If you are looking to modernize your living space and improve your quality of life at the same time, then you might consider working a water filter system into your home, as well as improving your air filtration. Both water and air filtration have come a long way in recent decades, and you don’t need to be a homeowner to get professional-grade filtration in your living space. In this article, we’ll walk through the benefits of various types of filtration, and how to incorporate these salubrious technologies seamlessly into wherever you call home.
How advanced filtration solutions can transform living spaces
Water runs through our living spaces, and is available at the twist of a tap. The health benefits of filtering our water are widely recognized, but people may not think as often about the benefits to your property. Water is known as the “universal solvent,” with the power to dissolve nearly any substance on the planet over time.
This means that water can contain trace amounts of just about anything. Low pH water can corrode or eat away at brass pipes; hard water will leave limescale, which can slow the flow of water through pipes, or even seal them off completely. Water quality affects the value of your property and the effectiveness of any water-using appliances, such as coffee makers, humidifiers, irons, and water heaters.
Investing in a quality whole-home system can save a lot of wear and tear on your pipes and fixtures, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution, as each filtration system needs to be tailored to the specific needs of the water in question. Get informed about your water quality by checking your local federally-mandated water quality report, or speaking with a local water dealer or plumber.
In terms of your air quality, investing in some good HEPA filters or an air purification system can dramatically improve your quality of life, especially if you suffer from allergies or asthma. Environmental factors that can set off allergic conditions vary greatly by region, but nearly anyone can benefit from improving the flow and quality of air through their living space.
Understanding Filtration Technology
Water filters come in all shapes and sizes, from large industrial reverse osmosis membranes used to desalinate seawater, to small refrigerator filters to improve the taste of drinking water in your kitchen. Moving past all of the different filter configurations, however, we find a few core technologies at play at all levels of water and air filtration.
Types of filtration technologies available
Filtration can be grouped into two broad classes: mechanical and chemical filtration. Mechanical filters operate on physical restraint. Similar to a colander, which holds food while allowing water to pass through, or a screen door which stops insects while letting air flow, a mechanical filter simply puts up physical impediments to particulate and dissolved contaminants, blocking them from passing through.
Chemical filters, by contrast, which include all activated carbon filters, as well as specialty cartridges like deionization filters, operate through principles of chemical attraction, pulling contaminants out of solution by forming new chemical bonds with the filtration media. Both of these filtration types should be used in tandem with each other for maximum benefit.
HEPA filters for air purification
HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filter; these rectangular filters function mechanically, and are typically made from polypropylene, borosilicate glass, or fiberglass. They boast very small micron ratings, and are capable of trapping tiny air-borne particulates, down to as small as 0.3 microns. For comparison, a human hair is roughly 70 micrometers in width. The best thing about working these sorts of filters into your living space is that they will be nicely hidden inside your duct work.
Carbon filters for water treatment
When it comes to improving the taste, smell, and general cleanliness of your water, few types of filters do a better all-around job than activated carbon. An ancient technology dating back to the Sumerians and Egyptians of 4,000 years ago, activated carbon is a form of chemical filtration media made from wood, bamboo, or coconut husk charcoal. With a huge amount of surface area, an activated carbon filter clears water of a wide variety of dissolved material, including chlorine, VOCs, some heavy metals, organic matter, and various chemicals found in pesticides and pharmaceuticals.
Note that a carbon filter by itself is often insufficient to get the job done, especially if you have highly contaminated or very problematic water. For really tough jobs, consider coupling a carbon filter with sediment filters and a reverse osmosis membrane in a multi-stage undersink system. The combination of carbon with more aggressive forms of filtration such as RO will result in some of the cleanest water you can produce at home.
UV filtration for both air and water
Ultraviolet filters can be used to purify both your air and your water of dangerous microorganisms and viruses. UV filters are uniquely tailored to fighting and destroying tiny living things in your air and water, so they will be useless against heavy metals, chemicals, and any other inert substances in the water. However, they are a necessity for many people living on well water, who have high levels of E. Coli and coliform bacteria in their water. If you live in an area with dust mites or other airborne critters, you may benefit from a UV air filter in your ductwork as well.
Benefits of Advanced Filtration Solutions
The world around us is full of things that are toxic and dangerous to our health. By investing a little bit of money into the right air and water filters for your living space you and your family can breathe cleaner air, and drink better water, improving your overall health and physical well-being. Advanced filtration options are more affordable now than they have ever been in the past, so there is no reason not to reap the benefits.
How to choose the Right Filtration Solutions for Your Home
There is no “best filtration system” out there. There are a variety of excellent options, each of which is designed to address a specific set of problems. The best filter setup is the one that addresses your specific filtration needs. Plan around your circumstances, rather than reaching for what is popularly perceived as “the best.”
Popular Filtration Systems for Different Areas of the Home
All that said, there are many popular options that will fit into most homes and budgets. No matter how good your water is, it can always be improved by a quick pass through activated carbon. Adding an undersink carbon filter is a great addition for any home or living space, as it will help to refresh your water, giving it the best possible taste right before you drink it.
HEPA filters installed in your main ductwork are also popular choices, because they are easy to install and service, and offer good benefits with no aesthetic downsides.
For whole-house water coverage, water softeners continue to be the most prevalent option, as they will save you money on costly water heater maintenance and possible fixture and pipe replacement due to prolonged scale build-up. Many people choose to pair the point-of-entry softener with a point-of-use RO system, to remove the excess salt imparted in the softening ion exchange process.
Air purifiers for living rooms and bedrooms
For more serious cases of bad air, or when someone in the house suffers from allergies or breathing problems, an air purifier can be a huge boon. These units suck in the ambient air and forcibly filter and recirculate it, to keep airflow moving and constantly remove dust, airborne particulate, dead skin, dust mites, and other ambient contaminants.
Water filters for kitchens and bathrooms
Under-sink kitchen filters are common, but you can also place filters in the fixtures in your bathroom. Inline filters can be used underneath bathroom sinks, and many companies offer specialty shower filters to remove chlorine and other skin irritants from your bathing water. These can be very important investments for people with sensitive skin or any chemical allergies.
Specialty filters (e.g., for basements or garages)
There are a wide range of specialty filters you may also consider, depending on your needs. Deionization filters can be used for glass cleaning and saltwater aquariums, for instance, and can be set up in basements or garages for a variety of purposes. Custom whole-house systems can be designed and built to fit just about any set of filtration goals.
Conclusion
There has never been a better time to benefit from the array of filtration systems and options available on the market. As the air and water around us continue to suffer from human pollution, and more previously unknown synthetic chemicals enter into the water we drink and the air we breathe, filters will only become more important to maintaining good health. Do your research on what contaminants are lurking in your home, a
