In European countries, people safely use tap water, but in Russia its quality is far from the best. Most of the problems arise from old metal lines, in which germs multiply and the thickness of the deposits practically covers most of the pipe. To protect yourself and your family, you have to install filters and service them yourself. Most people prefer a reverse osmosis system, which purifies tap water best.
What is a reverse osmosis filter
Reverse osmosis filters are used in the food industry, for the separation of oil impurities at oil refineries, for the purification of alcohol and alcoholic beverages - brandy and vodka.
Depending on the modification, the equipment set may include:
- Pressure maintenance pump. A certain head is required to pass through the membrane. If people live on the 9th floor and there is not enough pressure in the system, you need to install a pump.
- Reducing pressure reducer. If the head exceeds the permissible limits, it is necessary to reduce it.
- Hydraulic tank for filtrate accumulation. The volume is selected depending on the number of residents and the consumption of drinking water per day.
- Mineralizer that restores the salt balance in the liquid. Due to the fact that the membrane does not pass dissolved salts of potassium, calcium and magnesium, the human body receives less of these substances, which can adversely affect the health of the cardiovascular system. After complete cleaning, the mineralizing unit returns the beneficial substances to the liquid.
- Tourmaline cartridge. It is necessary to structure water - in this form it is better and faster absorbed by the tissues of the body, and they do not waste energy on adapting the fluid.
- The ultraviolet lamp destroys bacteria and viruses, although the membrane itself does not allow them to pass, since the pore size allows only water molecules to pass.
Reverse osmosis systems have many advantages. The main disadvantages are the high cost of the installation and its volatility. There are certain rules and time intervals through which you need to change cartridges. The membrane itself lasts a long time - in some models up to 5 - 7 years.
When buying a reverse osmosis filter, you need to know that only ¼ of the liquid will enter the hydraulic tank, the rest will be flushed down the drain.
Filter rating and characteristics
Distinguish between household and industrial reverse osmosis filters. It is expensive and unprofitable to install a powerful installation in a private house or apartment, since it is designed for a large volume. For domestic use, filters that are installed under the kitchen sink are best suited. They are small in size and can provide residents with the necessary amount of drinking water.
On sale you can find reverse osmosis filters of foreign and domestic manufacturers.It is definitely impossible to buy cheap products, since they often do not reach the expected service life - the membrane becomes unusable and the product can be thrown away. Such devices cannot be repaired.
Rating of domestic filters
Rating of the best domestic filters for reverse osmosis water:
- Geyser - modification Prestige and Aquachif;
- Atoll;
- Aquaphor;
- Barrier;
- New water.
The Geyser company uses a special technology of a protective membrane layer so that the filtered dirt does not settle on it, but is completely flushed down the drain. The pore size is much thinner than the hair, so the output is almost distilled water. Filtration takes place in several stages, so that before passing through the membrane, the liquid is completely cleaned of large particles. The cost of the filter is high, but the water does not need additional purification.
Aquaphor filters have an advantage in size, so they can be installed in a small area under the sink. There is always a reserve in the drive - at least 5 liters. In this device, less liquid is discharged into the drain, so the filter saves money.
Installations Atoll - the best combination of price and quality. At the same time, the product is large in size and is not always suitable for small areas.
The new water has a mineralizer, as well as a system in which it is not necessary to turn on the tap every time - just raise your hands and the water will flow. When comparing other brands of reverse osmosis water filters, New Water produces the most expensive devices.
The best filter in the ranking of middle class models is the Barrier. The membrane will have to be changed once every 1.5 years, mechanical cartridges - once a year. There is a mineralizer.
Rating of imported installations for water filtration
Among the imported models, the most often bought:
- Ecosoft, including industrial plants for water purification before beer production.
- Zepter;
- Organic;
- Mineral Plus;
- Bluefilter.
Choosing a reverse osmosis filter from foreign manufacturers can turn into serious expenses when replacing cartridges. They are more suitable for countries in which even the crane fluid is several times better purified than in Russia, so they will clog up faster. The cost starts at $ 500. Moreover, 40% of the amount will have to be paid annually to replaceable cartridges.
Criterias of choice
The main selection criterion should be the optimal combination of price and quality. In domestic models, it is more balanced. Do not forget that, according to the instructions, it is necessary to change the cartridges on time, otherwise the membrane will fail faster.
Before choosing an installation, you need to estimate the area under the sink - not all models can fit on a small patch.
You need to pay attention to the quality of the parts. Fragile structural elements break down faster and do not withstand water hammer, so it is better to overpay for materials and not worry.
There are models for which replacement filters are very expensive. The company attracts buyers with an inexpensive installation, but compensates for it with expensive filters, so it is very important to find out this nuance before buying. According to reviews of reverse osmosis systems, it is better to buy an expensive installation for a sink, but save on filters, since they will have to be bought less often. It usually happens like this: the more the initial investment, the cheaper the water costs later.
It is recommended to read the information on the structure of the water. This indicator is important if a person suffers from any disease and it is important for him to save energy. Some filters offer a structurizer in the kit - it can help preserve the necessary substances in the body without wasting them on preparing fluids for assimilation.
Owner reviews
Barbara. Before arriving in Moscow, she did not complain of headaches, but after a year of living she began to worry about migraines, and the attacks sometimes lasted 2-3 days. Accidentally I got to a lecture on the medicinal properties of water - it was not even a question of its purity.Then I thought, maybe put a filter first. I didn't save money - I bought German. The frequency of attacks gradually decreased, then the headaches disappeared completely. I can imagine what flows through the pipes in the capital. Maybe someone needs my experience - for health.
Valentine. We fell for the bait - we bought a cheap reverse osmosis unit. Now you have to pay the same amount every year to change the cartridges and the membrane. Maybe throw it away and take it at a higher price? Who had a similar situation?
Elena. At first we read a lot of information and went shopping for a month, checking everything written. As a result, they took an American filter, for which the membrane needs to be changed every 5 years. We live together, so we use less often. Japanese and American reverse osmosis filters are the most durable. Do not buy cheap China under any circumstances.
Vika. 2 years ago they installed a reverse osmosis unit, but now the money has become worse, and the filters have to be changed every 3 months. I look closely at Fibos, which, according to the manufacturer, has been working for 10 years. Has someone already installed it? What can you say?
They did not mention the improved Aquaphor osmosis, which already come with a water-water tank, and not with a water-air one. Compact, at low pressure they work without a pump and drainage is small.