Water contamination is a common problem and can either be caused by human activities or occur naturally. Therefore, everyone has a responsibility to ensure that the water they use is not contaminated and if so, look for ways to make it clean and safe for consumption. One of the most popular way of purifying water is by filtration. The first thing you need to do before you choose a filtering option is knowing the kind of contaminants that you have in the water. Also, there are numerous water filters you will find out there in the market, and it is good to make some consideration before settling for one. Here are on the things you should be aware of when buying countertop water filters.
Different Water Filters Will Eliminate Different Contaminants
Do not buy a countertop filter simply because it is displayed because it might end up not helping you in the long run. To begin with, check if the filter has a label showing that it meets all NSF certification for that specific substance you want to eliminate. NSF International is the testing lab that is authorized to come-up and implement numerous standards in the industry. Other organizations that work closely with NSF for the same purpose are UL, CSA, and WQA. Make sure you check this keenly to avoid ending up with something that won’t be of help to you or something that may cause even more harm to you than good. These organizations will also provide a consumer report whereby they indicate ratings for each filter and their ability to remove the contaminants efficiently. NSF also has a contaminant reduction claims guide section and this information will help you in buying the right countertop filter for the specific contaminant bugging you.
Consider Your Pipes
Before you go to buy a countertop water filter, consider if indeed need one because the problem you have could be coming from your water pipes. You must have heard of lead crises in different places, and while people may be thinking that the water is contaminated from the source, they end up finding that it is just a problem of their pipes. Make sure that the pipes are not leaded or are not having any other problem because your filtration will be very useless at the end of the day. Apart from leading your house could also be old and therefore have sediments that have accumulated in the pipes. It is not only dangerous for your health, but it is technically gross too. Look for a reliable plumber to check if your pipes have sediments and rely on experts to check on the matter of the leaded pipes. Once the pipe issues are resolved, you can now go for a countertop water filter.
Consider Your Budget
When buying a water filter, you need to go for what you can comfortably afford not only the first time but also when buying a replacer countertop filter. The cost of each water filter depends on the model and the manufacturer. Do not be deceived by highly priced filters to mean high-quality filters because it is not always the case. Also, like they always say, ‘cheap is expensive’ and therefore should not always rush to buy a cheap countertop filter unless you are sure it will serve you well. Iit is always good to compare prices from different dealers, and you will not only get to identify the right filter for you but will also know why one is priced higher than the other. Consider checking all the specs and features of the filter and if you are not sure of the best, ask a knowledgeable person to advise you on the same.
Buying A Filter Is Not The End Of Your Shopping
You need to know that your water filter needs to be changed regularly and the fact that you bought one today does not say you won’t buy another one in the future. Just like any other filtering system, your countertop water filter can get clogged too and therefore affect its efficiency in giving you that clean and safe water. In this case, check what the manufacturer says about changing your filter, and if they do not provide such information, maybe it’s time to move on to the next manufacturer. The reason why you need the manufacturer to provide with a schedule for changing is the fact that you may be too busy to notice that the water filter is failing. You do not want to wait until it’s too late. The good thing is that there are manufacturers who make water filters that have a light to indicate to you when the filter is not efficient anymore and therefore the need to change.
Consider The Number Of People Who Drink Water In Your House
The type of water filter you want to buy will depend on the number of people you have in your household. For instance, if you live alone, you can go for a pitcher filter. However, if you are more than five in your house, you can go for a refrigerator that comes with a built-in filter or install an inline system under your kitchen sink. Before you, however, tamper with the water system in your house, you need to be sure you have the permission to alter the plumbing system. Also, before you decide on the right water filter, get to understand the cause of water contamination to know if the countertop will work or it’s the under-sink model that will serve you better.
Everyone wants to drink clean water. Unfortunately, due to some unavoidable circumstances, water can get contaminated rendering it unsafe for consumption. While filtration using countertop water filters can be used to solve this problem, it is good to make these considerations before buying one for your office or home. Buying the right filter will not only help preserve your health but will also help save the money that you could have used to cover medical bills when things go wrong.