Water Filtration

Why is it that the replacement water filter cartridge cost is never really mentioned when you initially buy a filtration system?  Because they probably don’t want you to know how much they cost!  Here’s a few tips that’ll save you some good money each year.

When most people browse around for a water filtration system, they often look for an inexpensive system- something they can pay a few bucks for TODAY and bring home to use.  Some go to their local department store, while others look online.

But I’m writing this article to inform you that it’s not always a good idea to buy the cheapest filtration system available (at least the cheapest one, initially).  And here’s why…

Let’s take Brita pitcher filters for example.  They are one of the cheapest units available on the market, which explains why they are the most popular.  There’s just something about a low price tags that gets everyone’s attention for some reason

Anyway, these pitcher filters are by far one of the cheapest systems to get, costing around $25.  But what most people don’t realize is that each replacement water filter cartridge needs to be replaced 2-3 times a month!  And at $20 for a 3-pack of filters, you’re talking paying over $240 a year plus the initial $25 it cost to get the pitcher in the first place (and these type of filters are the least effective kind!)

The point I’m trying to make is this:  In order to better see how much a water filtration system is going to cost, you HAVE TO factor in the costs of each replacement water filter cartridge.

An great way to find an accurate measurement of overall cost is figuring out how much it costs to filter a gallon of water.  So with the water pitcher example, each replacement water filter cartridge costs about $7.50 and it filters 30 gallons of water.  So along with the $25 it costs to get the system, you have to pay 25 cents for every gallon of water that’s filtered.

But let me just give you an idea as to how cheap it can really be to own a home filtration system.  I bought a quality home filtration system that removes over 99% of most contaminants in tap water for $100.  The filter it came with lasted for 6 months (filtering 500 gallons), and each replacement water filter cartridge costs $50.  So, by spending $100 a year to filter 1000 gallons of water, it only costs me about 10 cents to filter a whole gallon of water!

Now that’s cheap! So, needless to say, always remember to include the cost of the replacement water filter cartridges in your overall descision.

An Ezine article

Personal health is becoming a very hot topic these days and one of the ways to achieve this goal is to increase one’s daily water intake. The type of water consumed is a very important aspect of this goal. The bottled water industry has made has an enormous profit as a result of this trend however, it is not very convenient for the average person to continually purchase, stock, recycle and restock those plastic water bottles. Many are now opting to have a water-filtration system installed in their homes. But, how exactly do they work? Most filters work in different stages. The following is a breakdown of the three stages of a KDF water filter.

Stage 1: Mechanical Filtration - Mechanical filtration occurs during the first stage of filtration and filters out the large particles from the water. This filter will remove particles like silt, sediment and sand from the water. Many filters on the market utilize only mechanical filtration thus enabling the smaller, harmful particles to enter into the drinking water

Stage 2: Electrochemical/Oxidation-Reduction - During the second stage of water filtration the KDF filter employs the use of copper and zinc to create an electrochemical and spontaneous oxidation-reduction process to filter out the smaller, toxic particles in the water. This technology was patented in 1987 by Fluid Treatment Inc. creating a brand new approach to water filtration. This second stage of filtration can reduce the presence of chlorine by as much as 99% while reducing the use of silver during filtration which has been banned by the EPA.

Stage 3: Adsorption: Granulated Activated Carbon - Granulated activated carbon (GAC) is utilized during the third stage to filter out herbicides, pesticides and industrial chemicals commonly found in the water supply. Carbon’s permeability allows for incredible rates of adsorption and when combined with the two other phases makes KDF filters the best and safest way to filter water.

An Ezine article

The water filter installed in your home is supposed to help you by filtering and cleaning the water that reaches your faucet. Because today’s rivers and streams (even underground water supplies) are more and more polluted and the demand for fresh water in on the rise, water purifying plants cannot always offer you pure water.

To increase the level of protection for you and your family, you should install a cold water filter. But once you have installed such a water filter, it will not function forever. Water filter manufacturers specify that you should keep your filter in a good shape by avoiding damaging it and replacing it after its lifespan has ended.

Most people forget to replace the water filter and by doing so, they expose themselves and their family to more severe perils then by not having a water filter at all.

To understand why changing your water filter is vital, you should know how water filters work. Most modern water filters are based on the carbon’s property to absorb impurities from the water. The carbon filters are thicker then ordinary filters, taking the water longer to pass through all the filter’s layers, ending up with more pure and cleaner water.

The carbon water filter also absorbs bacteria and chemicals (such as pesticides) from the cold water in addition to the debris, but when the filter gets clogged, its purifying and cleaning properties will decrease. These sediments that gather in your water filter contain bacteria and other dangerous substances and if you do not change it at the recommended moment, you will end up with all these substances and debris in your cold water.

Replacing the water filter is fairly easy. Water filter manufacturers provide replacement filters at affordable prices, so buying them is not an issue. Changing the filter is also straightforward, as all you have to do is take the old filter out of its socket and put the new one in its place. Simply unlock the filter canister by turning its cap about one fourth turn to the left and redo the procedure, in the reverse order, to replace the water filter.

You can find the best prices for a replacement water filter either at online shops or in local hardware and plumbing stores. Just make sure you buy the exact replacement water filter for your particular type of cold water filter.

An Ezine article

The cost of water filter replacement cartridges is something you should consider before you buy a new system. If you review the company’s product performance data, the current price of their replacement water filter cartridges is a determining factor in the “cost of use”.

You may be surprised to learn that some of the cheaper systems have the most expensive water filter replacement cartridges, so the cost to use those products is quite a bit higher than their competitors’. Systems that cost less than 10 cents per day are easily affordable.

Some systems cost upwards of 25 cents per day, due to the higher price of their water filter cartridges or to the gallons of water that can be cleaned before the filters need to be replaced. It is reasonable to expect 500 gallons of water before you need to buy water filter replacement cartridges. 500 gallons is equivalent to about six months worth of drinking water for most families.

You should be wary of companies that claim their water filter cartridges are “maintenance free”. Usually, this means that instead of buying water filter replacement cartridges, you have to buy a whole new system every three months or so.

You should also pay attention to what contaminants the water filter cartridges can remove. Many systems only filter out chlorine taste and odor. While that’s important, there may be other things in your water.

One of the scariest contaminants is lead. You probably know that lead is a toxic metal that when ingested builds up in the body and causes brain damage, organ failure and a host of other health problems. Only the best water filter replacement cartridges block lead.

Another scary possibility is the parasite cryptosporidium. Treatment facilities use chlorine to kill most of the living things in the water supply, but cryptosporidium is resistant to chlorine, particularly during the microscopic “cyst” phase. Most water filter cartridges cannot protect you from cryptosporidium and other cysts.

Those are just two reasons that you need to read about the product’s certified performance before you buy. Sales pitches make all water filter replacement cartridges sound like the best thing ever, but you can’t fall for the hype. If you do, you are putting your health at risk.

Even if you buy a really good system, it becomes worthless if you do not replace the water filter cartridges regularly. Follow the manufacturer’s replacement schedule to the letter. It may seem like a hassle, but it’s the only way to guarantee the purity of your water.

One company is trying to take the hassle out of buying water filter replacement cartridges and others may follow suit, because it’s a good idea. As busy as people are these days and with all the things that they have to remember, the need to replace their water filter cartridges every 3-6 months (depending on the model and manufacturer) often takes a back seat to “more important” things.

What could really be more important than clean water is hard to say, but everyone has their own priorities. If replacing your water filter cartridges is not a priority in your life, or if you just have a hard time remembering, look for a company like Crystal Quest that offers automatic shipment. That way, you’ll get your water filter replacement cartridges on time, without any effort on your part.

An Ezine article

A lot of homemakers no longer use pitchers to dispense water. Several refrigerators already come packaged with built-in water dispensers for convenient water dispensing in the home. But just as there are pitcher filters that filter out the water dispensed by pitchers, there are also refrigerator filters that can be attached to your fridge to make sure you still get pure and clean drinking water.

Here are the top three brands and offers in the refrigerator filter market.

Maytag: Puriclean II for Pure Drinking Water

With 4.8 stars on Amazon, Maytag’s UKF8001 Puriclean II refrigerator water filter is a top-of-the-line fridge water filter from Maytag, a leading manufacturer of drinking filters. The Puriclean II line is an NSF-certified filter that can effectively reduce harmful contaminants in water and keep it from from unwanted taste and odor.

The Puriclean II effectively removes cysts, particulates, lead, mercury, and asbestos. The fridge filter also reduces the taste and smell of chlorine. However, it retains beneficial fluoride in the water to make sure you still harvest the benefits of pure and clean drinking water that your refrigerator dispenses.

The Maytag Puriclean II can be used with most Maytag and Jenn-Air refrigerators with special filter access inside. It fits into side by side, cabinet depth and French door refrigerator types. The filter needs to be replaced every 12 months to ensure maximum protection against most contaminants that threaten your drinking water dispensed from the refrigerator.

Whirlpool: KitchenAid Side-by-Side Quarter Turn Refrigerator Filter

Whirlpool is a trusted name among homeowners. Aside from the kitchen and cooking appliances it has become known for, Whirlpool also offers KitchenAid water filters that can work with Whirlpool and KitchenAid side-by-side refrigerators that come with built in water dispenser. The KitchenAid Quarter Turn Water Filter 4396508P is rated with 4.6 stars for effectiveness and reliability.

The KitchenAid waterfilter can remove the taste and odor of chlorine in water, and can also remove most contaminants such as mercury, lead, and particulates. The filter is easy to install and replace with its quarter turn feature. And without any drop in filtration quality, the water filter is able to retain beneficial fluoride found in water.

This model comes in a pack of two so you get more value for what you pay. The filter needs to be replaced every six months, which means the pack of two filters is enough to last you for an entire year. This is an extremely popular refrigerator water filter choice.

Crystal Quest Refrigerator Ice & Water Filters

Another leading band of refrigerator filter is Crystal Quest, which offers several different filtration systems in the market at a price that beats the others hands down. These extremely affordable refrigerator water filters can purify the drinking water dispensed by your refrigerator as well as the water used in making ice. They also effectively filter out contaminants including lead, cysts, and benzene, among many others, without removing beneficial fluoride as well as reduce the taste and odor of chlorine.

The Crystal Quest Refrigerator Ice and Water Filters only need to be replaced every six months to maintain their high level of water filtration quality.

To find out more about Crystal Quest refrigerator filters, simply run a search on Google or Yahoo and see for yourself.

Excerpted from an Ezine article