of the housing, ease of installation and the possibility of draining to the advantages of this filter, while the disadvantages are the price and laboriousness of the process of replacing the cartridge. The original Geyser Typhoon systems cost at least 9500 rubles, with the cost of changing the module within 1100.

Aquaphor Viking

Reliable in-line filter with stainless steel housing with flow rate up to 25 l/min. The allowable operating temperature of this system depends on the type of cartridge being installed and varies if necessary.

The owners of Aquaphor Viking speak positively about its performance and the quality of the treated water and generally do not find operational shortcomings, the only disadvantage of this model is the high cost of the case and cartridge (10350 and 2700 rubles, respectively).

Honeywell FF06 1/2 AAM

Positive reviews about Honeywell FF06 1/2 AAM are associated with its price, durability, ease of washing or replacing the mesh, negative - with a large number of Chinese counterfeit.

Of all the Honeywell brands, counterfeiting is the most common, and certification verification and visual inspection are a must when purchasing these devices.

Why is water pre-filtered?

There are a number of factors that explain the importance of pre-filtration of water. Among them are the following:

1. Taking care of your own health.
2. Extending the life of heating appliances and faucets.
3. Reducing the cost of purchasing additional detergents. If you use an unprepared liquid, you will have to take all kinds of balms and lotions. In the presence of hard water, detergents will not dissolve well.
4. Prevention of the problem of white marks on plumbing, glassware or tiled structures.
5. Removal from iron. Any ferrous salts and metal impurities adversely affect the condition of household appliances and lead to the accumulation of rust and plaque.

Preliminary primary filter located behind the shutoff valves, but in front of the metering devices. Its task is to effectively filter liquids entering the house and remove rust, sand and other large fractions from the composition. However, this is only the initial stage of purification, and it is not enough to obtain safe drinking water.

See the table to understand what coarse filters hold back.

Separate household appliances that work on the basis of piped water need a pre-filter. Among them:

1. Dishwashers.
2. Water heaters.
3. Washing machines.
4. Thermopots.
5. Other devices.

Water must be filtered before it interacts with the equipment. Otherwise, in the event of a breakdown, manufacturers will refuse to provide warranty services.

Pre-filtration is the key to long and trouble-free operation of expensive plumbing.

Number 3. Basic principles of operation of the main filter

Since the main filter is installed at the “entrance” of the water pipe to the apartment, it allows you to purify water for all water intake points. The main filter is a multi-stage purification, and the purpose of all purification stages can be determined independently, assembling the system that is optimal in specific conditions.

The following elements may be present in the design of main filters:

• mechanical filters that allow you to rid the water of sand, clay, rust, silt and other insoluble impurities. Such filters can be called basic, they are included in almost any main system and can be represented by coarse and fine filters;
• chemical filters allow you to get rid of iron or manganese, reduce hardness or solve other problems in water purification by passing a chemical reaction. Such filters are represented by special cartridges;
• biological treatment filters are represented by ultraviolet sterilizers.

The throughput capacity of flowing main filters is, as a rule, from 20 to 50 l / min or more, which is enough for normal operation in any apartment or house. Requirements are also put forward to the pressure in the system. Main filters can be with low (0.1-0.2 bar) and high (0.4-0.5 bar) hydrolosses. If you live on a high floor, where the pressure in the water supply is already low, then it is better to take a filter with minimal hydroloss. An additional pump may be required.

For more productive work, it does not hurt to equip the system with a pressure reducing valve, which allows you to reduce pressure fluctuations in the system and reduce water consumption. A check valve is also needed - it will prevent the backflow of water.

When choosing a main filter, it is also worth considering the diameter of the pipe, the maximum operating temperature and the number of existing water intake points.

Supply sorption filter

These devices are the simplest and not too expensive. These are several containers, usually 3-4, which are connected in series with each other. And inside them are special cartridges equipped with filters. Such devices are connected to the water supply using a flexible wire. The most convenient place for this is the space under the sink. And on top of it you can attach a special crane.

The device may have several flasks, each of which runs its own cleaning system. Since each flask is equipped with different fillers. Some of them perform mechanical cleaning, others sorption. Some filters have an additional disinfection system in addition to traditional filters. Passing through the flasks, the water goes through several stages of purification. First, mechanical impurities leave, then various small inclusions. Water, which is purified using such a device, does not have a specific smell of bleach. In addition, it gets rid of metal impurities and pesticides, sand, dirt and other harmful substances. And all available microorganisms are neutralized and do no harm.

Peculiarities

The current water purification in water pipes follows the same type of scheme, it consists of several stages.

First you need to put a mechanical filter - here it is optimal to use the main options, which are equipped with replaceable polypropylene cartridges. Such purifiers effectively trap iron, sand, and other suspensions, which not only improves water quality, but also prevents rust. The main devices are cut directly into the water supply, this allows you to completely clean running water by 100%.

At the next stage, hot and cold water is purified from impurities of chlorine and metals, for this they also use main water filters with carbon cartridges, and the result of using the cleaning system is immediately noticeable to the naked eye - after passing through it, the water acquires a bluish tint, and the unpleasant smell of chlorine also disappears .

At the third stage, hardness salts (calcium and magnesium) are removed, which contribute to the formation of scale and plaque on the inside of the pipeline and other plumbing elements in the apartment. The filters that are used for this contain special softeners.

Well, at the finishing stage, a filter is used, which is installed directly on the sink - it is used to obtain high-quality drinking water.

The most stringent requirements are imposed on modern water purification systems - it must be efficient, environmentally friendly, ergonomic and reliable.It usually includes filters, as well as hoses and containers for supplying clean water, but at the same time it has minimal dimensions - the most popular options are compact models that can be easily placed under the sink.

Of course, a private house or cottage has a great advantage over apartments when it comes to creating a water purification system, since a separate room or isolated space can be allocated for it, in an apartment the space is limited in size and layout. Therefore, all elements of the cleaning system are constantly in contact with residents.

But it should also be borne in mind that apartment buildings are fed from a common central water supply, so there is no need for preliminary purification, since water enters the houses already purified from mechanical impurities, pathogens and dangerous compounds. The main purpose of filters in apartments is the removal of calcium, magnesium salts, as well as excess chlorine.

Often, water purification systems in apartments contain non-standard methods of water preparation: a magnetic field, ultrasound, and the like. However, most urban residents prefer the standard approach to water treatment, which over the years of use has proven itself to be reliable and fully compliant with current norms and standards.

Filter types

At home, several types of household filters are used, which we will tell you about in detail.

pitcher filter

1. It is necessary to manually collect water and wait a long time until it passes through the filter and is cleaned. This quickly gets boring: as a rule, people soon stop using the filter and start using untreated tap water again.And this is very bad.
2. It is necessary to change the cartridges frequently, carefully observing the terms of their use. Often they forget about this and filter the water with a failed cartridge. Or they stop using the filter because they forget to buy a new cartridge and realize the inefficiency of the old one.
3. The degree of water purification by a jug filter is significantly inferior to multi-stage systems. Water from a pitcher filter is, of course, much better in quality than from a tap, but still it is far from perfect.

Attachment on the crane

These are inexpensive filters, their cost starts from 500-1,000 rubles. As a rule, they are not very convenient to use - for this reason, owners often quickly become disillusioned with them and stop using them. The quality of water purification for such filters is different - it depends on the characteristics of a particular model.

Multi-stage system "under the sink"

These are reliable high-quality filters with several stages of purification. They fully justify their high price with good quality purified water. To install a multi-stage filter, you must connect it to the water supply, so the installation of the system is carried out by professionals - plumbers or filter installers. The more stages of purification the filter contains, the more pure water is obtained at the outlet. The simplest systems with 2-3 cleaning steps can be purchased for about 3,000 - 5,000 rubles. More advanced systems with 5-7 cleaning steps are more expensive. Cartridges for different levels have a different service life (depending on the type of cartridge) and are changed after a few months according to the instructions.

Reverse Osmosis Membrane Filter

Some models of multi-stage filters contain a reverse osmosis membrane - a cartridge with a special material with tiny holes that allow only water molecules to pass through. Since the water molecule is much smaller than the molecules of other chemicals, the reverse osmosis membrane purifies the water from any chemical contaminants, as well as viruses and bacteria, which also cannot pass through the smallest filter holes. Therefore, such filters are considered the highest quality and most reliable: they produce the purest water - only H₂Oh without any impurities.

The reverse osmosis membrane is the most expensive element of such systems. It is changed about once a year. The need to replace the membrane is recognized by the too low filtration rate - water seeps through the membrane clogged with large molecules with great difficulty. Before the membrane, pre-filters must be installed. This is done to increase the life of the membrane so that well-purified water enters it, from which only the smallest elements and microorganisms remain to be removed.

Flow filters for water

The name "flow filter" itself includes the way tap water passes through the filter elements. And it passes through the duct, entering one branch pipe and leaving the opposite one.

The device itself is a flask (module) made of food-grade plastic: transparent or opaque. It is screwed onto the head, in which two pipes are made: inlet and outlet. It is with these nozzles that the filter is attached to the water pipe. Connection method - pipe thread.

Today, manufacturers offer two types of flow filters: with a removable flask and fixed.The second modules are gradually losing their relevance, the reason is the inability to replace the filter cartridge. That is, if the filter is clogged with dirt or its service life has expired, you will have to dismantle it, buy a new one and install it again.

Connecting the filter to the faucet and water supply with plastic hoses

Devices with a removable flask differ only in that they have the ability to remove the flask, remove the contaminated cartridge and install a new one instead. To remove the flask, manufacturers add a special key to the module package. That is, it turns out that the filter can be operated indefinitely. You just need to periodically change the cartridges, for which a certain period of operation is set. This option is of course cheaper.

As for the degree of purification, this issue is solved today simply. Here the position is as follows - the more modules are installed in the filter unit, the cleaner the water is at the outlet. Today, manufacturers offer devices in which three to four flasks are installed. And each of them performs its own functions in terms of water purification.

Filter modules

Filter modules today can be filled with different types of cartridges:

• intended for mechanical filtration (cleaning);
• for water purification, in which a large amount of metals is present;
• for hard water;
• purifying water from various harmful microorganisms;
• universal models.

Sink flow filter modules

That is, today it is possible to choose a filter for the characteristics of water. This is very important for those private houses that consume water from wells and wells.To do this, you just need to do a water analysis, determine what is in it in large quantities, and then purchase the filter that can cope with all the problems. But keep in mind, the more problems, the more expensive the water treatment will cost.

There is a standard selection of modules that can cope with the main problems of autonomous water supply from wells and wells:

• mechanical cleaning is a module filled with polypropylene fibers;
• carbon sorbent filters, this module purifies water from organic impurities, heavy metals, salts, unpleasant taste and odor;
• modules that are called iron removers, that is, their task is to reduce the concentration of iron in water.

Standard equipment sink water filter flow type

Counterfeits and unscrupulous manufacturers

Knowing how to choose a water filter is not enough, you still need to be able to distinguish quality products from fakes. There are many fakes of various goods in the world and filters are no exception. Having bought such equipment, there is a risk of giving money away, and the quality of water will remain at the same level.

To protect yourself from buying a fake, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• Prominence of the manufacturer
• Item price level
• Product appearance
• Availability of certificates
• The presence of a hologram, marking of special application, a unique serial number

Producer reputation. As in any other niche, there are manufacturers who have been working in this market for a long time and have proven themselves well.Each of them has its own developments and patents for various systems used for water treatment. The most famous manufacturers of household water filters are such companies as: Barrier, New Water, Aquaphor, Geyser, Atoll and others. when choosing a filter, you should focus on the products of these brands.

The value of the goods. The consumer opportunities of our citizens are at a low level, hence the desire to save money arises. When buying a filter, you need to be careful. If you see that the price of the model offered to you differs markedly from the average price in the market, then you should think about where this seller got this product from. If the product was purchased from an official supplier, but the price for it differs significantly from the price in other stores, then this is one hundred percent fake. After all, the seller cannot trade at a loss and give it at cost also makes no sense.

The appearance of the goods. The cost can not always tell about the poor quality of the goods, because it can be set at the same level as with other sellers. Therefore, when buying the filter model you need, look at the quality of the material and assembly. a fake always differs from the original in various details

Pay attention to the seams of the flasks, the threads of the outlets for connecting to the water supply, equipment, etc.

Everything should be at the best level. In addition, pay attention to the quality of packaging - no one packs a fake in high-quality materials. Not meeting these little things to high standards may mean that you have a fake in front of you.

Availability of certificates. If you have any doubts, ask the seller to show a quality certificate for the products

At the same time, pay attention to the certificate must be genuine, and not be a photocopy of many years ago

The presence of a hologram, marking of special application, a unique serial number. To protect their products, manufacturers supply them with various galagrams, documents with special markings, and some with unique serial numbers that can be verified for authenticity. It is enough to drive such a number into a special form posted on the official website of the manufacturer and you will receive an answer whether your model is genuine.

No. 4. Types of main filters

To ensure the proper degree of water purification, the main filter is equipped with several filtration systems, and their set will depend on what the water is contaminated with.

The main filter may include the following components:

• a mesh main filter, or a coarse filter, allows you to rid water of mechanical impurities, which is especially important in houses with old communications. The filter is represented by a mesh made of stainless steel or other material with a mesh size of 10 to 200 microns: the smaller the cell, the more debris the filter can hold. Often, strainers are installed in the main system in front of cartridge filters in order to reduce the load on them. The mesh, and sometimes there may be several of them, has an actual unlimited service life - it is enough to clean it only occasionally. If all the cells are clogged so that they are not cleared, you will have to take a new mesh. There are filters with a backwash system, which are also called self-flushing filters. Screen filters may differ depending on where they are used, in cold or hot water systems.Any filters are suitable for cold water, only steel or special plastic for hot water;
• disk main filters, or fine filters, clean mechanical impurities more thoroughly and use several technologies at once. These are blocks of pressed polymer discs with grooves, which, when compressed, form a mesh that traps the smallest particles of dirt. These filters are easier to clean. Sorption cartridges and UV filters can also be used;
• Cartridge main filters provide the highest quality cleaning. They allow you to filter particles as small as 5 microns, can get rid of iron, chlorine, salts, microorganisms and saturate water with oxygen - this is an even finer and more targeted purification. You can use several different cartridges at once. You will have to change cartridges more often than clean the grids and discs, but the quality of cleaning here is an order of magnitude higher;
• reverse osmosis filters are rarely used and make it possible to obtain pure distilled water due to the passage of water under pressure through the outlet membranes. Such systems can be installed if the pressure in the water supply system reaches 3-4 atmospheres.

By the number of purification stages, main filters are divided into:

• single-stage;
• two-stage;
• three-stage.

Again, the choice depends on the quality of the water.

What else should be considered when choosing and buying?

Preference is given to certified brands purchased in official stores, but this possibility does not always exist (unlike the risks of buying a fake).

Most often, ion-exchange cartridges and magnetic converters are counterfeited in this group, since the low level of water filtration quality when using them does not appear immediately.

To avoid unnecessary expenses, we recommend:

• Carefully study the offers and prices of trusted manufacturers and compare reviews of their products in different forums.
• Check the lifetime of the official website domain (firms operating in the market for over 20 years cannot have temporary or newly created pages).
• Evaluate the tightness of the gaskets, the wall thickness, the quality of the joints and working surfaces of the devices by touch.
• Check the protection of the manufacturer (verified companies protect their products with unique holograms, separate serial numbers and special markings, accompanying documents are always printed on high-quality paper and enclosed in strong and beautiful packaging).