Faced with the vast array of home drinking water filters, it seems like an overwhelming task to decide which one filter is best for "me and my family". Not only are there many different approaches to filtering, each with it's pros and cons, but there are also so many different models within each category. If we take just the category of carbon filters, for example, there are some 2,500 models of filters manufactured by more than 500 companies.

My purpose in this article is to begin to solve the puzzle for you and suggest a way to proceed in finding the one filter that will best serve you and your family. By reading this article you will begin to clarify your philosophy of drinking water. You will understand the major approaches to filtering drinking water. Finally, you will have a clearer idea of what your particular needs are in filtered water.

What Is Your Philosophy of Drinking Water?

There are three basic philosophies that people have when they approach the question of drinking water, drinking water filters, and the level of purity they desire.

The first approach says, "Our tap water is basically safe. All I want in a filter is something that will improve the taste, odor, and color of my drinking water." If this is your approach, you will likely need a pitcher filter, if there are one or two people in your household or a faucet filter for a larger household. Both of these solutions are relatively inexpensive.

A second class of people will say, "I want to know specifically what are the contaminants I need to be concerned about, or I already know I am concerned about this, this, and this contaminant." If this is your approach to drinking water pollution, you will do research to identify the contaminants which exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) standard or you might run water tests of your own and identify other pollutants of concern. Then you will look for a filter that removes these specific contaminants.

A third group of people will say, "I want a filter that removes 99.9% of as many contaminants as possible. In this way I know that I am covered for anything that comes down the pipe!" If this is your approach, you are looking for a filter that will filter down to 0.5 microns and are certified to remove the widest range of all contaminants possible. For you, cost is secondary; safety and "peace of mind" are primary.

What Kind of Filter Do You Prefer?

A second way to narrow down your search of drinking water filters is to understand the major approaches to filtration as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. There are four major approaches that I will highlight.

  • Distillers operate on the principle of turning water to steam and then condensing that steam to water once again. It leaves behind all the impurities, except VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). In this process of removing all impurities it gives you perhaps the purest water. However, it also removes healthy minerals and is a slow process. It's also somewhat costly depending on the cost of your electricity.
  • Reverse Osmosis involves forcing water under pressure through a membrane whose pours are large enough for water to pass through but too small to allow other contaminants to pass through. It removes impurities almost as completely as distilling water, and removes the healthy minerals as well. Disadvantages include the slowness of the process and a typical use of 3 to 10 gallons of water for every gallon filtered.
  • Carbon Filters use activated carbon to filter out a wide range of contaminants. There are small and inexpensive carbon filters which simply remove bad tastes, odors and colors and not a lot more. On the other end of the spectrum, there are larger countertop or under counter sophisticated carbon block drinking water filters that give incredibly pure drinking water.
  • Ultraviolet Filters use ultraviolet light to destroy all microorganisms or waterborne disease from your drinking water. It is particularly valuable in killing chlorine resistant cysts. It's limitation is that it doesn't remove other contaminants and therefore is the kind of purifier that is combined with other kinds of drinking water filters.

I realize that this is a very brief and superficial treatment of these different approaches to purifying your drinking water and recommend you read more detailed explanations of the different kinds of drinking water filters along with the pros and the cons of each to determine which approach suites your needs best.

What Are Your Unique Needs?

The third way of narrowing down your choice of filters is to have a clear idea of your needs. This is why there is no one filter that fits all needs. There are no perfect filters. All filters have advantages and disadvantages. It's only as you know what you need that you can then decide on which filter is best for you.

Here are some of the things that affect need and some of the questions you need to ask yourself:

  • Your current source of water, is it already treated water coming to your tap or is it well water?
  • What are the particular contaminants that are of concern to you? What contaminants are a problem in your geographic area?
  • What is the size of your family? Are there infants or elderly who will be drinking the water?
  • What is your personal philosophy of what constitutes drinkable water?
  • What are your personal preferences when it comes to the kind of filter you want and the brands of filters you prefer?

We started with the realization of how complex this puzzle of drinking water filters is. I've suggested ways of narrowing down your choice. If you know what level of water purity you are comfortable with, you can better decide on the kind of approach to filtering you would like. And finally, with a clear idea of your personal needs, you know what you are looking for.

Where do you go from here. You may need to go deeper into one of the above areas. Other than that, look for one of the best filters in the category you have identified. Take advantage of the Free Report I offer in the reference box.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_G_Langford

How You First Got a Maytag Water Filter

Do you know how you first got a Maytag water filter? The truth of the matter is that it probably came with your refrigerator, and you mainly use it because of its convenience. Do you think that replacement cartridges for a Maytag water filter have been designed to be a top-notch water filtration mechanism, particularly when they come as standard equipment with most new refrigerators? Probably not!

Here's how Maytag sees it. Most customers are now elated that they have purchased a new Maytag water filtration system. However, the Maytag filter manufacturer is smiling widely because you have just become their long-term customer! You will more than likely be purchasing these replacement cartridges for the next twenty years!

Why Water Filters are Beneficial

There are many benefits to owning filters that many people may totally be unaware of. You receive the same benefits no matter if you have a countertop unit or house water filters:

* Removes lead from the drinking water just prior to consumption

* When you buy a countertop model, this results in getting healthy, clean water at a fraction of the cost of bottled water.

* A filter removes chlorine as well as chlorine byproducts from your drinking water thus reducing the risk of getting colon cancer, rectal cancer and bladder cancer.

* Its is able to provide you with healthy, clean water for cooking as well as for drinking.

* Gastrointestinal diseases are reduced by over 33% by having the filter remove giardia and cryptosporidium from drinking water.

* Water filters are the last line of defense between the body and more than 2,100 toxins that may be found in drinking water.

Why Choose a Maytag Water Filter?

If you already have a Maytag water filter, no matter if it is one on the refrigerator, a countertop model or house water filters, you have made a good starting point. You should look for a water filter that utilizes a multi-stage process in addition to ion exchange as well as a activated carbon filter. The very best water filters on the market will remove more than 99% of all toxins.

A water purification system such as the Maytag water filter or Maytag house water filters are more than likely to be one of the most important as well as best health investments that you will ever make. It is of prime importance that you get the water filter that is most effective and not the one that is most expensive. Make sure that you check the manufacturer's performance sheet to see exactly what the water filter removes.

However, theMaytag water filter is not able to prevent such toxic gases like methane and chloroform to enter your house. These gases can pass through water lines. Maytag house water filters will cost approximately $1,000. They do, however, a blanket of protection because the house water filters are able to stop these gases before they enter your home. Many people decide to buy Maytag house water filters because it means less frequent filter changes as these water units contain about a 300,000 gallon capacity.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zachus_J_Winestone

GE produces a wide range of refrigerators, many of which come with built-in water filters for both ice makers and water dispensers. Unfortunately, as with any water filtration system, a GE water filter needs to be changed on a regular basis. The cost, easy, and quality of replacement is what can make to break the reputation of refrigerators with water filters. General Electric fridges are no exception. This article has surveyed dozens of consumer reviews and offers you the average, overall impressions from fellow consumers like you.

Most GE fridges have an inbuilt GE water filter with a wide range of quality designs and prices. On the lower end, this simple activated carbon water filters are relatively inexpensive and filter out visible particles, the calcium carbonates that produce cloudy, gritty "hard water," and counteract the unfortunate byproduct of chlorine sterilization of municipal water supplies-mainly, water that tastes and smells bad. At the other end of the spectrum, some General Electric refrigerator models have expensive, high quality reverse osmosis GE water filters. Reverse osmosis technology filters water at the molecular level, straining out almost all known contaminants.

Quality

Consumers reviews of General Electric refrigerator and its GE water filter feature are overwhelmingly positive. GE refrigerator and GE water filters consistently score between 4.6 and 5.0 on a five star scale. People who own General Electric refrigerators with a GE water filter rave about the great tasting water and ice they produce, which they use for both drinking and cooking. The water volume appears to be excellent. Not one review could be found where General Electric refrigerator owners complained about running out of filtered water from their refrigerator dispensers.

Duration

The duration of a GE water filter is also better than most filters. They need to be changed roughly every six months. Consumer reviews, however, report having to change filters as often as every three months, and as rarely was every year and a half. This presumably has more to do with the refrigerator owner's rate of purified water consumption rather than the quality of the GE water filters.

Price

The vast majority of General Electric refrigerator owners seem happy with the price. Several different GE refrigerator models use the same filters, and a single three pack of water filters will last customers for well over a year. Customers who use these fridges have an automatic filter change indicator and they seem very pleased with that feature.

Installation

Most GE fridge owners report the installation of replacement GE water filters as being quick, easy, and effortless. The filters are easily accessible and can be changed with a quick twist. Some General Electric refrigerator owners, however, have reported being sprayed with cold water when attempting to change the water filters, although this defect appears to be limited to only a few General Electric refrigerator models.

Negatives

There are very few negative reviews of General Electric refrigerators and GE water filters, and even fewer complaints that appear more than once. Owners of General Electric refrigerators do not have convenient, automatic filter change indicators bemoan its absence. More importantly, the only consistent complaint in consumer's reviews is to do with slightly low water pressure. The water flow appears to dwindle as the water filter becomes dirty, and some customers report it slowing to a trickle before the GE water filter is changed.

Overall, General Electric refrigerators with their respective GE water filter is a good investment of your money. General Electric refrigerators owners seem happy with the quality of purified water and duration of the filters. Installation of new GE filters are quick and easy and most customers are satisfied with the price of its replacement filters. If you're looking for a new refrigerator with a filtered water dispenser and ice maker, you should definitely considers GE filter systems.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zachus_J_Winestone

The drinking water filter mod is one of those things that should come straight from the factory for all RVs. The way RV holding tanks and plumbing systems are designed and utilized tends to promote bacterial growth if not sanitized on a regular basis. And more importantly, it's not all that uncommon to get a bad batch of water from a seemingly safe water source. In addition to sanitizing your RVs plumbing system frequently, filtering the water before it get's in to your system goes a long way in preventing bad water taste and potentially harmful parasites and bacteria from having their way with your system. The last thing you need when camping is to be enjoying your toilet more than the outdoors.

Using Your Water for Drinking and Cooking

Although there are several approaches to providing clean water for your RVing needs, this mod focuses on drinking and cooking water filtration. Of course, filtering your entire RV water supply system is an option but it is not always necessary. Most water sources are chlorinated and have enough protection to minimize bacterial growth. It just might not taste very good. Again, sanitizing often and not letting your water pipes, water heater, and fresh water tank sit without use will stave off 99% of bacterial growth. Assuming you have decent water to start with, the drinking water filter will provide great taste and protection in a simple to use manner.

Drinking Water Filter Types - Portable and Under-Counter Mount

The simplest approach to modding your RV with a drinking water filter is the countertop style filter. This system uses a standard, replaceable 10-inch filter cartridge and houses it in a plastic canister that sits on your counter. The water is fed to the unit through a tube hooked up to your sink faucet, and includes a spigot to serve the filtered water. This has the advantage of being portable. You can take the filter system with you for use in another RV, or even your home for that matter. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to get great tasting water, then your mod work here is done.

The most arguably popular drinking water filter mod though is the permanent-mount under-sink type, where the filter cartridge is mounted under the sink and the dispenser is mounted to the countertop or sink. The water supply to the dispenser is connected via a tee fitting placed in the cold water supply pipe used by the sink faucet. This makes using the dispenser easier and requires less counter space. And the filter housing is placed in an out of the way location under the sink, in a cabinet, or other convenient spot.

Tools Needed for Permanent Installation

Doing this mod is pretty straightforward, but requires a few tools you might not have handy in your mod tool set. These are a PEX or plastic tubing cutter, and a hole saw. Using a tubing cutter will help ensure there are no burrs on the tubing after cutting, which reduces the chance of a leak at the fittings where the tubing slides in. The hole saw is necessary since the dispenser is secured by a threaded shaft on the bottom of the dispenser, which must go through the sink or countertop, and is secured underneath the sink or countertop using a large washer and nut. Some dispensers only require a 1/2" hole for the threaded shaft so you might not need a hole saw. A 1/2"drill bit will work. Others may need a larger mounting hole so a hole saw is a must.

Beginning the Installation

Once you have the right tools for the job, installation is easy. Start by locating where you want to mount the dispenser. If you plan to mount the dispenser through the countertop, place some masking tape over the area you will be drilling through to help prevent splintering. If you plan to mount the dispenser through a metal sink shoulder, drill slowly if using a hole saw to prevent overheating the bit. After drilling the dispenser mounting hole, place the dispenser mounting shaft through the hole and secure with the supplied hardware.

Finding a Water Source to Tap In To

The next step is to locate a suitable place for the tee fitting in the cold water line going to the sink faucet. The tee fitting taps in to the line and provides the water supply connection for the dispenser. You can tap in to any cold water line but under the sink is the most convenient. Here is where you use your handy dandy PEX tubing cutter. Before cutting, be sure your water pump it switched off and all pressure in the line is relieved. Otherwise you're in for a real mess. Now carefully cut a 1" section out of the cold water line, which will require two cuts. If you have enough room to move the lines away from each other 1", then you may not have to do the second cut.

Installing the Tee Fitting

Water filter kits usually come with all the fittings necessary for a typical installation. This mod uses a plastic tee fitting which slips in between the cut tubing and a brass shutoff valve that serves both to provide the water supply to the dispenser and to turn off the supply if you need to change the filter or winterize. Thread the brass fitting in to the tee fitting using plumbers tape around the threads to prevent leakage.

Fitting the Brass Water Supply Shutoff Valve

Next, the water supply tubing needs to be attached to the brass shutoff valve. Don't worry about the length of the tubing at this point. The idea here is to secure the tubing to the fitting first since doing this requires a couple of end wrenches to secure. You might not have much room to use the wrenches in a tight compartment. The brass fitting is a compression type fitting so you need to slide the compression nut on first, then the small compression ferrel. Insert the tubing in to the fitting and tighten the compression nut fairly tight but not too tight.

Now secure the plastic tee fitting to the cold water line by sliding the round plastic threaded nuts on to each side of the cut tubing, then insert the tee fitting. Secure the nuts to the fitting taking care to not over tighten. You can use pliers to do this but make sure you hold the fitting body securely so you don't damage the water line.

Mounting the Water Filter Cartridge

The next step is to mount the water filter. Find a suitable location near the the tee fitting you just installed. The mod shown in the pictures uses a simple plastic bracket that the filter snaps in to. Secure the bracket and snap the filter in to place. Now you can measure how much tubing you need to go from the dispenser to the filter, and from the filter to the shutoff valve. Measure the distance for each and then add 6". This extra tubing will help with any bends required when routing the tubing. Cut the tubing with the tubing cutter to the appropriate length.

Attaching the tubing is incredibly simple with the type of filter and dispenser used in this mod. All you have to do is insert the tubing in to the ends of the filter and in to the bottom of the dispenser. No compression fittings or special tools are required. The tubing may appear to be loose in the filter and dispenser but try pulling the tubing out. You can't. The fittings hold the tubing in place and water pressure actually prevents the connections from leaking. Just be sure to connect the lines correctly, observing the filter input and output arrows.

Do a Final Leak Check

All that is left is to do now is turn on the water pump and check for leaks. Tighten fittings if necessary but don't overtighten. Let the dispenser run for a minute or two to eliminate charcoal sediment in the new filter. Now enjoy a great tasting glass of water!

Tips

1. Whatever brand filter you choose to buy, be sure it has been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, or NSF. The NSF tests water filters to make sure that the manufacturer labels are telling the truth about performance. Avoid "generic" filters that have little or no information on the filter housing or packaging. Also avoid buying solely on price. Cheaper doesn't always mean good. Remember the Yugo?

2. Although the drinking water filter in this mod is suitable for drinking and cooking needs, it does nothing for the rest of the water in the system. If you are not one to sanitize your plumbing system often, you should probably use a whole house filter to minimize bacterial growth and ensure safe water for other uses. See the resources below for filters designed for applications like this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Corgan

The Threat of Trihalomethane (THM)
It's been proven that all public water systems contain some level of at least one unhealthy chemical. But in study after study, it turns out that the norm is for your city or municipal water to have dozens of dangerous contaminants. Society literally adds hundreds and hundreds of dangerous chemicals every year and many of them make their way into the water we use to drink, shower or bathe in, and cook with. Current EPA regulations only require testing for about 90 of those chemicals.

One geological study in Southern California found that the groundwater contained traces of almost 40 industrial chemicals and 20 pesticides. The reality is that you'd be lucky to have just one chemical floating in your water. Most people are aware of the hazards of chlorine, but a chemical called trihalomethane (THM) is making news because studies have shown that it may be more dangerous than chlorine. Recently, the Frankford Water Department was notified by the Delaware Division of Public Health that their water exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency's maximum allowable level of THM. The residents were upset and wondering what you probably are. What is it and how do I get rid of it.

How THM Is Created
Trihalomethanes are caused when a disinfectant, mostly commonly chlorine, interacts with bacteria or other organic material. These other substances can include hair follicles, skin particles and also substances like sweat. The resulting reaction creates trihalomethane, a very powerful carcinogenic threat that ends up coming out of your sinks and shower heads. Chloroform is an example of this harmful toxin. Exposure means putting yourself at risk for serious health conditions like asthma and cancer. THMs can build-up in the body and women with breast cancer have shown a higher level of these chlorinated compounds (or organo-chlorines) in their tissue.

A Water Filtration Solution
Fortunately, advances in water filtration technology have made it possible to filter out THM and render your water safe. The US EPA recognizes Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) as the best available technology for filtering out the dangerous chemical, along with other Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) and synthetic chemicals.

The best home water filtration methods for removing THM and other chemicals are a whole house water filter, shower filter and drinking water filter. In fact, these are the exact three products that Dr. Mehment Oz said were vitally important to your health on his show. Dr. Oz noted that the Rhino whole house water filtration system was the most effective but also the most expensive. Most interestingly was his emphasis on the importance of the AQ-4105 shower filter. In the next paragraph, I'll discuss why a shower filter system is so important for purifying water contaminated with THM and other pollutants.

What Type of Water Filter Products to Consider
When taking action to eliminate the threat of THMs and other synthetic and organic chemicals, you need to treat either your whole house or your faucets and showerheads. A quality whole house water filter will offer the best filtration effectiveness, but does not come cheap. The next best solution is a point-of-use drinking water filter and shower filter. While filtering the water coming from your sink is incredibly important, research has shown that your shower may pose a greater threat. In a hot shower, the pores of your skin open up and cause the absorption rate of chlorine and chemicals like Trihalomethane to accelerate. The alarming reality is that the steam you inhale can have concentrations of THMs that are several times higher than unheated tap water.

Since THM is only one chemical, it doesn't make sense to only have one filter media that specializes in its removal. Therefore, look for two stage or multi-stage water filtration systems for both your shower and sink. A dual filter that combines KDF and carbon media is widely recognized as the most effective filter technology for showering.

For your drinking water, a carbon filter is also a necessity. However, some companies are taking the approach "better safe than sorry" and no longer use KDF-55 in water filters for drinking. The reason is that KDF uses a natural copper / zinc mineral media and consuming high levels of copper is not good for the brain. Instead, look for a drinking filter like the counter top AQ-4000 that uses multi-stage filtration and combines the most effective technologies currently available: mechanical filtration (filtration down to.5 microns), adsorption (contaminants bond chemically or physically to the surface of the GAC filter medium) and ion exchange (replaces harmful lead ions with healthful potassium ions).

Fortunately, dual stage shower filters and multi-stage water filters are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. For less than 50 cents a day you can enjoy the convenience and safety of both types of filters! And the peace of mind that you are inhaling or drinking water that is safe and free or virtually free of organic and inorganic contaminants. Another reason for an under counter or countertop drinking water filter is that THMs are gases and can become airborne in the steam from cooking with water. Just like with a shower, we inhale the chemicals and they enter our blood stream at a more rapid rate than if we drank the water.

Conclusion
In recent years, the threat of chlorine and studies showing its health consequences was enough motivate many people to purchase a chlorine shower filter and drinking water filter. However, Trihalomethane and other contaminants are causing the media and health experts to tout them as a necessity for most everyone. While some shower and water filters only utilize one filter media, a high quality two stage shower water filter and multi-stage water filtration system offer the best overall protection for price, quality and performance.

Just remember, when searching for a water filter, a single carbon filter isn't enough. There are literally thousands of cancer-causing chemicals that may be in your water. Trichloroethylene (TCE), used for cleaning metal parts, is another hard to pronounce chemical that finds its way into water supplies. The link between long-term exposure to unhealthy carcinogenic substances in your water is only getting stronger, so look into purchasing a whole house filter or shower and drinking water filters. They are very inexpensive compared to the potentially devastating health problems and costs of using unfiltered water.

Tag : water filter,pur water filter,drinking water filters

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Thimme

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water filter system - Designer: Douglas Bowman | Dimodifikasi oleh Abdul Munir Original Posting Rounders 3 Column