How can reverse osmosis filter system benefit you?
Posted by: Spencer Tang in Environment, tags: EnvironmentThe reverse osmosis system was originally developed for industrial use in printing and photo processing but because of the need for clean water, systems have been adapted for domestic use. Finding the right reverse osmosis filter system for cleaner water at home is important if you understand that there are more than 2000 toxic chemicals in our drinking water.
Originally intended for industrial use, the domestic reverse osmosis filter system works by using high pressure to force water through a membrane. Minerals and impurities won’t be able to pass through the membrane, leaving the water that flows out, clean. The type of membrane and the water pressure used will influence the effectiveness of an osmosis system. The amount of contaminants in the water also affects how efficient the system is in purifying normal water.
It is important to understand that the concentration of toxins, water pressure and quality of membrane used to design a filtration system. There are generally two types of membranes used in reverse osmosis - the cellulose triacetate (CTA) membrane and the FTC membrane - each with their own functions. While CTA membranes are organic and more cost effective, they tend to attract bacteria growth and sometimes may generate a smaller volume of water with a lower quality.
The other type of membrane is the FTC membrane, which is inorganic and more expensive than its CTA counterpart. A great advantage to this type of reverse osmosis system is that bacteria are not attracted to the FTC membrane. Unfortunately, chlorine in the water can damage the membrane and a carbon pre-filter might be required in addition to the reverse osmosis system with a FTC membrane.
When choosing a reverse osmosis filter for clean water at home, there is the tank and tankless system. A tank system uses a plastic bladder that contains the treated water available for dispensing while a tankless system has multiple membranes that enable treated water to be directly dispensed to a tap instead of storing it in a tank.
A system that makes use of a tank to hold the purified water is a more traditional system and is generally cheaper than the tankless system. However, if you live in a place with space constraints, the more costly tankless system will suit you better as it takes up less space. You must know, however that the membranes used in a tankless system can be a little expensive to replace and a pressure booster pump may be required as an additional fitting because this system needs a pressure of at least 40 PSI to operate.
If you’re looking to finding the right reverse osmosis filter for cleaner water at home, you should also be aware of the disadvantages that accompany a water system. Apart from these systems costing a hefty amount and the purified water also expensively produced, the main drawback from using reverse osmosis is its removal almost all minerals from water, even trace minerals. As a result, supplements must also be taken to counteract the lack of vital minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium found in normal drinking water.
If you’ve worked out your budget and are willing to spend the time and money in finding the right reverse osmosis filter for cleaner water at home, then installing and maintaining such a system may be a good answer to drinking cleaner water. Bear in mind, however, that there are many other water filters that are cheaper and more apt to serving your domestic needs.
If you are looking to use your purification system for a long term, choosing a reverse osmosis system for clean water at home will be an important step in your long-term investment. Your initial payout may be costly but if you take the time to choose the right system, you will be able to find a good quality unit without having to pay top dollar.
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