01 Aug Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a Water Purifier

Types Of Water Purifier

The most common types of domestic water purifier are Reverse Osmosis (RO) purifier, Ultraviolet Rays (UV) purifier, Ultrafiltration (UF) purifier, and Gravity-based purifier. 

• Reverse Osmosis (RO) water purifier

Reverse osmosis (RO) may be a water purification process that uses a partially permeable membrane to get rid of ions, unwanted molecules, and larger particles from drinking water.

This system provides very healthy and fully purified water. The liquid passes through three successive stages before leaving the tap: a sediment filter to get rid of fine particles, an activated charcoal filter to banish chlorine than a really fine membrane that retains the remains of impurities. The disadvantage of this purifier is undoubtedly its low flow. For 4 liters of water to be purified, the user can only obtain a liter at the most.

• Ultraviolet Rays (UV) water purifier

In a UV water filtration system, UV (Ultraviolet) rays are wont to kill the harmful bacteria from the water. A UV water purification system typically consists of a UV light with an output of around 254 nanometers which will effectively eliminate up to 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, including those related to water-borne illnesses like Typhoid, Gastroenteritis, Hepatitis, Flu, and Cholera.

• Ultrafiltration (UF) water purifier

Ultrafiltration (UF) may be a membrane filtration process almost like Reverse Osmosis, during which hydrostatic pressure forces the water against a semi-permeable membrane. Suspended solids, bacteria, viruses, endotoxins, and other high molecular weight pathogens are retained, while water and low molecular weight solutes undergo the membrane. 

• Gravity based water purifier

Gravity-based water purifier are non-electric purifier that use microfiber mesh, polisher modules, activated charcoal modules, and/or UF technology to get rid of impurities. 

How Different Types of Water Purifier Work?

Simply put, the water purifier acts as a filter. The water passes through it in order that the chlorine which provides it a nasty taste, the limescale which obstructs the conduits, lead, pesticides, bacteria, microbes, etc. are eliminated.

Far from being a posh device, the water purifier is an easy-to-understand accessory,, especially if you correctly master its composition made from a filter membrane, an activated charcoal cartridge, and a resin.

• Without the filter membrane, a water purifier is not any longer one. The most objective of the filter membrane is therefore to not allow bad substances to travel by blocking their passage.
• Activated carbon may be a part that limits the proliferation of water viruses, especially those present in water. To try to do this, activated charcoal takes care of removing the foremost harmful substances from the water you use.
• The role of the resin is to form the water softer and more pleasant for your palate. To try to do this, it’s liable for transforming positive ions into negative ions, so as to purge the water of all the impurities it contains. However, it’s not limited to that. It also changes the taste of water.

Water Purifier Buying Guide

Confused about which is the best water purifier in India? There is a water purifier that takes the shape of a really precise mechanism, while others are electronic. To get a clearer idea, you would like to understand what exactly it’s for and what it’s made from.

1. Water Quality

The first thing to think about when buying a water purifier is the quality of the water system you get in your home. The quality of the water system depends on the water source. If the water system in your house is supplied by municipalities and it comes from natural resources like lakes, rivers, and rainwater harvesting techniques, then you’re getting soft water. If the water supply in your home comes from underground sources like borewells, tube wells, hand-pumps, and wells then you’re getting hard water. The quantity of total dissolved solids (TDS) is relatively higher in hard water than in soft water. If you’re getting hard water, choose a RO water purifier. go for a UV water purifier if the water quality is soft. If you’re getting hard as well as highly contaminated water, you’ll choose RO+UV water purifiers.

2. Installation

A few water purifiers are designed to be used as a countertop home appliance while some brands also manufacture water purifier that will be persisted on the wall to stay the countertop clutter-free. Decide upon an appropriate place for your water purifier – countertop or wall then make a final judgment.

3. Electricity Needs

Based on their electricity needs, water purifier are of two types – electric or non-electric. While the electric purifier needs electricity to function, the non-electric water purifier can function without electricity and are usually gravity-based. Take under consideration the facility situation in your area then take the ultimate buying decision.

4. Storage Capacity

If you reside in an area that has frequent power cuts or unreliable water systems otherwise you live in a joint family, choose a water purifier that features a larger storage capacity. This may ensure a continuous supply of pure and contamination-free drinking water.

5. Certification of Purity

Another point to think about when purchasing a water purifier may be a certification of purity. Most brands lately usually provide a certificate of purity with the water purifier. This certificate may be a mark of the authenticity of the brand. It also ensures that the water dispensed from the water purifier is of top quality and thus safe to drink. Water purifier usually has one or two of the subsequent certifications.

• IS 16240: 2015 standard covers Reverse Osmosis (RO) based point of use water treatment system.
• IS 7402:1986 /2011 standard certifies that the ceramic filters utilized in the purifier can arrest impurities to the best range possible, including particulate and bacterial impurities.
• IS 14724: 1999 indicates that the purification process is administered through a mixture of UV film and rays.
• IS 10500:2012 gives an assurance that the top product is free from coliform, pesticide residues and other chemical contaminants.
• NSF, WQA, ISI, and CE are a number of the other certifications to seem for when selecting a water purifier.

6. After Sales Services

Water purifier require frequent servicing from time to time. Poor after-sales services can cause tons of problems and therefore the customers need to wait an extended time to urge their problems to be solved. Therefore, before making any final judgment on which water purifier to get, do enquire about the after-sales services offered by the brand.

7. Digital Display

Most water purifiers accompany basic displays for purifiers on/off, a tank full, etc. Some advanced purifier also accompanies an LED display that shows fault alert, membrane change, UV fail, TDS level indicator, purity indicator, etc.

8. Mineral Fortification Technology

Some advanced water purifier comes with a mineral fortification technology that adds essential minerals which reinforce the taste, quality and also balance the pH of purified water.

9. In-built TDS controller

A few advanced water purifiers come with an in-built TDS controller that controls the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) levels of water. When the TDS levels of input water aren’t so high, the TDS Controllers often want to increase the TDS of purified water to a healthy level.

10. Purification Capacity

Purification capacity is that the flow at which water is purified in an hour. a better flow may result in unsuccessful purification of water while slower flow takes tons of your time to offer you one liter of unpolluted water. Therefore, undergo the water purifier specifications carefully and appearance out for the purification capacity. Ideally, a purifier should offer you anywhere between 12-15 liters/hour.