How to choose a home water purifier Multi-dimensional comparison to help you pick answers to frequently asked questions

First, understand the type of water purifier
There are various types of water purifiers on the market, each with its own characteristics.

1. Pre-filter
Installed behind the water meter, it is the first line of defense for household water use. It generally uses stainless steel mesh, which can filter sediment, rust, insect eggs, colloids, macromolecules, organic matter and other large particles of impurities, and play a protective role in the downstream pipeline of the water purifier, water heater, washing machine and so on. It is simple to maintain, long service life, the price is usually only a few hundred dollars, if the conditions allow, it is recommended that families install one. For example, some old neighborhoods, water quality sediment, pre-filter can effectively intercept sediment, extend the life of other water equipment.

2. Ultra-filtration water purifier
The use of ultrafiltration membrane, filtration accuracy of 0.01 - 0.1 micron, can remove bacteria, colloids, etc., but also retain minerals. Suitable for areas with good water quality, if the water in the area is less polluted, the ultrafiltration water purifier can meet the daily water needs, and can retain the minerals in the water that are beneficial to the human body.

3. Reverse osmosis water purifier (RO machine)
Filtration accuracy of up to 0.0001 microns, almost all the impurities in the water, including heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, etc., suitable for poor water quality areas, the filtered water can be directly consumed. But it will produce wastewater, but now many products have better and better control of wastewater ratio. Like some industrial pollution is relatively serious areas of the family, choose RO machine can protect the safety of drinking water.

4. Water softener
By adding water softening salt, remove calcium and magnesium ions in the water, soften the water quality, can protect the water heater, washing machine and other water equipment, to avoid limescale buildup, for washing is also very good. However, it should be noted that the water softened by adding water softening salt is not suitable for drinking. For example, the water quality in the northern region is hard, the installation of water softeners can make the laundry foam more abundant, the water heater is not easy to scale.

5. Centralized water purifier
Belong to the large water treatment equipment, suitable for villas, large flat and other large areas of the family, can realize the whole house water purification. It can be divided into whole-house central water purifier, home central water purifier, home central water softener, intelligent central water purifier, etc. This type of equipment has higher requirements for design and construction, and professionals need to be consulted.

Second, focus on filtration accuracy

Microfiltration (MF): accuracy of 0.1 - 50 microns, mainly to remove sand, rust and other large particles of impurities, such as some simple pre-filtration equipment may use microfiltration technology.
Ultra-filtration (UF): precision of 0.01 - 0.1 microns, can remove bacteria, colloids and other large molecules of organic matter, such as the aforementioned ultra-filtration water purifier.
Reverse osmosis (RO): precision of 0.0001 microns, can filter out almost all the impurities, is currently the most fine filtration, RO reverse osmosis water purifier is to use this principle.

III. Cartridge-related points

1. Cartridge life
Different cartridge life is different, like PP cotton cartridge generally 3 - 6 months to be replaced, activated carbon cartridge 6 - 12 months, RO reverse osmosis membrane cartridge 2 - 3 years and so on. When choosing to pay attention to the replacement cycle and cost, try to choose the cartridge life long, low cost products. For example, some brands have introduced a long-lasting RO membrane cartridge, which can effectively reduce the cost of long-term use.

2. Replacement convenience: choose a model that is easy to replace to avoid complex operation. Some water purifiers use quick-connect cartridges, users can easily replace themselves, without the need for professionals to come to the door.

Fourth, the flux (water speed)
The larger the flux, the faster the water speed. Household water purifier flux is generally between 400G - 800G, 400G flux is suitable for 3 - 4 people family, the water output per minute is about 1 liter; 800G flux is suitable for more than 5 people family, the water output per minute can reach about 2 liters. If you have a large family with a high water demand, it is recommended to choose a water purifier with a larger capacity, so that you don't have to wait for a long time to receive water.

V. Wastewater ratio
Reverse osmosis water purifier will produce waste water, the lower the waste water ratio the more water-saving. Currently on the market, the better the product wastewater ratio can reach 1:1 or even higher, for example, some products wastewater ratio of 2:1, which means that the generation of 2 liters of water only produces 1 liter of wastewater, which greatly improves the utilization of water resources.

Six, product price and quality comparison
1. Cheaper water purifier
May use inferior materials, filter element quality is not high, and may even use sponges, stones and other poor quality filler, not only poor water purification effect, but also may bring the risk of secondary pollution. The function is also relatively simple, basically can only remove some large particles of impurities and odor.

2. Expensive water purifier
Usually made of food-grade materials, higher quality filter, such as the use of imported coconut shell carbon and other high-efficiency filter, better purification effect and more durable. May have a multi-stage filtration system to provide a more comprehensive purification effect, but also may have intelligent control, filter replacement reminder, heating, cooling and other additional features, the experience is more convenient and comprehensive.

Seven, water purifier FAQs and answers

Q: Does the water purifier need to be energized all the time?
A: Ultrafiltration water purifiers generally do not need to be energized; reverse osmosis water purifiers need to be pressurized to allow water to pass through the RO membrane, so they need to be energized.

Q: Can I install RO water purifier directly without pre-filter?
A: Yes, but the installation of pre-filter can extend the life of the RO water purifier cartridge, reduce the damage of impurities on the RO membrane.

Q: Can the water filter cartridge be cleaned and reused?
A: PP cotton and linea carbon filters generally can not be washed and reused; part of the ultrafiltration membrane filter can be backwashed and other ways to properly extend the life, but there is a deadline.

Q: different brands of cartridges can be common?
A: Generally not, different brands of water purifier cartridge specifications, interfaces, filtration technology is different, can not be universal.

Q: The home has been installed in the water purifier, still need to use bottled water?
A: If the water purifier filtration effect is good, to meet the direct drinking standards, daily drinking can not use bottled water; but if the water quality requirements are very high, or water purifier failure, bottled water can be used as a backup.

Q: How to judge the water purifier should change the filter?
A: Some water purifiers have cartridge replacement reminder function; can also be based on the use of time to judge, to reach the rated life of the filter cartridge needs to be replaced; you can also observe the water quality, such as water quality deterioration, the water output becomes smaller and other linea conditions, may also need to replace the filter cartridge.

Q: installation of water purifier on the kitchen space requirements?
A: There are certain requirements, under the kitchen water purifier need to have a suitable cabinet space, to ensure that you can put down the water purifier mainframe and installation of cartridges and other components, and at the same time, we must consider the convenience of the water pipe connection linea.

Q: Is there a difference between the water purifier suitable for the south and the north?
A: Northern water quality is harder, more scale, more suitable for water purifier with softening function, such as RO reverse osmosis water purifier or with water softener; Southern water quality is relatively good, ultra-filtration water purifier or ordinary RO reverse osmosis water purifier can be.

Q: Can I drink the water directly from the water purifier?
A: Ultrafiltration water purifier needs to be based on local water quality to determine whether it can be drunk directly; RO reverse osmosis water purifier filtered water can generally be consumed directly, but if you suspect that the water purifier has a fault, it is recommended that the first test before drinking.

Q: How to solve the installation service after purchasing a water purifier?
A: Most of the brands will provide door-to-door installation services, purchase and business to confirm the details of the installation, including whether the installation is free of charge, the time required for installation.

If you still have questions about the water purifier brands mentioned in the article, specific product details, or want me to add more brand comparisons, feel free to let me know.