Pros and Cons of Point-of-Use Water Filters

PROS AND CONS OF POINT-OF-USE WATER FILTERS (COPY)

January 21, 2022RH Business Marketing Solutions

When searching to implement any kind of water filtration system many consumers will opt for a point-of-use (POU) filter. These types of water filters are the most customizable variations for multiple different outlets in a home. 

Some POU water filters even supply alkaline components directly to a tap outlet, depending on what the consumer may want.

As with any kind of product, the different point-of-use filters each has its own advantages and disadvantages. 

TYPES OF POINT-OF-USE WATER FILTERS

There are several different types of point-of-use water filters out there, some more efficient than others. Deciding on which of these is a fit may come down to what advantages can be gleaned from them.

WATER FILTER PITCHERS AND COVER COUNTERTOP

Maybe the most recognizable water filter out there is the tabletop pitcher. It’s a point-of-use water filter that relies on gravity to guide the water through a filtering media usually in the form of activated carbon.

Cover countertop filters are similar to pitcher filters but may come with a few extra features. There are versions of cover countertops that use ceramic filtering media which are very efficient at cleaning many contaminants out of water. Filters such as these are highly portable and very easy to maintain and use with not much installation needed to get them started. 

The disadvantage of pitchers as filters is that they don’t purify water as effectively as some larger filtration systems. Some might find both pitchers and countertop cover filters as aesthetically unpleasing, and may want a filter that is not visible. The issue of manually changing filter cartridges for pitchers or cleaning out the ceramic medium, might also be undesirable. 

UNDER SINK WATER FILTERS

As the name implies, these water filters are to be installed under the sink. It’s not restricted to the kitchen sink even, as any sink can have a filter like this, provided there is enough room. What is highly advantageous about an under-the-sink filter is that it can clean out much more contaminants, like heavy metals and chlorine. 

The size of an under-the-sink water filter permits it to hold multiple layers of filtering media, like a sediment filter, activated carbon, and reverse-osmosis all in line with each other. It’s extremely convenient to have a water filter so powerful, all while it stays out of view. The cartridges or medium only require maintenance once a year, says BOS, so there is less hassle with replacing them. 

However useful an under-the-sink filter might be, it does come with some disadvantages of its own. For one, installation is a far trickier endeavor than with a simple countertop, and professional plumbing work may be needed. There is also the issue of space, as an under the sink filter will require some extra room. The last con to be stacked against a filter like this, is price, as it can be quite costly of an investment. 

FAUCET, SHOWER, AND FRIDGE FILTERS

Other point-of-use filtration systems are ones that can be mounted directly on the water outlet. The flexibility of these types of filters is very well seen in the many forms that they come, to fit any kind of outlet, from faucets, showerheads to fridge dispensers. 

Outlet mounted water filters typically use activated charcoal as a filtering medium, and can take out unpleasant tastes and odors caused by chlorine. This kind of filter is highly affordable, even more so than countertop filters. Even though some installation is required to get them working, it is surprisingly easy to mount them on their respective outlets. 

Probably the biggest disadvantage many cite in regards to faucet and shower filters is their appearance. Some indeed look a little chunky on the water tap, or on the showerhead. When it comes to functionality, there are bigger more efficient water filters that are capable of cleaning more unwanted pollutants from water. 

IT COMES DOWN TO YOUR WATER QUALITY…

Most of the time, the choice between which type of point-of-use water filter to implement in a home comes down to the water quality available in a specific area, and budgetary constraints. Some regions will have higher quantities of contaminants in the water that must be cleaned away before it can be used. Other times it’s more an issue of taste and smell that may require filtration.

Author Bio:
Dur-e-Sabih provides ghostwriting and copywriting services. Her educational background in Accountancy helps her in tackling topics ranging from career and business productivity to web development, finance, and digital marketing.