Reverse Osmosis Vs. Whole House Water Filter
Exploring the Differences Between Reverse Osmosis and Whole-House Water Filtration Systems
What differentiates Reverse Osmosis Systems from Whole-House Water Filters? A Reverse Osmosis system is a POU (point of use) that is installed under the kitchen sink, tasked with purifying water for drinking and cooking. On the other hand, a whole-house filter is a POE (point of entry) located at the main water source, treating water for the entire house. These filters are designed to handle higher flow rates and cater to general residential needs such as cleaning, bathing, and laundry, utilizing a 10-30 micron filtration range for quick purification from the main supply to every tap. For consumable water, a more stringent filtration process is essential. While whole-house systems filter out various contaminants throughout the home, reverse osmosis is specifically designed to eliminate a broad spectrum of contaminants from drinking water. Let’s further examine the key differences between these filtration techniques.
Reverse Osmosis vs. Whole-House Water Filter: A Comparative Analysis
Application: POU (Point of use) vs. POE (Point of entry)
Filtration Size: 0.0001 micron vs. 10 – 30 micron
Intended Use: Drinking or Cooking vs. Bathroom, Shower, Cleaning, and Gardening
Average Flow Rate: 45 Gallons Per Day vs. 10 Gallons Per Minute
Optimal Drinking Water Filtration: Reverse osmosis is recognized as the most convenient and effective water purification method, akin to bottled water production and initially developed for seawater desalination. The RO membrane filters at an impressive 0.0001-micron capacity. For context, a human hair is 80-90 microns, while bacteria and viruses range from 0.4-1 micron and 0.02-0.4 micron, respectively. Water is pressed through the membrane, allowing only particles smaller than its size to pass, effectively removing up to 99% of contaminants such as nitrate, arsenic, chromium, fluoride, radon, and others that whole-house filters cannot tackle, delivering the purest water directly from the faucet.
Many question the safety of their municipal tap water. Once considered safe when fewer chemicals like chlorine, chloramines, or fluoride were added, contemporary water treatment now includes chemical additions to combat waterborne diseases. While these chemicals are successful in killing pathogens, they can produce harmful byproducts when interacting with natural elements in water. Whole-house systems can manage chlorine and chloramines but are impotent against certain contaminants like nitrate, arsenic, and chromium.
Reverse osmosis systems, located beneath the sink, store purified water for immediate use and dispense high-quality drinking water through a dedicated faucet. These low-maintenance systems require annual filter replacements and are designed to provide purified water for several years. Using RO water for the entire home is impractical as it would waste water of bottled quality. Instead, a combination of whole-house filtration is recommended for comprehensive water treatment in the home.
Whole-House Water Filter Types
Whole-house systems differ from reverse osmosis by treating water for the entire home. For broad contamination concerns, a carbon filtration system is recommended for versatile purification, or a water softener for a lime-scale-free environment. However, specific issues necessitate dedicated whole-house systems. For example, if iron is present, a reverse osmosis system can address this at the drinking water faucet, while whole-house systems protect pipes and appliances from staining throughout the home.
After identifying contaminants, selecting the appropriate whole-house system is vital. High-performance systems are robust tank models with filter media lasting over five years, offering low maintenance and efficiency. These systems are substantial, with tanks around 50″ in height, installed at the main water line. Standard filters are smaller and need replacement every few months to a year. Filter housings come in various designs to target different contaminants. For customized treatment combinations, consulting a water specialist is advisable.
For complete water treatment, different purification levels must work together. RO systems provide bottled-quality water for consumption and cooking, while whole-house filters ensure clean water throughout the home. Revel in the luxury of purified water every day!
Related Links: The Distinctions between POE & POU systems, The Necessity of Removing Chlorine from Whole-House Water, Water’s Impact on Beautiful Skin & Hair, Portable & Compact Reverse Osmosis Systems, and Cost-Effective Whole-House Filters.