4 of the Best RO Water Filter Features to Check
Choosing a new water filter introduces all sorts of questions. Do you want to go the cheap route, and only address chlorine in your tap water? Or do you want more detailed filtration, and something that tackles even the toughest contaminants and chemicals? Reverse osmosis, or RO water filters, are great because they give you a lot of mileage at a reasonable price. But like all types of water filter models, each unit has its own set of features. You need to make sure your investment will give you the right benefits.
Here’s What the Best RO Water Filters Include
The reverse osmosis process is incredibly powerful—but home RO water filters aren’t all the same across the board. A rigorous amount of testing and additional filtration options help ensure you’re getting exactly what you want and need for your family.
1. NSF Certified
When you go with an RO filter that’s passed the NSF International tests, you can trust that all of those claims from the manufacturer valid. For point-of-use RO systems, this means that your filter will have gone through intensive testing and passed five key requirements. Just keep in mind that NSF certification is different than the phrase “Tested to NSF Standards.” Only complete certification will check every box about a filter’s contaminant reduction claims, accurate marketing, and overall product quality.
2. Removes PFOA/PFOS
Many RO water filters work to reduce dangerous contaminants like lead and heavy metals. But there are some things that require a more advanced RO filtration process. Homeowners who want to remove PFAS (also known as “forever chemicals,” or the compounds PFOA and PFOS) need to go with an RO filter that is specifically NSF-certified to make a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim. PFAS can cause various immune system problems and negatively impact our overall health. Removing these chemicals is an important part of having clean, safe water.
3. Whole Home Water System
Another way to make your RO system go even further is to have it be part of a whole home water system. These solutions pair drinking water filtration with a water softener—and typically one that has chlorine removal. The result is fresh, chlorine-free water at every tap! This helps keep your RO filter running its best. The first stage of filtration is usually removes the taste and odor of chlorine. If your water refiner is already dealing with chlorine removal during the water softening process, then your RO system’s carbon filter will last much longer.
4. Smart Features
The last features to look for with your new RO filter are any of those “smart” upgrades. These will be all about efficiency. For example, one of today’s leading RO filters is specially designed to reduce water waste during the filtration process. This can help you feel better about your family’s environmental impact, all while protecting your budget for your home’s water bills.
Another feature to keep in mind is whether you want to have your system keep track of your filter replacement schedule for you. A smart display can show you exactly how much longer your filters will be good for, so you won’t ever be without great-tasting and safe drinking water!
Want an RO Filter for Your Home?
Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when talking with your local water filtration company is that you have options. We always recommend selecting a system that’s NSF-certified. Giving your family chlorine-free water all throughout your kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom taps is a good idea too. But ultimately, the choice is yours. Just make sure you know what you’re getting!
If you want to discuss the pros and cons of RO filtration for your home, we’d love to help. As the Indianapolis local water softening and filtration experts, Indy Soft Water is here to give you all the information you need to move forward! Send us a message today to learn more.