Water Purifier 8 Criteria to Consider When Choosing
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Today, fluctuations in the quality of municipal water and the rising costs of carboy water are driving many families towards home water treatment systems. More than 60% of consumers use home water treatment systems to protect their drinking water from harmful contaminants. If you want to install a long-lasting and budget-friendly system that will ensure the health of your family, water purifier 8 criteria to be considered when choosing should be examined with great care. Especially in a geography such as Turkey, which is among the countries experiencing water stress with the amount of water per capita per year 1.430 - 1.519 m³, efficient and clean use of water is of vital importance. In this context, TurkStat data also shows us that the protection of our water resources and individual treatment solutions are not a luxury but a necessity.
This guide, which we have prepared for parents, homeowners and office managers who are looking for water purifier advice, will help you make the right decision by simplifying complex technical terms.
Water Purifier 8 Important Items You Should Consider When Choosing
The global water purifier market is estimated to reach a value of $ 48.1 billion by 2025. In this huge market, we have prepared a checklist (checklist) that you can use before purchasing to find the most suitable one for your needs by standing out among hundreds of brands and models:
| 8 Criteria Checklist | Evaluation / Status |
|---|---|
| 1. Is there Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology? | 🟩 Essential for treatment quality |
| 2. Are the filters coconut shell? | 🟩 Important for water taste and clarity |
| 3. Does it contain mineral/alkali filter? | 🟩 Mandatory for healthy pH balance |
| 4. Is the device design compact (closed case)? | 🟩 Leakage risk and space saving |
| 5. Is there a motor suitable for mains pressure? | 🟩 Necessary to prevent wastage of waste water |
| 6. Does it have NSF/WQA certificates? | 🟩 International health approval |
| 7. Is the daily capacity (GPD) sufficient? | 🟩 Suitability for household consumption |
| 8. Is there a widespread service network and warranty? | 🟩 Long-term assurance of use |
Let us now examine these critical items in more detail.
1) Treatment Technology and Number of Stages
Among the household water purifiers sold, reverse osmosis (RO) technology is by far the most preferred system with a 54% market share. The reason for this is that this system is able to remove heavy metals, lime, chlorine and microorganisms from water at the microscopic level. In order to fulfil a standard treatment expectation, the device must have a filtration system with at least 5 or 6 stages. The quality of the treatment technology is the most fundamental element that directly determines the degree of purity of the water.
2) Filter Quality and Material
The source of filter materials are the hidden heroes that determine the quality of water. Especially the quality of activated carbon filters that regulate the taste and odour of water is very important. The best water treatment brands in the sector use high iodine capacity materials produced from 100% coconut shell (Coconut Shell) in carbon filters. The membrane filter, which performs the main filtration process, is selected from original, high quality materials, avoiding imitations, and ensures that harmful substances are prevented by 99%.
3) Mineral and Alkali Filter Requirement
While reverse osmosis systems perfectly purify water, they can also leach beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which are essential for the human body. According to water purifier standards recommended by doctors, continuous consumption of pure water can increase body acidity. For this reason, there must be a mineral filter or alkaline filter in the 6th or 7th stage of the device. These filters revitalise the water and support the immune system by pulling the pH value of the water between 6.5 and 8.5, which is the ideal range for human health.
4) Appliance Design: Undercounter, Compact and Dispenser Models
Looking at consumer trends and real user comments on forum sites, lack of space under the counter, messy cable appearance and leakage problems are the biggest complaints. To avoid these problems, closed case water purifiers (compact models) is the ideal solution. These models, which collect all filters in a single stylish box, prevent possible water leaks. For offices or large kitchens, water purified water purification dispenser models that can offer both hot and cold water provides great practicality.
5) Selection of Pumped and Pumpless Device According to Mains Pressure
Water pressure is one of the most technical issues that determine the efficiency of the treatment device. If the mains pressure in your home is below 4 bar (especially in high-rise buildings), it is imperative that you choose a pumped water purifier. Unpumped devices operating at low pressure produce excessive amounts of wastewater because they cannot pass water through the membrane.
| Feature | Pumped (Motorised) Device | Pumpless Device |
|---|---|---|
| Principle of Operation | Increases water pressure with motor | Works only with mains pressure |
| Required Mains Pressure | Doesn't matter (also works at low pressure) | Minimum 4 bars and above |
| Waste Water Rate | Low, prevents water wastage | If the pressure is low, the waste water rate increases a lot |
| Electricity Consumption | Consumes a very low amount of electricity | No electricity required |
| Price | Relatively higher | More suitable |
6) International Certificates for Reliability (NSF, WQA etc.)
It is not enough for a treatment device to claim that it is suitable for health; these claims must be proven by independent organisations. Certificates showing that the plastic parts of the device in contact with water and the filters do not contain carcinogenic substances are vital. When buying a device, choosing NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) or WQA certified products, which is a global authority on water quality, means guaranteeing the health of yourself and your family.
7) Daily Treatment Capacity (GPD) and Tank Volume
GPD (Gallons Per Day), which indicates the performance of the devices, means daily treatment capacity. A standard household appliance usually has a capacity of 75 GPD (approx. 280 litres), which is more than enough to meet the cooking, tea and drinking water needs of a family of 4-5 people. However, in areas where water shortages are common, the volume of the water tank is also very important; usually models with steel tanks between 8 and 12 litres are a saviour for households.
8) After Sales Support, Warranty and Maintenance Costs
Water purifier When buying is usually focused only on the initial purchase cost; however, the main attention should be paid to the operating cost of the device. Annual periodic maintenance and water treatment filter replacement costs should be at a level that will not tire your budget. Having a wide technical service network, customer representative can be easily reached and at least 2 years to work with brands that offer a full warranty, you may experience in the long term will prevent headaches.
Basic Concepts: What is TDS Value and Reverse Osmosis?
In order to make the right choice in the market, mastering some technical terms allows you to make the right decisions like a water quality expert. TDS Value (Total Dissolved Solids) is the measure of total solids (minerals, salts, metals) dissolved in water in milligrams/litre (ppm). For a healthy and tasty drinking water, the device is expected to reduce this value to 10 to 50 ppm levels.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) is the name of an advanced technology system in which water is filtered through a semi-permeable membrane with 0.0001 micron (millions of times smaller than a hair) pores with the help of mains pressure (or pump). This technology separates heavy metals, bacteria, pesticides and chlorine by 99% and removes them from the waste water line.
| Filter Sequence | Filter Name | Pollutants Cleaned | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Sediment Filter | Sand, mud, rust, dust | Retains coarse deposits |
| Phase 2 | GAC Carbon Filter | Chlorine and chemicals | Removes bad colour and odour |
| Phase 3 | CTO Carbon (Block) | Fine sediment and chlorine residues | Protects the membrane filter |
| Stage 4 | RO Membrane Filter | Heavy metals, bacteria, lime | Forms the essence of water, 99% purifies |
| Stage 5 | Post Carbon (Flavouring) | Taste from the water tank | Adds flavour and softness to water |
| Stage 6 | Mineral / Alkaline Filter | Pure water acidity | Adds useful minerals to water, balances pH |
Rainwater Water Purifiers Suitable for Your Needs
If you are looking for systems that meet all of the 8 critical criteria detailed above and focus on user health, you are at the right address. Our under-counter water treatment solutions, which do not take up space in your kitchen thanks to their compact designs, protect the pH balance of water with alkaline filters and have stylish designs, have equipment that you can use safely for many years. You can reach clean water effortlessly thanks to both closed case under-counter models for your home and purified dispensers for your office.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which is the most popular water purifier?
Today, the most preferred water purifiers are Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems with a closed case (compact) design that takes up little space in the kitchen, low wastewater rate and 5-6 stages. Looking at user reviews, material quality and price-performance ratios; It is seen that brands such as Philips, LG, Arcelik, Waternet, Ihlas, Sumosu and Rainwater stand out in the sector with their service assurance. Device prices vary according to whether it is with or without a pump and additional functions such as digital display and smart filter tracking.
How many filters should the best water purifier have?
According to experts and "Doctors recommended water purifier" standards, the ideal device should have at least 5-stage filtration system (Sediment, GAC Carbon, CTO Carbon, RO Membrane and Post Carbon). However, since the purification process also filters the useful minerals in the water, 6 or at most 7-stage systems with "Alkaline" or "Mineral Filter" as the 6th stage are the most accurate and healthy choice for human health and protection of the pH balance of water (6.5 - 8.5).
Which is the best quality water purification filter?
The best quality water treatment filters are activated carbon filters with high iodine capacity for the pre-treatment phase, chemical-free and produced from 100% Coconut Shell. For the main filtration process, approved and original membrane filters that filter 99% of even the most stubborn harmful substances with microscopic (0.0001 micron) pores represent the highest quality in the sector.
