Water purifier: what use? How to choose it?

There are several types of water purifiers, which are devices that purify tap water for drinking and / or use in the home. This, once filtered, is then of better quality, odorless and tasteless, even without chemicals and harmful components. Let's take stock of the different models of water purifiers, their usefulness and discover our advice on making the right choice.

What are water purifiers used for?

Water purifiers make it possible to filter tap water and make it more pleasant to drink, but also healthier for watering plants, cleaning your house or giving water to your animals.

Filtered water is healthier for the health, it is less mineralized, which is preferable for the well-being of the body. The pH is also maintained between 6 and 6.5, which is more comfortable for the body. In addition, tap water is thus free of a large number of chemical pollutants, including pesticides, heavy metals, antibiotics and hormones. The risk of allergies and skin reactions is reduced thanks to some models, which allows washing without worry.

What are the different models of water purifiers?

There are several models of water purifiers. Here are the main ones.

The filter jug

The filter jug remains one of the simplest and cheapest systems for filtering tap water for drinking. All you have to do is fill the water tank, which will be immediately filtered by the carafe cartridge. On the other hand, this solution is especially practical for the consumption of water to drink, because the carafe filters only between 1 and 5 liters and it is necessary to replace the cartridges every 10, 20 or 30 days according to use.

The under-sink purifier

The under-sink purifier is connected to the urban network and makes it possible to treat the water which supplies the house and which thus passes through several filters (activated carbon, phosphates, chlorine, sand filter, etc.). These discreet models can be placed in the sink cabinet, but they take up space. They filter out elements like limestone, chlorine, drugs, bacteria, pesticides, heavy metals and radioactive elements. It is a very complete and practical way to make water clean for regular consumption.

The purifier on tap

These lighter models are unsightly. If they do not filter the lime, they are still effective and inexpensive. On the other hand, these are cartridge models that need to be replaced between 2 and 4 times a year.

Softener

The softener is a device that purifies the water from the limestone. It reduces the quantity to soften the water and allow its use for household appliances and plumbing. It's a good way to extend the life of your devices and to wash with healthier, less hard and less irritating water. On the other hand, it does not make the water drinkable. This device thus treats the water of the whole house, but it is necessary to equip its washbasins and sinks with double taps in order to be able to consume the water.

How to choose your water purifier?

To choose the right water purifier, you must first of all question your water needs, especially in quality, and your use.

If you only want to improve the quality of the water in your home without consuming it, a softener is the best option. This device can be installed from the design of a new house or is added to a house already built to remove limescale from the water. In this way, your household appliances that consume water will be better preserved from the effects of limestone and their lifespan will be extended. In addition, by washing with purer water, you reduce the risk of skin and hair dryness, but also allergies and reactions of all kinds. The skin of babies and people with eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions will appreciate this significantly softer and less irritating water.

To consume tap water, it is better to opt for the other options, combined with a water softener or alone. It all depends on your needs, your financial means and your habits. To purify your water over time, a carafe is sufficient. For higher consumption, the under-sink purifier is the most discreet and the faucet model is also practical, although less aesthetic. These devices filter a large amount of harmful components, but the filters or cartridges must be changed more or less frequently.

You can also choose to combine several types of purifiers to better filter the water for the whole house. In this case, opt for a softener to combine with a filter jug or a purifier under the sink or on a tap.