Inlet filter, tap filter or filter kettle?

There are several important factors to consider when choosing the right home water filter. Each filtration system must be individually tailored to the client, based not only on the water analysis, but also on the desired volume or purpose of the filtered water.

Basic questions to ask before choosing a home water filter

Before approaching a dealer water filters, you should first of all make professional water analysis in an accredited laboratory and answer some important questions:

1. What types of pollution did the water analysis show?

2. Is the water cloudy, discoloured, bad tasting or smelly?

3. Is the source of drinking water a water main, a private well or a borehole?

4. What is the required volume of filtered water?

5. What is the purpose of water use?

For choosing the right water filter the first two points are of course the most important. On the basis of a water analysis, possibly taking into account bad taste or turbidity, the expert will determine, what types of impurities need to be removed from the water, and thus what filtration methods need to be used. These may be mechanical impurity filters, various water treatment plants, water disinfection, or a combination thereof. Determining the appropriate types of filtration and water treatment will ensure optimum water composition.

However, it is equally important to consider the source of drinking water, the volume and the purpose of its use. This will determine whether it is necessary to install complex inlet filtration in the building or, on the contrary, much simpler and cheaper tap filters or even a simple filter kettle will suffice.

Inlet water filtration

The inlet filter is a large volume filter system that is located at the main water inlet to the house. This means that all the water used in the building is filtered through it.

This is a relatively complex device and higher acquisition costs and more demanding maintenance must be taken into account. The size of the filter vessel must be selected with regard to the volume of water to be filtered in order to ensure a continuous supply of clean water to all pipes. The advantage is an unlimited source of drinking water of the highest possible quality and the possibility to combine any number of filters and water treatment plants according to the composition of the water and the client’s wishes.

When (not) to choose an inlet filter

The input filter is necessary if the you draw water from your own well or borehole, especially in year-round occupied houses. This high-volume filtration system ensures that quality, safe water flows from every tap. All the water in the building will thus be suitable for direct consumption and for cooking, personal hygiene, watering plants or cleaning. In addition, it will ensure a longer life for household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and coffee machines.

In contrast, the inlet filter is completely unnecessary if you are pumping water from a waterworks, water analysis has shown no abnormal levels of undesirable substances, the water is not cloudy or smelly. In the case of seasonally occupied holiday homes, this system may be unnecessarily oversized and often it is sufficient if the water is filtered by a so-called tap filter.

A battery filter is installed at a single tap, usually in the kitchen.

Faucet filter

Cock filters or point-of-use filters are installed at a specific tap, usually in the kitchen. Thus, untreated water flows from the remaining taps. These filters are usually installed under the sink, but there are also systems that are installed at the end of the tap, in which case the filter is located on the kitchen counter and has a lower volume of filter medium and therefore lower filtration reliability.

Most commonly, the filter media is activated carbon, which removes a wide range of contaminants and improves the taste and odor of the water. Some tap filters also offer multi-stage filtration with removal of mechanical impurities or microorganisms. Due to the low volume of water filtered, this filtration is not 100% and can only be considered as an option to improve the quality of tap water, not to solve proven problems. On the contrary, the advantage is the low price, compact size and easy installation, which can be done by yourself.

When (not) to choose a tap filter

A tap water filter is ideal for households that draw their water from the tap and are not satisfied with its quality, especially with the content of disinfectant chemicals. These impair the taste of the water and can cause health problems for more sensitive individuals. However, if the water is otherwise safe, there is no point in filtering the water throughout the building – only 2 per cent of the water is used for direct consumption.

On-site filtering can also be recommended for holiday homes with their own water source and low consumption, where the owners only need one source of drinking water in the kitchen and will use the remaining taps for drinking water – i.e. for watering or cleaning. However, this only applies if the water meets drinking water standards. This is because the battery filter contains a filter cartridge which has limited efficiency and cannot reliably remove dangerous types of pollution.

When, on the other hand, is a tap filter not enough? Especially if there are various microorganisms in your water or dangerous chemicals above the limit. Although a tap filter would provide you with a source of safe water for direct consumption, you should bear in mind that these hazardous substances can also endanger your health during personal hygiene.

Filter kettle

Filter kettles or carafes are stand-alone containers with filter medium, most commonly with a cartridge containing activated carbon. These vessels usually have a volume of up to 2 litres and the cheapest cost a few hundred crowns. The main advantage is the low purchase price and easy maintenance. Replacing filter cartridges is also much cheaper than replacing filter cartridges in water filters or buying bottled water. The disadvantages are low reliability and very limited volume of filtered water.

If you just want to improve the taste of the water and remove chlorine, a filter kettle will suffice.

When (not) to choose a filter kettle

Canister water filters can only be recommended for households that draw water from waterworks and want to improve the taste of drinking water. The carbon filter removes most chemicals including chlorine and small impurities that cause turbidity and odour. Given the low volume of water filtered in this way, a single filter vessel can provide a drinking regime for one person.

The filter cartridges are not 100% efficient and they cannot be considered as full filtration. So if you have a proven drinking water quality problem, choose a battery or inlet filter.

A few tips for choosing a filter in conclusion

Water quality in the Czech Republic is high, some households even have water that is comparable to bottled baby water. If, therefore water analysis has not shown contamination, consider only installing a filter for mechanical impurities, which removes microplastics and other small particles from water.

Trust only specialized companies and have the analysis done by an accredited laboratory. If you are drawing tap water from a line, you can get information on its composition from your local water company. Peddlers use various deceptive practices and fake water quality tests to sell you expensive and useless equipment. Typical examples are the sellers of reverse osmosiswhich completely degrades the quality of the water and produces undrinkable water.

Proper wiring and regular maintenance of filters are as important as their selection. If you do not clean the filters regularly and change the filter cartridges according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the filtration will not work properly.