Water filters are designed for varying degrees of filtration, and so they are classified according to the type of materials that are used in their construction as well as what type of contaminants they will filter out of your water supply.
The most simple type of water filter is the paper type of water filter. This kind of water filter gets rid of rust and dirt, and is best used for the purpose of filtering sand and rust from the water.
An activated carbon filter is probably the most common type of water filter and strains out dirt, rust, chlorine, and the taste and odor associated with old pipes. This kind of water filter is best suited for potable water.
A multi stage filter is better than a carbon filter because it uses more technology to filter out dirt, rust, chlorine, taste, odor, lead, and chemicals that you might find in your potable water. If you suspect that there is more in your water than just the garden variety kinds of contaminants, this is a great water filter to purchase.
A reverse osmosis filter gets rid of dirt, rust, chlorine, bad taste, odor, heavy metals, and nitrates. A reverse osmosis filters works by drawing the water through an extremely fine membrane and produces extremely finely filtered water. This is a slower process, and actually removes some of the minerals from your water supply that are essential for good health.
In conclusion, most water filters will filter approximately 2000 gallons of water before needing their cartridges to be replaced; and most of them work for both residential and commercial use. At George Salet, we recommend to talk to one of our plumbers about the quality of your pipes and the water supply in your area before you install a water filter. We also suggest that a separate dispenser be installed for filtered drinking water, or for your shower to cut down on purchasing too many filters. After all, there is no need to use filtered water to wash your hands or wash the dishes.