Clean water is a requirement that any household needs, and yet with all of the methods of filtration available, deciding which one will best fit your needs can be a challenge. Two of the most common methods used are reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon filtration. Although the two products are both designed to enhance water, they work in varying ways. The following article will explain how each of these technologies works and summarize their similarities so that homeowners can make the best choice.
Learning About Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Reverse osmosis is an extremely efficient filtration process that is used to clean impurities out of water by filtering it through a semi-permeable membrane. The membrane itself acts as the filter, and the water molecules pass through but keep impurities like heavy metals, salts, bacteria, and other dissolved contaminants out.
Why RO is unique is because it purifies water to such an extent that it removes 99% of impurities. But in its harsh operation of purification, it even removes healthy minerals from the system. RO machines also require pre-filters and after-filters to operate most effectively and waste some quantity of water in the process, thus are not so impeccable for eco-friendly dwellers without modifications such as permeate pumps.
What are Activated Carbon Filters?
Activated carbon filters work very differently. Instead of a membrane, these use highly porous carbon that traps impurities. Water passes through the carbon, while in the process, impurities such as chlorine, pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and some sediment adhere to the surface of the carbon by adsorption.
Activated carbon excels at improving taste and odor of water, compensating for typical faults like chlorine smell. It is not as efficient at removing dissolved solids, heavy metals, or bacteria. It therefore is a wonderful choice to improve aesthetic water quality, but less where water sources are highly contaminated.
Main Differences Between Reverse Osmosis and Activated Carbon
While RO and activated carbon serve the same purpose, i.e., filtration, they are far apart in mechanism and application. The biggest difference is the nature of impurities they remove. RO offers a generalized solution, which is best applicable for household purposes that need to be shielded from heavy impurities like lead or arsenic. Activated carbon is applicable when dealing with organic chemicals and taste/odor water treatment.
The second difference relies on cost and maintenance. RO systems are more expensive to buy and need professional installation and replacement of filters. Activated carbon systems are lower in cost and less maintenance since they are within the reach of more homeowners.
Water output is another area of difference. Reverse osmosis systems are more low in filtration rates due to the complexity of the process, while carbon filters provide the possibility of quicker access to filtered water. Property owners who also concern themselves with wasting water can utilize carbon filters, since RO systems can waste water without optimization.
What Should You Choose?
The right high-quality whole home filtration systems for your home depends on your customized needs. If you have most issues with big impurities like heavy metals or if you need ultra-filtered water for specific appliances or medical purposes, reverse osmosis will be the best fit.
However, if you wish to upgrade municipally treated water’s quality in terms of taste and smell, and you desire something not as expensive with lesser maintenance responsibilities, activated carbon filters can be best suited for your home.
Investing in the proper filtration system is the same as having good health and peace of mind for you and your family. Begin by assessing your water quality and deciding what is most important to you in a filtration system. Clean water begins with choosing the solution that best suits your home.
