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For even the savviest of shoppers, buying a water filter in today’s marketplace can be confusing. Hopefully, this article can assist you in making the right choice when purchasing a new filtration system for your home or business. When it comes to water purification, there are quite a few different technologies to choose from, such as loose carbon, distillation, ultraviolet light, reverse osmosis and carbon blocks. Let’s take a look at what are the best water filters available today and how each of them works.

When shopping for the best water filters, choose one that will reduce contaminants to at least one micron; less if possible, as the smaller the number, the better the filtration. Too much filtering though and you will remove the minerals that are good for your bones and teeth. These units will typically combine several types of filters.

If you scrutinize loose carbon filters, you’ll discover that they are really germ factories. They permit oxygen to exist within the filter, which enables and enhances the formation of germs. Even though this type of filter is very inexpensive to buy, it’s costly over the long term, since the filters must be replaced frequently.

Distillation is useful when filtering microorganisms, solids, residue and organic or synthetic pollutants that will not dissipate on their own. There are some synthetic pollutants, for instance MTBE, that will evaporate, so distillation isn’t helpful.

Ultraviolet (UV) light is occasionally used as a supplement to other filters to kill germs, and has been found to be a very effective tool. The light affects an organism’s DNA, so it can’t reproduce. If it can’t replicate, it’s not dangerous.

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a filter which lowers levels of radium, fluoride and various other contaminants to a sizable degree, although it does have its restrictions. There are a large number of contaminants contained in water that will effortlessly get through an RO filter. Reverse osmosis is also utilized in conjunction with other filters to be highly effective, although the process does filter out the healthy minerals too. RO by itself is capable of decreasing impurities such as nitrites, nitrates, arsenic, barium lead and radium, as well as giardia and selenium that are found in tap water.

How do you know if the claims made by the company are correct and true? If the filters are not certified by the NSF, (the National Sanitation Foundation) then simply put it back on the shelf. Those manufacturers of quality water filtration systems put their filters through rigorous testing by the NSF and are proud to have their certification. NSF tests and certifies water treatment units to determine which the best water filters are for consumers.

Why do people buy bottled water? It is because they hate the taste of tap water. But there is a better way that is far more cost effective and far more friendly for the environment. Residential water filters are the way to go, with choices ranging from the faucet units to the portable water filter.