Water Filtration

With all of the systems available today to purify your drinking water, have you ever considered the advantages of whole house water filtration systems? These units make it possible to block contaminants from every possible access point in your house while using a single filter.

Point of use countertop filters are wonderful tools for keeping your drinking water free of contaminants because they typically remove a higher percentage of impurities than most whole house systems do, but with their use comes the disadvantage of also having to buy showerhead filters for your home.

Purchasing these multiple units can easily add up to or exceed the price of whole house water filtration systems. Plus there is the disadvantage of still coming into contact with chemical contaminants through brushing your teeth, or through the ice from your icemaker.

Then there is the chloroform gas that is the natural form of THMs in your water. These are natural byproducts produced by the chlorine disinfection process. Chloroform is released into the air of your home by the steam that is produced by your washing machine and dishwasher.

Good whole house water filtration systems will reduce THMs, and a whole lot more. The systems are capable of reducing chlorine, lead, synthetic chemicals VOCs, MTBE, Turbidity, and removes odors from your water. They will do this in most cases as well as any of the point of use models by blocking contaminants up to 99.99%.

The best way that these systems can manage to be so efficient in blocking out these contaminants is through the use of a four stage filtering process. The pre-filter removes contaminants down to five microns, then a zinc and copper mineral media removes chlorine, the taste and odor are improved through a bituminous activated charcoal media, and finally a high grade coconut shell based activated carbon media removes the rest.

These whole house water filtration systems have a high water capacity of about eight gallons per minute, so you will never have a drop off in pressure, they are virtually maintenance free, and they require no back flushing. Also, as I pointed out earlier there are fewer filters to worry about changing with these models.

The main filter has a 300,000 gallon capacity, and only needs to be replaced on average once every three years. The pre-filters should be replaced every three to six months. This is certainly a lot easier to remember than if you had various filters spread out all over the house.

So you can see how many advantages whole house water filtration systems offer over the popular point of use systems can’t you? Now that you know a little bit more about these systems you can make a decision for yourself as to which kind of set-up you want to have in your home.

No matter whether you choose to go with whole house water filtration systems or if you want to purchase point of use models, the important thing is that your family is protected from the impurities found in our water supply. But for the best bang for your buck, and your health, follow my advice and go with a whole house water filtration system.

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Let’s face it. There are an overwhelmingly large number of home water filters to choose from on the market. For that reason it’s important to shop wisely and carefully. You can get a shower filter, an under the sink filter, a counter top filter, or a whole house filter. You might be wondering why anyone would want whole house water filtration systems.

The dangers of drinking tap water are well known to the majority of people. It is contaminated with chemicals such as chlorine, lead, pesticides, and prescription drugs and drinking it can cause a number of health problems. What many people don’t realize is that bathing in it, cooking with it, and doing laundry with it is also dangerous and for that reason whole house water filtration is making waves.

When you bathe in tap water, chlorine and other chemicals are released in the shower steam. Breathing those chemicals can cause respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis. When you bathe, your pores also open up so your skin absorbs the chemicals which then enter your bloodstream. In sum, showering in tap water is actually more dangerous than drinking it because you both breathe the chemicals and absorb them through your skin. With whole house water filtration systems, you can have peace of mind when you shower.

In addition to being a health hazard, showering in tap water is very bad for your hair and skin. It can lead to severely dry skin, hair loss, and skin irritation. Just after days of using a whole house water filtration device, you will notice that your hair and skin feel much softer and look more beautiful than ever.

Whole house water filtration systems are also necessary in order to stay completely safe from ingesting the contaminants in tap water. Drinking water filters may prevent you from ingesting a lot of chemicals and they are better than nothing but when you think about, you actually consume a lot of contaminants just by cooking with tap water. Boiling water does not get rid of all the chemicals it contains.

Having a whole house filtration system also means that you can wash your clothes and dishes in filtered water. When you do laundry with tap water, the chemicals get embedded in your clothing and it is dangerous. When you wash your dishes with tap water the residue from the chemicals is left on your dishes and the chemicals are released in the steam. Having a whole house treatment system alleviates these problems.

Another huge perk of having whole house water filtration systems is the fact that contaminated tap water will never enter your home’s plumbing system. That means you will be 100% safe from the dangers of tap water and no other water filtration system can guarantee that. Lastly, your only line of defense against a breakdown in the municipal water treatment system is a whole house filter.

Your goal? Take this information and decide whether whole house water filtration systems are right for you. There are many obvious perks to having a whole house water filtration device. If you are concerned about your health and that of your family, getting a whole house water filter is one of the biggest steps you can take towards protecting yourself and your loved ones.

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You may think that the initial price of a whole house water filtration system is too costly, or that the replacement cartridges need to be replaced too often, but when you look at the benefits, you begin to realize how whole house water filtration can actually save you money.

One of the “hidden” advantages of having a whole house water filtration system is it helps prevent your pipes from getting clogged or corroded, by removing the crud that causes the clogging and the corrosive contaminants from your water.

Replacing pipes and fixtures in your home can be rather costly, and certainly a lot more than whole house water filter replacement cartridges, or the entire system. Since, the water running through your plumbing is clean, there is hardly any chance of sediments building up in them.

Whole house water filter replacement cartridges generally need to be changed every 4 months or so, depending upon the quality of your water. Often, remembering to buy whole house water filter replacement cartridges can be troublesome. To solve this issue, one company offers automatic shipment direct to your home and they offer a discount on the price when you sign up for the program.

The best whole house water filter replacement cartridges cost only about 50 cents a day. Which is a pittance to pay to have clean, safe and filtered water in every tap in your house. If you’re using bottled water for drinking, that cost alone, is more than the 50 cents per day!

On a side note, if you’re using bottled water and paying less than 50 cents per day, you may want to find out where that bottled water is coming from!

In addition, if you have whole house water filtration, you won’t have the hassle of having to buy individual filters for the kitchen tap or the shower. When you combine the dollars saved and the reduced hassle of keeping track of individual filters throughout your home, you can see how whole house water filter replacement cartridges are not really expensive at all.

Then, of course, there are the health benefits of having whole house water filtration. Whole house water filter replacement cartridges protect you and your family from the harmful effects of chlorine, which the FDA says is high in every home. Chlorine in the water releases chloroform gas every time you shower, flush the toilet or wash dishes.

Just having a drinking water filter does not reduce the risk. It’s becoming more and more apparent, that the whole house should be protected.

In the best systems, there are several stages that your water passes through. The pre-filter reduces the levels of contaminants so that the main filter does not get clogged. A clogged main filter would result in loss of a pressure and reduce the life of the filter.

The main filter usually lasts about 3 years, if the pre-filters are replaced regularly. It is the pre-filters of the whole house water filter replacement cartridges that you have to change about every 4 months, depending on the quality of the water coming in. Luckily, the pre-filters are relatively inexpensive.

The main filter of the whole house water filter replacement cartridges is a marvel of technology. In layman’s terms it changes the chlorine into a harmless form. The granules of carbon used within it are considered by the EPA as the “Best Technology” that has ever been used in water filtration.

A research team from the College of Wisconsin Medical School has said that, in their opinion there is a link between household chlorine and cancer. Other chlorine related health problems include, skin irritations, asthma and headaches. The whole house water filter replacement cartridges, not only remove the risk of all those contaminants and more, but help provide your home with healthy, tasteful water.

Just in case you didn’t know, chlorine is bleach that is poured into most municipal water systems as a means of sanitizing the water. It’s used because it is the cheapest way to save our water from bacterial contamination. And, it kind of works. But what we have learned is, chlorine itself poses a threat to our health in many ways.

Other countries are using safer, more advanced technologies. Yet, here in the states, we continue to use chlorine, because, well, that’s what we have always done. The safest and possibly the most economical way to deal with chlorine may be a whole house water filtration system.

The best whole house water filter replacement cartridges are reasonably priced and easy to install. With automatic shipment, you will get fresh whole house water filter replacement cartridges when you need them, without even having to think about it. So, what are you waiting for?!

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Treating All The Water In Your Home

Whole house water filtration systems treat all of the water in your home by connecting to your main water line. Thus your faucets, toilets, showers, baths, kitchen, laundry provide purified water. Usually, the whole house water filtration system connects to your main line before getting to the hot water heater. If a homeowner would like to purify the water for their yard or garden the situation gets a little complicated. The yard water line and house water line are many times separated. The yard line may be in the slab or in the ground. The city or the house blueprint will help determine how yours is done.

The type of filter or system needed for a home depends on whether you have a city water supply or a well. The contaminants for them are usually different. The water from a city supply normally contains chemicals, sediment, and hardness minerals. A well or other private supply will normally have sediment, iron, and hardness minerals. There are other toxins in some water supplies like residue from prescription drugs, microorganisms, and synthetic chemicals. The various types of filters available are drinking water filters, shower filters, and whole house water filters.

The Flow Rate

The main thing to consider when buying a system is the flow rate. Systems are made to handle the larger amount of water flowing in through the main line. The faster the flow rate the less purification. Systems are designed for maximum flow rates. To get the best results from a system for your home, compare flow rates of different systems and buy one that matches the highest flow rate for your home.

How To Find The Best Systems And Prices

You can get the best deals on home water filters and whole house water filtration systems by a simple Internet search.

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Whole house water filtration systems are necessary no matter how good you think your local water system is. Fact is, even in areas known for having clean H2O, there are still thousands of harmful toxins making their way into your body through the water you drink, cook and shower with.

Water is a fact of life. Proper hydration is the key to keeping our bodies working and looking as healthy as possible. Just about every one of our internal systems relies on it to function properly. Everything from headaches to asthma to arthritis can be controlled with proper hydration. Whole home water filtration systems ensure that all the water we use each day is clean and pure. No other option can offer complete coverage for every sink and shower in your home with one easy installation, providing pure water throughout your house.

While bottled water looks like an attractive choice, there are actually no government standards regulating its production, so most bottled H2O is no cleaner than ordinary tap water. And no matter how thorough your local water company may claim to be, most ordinary tap water is laced with thousands of minerals and VOCs (volatile organic chemicals). Only whole house water filtration systems can completely remove toxins from your water while leaving behind minerals like calcium and magnesium which we need.

And as important as your drinking water is, it is even more important to be sure that the water in your shower is as clean as possible. A whole home water filtration system will ensure that you are showering in purified water, free of excess chlorine which can not only dry out hair and skin but also drastically affect the respiratory system. You want to be sure that when your family uses the shower, they aren’t washing their health down the drain.

Whole house water filtration systems are available from several manufacturers, either through your local home improvement store or directly through the manufacturers’ websites. Before buying a system, you’ll want to consider all the options and make sure to choose the one that best suits your needs. While many different filtration techniques are used, a multi-stage system which uses a carbon filter will generally give you the best results for your money.

When choosing a system for your home, being an educated consumer will give you the best advantage. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s information for each product, paying particular attention to the Performance Data Sheet, which should give you a clear idea of just which contaminants a particular product addresses and how thoroughly it eliminates them. Whole home water filtration systems are the best insurance you can give your family when it comes to good health, so you want to be sure to choose wisely.

Another important guideline is state regulation. California has some of the strictest water regulations in the country, so any product with California Certification is sure to do an excellent job. When it comes to buying whole house water filtration systems, the more documentation the better. You want to be sure to get a product that not only does a thorough job, but gives you the most quality for your money.

Protecting your family is important to you, and that protection starts at home. You want to know that every time you turn on the tap or step into the shower, your water is as clean as possible. Long life and good health are as close as your taps. Home water filters can help your water help you.

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People who live in areas with hard water know that whole house water filtration systems make for cleaner clothes, softer hair, and better tasting water. What many people don’t know is that even in soft water areas, the resource flowing from their pipes often contains chemicals, antibiotics, runoff from farms, and microorganisms. All of these contaminants can have a serious negative effect on your health.

Whole home water filtration systems offer so many benefits. The first benefit is quite obvious: safer water. Treatment facilities in America by and large use old, outdated methods of filtration. In general, most of these facilities run water through a sieve of sand to strain out particles, then add chlorine to kill off germs.

However, chlorine is used simply because it is the cheapest sanitizer, not because it is the best method of killing microorganisms, and chlorine can cause many health problems, including cancer. Water treatment facilities cannot remove chemicals from water, and many of these substances end up in our drinking glasses. In certain areas of the country, the lead content of treated water is very high.

Unpurified tap water is not as safe as it could be to drink, and many health officials warn people that it is causing all sorts of health problems. But whole house water filtration systems give you H20 that is not only good to drink but better for other activities. Fish enthusiasts know that tap water can quickly kill off a prized goldfish because of the chlorine content. The same goes for delicate household plants that react to ordinary tap water. Filtered water also is better for bathing, washing dishes, and cleaning clothes because it prevents contact with harmful chemicals and makes better suds.

Because all of these activities such as drinking, cooking, and bathing consume gallons of water a day, whole home filtration systems are the best way to treat all the water your family needs on a daily basis. In fact, a home system is better than just a sink or a kitchen system because the EPA has announced that all homes in America which have indoor plumbing contain an elevated level of chlorine gas, produced from vaporized chlorinated tap water. Clearly it is in your best interest to filter out chlorine and other contaminants from your entire house.

Whole house filtration systems connect from your main water valve to your water tank, thus filtering every drop of water that enters your house. Some systems exist in the form of distillation or reverse osmosis. Distillation passes water over a heating coil, thus vaporizing it and burning away impurities, then returning it to liquid. Reverse osmosis forces water through a very fine membrane which traps unwanted elements. However, both systems are expensive and have a low output of water, usually not producing enough for a typical family’s needs. Their most serious fault is that neither is extremely efficient at stopping all chemicals and other compounds from ending up in the water supply. Carbon-based filtration systems are much better than distillation or reverse osmosis.

The best whole home filtration system contains a multi-step process in which the water passes over several filters that strain out and block various elements. Carbon is the number-one substance used in purifier systems, valued for its ability to absorb odors and unwanted compounds, but purifier systems usually contain a sediment filter and other additional elements which remove all impurities from the water.

The best whole house filtration systems have several qualities. They should be multi-step and pass the water through several stages in order to ensure that it is the very highest quality. They should be able to work quickly enough to produce enough water for your family’s daily needs. They should be relatively easy to maintain and not too expensive, costing roughly 50 cents a day to operate, as opposed to 50 cents per gallon which is what a reverse osmosis system can cost.

If you want your family to drink and bathe in safe, clean water, whole house filtration systems offer you a way to pipe purified tap water throughout your entire house. Your hair and health will benefit and you can rest assured that you are protecting your household from any contaminants that are lurking in the faucet.

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You don’t have nitrates in your water? Think again—You might well have them. During certain times of the year, like in the warmer months, have increased levels of nitrates in the water. Nitrates are highest in ground water which provides drinking water for more than half of the Nation’s population. Groundwater is also the sole source of drinking water for many rural communities and some large cities and accounts for 96% of self-supplied systems (which includes well-water.) Many cities are on well water that is pumped into big cisterns. Different cisterns are used at different times of the year to supply the cities with water.

Health affects of Nitrates: Nitrates affect the red blood cells by disrupting oxygen availability which leads to blue baby syndrome, reduced vitality, increased stillbirths, spontaneous abortion, low birth weights and slow weight gain in livestock. The scientific name for this is methemoglobinemia. Boiling water will not reduce nitrate levels.

What is nitrate and where does it come from? Nitrate is the oxidized form of nitrogen. Nitrogen is found naturally everywhere. We get nitrates through applying manure or fecal material (from poorly or untreated sewer treatment), NPK or ammonium nitrate fertilizers to fields. Nonagricultural sources of nitrate come from lawn fertilizers, leaching septic systems, and domestic animals in residential areas. Also producing large amounts of nitrates are paper mills and munitions plants.

Nitrates can persist in ground water for decades and accumulate to high levels as more nitrogen is applied each year. Applications of nitrates to enhance our food supply started as early as the 1950’s, so our soils have been building up excess nitrates for quite some time. When plants have absorbed all they need for their growth, the excess contained in the solid runs off into surface waters, streams and rivers eventually entering our water system.

The USGS (United States Geological Survey) released a report in 1996 revealing that nitrate concentrations in the nation’s groundwater supply are increasing steadily. In this report it stated that 9% of our wells tested had nitrate concentrations exceeding the EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate which is 10 mg. /liter.

But I use a water filter, you say. What kind of a water filter? Most countertop water filters do not remove nitrates. Nitrates are one substance that needs to be filtered out with a good whole-house water system or reverse osmosis system (which does not include table-top water filters that only remove chlorine and odors.)

We now have the ability to test for nitrates, iron, chlorine, hardness, pH and dissolved solids using at-home test kits. So, be safe. . .test your water or have it tested today.

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The Ralph Nader Institute estimates that there are up to 2100 toxic contaminants in our drinking water. That’s a good reason to drink purified water. But why would you consider using whole house water filtration systems?

Here’s 4 good reasons to use whole house water filters.

1. Believe it or not water contaminants can enter your body through your lungs, not just through your stomach by drinking contaminated water. How? Because contaminants in our water can vaporize in our house through the actions of things like showers and dishwashers to form gasses like chloroform and other VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

The US EPA says “Every home has an elevated level of chloroform gas present due to the vaporization of chlorine from tap and shower water.”

Whole house water filtration eliminates this risk.

2. Contaminants in our water can enter your body through your skin as well as your lungs and stomach. Showering in water contaminated with “up to 2100 toxins” means that any of these can enter through your skin. After all, what does an anti smoking patch on your arm do but deliver a chemical into your body through your skin?

3. Whole house water filtration systems help with your dishwashing if you use a dishwasher. You will find less scum and soap remnants on your dishes and you will use less detergent because the detergent you use works more efficiently. Dishes will be cleaner.

4. Washing clothes in filtered water produces much cleaner, healthier and better smelling clothes. Did you know, for example, that clothes washed in water full of chlorine absorb the chlorine and so you are wearing chlorine next to your skin?

So as you can see there are good reasons to consider using a whole house water filtration system. As well as drinking clean water you will notice a wide range of other benefits from using purified and filtered water in your home.

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You probably realize that you should not drink unfiltered tap water because of chlorine and other chemicals in the water, but you may not realize that chlorine vapor that is emitted from the water is also a health hazard. Water filtration products vary in their effectiveness, but the best whole house water filters have been found to block nearly 100% of the chlorine so that it can never be vaporized in your home.

Chlorine gas was first used as a chemical weapon in World War I as a respiratory irritant. Whenever you use hot water for a shower for instance chlorine becomes vaporized. Doctors are recommending shower water filters for their patients who have asthma, but a whole house water filter that blocks chlorine would be far more effective.

Another thing about chlorine is that when it is used by water treatment facilities for disinfection, several “by-products” are released into the water. They are referred to as THMs ( chemical solvents ) and one of them is chloroform gas. Only the best whole house water filters block THMs.

Government agencies have announced that there is some level of chloroform gas in most homes in the United States. The main problem they have sited in their reports was showering in chlorinated water.

Unfortunately, if you live just about anywhere in the United States, you have to shower in chlorinated water. Although government agencies recognize the problems related to chlorinated water, they will not go so far as to recommend any particular type or brand of shower or whole house water filter, but what else can you do?

Exposure to low levels of chloroform gas causes dizziness, headaches and fatigue. Chronic or long term exposure to even small amounts of chloroform gas can also cause damage to the liver and kidneys. As stated previously, a whole house water filter that blocks THMs can protect you from the dangers of chloroform exposure, but the problem is that not every whole house water filter can do the job. Some that block chlorine do not block THMs. It’s illogical, since THMs are a by-product of chlorine, but it’s true, just the same.

Other whole house water filters like reverse osmosis systems, for example, do not even block chlorine. So, you have to shop carefully and request certified performance data before you buy any whole house water filter.

Probably the worst thing is that researchers believe that there is a link between certain types of cancer (rectal and breast cancer are two examples) and showering in chlorinated water. Drinking it and inhaling the chemical is of course a problem, but in the shower it is absorbed through the skin. So, chlorine blocking shower and whole house water filters should be considered cancer preventatives.

We go to many lengths to protect ourselves from the big “C”. When you consider what the right whole house water filter can do, the cost seems unimportant. Just remember that all whole house water filters are not the same and a higher priced system is not always the most effective.

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Whole house water filters have an advantage over the others because with a whole house water filter you can go to any water outlet in your house and get filtered water. You have choices rather than just having one place to get drinking water from.

Whole house water filters also help your pipes stay cleaner. Since filtered water is filtered at the source, your pipes get only clean, filtered water pumped through them. A whole house water filter extends the life of your pipes by reducing the amount of corrosion and deposits caused by water running through them.

Like a central air conditioning unit, they require maintenance. You are advised to change the pre-filters of your system every three or four months to keep your system running in peak form. The only problem is remembering when to do this. Most companies will mail you new filters when they need to be changed. Removing one problem with whole house water filters.

You might think that you have to pay an arm and a leg for this system. On the contrary, the whole house water system costs less than $.50 a day to run. Imagine fresh drinking water from everywhere and all you pay is less than you would for a cookie with your morning coffee. A whole house water filter is very easy on your wallet.

A big problem these days is of our own making. Chlorine can cause respiratory problems, dry skin problems and even cancer. Whole house water filters can neutralize chlorine to a harmless substance. What a Relief! A whole house water filter has reduced your risk.

The University of Wisconsin conducted a study on the effects of ingesting chlorine and cancer in humans. They found a link between the two, an alarming statistic which is negated by whole house water filters. Even if the risk of cancer is small, are you willing to gamble your life for the price of a whole house water filter?

The main filter of whole house water filters was noted by the FDA as the best technology they have ever seen in water filters. They called it a marvel. You should try it and find out for yourself how good the system really is. The health of your family is resting on your decision to get a whole house water filter.

Pesticides and Herbicides are a problem the previous generation did not have. The whole house water filter takes on that responsibility, too. It removes all traces of the chemicals from your water supply and leaves you with pure and refreshing water. A whole house water filter promises to remove the risks from your water

It is reassuring to know that there is a problem solving water cleaner on the market. The whole house water filter is there when you need it. Whole house water filters eliminate all the risks so you can rest reassured in the thought that you are protected against bad water.

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