Carbon Water Filtration VS. Reverse Osmosis
A home water filtration system is necessary to ensure clean and safe drinking water.
A home water filtration system is necessary to ensure clean and safe drinking water. The tap water in several homes has high levels of chlorine, bacteria, and other chemicals, metals, and pollutants that can impact an individual's long and short-term health. Quality water filter systems help eliminate harmful elements to purify the water and improve its taste and smell.
When homeowners consider installing a water treatment system, carbon water filters and reverse osmosis filters are the two most popular options from which to choose. While each has its unique benefits and drawbacks, it is essential to pick the right one. Let's look at how both systems differ from each other.
Carbon water filtration
Carbon filtration systems (activated carbon or carbon block) use a specialized carbon medium to absorb harmful metals, chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, mercury, and organic compounds and allow only clean water to flow through the taps. Carbon water filtration is among the oldest technologies in use for centuries. However, the lifespan of a carbon filter depends on factors like the type of carbon medium used, usage, and the amount of carbon present in the filter. Granular activated carbon and carbon block are the two carbon filters available.
Pros and cons of carbon water filtration
Carbon filters come as a single unit and are affordable to purchase, install, and maintain. It can remove high levels of chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and sediments from the water, making it healthier and tastier to drink than unfiltered tap water. It also removes foul odors from the water. In addition, carbon filters are passive and do not waste water or electricity.
However, carbon filters are ineffective in removing viruses, bacteria, and total dissolved solids (TDS) in tap water. Therefore, a carbon filter will only do a little to improve the water quality in areas with high TDS.
Reverse osmosis
Reverse osmosis, or RO, are heavy-duty water filter system with multiple water purification stages. It uses membrane technology, where water passes through a semipermeable membrane that filters out about 95% to 99% of bacteria, TDS, chemicals, heavy metals, organic compounds, parasites, and viruses from the tap water.
The reverse osmosis system has a pre-filter to remove silt and particulate, a membrane to eliminate harmful elements from the water, and a post-filter to improve the water's taste and flavor and remove odor. As a result, it offers the purest water for drinking and cooking.
Pros and cons of reverse osmosis
Reverse osmosis is effective at removing more contaminants than its counterparts and offers the best quality water for drinking and other kitchen purposes. In addition, it is an excellent option for people who want a filter to improve their health.
On the downside, RO water systems are expensive and waste a lot of water. A typical system usually wastes four gallons of water to produce one gallon of clean water. An RO filter also eliminates natural and healthy minerals from the water, like magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which benefit human health.
Carbon and reverse osmosis filters produce water that is safe to drink. One can also find water filtration systems that combine both filters for added benefits.
Choose the best water filter
The type of filter one chooses usually depends on the area of residence and the quality of the home's water supply. A professional plumber can test the water and suggest the most suitable filter for the home's needs based on the type of contaminants.
Simba Plumbing offers residential and commercial plumbing services to Phoenix and surrounding areas. We are family-owned, meticulous and provide affordable, transparent pricing. Call us at 602-962-3537.
