The so-called devices that are mounted directly on the supply line( or side, or at the junction of pipes).By the way, in many houses there are two "routes" - GVS and HVS, so you will have to put devices on each one. The purpose of the main filters is the purification of water from various suspensions( mechanical impurities) and a number of chemical compounds. On the advisability of their purchase, it makes no sense, since everyone knows the quality of the water we receive from the highway. Sometimes it is enough only to look at its color, and no agitation is needed anymore.
That's why we will not be distracted by the questions of how harmful such water affects our health, reduces the lifetime of household appliances, kitchen utensils and the like. We'll figure out how to choose from among all the variety of offered products exactly what is best suited for us. Let's start with how to determine the feasibility of buying a particular filter model.
Degree of cleaning
With this characteristic, all main filters are divided into several classes. Much depends on the model of the cartridge, so all the features should be specified in the documentation for the device. Let us consider only general, typical properties of various designs.
Single-stage. They are also called "rough" devices. Almost all of them, who installed water consumption meters, boilers or columns, encountered them. The device is simple - inside the case there is a metal mesh that detains all suspensions( sand, rust particles) that come from the main. Convenient in that they do not require any operating costs. Grid enough to remove from the body and rinse with running water. Designed for mechanical cleaning only. The efficiency can reach 98%.
Two-stage - provide cleaning from smaller( microscopic) suspensions, odors, chlorine. They literally "brighten" the water.
Three-stage - except for the above mentioned, are able to soften water and remove "iron" from it. If there is a problem with intensive scale deposition, for example, in a teapot, then this is the optimal version of the filter.
Case
As a rule, it is either metal( "stainless steel", brass), or plastic( with additional reinforcement for stiffening).If the filter is purchased for installation in the "string" of hot water, then this should be noted. Not every plastic is capable of withstanding both heat and its extremes. The sphere of application of a particular model can be found out from her passport.
Cartridge
This is the name of the filter element itself. Various versions - corrugated, mesh, winding and a number of others. When choosing, you should focus on the chemical composition of water, which will have to be cleaned, since cartridges for universal use have not yet been invented.
Throughput
Almost all commercially available models for domestic use, it lies in the range of 20 - 50 l / min. The maximum water flow should be guided. For example, with simultaneous water paring from several points( 2 or more cranes are open).In addition to this, at the same time, any household equipment that also "consumes" water( washing or dishwasher, for example) is also included.
Each family has its own way of life, each house has its own characteristics, the number of people living in it and a number of other factors that affect the volume and intensity of water consumption. All this must be taken into account.
Pressure drop in the pipe after filter
This characteristic of the device is especially important for those who live on the upper floors of multi-unit buildings or outside settlements( on country plots if there is no autonomous water supply system).As a rule, in such dwellings there is insufficient pressure from the water coming from the main line. And if we add to this the pressure drop after the filter( its drop can be up to 0.5 bar), then its final value may exceed the critical value( minimum).And this, in turn, will negatively affect the work of some types of household appliances.
Therefore, when choosing the filter model you want to compare this characteristic with the features of the water pipe.
Dimensions
The main difficulty in installing trunk filters in urban apartments is the modest size of most of our kitchens and the availability of a headset. Therefore, placing the device inside any compartment causes some difficulties, especially if you take into account the hoses suitable for it. Plus - the need for "easy" access for maintenance. Therefore, there can not be a single recommendation - it is necessary to focus on local conditions.
Additional features of
You can find out about them from the accompanying documentation. For example, you do not need to disassemble the case for washing certain models. To do this, they have a special valve, which is controlled manually. There may be a device that allows you to reduce the pressure of incoming water with an excessively large head.
Manufacturers constantly work on various improvements, so you can find out all the "services" of a particular filter directly at the point of sale.
Practical advice
- Any cleaning element, depending on the design and specific application, from time to time requires either maintenance or replacement. Considering this, it is desirable to mount the main filter on the bypass( with the appropriate shut-off valve).In this case, it will not be necessary to completely shut off the supply of water to the housing while changing the cartridge or cleaning the mesh.
- Based on this, the filter installation location should be chosen so that access to it is free.
- Filters for DHW in terms of location are universal, so they can be mounted on the "thread" of the HVS.But devices designed to clean cold water on the "hot" line can be set not always. It depends on the characteristics of the particular model.
And lastly - even if the source is an artesian well, do not rely on absolute purity of water and confine yourself only to the filter that is installed before the pump. Additionally, the mounted device will never interfere.
