For a healthy life, having access to clean and safe drinking water is crucial. Unfortunately, contaminants like bacteria, viruses, pesticides, and heavy metals frequently degrade water quality in many places. The best way to rid water of these dangerous contaminants and make it safe for consumption is to use a water purifier.
But picking the best one can be difficult with so many different brands and types of water cleaners on the market. In this water purifier buying guide, we’ll talk about the various kinds of water purifiers on the market and offer information to assist you in choosing the right one.
Water purifier buying guide: Types of Water Purifiers
Water purifiers are made to remove impurities and contaminants from water so that it is clean and safe to drink. Water purifiers come in various varieties, each with unique features and advantages. This section will cover the most popular kinds of water purifiers and how they operate.
1. RO Water Purifiers:
The most widely used kind of water purifier on the market is RO, or reverse osmosis, units. They function by putting water through a semipermeable membrane that filters out contaminants and impurities. The name of this procedure is reverse osmosis.
Heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, dissolved salts, and other harmful elements can all be eliminated from water using an RO purifier. The best places to use them are those with hard water or high TDS levels. RO purifiers do, however, also remove some necessary minerals from water, which can be a disadvantage.
2. UV Water Purifiers:
UV or ultraviolet water purifiers kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms by exposing them to UV radiation. These cleaners efficiently eliminate dangerous organisms but do not remove dissolved solids or impurities. In addition to RO or activated carbon filters, UV purifiers are frequently used with other water purification techniques.
3. Activated Carbon Water Purifiers:
Water impurities and contaminants are removed from water using activated carbon filters used in water purifiers. Activated carbon, which has a large surface area and can adsorb impurities and contaminants, makes these filters.
Activated carbon purifiers effectively remove chlorine, pesticides, and other organic compounds from water. Additionally, they work well at purging water from unpleasant flavours and odours.
4. Gravity-Based Water Purifiers:
Water is purified using the force of gravity in gravity-based water purifiers, which do not use electricity. One container on these purifiers is typically used to store water, and the other is used to collect purified water.
Water impurities are eliminated by gravity-based purifiers using ceramic or activated carbon filters. They are ideal for areas with low TDS levels and can be cost-effective for households.
5. UF Water Purifiers:
Water impurities and contaminants are removed from water using a membrane by UF, or ultrafiltration, water purifiers. The membrane has a pore size of 0.01 microns and can remove bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms from water.
UF purifiers do not require electricity and are ideal for areas with low TDS levels, but these methods cannot remove heavy metals or dissolved salts from water.
6. Ion Exchange Water Purifiers:
Ion exchange water purifiers eliminate dissolved salts and minerals from water using an ion exchange resin. These filters efficiently lower water hardness and can be combined with other water purification techniques like RO or UV filters. In addition, ion exchange cleaners are perfect for hard water and high TDS levels.
Water purifier buying guide – Which Should You Buy?
Given the vast array of options offered on the Indian market, picking the best water purifier for your home can be difficult.
Here are some crucial elements to take into account before making your choice:
Water Quality:
The first step in selecting a water purifier is determining how good the water is where you live. You can perform a water quality test or contact your local water authority. Depending on the amount of impurities in your water, you might require a water purifier with particular purification technologies.
Purification Technologies:
Reverse osmosis (RO), ultraviolet (UV), and ultrafiltration (UF) are a few of the purification technologies that are available in water purifiers. The best technology for your home depends on the water quality in your area. Each technology targets particular impurities.
Storage Capacity:
Another crucial aspect to consider is a water purifier’s storage capacity. A water purifier with a larger storage capacity might be necessary if you have a large family or live where water shortages are common.
Maintenance:
A water purifier needs routine maintenance to operate correctly. Think about the cost of maintenance and servicing before purchasing and the accessibility of spare parts.
Brand and Customer Support:
Select a reliable company that offers practical customer service and after-sales care. This will ensure you can get help immediately if your water purifier has any problems.
Budget:
Finally, when selecting a water purifier, take your budget into account. While choosing a less expensive option may be appealing, spending money on a high-quality water purifier that meets your unique requirements and provides long-term value is crucial.
Simple Tips to Maintain Your Water Purifier:
A water purifier must be properly maintained to supply clean, safe drinking water.
Here are some easy maintenance tips for your water purifier:
- Regular maintenance: To avoid accumulating dirt, sediment, and bacteria, clean your water purifier at least once every three months. You can accomplish this by using a clean cloth to wipe down the purifier’s exterior components and by cleaning the internal filters by the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Replace filters as needed: Most water purifiers have a filter replacement indicator to tell you when to change the filters. To ensure your water purifier operates at its best, replace the filters on schedule.
- Use genuine parts: Always use genuine replacement parts and filters that the manufacturer recommends. Using non-original components can harm your water purifier and reduce its effectiveness.
- Check for leaks: Inspect your water purifier for any leaks or damage, and fix them immediately if you find anything wrong. Water loss and a decline in the quality of the purified water are risks associated with leaks.
- Please keep it in a clean, dry location: It’s crucial to keep your water purifier away from heat sources and in a clean and dry location. This will stop mould and bacteria from growing and guarantee that the purified water is always safe to drink.
water purifier buying guide – Key Takeaways:
- Many different kinds of water purifiers are on the market, and each filters water using another technology. Therefore, the right type of water purifier should be chosen based on the needs of your family and the quality of the water in your area.
- High TDS areas benefit most from RO water purifiers, whereas low TDS areas with bacterial contamination benefit most from UV purifiers.
- Gravity-based water purifiers are affordable and low-maintenance for locations with low TDS levels and no bacterial contamination.
- Making sure that the water your family drinks is safe and wholesome can be accomplished by selecting a water purifier with the appropriate capacity, certification, and features, such as a pre-filter and mineraliser.
- Your water purifier needs to be cleaned and maintained regularly if you want to ensure its longevity and proper operation. This includes changing the filters and membranes as directed by the manufacturer.
- When choosing a water purifier, it’s crucial to consider maintenance costs because some purifiers call for frequent filter replacements, which can add to sizable expenses over time.
- A good warranty and customer support can protect you from unforeseen repair costs and give you peace of mind. It is also essential to check the warranty and after-sales service the manufacturer offers.
Conclusion:
Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential for living a healthy life. Water purifiers are available in various styles and brands, each with features and benefits. The most common types are reverse osmosis, ultraviolet, activated carbon, gravity-based, ultrafiltration, and ion exchange water purifiers.
To choose the best water purifier for your home, consider local water quality, purification technologies, storage capacity, maintenance cost, customer support, and budget.
Remember to keep your water purifier in good working order to ensure a steady supply of clean, safe drinking water. You can protect yourself and your loved ones from harmful contaminants in water by selecting the right water purifier and properly maintaining it.