11 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Water Filters

In the wake of increasing water pollution, ageing infrastructure and high contaminant ratio; the need for a water filter is getting more critical, and it is becoming an essential appliance in every household and office. Either you use well water or city water; you need to buy a water filtration system to ensure that you are drinking pure and healthy water. Not every one of us knows the ins and outs of a water filter and can end up purchasing a wrong one. It can result in loss of money, less supply of water or irrelevant filtration capacity.

In this article, we are going to discuss the top 11 mistakes to avoid while buying water filters. By acting on the following suggestions, you will get a most relevant water filter which will go a long way with you, meet your daily water needs, and supply you with pure and hygienic water.

Top 11 Mistakes to Avoid when Buying Water Filters

1. Buying water filters without getting your water tested

A lot of people don’t test their water before buying a water filter. You need to get your water tested before purchasing a water filtration machine. You can use a DIY home testing kit or collect the samples and get it tested from a laboratory. The tests done by a lab are more reliable as they have advanced technology and are also closely watched by relevant authorities for transparency.  Once you have the results in your hand, only then start looking for water filter. Match the contaminants with the product description; confirm that the filter can remove all the contaminants from the water. Another way to get your water tested is to look for a company which offers free water testing when you buy their filters. Be vigilant while doing this as some sales representative can sell you an overpriced product for their commission.

2. Don’t look for cheap units

You may be tempted to buy a cheap unit considering the insane saving it offers you at the time of the initial purchase. You may need a high tech unit depending upon the contaminants in your water. It may also happen that you will have to spend a lot on maintenance later on. Common problems related to cheap, low-quality units are drop in the water pressure, poor filtration capacity and capability.

3. Don’t buy so much high-tech units

Some people are very choosy about water filters and want the best protection for their family. They are so worried and confused about water quality that they end up with a high priced RO system with UV purification light. The water in their area may not need such an advanced water filter; all they wanted to be a simple 3 stage filtration system which would filter sediment, remove chlorine, some chemicals, taste and odor from water.

4. Not looking for certifications like WQA, and NSF

Whenever you are buying a water filter, always look for certifications like NSF, and WQA. NSF stands for National Sanitation Foundation, and WQA is Water Quality Association, both of these are leading bodies for water filtration and ensure that the manufacturers strive to achieve the best filtration standards. Certified water filters are always better than the uncertified ones.

5. Not buying according to your specific needs

Some people may end up buying a wrong water filter just by being impressed by the reviews or the sales person’s convincing power. For example, you may not need a shower filter, and you end up with one anyway because you got convinced that you are getting hard water at your home. The best remedy for hard water is to use a water softener for the whole house so that every faucet gets soft water and your appliances stay safe. Another example is that you are a family of 2 and our daily consumption is just 18-20 cups, and you buy an expensive under the sink or countertop unit, which is a vain investment. For a small family or a couple, a water filter pitcher is an excellent option.

6. Miscalculating the water needs

Another common mistake a lot of people make is a miscalculation of their water needs. They buy a small water filter and then end up being disturbed about the flow rate and the filtration capacity. As the frustration piles up, they start to give negative reviews about the product and spread negative word of mouth. We don’t want this to happen with you, make sure you estimate your monthly need and then invest in a water filter. It will save you from slow flow rate problems.

7. Installation area space problems

Just imagine you brought a new water filter and you are now facing the space problem at the installation area. For example, you wanted to install an under sink water filtration system, and the space under your sink is small than the size of the filter. What would you do now? Get the filter replaced or make alterations in your kitchen; both are a big hassle. A lot of people make such mistakes; they don’t measure the space and unit’s dimensions, don’t know whether they have electric sockets there or the size of the plumbing is compatible with the filter. Match the dimensions of the filter and space where you want to install it and make sure that all the facilities your filter needs are available.

8. Don’t go for tall claims

Some sellers, marketers and manufacturers make tall and bizarre claims about their products just to grab a customer. On the other hand, the product is just a showoff and does not possess the features being sold to you. We recommend that you do some research on a specific product before buying, read reviews, discuss your concerns with the seller and then make the actual purchase. Always look for a water filter with some sort of warranty.

9. Don’t rely on reviews only

Asking for a recommendation from someone in your circle is a great way to know about a specific product. People who have used a water filter can tell you about the pros and cons in details. You need to match your water needs and the water quality with them as well. If your water requirement and the quality is the same, you can buy the same filter. Buying a water filter on a mere recommendation without going in the minute details can be a big error.

10. Not looking at the water pressure

This mistake is particularly related to people using private well systems. You need to check the well water pressure compatibility with the filter before purchasing it. If the well pump produces less water than the filtration unit needs to work effectively, the flow rate of filtered water will be very slow, and it will be a nuisance for you.

11. Not looking at the maintenance and operating cost

You may be tempted to buy an inexpensive water filter which has a low initial cost but a hidden high maintenance cost. The replacement filters may be overpriced, and you won’t have any other solution but to buy the costly replacement filters. Some filters are also difficult to clean; wash and reassemble, and you may need help from professionals in such matters. Some water filters also consume a lot of energy to run, and they, in turn, increase your electric bill. Some filters may look expensive but are durable and work for more time as compared to the cheap ones. You can’t really tell about it until you have used a certain water filter. Water filters need regular maintenance. An advanced filter with 6 or 7 stages may need filter replacement at different times because every filter haves a different lifespan and working capacity. You need to select a unit which has a simple replacement technique like twisting. Make sure you buy a unit that comes with all the tools needed for maintenance and installation. Another thing to consider in this domain is the company’s customer service; poor customer service and slow response will cause you problems in the long run.

Final Word