Buyers Guide - Water Purifier
Accord highest priority to the purity of water by installing a Water Purifier- a household appliance that ensures odour-free, and clean water. So don’t wait anymore, drink plenty of clean water!
Zeroing upon a water purifier can take out a large share of your time in terms research and comparison. One should always take into consideration important aspects like type of water (hard or soft), level of impurity, odour level, and flow of water. If water doesn’t have any odour or tastes normal, then one can always stick to an on-tap purifier. But if the water is just inconsumable owing to various factors then one should opt for a water purifier loaded and powered by advanced purification technologies.
For odour-free and clean water, bring home a water purifier that is carbon filtration based. There are mainly two types of water purifiers available- Single/Dual Stage and Reverse Osmosis (RO). In a single/dual stage water purifier, the water passes through one or two oblong carbon blocks. A reverse osmosis water purifier has two carbon filters with a very fine third filter. The filtration of water takes place by passing water through four vessels.
Advantages of a Single/Dual Stage or RO Purifier:
On-tap or faucet-mounted water purifiers are designed using active carbon technology. These water purifiers can either completely replace the water tap or can be installed on the outlet/threaded portion of the tap. On-tap purifiers will not pinch your pocket as these are inexpensive and one needs to replace these in every 3-4 months. Some of the models feature an option to choose between filtered and unfiltered water to increase the life span. During the filtration process, the flow of water generally decreases to ensure that all the impurities are filtered out. These purifiers are fitted with solid-block and pre-coat absorption filters that are capable of reducing lead, herbicides, chlorine, radon, and sediments. Latest purifier models have an indicator for reflecting filter replacement.
Advantages of On-tap Purifiers are as follows:
One of the important aspects that you cannot miss out upon is the power option. Water purifiers powered through electricity have higher filtration capacities. Based on power consumption, there are following types of water purifiers:
Purifiers with reverse osmoses, UV, or UF technology are powered using electricity for better filtration. These purifiers have more number of filters and water is required to be either pushed or held back for different levels of filtration. These filters have inbuilt pumps to pull water from the direct supply in case of low water flow.
If you are looking for a simple candle based or on-tap purifier, then you will save big on your electricity bill. These purifiers require taps with moderate water flow or manual filling of dedicated water compartments. On-tap or faucet-mounted and candle water purifiers fall under this type. These either replace the water tap or are fixed directly on the threaded portion of the tap.
Safe drinking water in not a myth anymore! With industrial revolution and technological advancements, the brands around the globe are able to roll out water purifiers that are able to eliminate impurities up to 99%. All this achieved by either adopting either of one of latest purification methods or a balanced combination of a few. Some of the purification methods used are as follows:
One of the classic methods of purifying water has remerged with a complete new look and add-on features. The carbon candle filters have been replaced by the modern and aesthetically designed water purifiers. In this process the water passes through oblong blocks of charcoal granules that absorb herbicides, pesticides, chlorine, and remove bad odour. This purification method is adopted for designing on-tap and cartridge water purifiers. With this purification method in place, the water purifiers now have better filters, storage capacity, and design. Moreover, the candle/cartridge water purifiers can easily any kitchen without taking up a lot of space. The filtration process in cartridge filters is faster than the on-tap filters.
Advantages of candle/cartridges purification:
In this process, the filtration takes place at the molecular level. The water is passed through carbon filters and a semi-permeable membrane to ensure that the water is free of dissolved salts and minerals. This multi-stage filtration weeds out micro-organisms and inorganic compounds present in the water. All the impurities are pushed out of the system through an outlet pipe. It also helps in converting hard water into sweet. It is recommended for areas with erratic power supply, higher TDS count, and coastal regions.
Advantages of RO water purification:
Purification takes place by passing ultra-violet light through tap water. The ultra-violet purification method results in eradication of bacteria and other microbes. With this purification process, the water is up to 99% free of pesticides and all types of pathogens. It is ineffective in terms of removing suspended particles, chemicals, odour, and colour.
Advantages of Ultra-violet purification:
Under this purification method, the water is passed through fibre membranes. The fibre membrane holds back suspended solids, and other impurities. With ultra-filtration purification, the pathogens and microorganisms are not eliminated. This type of purification is ideal for public supply water with low quantity of dissolved salt.
Advantages of ultra-filtration purification:
Advanced water purifiers are designed by combining all the filtration processes. The combination of reverse osmoses (RO), ultra-filtration, and ultra-violet purification methods result in 99% elimination of all the organic and inorganic elements.
The most sought after purification combination involves reverse osmoses (RO) and ultra-violet methods. This method is economical and ensures highest level of water purification.
For the areas with hard water and high level of TDS count, a water purification system with this combination is a must. Reverse osmosis and UV filtration ensure that the water is pure and soft. The TDS controller ensures that the level is below minimum. Mineral enhancer adds or enhances mineral content in the water.
In this purification method, the reverse osmosis ensures that the water is free of microorganisms. While the ultra-filtration process ensures that the particulates and pathogens are eliminated.
With triple and more level of purification, the end result ought to be above expectation. The tap water passes through carbon filters, reverse osmosis membrane, ultra violet rays, and ultrafiltration filters.
Market is full of water purifiers loaded with various features. You need to chalk out a list of features suitable for your home. Some of the features to consider are as follows:
Some of the purifiers have dedicated storage tanks for collecting filtered water. Offered in a capacity ranging between 5 to 10 litres, these purifiers have taps for easy access to the stored water.
To ensure that water doesn’t spill out from the storage tanks, the water purifiers have an auto shut-off system. As soon as the storage tank has reached its limit, the auto cut off valve will end the water supply to the purifier.
With water purification technology taking leaps every day, the purifiers are getting designed to offer complete access to the consumer. Now a purifier even indicates the level of purity in input and output water.
To ensure that the filters are changed on time and other systems work hassle free, the purifiers are installed with Filter Change Indicators. These systems alert the user in the time of filter replacement and UV system failure. It also ensures that the filter resumes function only after the replacement of the part has taken care off.
For the purpose of enhancing life of a filter membrane, the purifiers are integrated with auto-flushing systems.
High-end purifiers have an option of switching between hot or cold water.