Having water in your home that is clean and safe to drink is an integral part to your health and well-being. If you are concerned about hard water, contaminants, or taste, it is important to find the right water filter for your particular needs. If you reside in Philadelphia and are looking for a whole-house filtration system, this article will introduce to you the choices you have available and how to choose the ideal system for your home. If you wish to learn more about water heater repair & installation, read on.
Why You Need a Water Filtration System
It’s worth considering why you may need a water filtration system in the first place before we move on to the various types of filters. Depending on your source of water, you may need to contend with:
- Chlorine taste and smell when using municipal water treatment
- Sediments and rust from aged pipes
- Heavy metals such as lead and iron, which are toxic in the long term
- Hard water problems of appliance scale formation
- Bacteria and viruses in well water
Testing water will advise you to watch out for which specific contaminants you need to treat before you buy a water filter.
Types of Water Filtration Systems
There are numerous distinct kinds of water filtration systems out there, each one that will remove specific contaminants. It’s a list:
1. Whole-House Water Filtration Systems
- Best for: High usage of water points in the house (shower, kitchen, laundry, etc.)
- Filters all the water before it enters your home’s plumbing system
- Sediment, chlorine, and heavy metals eliminated
- Best for Philadelphia homeowners who are dealing with citywide water quality issues
2. Under-Sink Water Filters
- Best for: Drinking and cooking water filtration
- Installed under the kitchen sink
- Removes common contaminants like chlorine, lead, and pesticides
- Needs periodic filter replacement
3. Countertop Water Filters
- Best for: Low-cost and convenient filtration
- Easy to install with no plumbing alteration
- Suitable for small families or tenants
- Low capacity compared to whole-house systems
4. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems
- Useful for: Filtration of drinking water by removing almost all contaminants
- Multi-stage filtration system
- Requires professional installation and servicing
- More lengthy filtration process but delivers highly purified water
5. Water Softeners
- Useful for: Domestic hard water problems
- Protects pipes and appliances from scaling
- Works on the principle of replacing calcium and magnesium with sodium or potassium
- Often installed in combination with other filtration systems for general water treatment
How to Choose the Best Water Filter for Your Home
The appropriate filtration system depends on a variety of factors:
1. Test Your Water Quality
- Test your water before you purchase a Philadelphia whole-house water filtration system or any other type of filter. You can:
- Ask your local water utility company to provide you with a water quality report
- Use a home water test kit
- Have a professional perform a thorough analysis
2. Determine Your Needs
- Do you have to remove chlorine and improve flavor? → A carbon filter may be the answer
- Hard water issues? → Time for a water softener
- Bacteria and viruses keeping you up at night? → Investigate UV filtration or reverse osmosis
- Filtering the entire house? → Install a whole-house system
3. Consideration of Cost and Maintenance
- Whole-house systems require frequent filter replacement and periodic servicing
- Reverse osmosis systems should be replaced every 2-3 years
- Water softeners require salt replenishment and servicing
- Under-sink and countertop filters are inexpensive but require frequent filter replacement
4. Look for Certification and Ratings
- Look for filters certified by:
- NSF International (ensures the filter is safe)
- WQA (Water Quality Association)
- EPA-approved well water treatment systems
5. Professional Installation or DIY
- Some systems, including countertop and pitcher filters, are plug-and-play
- Whole-house and under-sink systems may be professionally installed
- Choose a professional installer while installing a whole-house water filter system in Philadelphia
Best Philadelphia Home Water Filtration System
If you live in Philadelphia, water quality issues such as chlorine, lead, and hard water are common. This is what you need to look out for:
- Whole-house water filtration in Philadelphia is a great way of enjoying clean water at home
- Reverse osmosis is best for drinking water purification
- Soft water issues can be addressed through the use of water softeners
- Carbon filters improve taste and chloramine/chlorine elimination
- Compare products prior to making a final decision, read reviews, and consult an expert if needed
Final Thoughts
Choosing a water filter is an investment in your health and home. Whether you need a whole-house water filtration system in Philadelphia or a drinking water filter, you should understand your water quality and filtration needs. Test your water, research, and choose a system that will give you the most long-term benefits.
G-Works is a trusted provider of quality water filtration solutions, innovative business and home-based solutions. G-Works offers whole-house water filtration systems that remove chlorine, heavy metals, and sediments from water to deliver clean, safe, and delicious drinking water. G-Works offers professional consultation, professional installation, and maintenance. With focus on cleanliness of water and customer satisfaction, G-Works is your best partner in quality water filtration services. We provide other services like drain cleaning, plumbing and water heater repair.