Water purifier buying guide: Things to consider before buying

Water Purifiers are an essential household appliance. Gone are the days, where people would drink water right out of the tap or at the most boil it. In today's world the impurities in water have risen exponentially, as such using higher technology to clean the water before making it fit for human health has become necessary.

Purification of water removes all the impurities, yes, but it also removes all the disease causing contaminants which are responsible for illnesses. Drinking impure water can cause diseases like jaundice. Some of the best water purifiers also add some elements in the water that are beneficial to our health.

Water purifiers also remove nitrates, pesticide and heavy metals and soften it for drinking. Especially now when everyone has become so aware towards their health, having a water purifier to take care of the water intake is of utmost importance. Drinking healthy water will help improve the immunity which will in turn help fight viruses and bacteria.

With so many options available to choose from, it can get a little intimidating to know which purifier to go for. So, we have got all the key factors sorted here for you to take a look on and know what all to consider before finding the perfect fit for your home!

Key aspects to look out for-

• Water Quality and TDS-

Before finding which purifier will suit you, you need to first evaluate and analyse the quality of water supplied at your home. Different areas get a different quality of water in the same city. You should consider the TDS ( total dissolved solids) present in the supply. A certain supply may be hard and contain many chemical contaminants like sulphates, nitrates and magnesium, which will not be visible to naked eyes. While the supply at another place might even be visibly contaminated, full of dirt and smell. Depending on the intensity of contamination, the purifier needed to remove those contaminants and the technology will change.

• Daily Consumption-

Another major aspect to consider is the water requirement of your household on a daily basis. If the requirement is higher, then you would require a purifier with a higher capacity that has more output. Buying a purifier that has lesser capacity than the requirement can keep the people waiting. Generally, non electric purifiers have lesser capacity.

• Electricity-

Electricity plays a vital role in deciding the water purifier. There are purifiers which can work without electricity. UV or RO purifiers will not be able to work without electricity. So, if you live in an area with power cuts then you should look for a purifier which can work without it or consumes less power, but does not compromise with the quality of output.

• Maintenance-

A purifier is used extensively throughout the year, so it is quite obvious that it will require proper servicing. A purifier needs to be maintained and cleaned regularly as the water output will directly affect the health of the consumers. Ideally a servicing every 4 months can suffice for a high technology water purifier.

• Budget-

Of Course finding a product well within your budget is going to be the priority. It is not wise to go for a purifier that does not sit in your budget. If the purifying is being done by a lower technology purifier finely enough for the water supply in your area, then going for a high technology purifier is of no use. Depending upon all your requirements set your budget and go for a brand that provides the best quality at reasonable prices. While you are defining your budget also consider the customer care services that you will require throughout the life of your purifier in addition to the water purifier price.

Types of Water Purifiers-

Now that you know what all you have to consider let us all also look at the various technologies that might suit your requirements.-

• Gravity Based Purifier-

A gravity based purifier works on the principle of gravity coupled with a filter to purify water. This purifier does not require electricity and is a great option for small towns and villages, or for places with less water requirements. This purifier is divided into sections. When the water transfers from one section to another all the impurities are left behind. It uses an activated carbon module to remove illness causing viruses and parasites. Some gravity purifiers also come with an ultrafiltration membrane which has pores of 0.1 micron which filter microorganisms.

• RO Water Purifier-

RO stands for reverse osmosis. Ro water purifiers require electricity to operate. It kills all the bacteria and microbes present in the water and removes their bodies from it. RO purifiers can also effectively remove the dissolved salts. These water purifiers can not work at normal water pressure and thus additionally use electricity to increase it. These also consist of a pre-filtration system to remove the dirt. However, these purifiers change the taste of water which might take some time for you to get used to.

• UV Water Purifier-

UV water purifiers are one of the most popular among the consumers. These use ultra violet (UV) rays to filter out the impurities. UV rays are known to effectively kill bacteria and microorganisms that cause diseases, but these can not remove dissolved salts. UV purifier also keeps the taste of the water untouched. However, the killed microbes remain suspended in the water, which is why UV technology is often used in combination with RO technology. On the brighter side, UV purifiers can work with normal water pressure.

• Alkaline Water Purifier-

Alkaline water purifiers are mostly known for dealing with the acid present is water that can pose danger to your health. These neutralize the acid present in the water, making the water alkaline. Alkaline water purifiers increase the pH level of water making it fit for drinking. This filter does not require electricity, so it is another option for the people who live at places with electricity issues.

• Ultra Filtration Water Purifier-

Ultrafiltration (UF) water purifiers consist of a membrane with fine fibres which can separate water and impurities. The suspended particles, impurities and microbes stick to the membrane as the water moves forward, rendering itself clean. It works in a manner close to RO, but it can not remove the particles as small as RO does. UF is ideal for places with less or no chemical contamination, as it can not remove chemicals and neither can it work with hard water.

Conclusion:

These were all the things you should consider before investing in a purifier. Most of the types and technologies mentioned above work well in combination as the water supply has all kinds of contaminants. So, while finalizing your purifier do not simply look for any one type of purifier, look for a combination of technologies that will get you the healthiest water for drinking and keep you hydrated..!

Water Purifier: FAQs

Q.Which is the best water purifier to buy?

A. Water purifiers based on RO+UV technology are considered to be the best to invest in. Also, choosing the right brand plays a key role in selecting the best purifier for drinking water.

Q. Which water purifier is good for home?

A. Kent, Aquaguard, Blue Star, AO Smith and Eureka are some of the best selling water purifier brands today in the Indian market. These products are highly rated for their technology, price and pure drinking water.

Q. What is the price of water purifier?

A. The price of a water purifier depends on a lot of factors such as the brand, capacity, technology used, design, power consumption and more. The starting price ranges from INR 1500 /-.