When trying to make a home more environmentally friendly, many people forget to consider the benefits of clean water filters. The waste produced by clearn water filters is minimal. In fact, clean water filters make a house "greener" than a home without water filters. Here are some tips when making the "green" water filter choice.
Price vs. Quality
Most homeowners will be forced to make a choice between the filter that is cheapest, the filter that is greenest, and the filter that is most effective. Any filter that is certified by the National Science Foundation is generally effective.
Environmental effectiveness depends on the type of filtration used: carbon, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet light, or distillers. Distillers are generally the least practical model. Ultraviolet light is effective but also expensive. Most home clean water systems use carbon or reverse osmosis filtration.
Installation
The installation process is something to consider when choosing a clean water system. The simplest and usually the cheapest systems are carafes, which are filled with water and then placed in a refrigerator or on a countertop. Carafes have filters built into the lid which remove contaminants from the water. No special installation is required. Similar countertop models also exist.
A faucet-mount model requires you to unscrew a portion of your kitchen faucet and replace it with the clean water system. The most challenging installations are the under-counter or whole home models. Under-counter models are installed under your sink and require some knowledge of plumbing.
Whole home models filter the water for all faucets in your home, and will require the most extensive and invasive installation.
Eliminating trash
Purified clean water can be purchased at any local grocery store for a small price. However, this water is usually sold in multiple plastic bottles. It is not sanitary to reuse those bottles. Studies have also found that plastic bottles can release carcinogens into the water. Plastic bottles fill landfills and take an extraordinarily long time to break down, making a direct negative impact on the environment. A home water filter will eliminate a need for those bottles while still providing purified clean water in the home.
Investigating Your Municipal Water
Before purchasing your clean water system, investigate your personal municipal water source. Ask for reports from both your municipality as well as third party sources detailing the contaminants found in your water. You can use these reports to help identify the best filter for your home. It would be wasteful to buy a filter that removes lead from your water when your water is filled with iron and aluminum particles.
.
Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted to our
"