What topics should be given more attention when buying the best water purifier? How can the best water purifier be selected and purchased?

Buying the best water purifier requires sufficient knowledge about water purification systems. One of the most important problems that customers of water purifiers face is a lack of adequate awareness regarding the product they want to buy. In fact, the buyer does not know what factors to consider and what points to pay attention to when selecting the best and most suitable water purification system for their needs.

In this article, we intend to address the most important and common questions regarding RO water purifiers that every buyer and consumer should know. Stay with us until the end of this article.

What is Reverse Osmosis (RO)?

Reverse osmosis, often referred to as RO, is an advanced water purification method that was initially developed by the United States Navy to produce drinking water from seawater for submarine crews.

Reverse osmosis is a membrane filtration technology that works by forcing water through very fine pores of a semi-permeable membrane, which we commonly refer to as a membrane. Modern RO units for homes combine membrane technology with mechanical and carbon purification processes to produce high-purity and sweet water, which we call home RO water purifiers.

How does the reverse osmosis system work?

In simple terms, water from modern home systems enters the water purification system through the natural water pressure of the city. It passes through a pre-treatment fiber filter known as the first-stage filter. Using this water purification filter, any impurities and fine particles present in the water are removed and filtered out.

After the suspended solids in the water, sediments, sand, and mud are filtered out in the first stage, healthier water enters the second stage and then the third stage of RO water purification. In the second stage, a granular carbon filter is used, and in the third stage, a carbon block water purification filter is usually used. In these two stages, organic and chemical pollutants, including chlorine and its by-products, are removed and filtered from the drinking water.

Then the water moves towards the RO membrane, which is the most important part of the reverse osmosis water purifier. However, the RO membrane is a very tight and sheet-like filter. It has a very high precision of about 0.0001 microns.

In fact, water molecules cannot easily pass through this filter either. For this reason, a water purification pump is used to provide the necessary pressure for water to pass through the membrane.

In this way, water passes through the membrane. All harmful particles larger than or equal to 0.0001 microns are removed and filtered from the water. At this stage, impurities such as sodium, lead, and arsenic are completely removed from the drinking water.

However, the membrane even filters sodium, potassium, and magnesium from the drinking water, while the body and health require such minerals to a certain standard. What is the solution to this problem?

After the fourth stage of water purification, the purified water enters the water purification tank. As long as the consumer does not take water, it is stored in the tank. Finally, the water exits from the water purification tank. It enters the fifth stage of the device, where a carbon filter known as the post-carbon filter is used. The task of this filter is to improve the color and taste of the water.

And finally, the water enters the sixth stage of the device. Here, the problem of the minerals removed in the fourth stage is resolved. In the sixth stage, a mineral water purification filter is used to add the necessary minerals to the purified water. Ultimately, the consumer has access to healthy, purified, tasty, sweet, and clear water for consumption.

Which is the best reverse osmosis water purifier?

In fact, the manufacturing process of most membranes is quite similar. Therefore, the quality of the purified water they produce also has very little difference. Ultimately, depending on the materials used to manufacture a membrane, it can vary in quality from another model. As a result, in terms of lifespan, one may wear out sooner than the other.

In terms of the structure of the RO water purification system, they all purify water. The quality of the purified water depends on the membrane used in it. However, in terms of physical quality, they can differ. In some systems where more durable materials have been used to produce its parts, they have greater resistance to pressure, impacts, or water leakage.

Is an RO system like a distillation device?

While both RO systems and distillation devices effectively reduce dissolved solids in water, their working processes are completely different. RO water purification filters water through a very strong membrane. In contrast, a distillation device works by boiling water, capturing the steam, condensing it, and collecting the water obtained from the condensation of the steam. In this way, most impurities settle and remain in the boiling chamber.

To remove chemicals, both rely on carbon filtration. It is worth noting that inexpensive distillation devices often have little or no carbon filter, making them less effective.

Does distilled water have more purity than RO?

Distillation devices typically remove common mineral compounds like sodium. However, distillers are not effective when it comes to volatile chemicals with low boiling points. For example, chloramines, which many cities now use instead of chlorine as a disinfectant, are not effectively removed by distillation devices. However, reverse osmosis combined with carbon filters is very effective in removing chloramines.

Ultimately, it is important to know that both methods have high purity. While in the reverse osmosis method, the purity of the water is reduced using a mineral filter, thus adding the necessary minerals for the health of the body to the water. When buying the best water purifier, you must pay attention to its purity level. Pure water can cause many health problems for the consumer.

Is water wastage high in reverse osmosis systems?

This question depends on your perspective on water wastage. A home RO water purification system, like most other appliances that use water, uses water to clean and wash impurities. Considering that we also use water for washing clothes, dishes, cars, and toilet flushing, a reverse osmosis water purification system uses more water in its operation than what you actually consume. However, not to the extent that it significantly impacts your water bill.

However, the RO system only uses water to fill its storage tank. Once the tank is full, the water purifier shuts off. As a result, there will be no water wastage. - Imagine you go to the bathroom twice as much in a day.

What are the annual maintenance costs of an RO water purification system?

To ensure proper operation, only the first three-stage filters should be replaced twice a year, while the post-carbon and mineral filters should be replaced annually. Ultimately, the quality of the water and your consumption level determine the timing for filter replacement.

Depending on the model of the RO system and the duration of use, the annual cost for the first three filters and the last two water purification filters, based on the selected quality, will be between 100,000 to 300,000 tomans in total. The membrane filter, which needs to be replaced every two to three years, will cost between 200,000 to 800,000 tomans each time, depending on the selected membrane filter.

The importance of water pressure in buying the best RO water purifier

This matter is sensitive and essential. Water pressure is what forces water through the membrane to be purified and removes harmful substances in the water.

Low water pressure leads to reduced production and premature membrane fouling. The ideal pressure for operating a reverse osmosis system is 60 PSI. Pressure below 40 PSI is usually considered insufficient. As a result, it should be increased using a pressure booster pump. To have the best water purifier, you should pay attention to the pump installed on it.

Can I connect an RO water purifier to my refrigerator?

Yes, but only if you can reach the refrigerator with a quarter-inch pipe from the under-sink RO water purifier. The inlet water pressure is important for some refrigerators. Therefore, it is better to check this with the refrigerator manufacturer.

What is the lifespan of the best RO water purifier?

If you regularly service it and replace worn-out parts like the storage tank and faucet, it can practically be used forever. The typical lifespan of a membrane is about 2 to 3 years. Of course, it also depends on the quality of the water being purified.

Can the RO membrane filter chlorine?

In fact, the RO membrane does not remove chlorine. It does not need to do so. Several high-quality carbon filters perform this task. In fact, if you do not replace the carbon filters in the second and third stages on time and they become worn out, they will not be able to remove chlorine. As a result, chlorine enters the membrane. From the moment chlorine enters the membrane until the membrane is destroyed, you will not have much time. For this reason, you will incur several times the cost.

Does the RO water purifier remove the minerals necessary for the health of the body?

RO units remove about 95% of minerals. However, the issue of minerals is probably the most controversial question in drinking water purification. Experts on both sides of the issue argue convincingly. But given the ambiguities that exist, it is better to use a system that has a sixth-stage filter, namely a mineral filter.

Does the reverse osmosis system work with electricity?

Yes, due to the presence of an electric water purification pump in the reverse osmosis system, an adapter is used to provide the necessary power for it.

What is the reason for the popularity of the RO water purification system?

Since they produce very pleasant and healthy water at a reasonable price compared to buying bottled water, and they operate automatically and hassle-free.

In fact, this water purification system produces the best and healthiest drinking water.

Does a water softener damage the RO system?

No, in fact, a water softener can help extend the lifespan of the water purification membrane. Calcium and magnesium (lime scale) are two minerals that are difficult to filter through the membrane. A water softener can relieve the membrane from dealing with such issues.

Conclusion for selecting the best RO water purifier

In this article, we tried to address the most important and common questions about the best RO water purifier and explain them in detail. Every consumer or buyer should know the answers to these questions to make the best choices and the most correct actions regarding their drinking water situation.

Buy the best reverse osmosis water purifier.

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