With such a wide variety of water filters on the market today, it can be difficult to choose the right system for your needs. Two of the most popular options available to you are reverse osmosis systems and whole house filters, each designed to make the water in your home more pleasant. In this article, you can discover the differences and benefits of each type, helping you to choose which option might be right for you.
What is a Reverse Osmosis System?
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are a great choice when it comes to filtration at home. Here, you can discover more about reverse osmosis systems, how they work, and why they are fantastic solutions for households looking to improve their water quality and overall health. From their advanced filtration capabilities to their ease of use, RO systems stand out as a top choice for modern homes.
How Reverse Osmosis Works
The water will pass through pre-filters before reaching the reverse osmosis membrane, which is excellent for removing sediment, chlorine, and chloramines. Next, the water will be pushed through the semi-permeable membrane with microscopic pores. From here, the water will be directly supplied to the household.
Key Benefits of Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis systems offer expert water filtration. These systems offer highly purified water, which is great for cooking and drinking. Thanks to the force of reverse osmosis, these water filters can improve the taste, smell and appearance of water.
Most reverse osmosis systems can be used in conjunction with 3-way taps, providing fresh filtered water without the need for a separate tap. Additionally, reverse osmosis water filtration systems make a great alternative to countertop systems, which can take up precious space in your home.
Ideal Applications for Reverse Osmosis Systems
Reverse osmosis systems can be highly beneficial when implemented throughout the house. One of the most common areas a reverse osmosis system is implemented in the home is the kitchen. This is where a household will most likely source their water for both drinking and cooking, providing clean water to those within the property.
Another popular place for reverse osmosis filtration systems is in the bathroom. When it comes to skincare, poor quality water can dry out our hair and skin, as a result of the chlorine and hard water mineral content. Reverse osmosis systems can improve the quality of water significantly, removing these contaminants and therefore leaving the user with only a pleasant clean feeling.
What is a Whole House Filter?
A whole house filtration system works by treating water at the point of entry. This means that every tap and appliance on your property receives fresh and clean water. Here, you can discover everything you need to know about whole house filters.
How Whole House Filtration Works
Before choosing a filtration system for your home, it’s important to know how it works. Whole house water filtration systems are installed at the main water supply line, treating water before it flows into your home’s plumbing system. The water will enter the system from the main water supply line, where it will be sequentially treated in the filtration stages. From this stage, the water can be distributed to all the taps and appliances within the home.
Key Benefits of Whole House Filters
Similar to reverse osmosis filters, whole house filters are great for removing unpleasant flavours and odours from the household’s supply of water. As whole house filters ensure that each faucet offers filtered water, the water in every room will be pleasant to drink and clean with.
As whole house filters supply the entire property with filtered water, they also protect the appliances from water quality issues. In dishwashers, for example, scale and sediment build-up caused by unfiltered water can wear the appliance down, reducing its lifespan and making it less efficient.
When to Choose a Whole House Filter
Choosing a whole house filter is typically a great idea if you live in a large home, with significant demands from your water filtration systems. Whole house water filters will remove harmful contaminants from your water, perfect for hard-water areas. These systems ensure that every tap in your house delivers clean, safe water, making them ideal for households with high water usage or multiple bathrooms and appliances.
Comparing Reverse Osmosis and Whole House Filters
While both reverse osmosis and whole house filter systems are fantastic choices for treating water, often one option will be more suited to your needs and your property than the other. Below, you can discover more about the differences between reverse osmosis and whole house filters.
Filtration Capabilities
Depending on the demands of your household, it’s worth considering the filtration capabilities of potential filtration systems. If you have certain contaminants in your local water supply, you will need to ensure your water filtration system is capable of removing them effectively.
Water Usage and Efficiency
Efficiency is another thing to consider, as inefficient filtration systems can be incredibly expensive for a household, as shown in their monthly bills. When purchasing from a trusted professional water filtration system supplier, you can ensure that you are offered only high-quality products.
Installation and Maintenance Requirements
Installation and maintenance needs are an essential consideration when choosing a water filtration system, as you will need to be able to keep up with the demands. Maintenance involves regular filter replacements, cleaning, and occasional inspections to prevent clogs or inefficiencies. Failing to keep up with maintenance can lead to reduced filtration effectiveness, increased water wastage, or even damage to the system. Choosing a filtration system with maintenance demands you can keep up with is key to ensuring long-term satisfaction and performance.
Cost Comparison
If you’re working with a budget, often reverse osmosis systems are a cheaper alternative to whole house filtration systems. The price of a filtration system can also rise depending on the complexity of the system. Additionally, when comparing the costs of each filtration system, it’s important to consider the cost of replacement filters and parts, and how often these need to be purchased. This can prepare you against any unexpected costs when choosing a water filter system, making sure you choose a system that works for you and that you can afford.
Choosing the Right Option for Your Needs
When presented with two high-quality water filtration systems, it can often be difficult to know which one is better suited to you. Luckily, some key criteria can help you choose between reverse osmosis water filters and whole house filtration systems. In this section, you can discover how to choose the right water filter for your household.
Assessing Your Water Quality
When choosing a water filtration system, it’s important to know the challenges your water supply may make your new filter face. Extremely poor water quality, for example, may not be effectively treated by a simple filtration system, instead requiring a more complex and thorough system. Thankfully, many different types of water filtration systems can be customised specifically for your type of water.
Household Size and Water Usage Considerations
Larger households are likely to have substantial water usage demands, making it important to consider the size of your household when choosing a water filtration system for your property. Smaller systems, such as under-sink filters or point-of-use systems, may struggle to meet the demands of larger households and could lead to inefficiencies or interruptions in service. Additionally, high water usage means filters may need replacing more frequently, so selecting a system designed for larger capacities can save time and money on maintenance.
Health and Lifestyle Factors
Often, there will be specific contaminants you would like to get rid of. If you prefer high-quality water for making tastier food and drink, certain water filters may be better than others. Appliances that are supplied by point-of-entry filtration systems have a greater lifespan, as contaminants within water are prevented from building.
Our Products at Hommix UK Limited
Based in London, Hommix UK Limited specialises in water filters for homes. As experts in filtration systems, we can offer high-quality products that transform the quality of water supplied to your home. From reverse osmosis water filters to whole house filters, our filtration systems. Please visit our website to discover more about us and our products at Hommix UK. Alternatively, please get in touch with our friendly team directly for further information or support.
