The Best Water Filters for VOC Removal

The potential for exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is one of the most important reasons that home water filtration systems are so important. The term VOC is used to describe a wide variety of chemicals that manage to find their way into the drinking water supply. These compounds originate from various sources, such as industrial solvents, manufacturing processes, septic systems, pesticides, dry cleaning, etc. A variety of health problems are attributed to the presence of VOCs in the water supply. Ingestion of these types of substances can have a negative impact on liver, kidney, and nervous system functions. When inhaled or absorbed through the skin, these substances can cause inflammation of both skin and lungs.

There are measurable VOCs present in the drinking water of the vast majority of states in the U.S., as well as in many other locations around the world. Because these substances are so prevalent, and because they are so dangerous, it’s important to select a water filter system that has been proven effective at removing them from your water supply. Some of the most popular home filtration products do not provide any protection against VOCs. Filters that depend solely on activated carbon to decontaminate the water supply are not designed to remove these types of contaminants. The popular Brita water filters and PUR water filters, for example, are not designed for VOC filtration. Aqusana filters use a patented dual filtration technology that targets VOCS, and are rated to have greater than 99% accuracy when it comes to eliminating these types of chemicals.

Consider the Per Gallon Cost of Water Filter Systems

When researching the cost of water filter systems, it’s a good idea to break your cost comparisons down into the smallest possible component. In the long run, the most important issue regarding the cost of water filtration is how much each gallon of filtered water your family uses will cost. It’s a good idea to narrow your choices to those brands and model filters that effectively remove chlorine, lead, and other common and dangerous contaminants, and then compare usage cost on a gallon by gallon basis.

Comparing the Per Gallon Cost of Water Filter Systems

• Aquasana (model AQ-4000): 9 cents per gallon
• Amway water filters (model E-5199): 9.6 cents per gallon
• Culligan water filter (model SY-2300): 10 cents per gallon
• Brita water filters (faucet): 20 cents per gallon
• PUR water filters (Plus, model FM-3000): 20 cents per gallon
• Brita water filters (pitcher): 25 cents per gallon
• Kenmore water filter (Deluxe, model 38465): 9.8 cents per gallon

The Best Water Filters for TCE Removal

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a highly dangerous contaminant that sometimes leaches into the drinking water supply via underground storage takes. Similar to chloroform, TCE is commonly utilized as a degreasing agent in manufacturing applications. It can be either colorless or blue, and poses a serious health hazard if consumed. Exposure to TCE through the drinking water supply can cause liver damage and lead to an increased risk of certain types of cancers.

Some water filters target can effectively remove TCE, and other do not. It's important to carefully compare water filters so that you are aware of exactly what substances the unit you select is able to remove, and to what degree of accuracy. Neither PUR water filters nor pitcher-style Brita water filters are designed to remove TCE at all. Several brands of filters provide effective TCE filtration, ranging from 98 to more than 99 percent accuracy, including Aquasana, Amway, Kenmore, Brita faucet filters, and Culligan water filters.

The Best Water Filters for Benzene Removal

Benzene is among the most dangerous of all water contaminants. This chemical is used in a variety of manufacturing processes, and is also often used in dry cleaning and printing. This substance can end up in the drinking water supply through industrial spills as well as through ground water contamination. Benzene is a known carcinogen. Ingestion of Benzene can lead to problems with both the immune and nervous system, and is also believed to cause anemia. Repeated exposure to the substance over a long period of time can cause chromosomal abnormalities.

When seeking to compare water filters, it's important to consider how effectively the brands and models you are considering filter out Benzene. The Aquasana AQ-4000 water filter is able to remove more than 99% of Benzene from contaminated water. The model SY-2300 Culligan water filters are rated at 99% effectiveness with filtering this substance. Brita faucet filters are 96% effective with Benzene removal, but the pitcher style Brita water filters are not designed to offer Benzene filtration.

Water Filters that Fight MBTE Contamination

Methyl-t-butyl ether ( MTBE) is finding it’s way into the drinking water supply at an alarming rate. This fuel additive is commonly used in unleaded gas as a means of reducing ozone and carbon monoxide emissions. While not directly added to water supplies, MTBE manages to work its way into the drinking water supply via air pollution from exhaust fumes, groundwater contamination, emissions from boat engines, underwater storage tank leakage, and via other methods.

While the exact human health impact of MTBE consumption hasn’t yet been determined, it’s certain that this is not a substance that people need to ingest. However, many brands of water filters do not filter this substance out of the drinking water supply. To thoroughly compare water filtration systems, make sure you investigate whether or not the models you are considering purchasing is proven to be an effective MTBE water filter.

Among the most popular brands of home water filtration systems, Aquasana and Culligan water filters are the only ones proven to remove MTBE from water. Aquasana’s performance ratings indicate an efficacy rate of greater than 93 percent with this substance. Culligan filters are rated at 90% MTBE removal effectiveness. Because MTBE contamination is such a growing an important concern, it’s important to consider this substance when selecting a water filter system for your home.

Comparing Water Filtration to Distillation

There are significant differences between water that has been filtered and water that has been distilled. Up until the 1970s, distillation was a proper technique for water purification, but is now considered to be much less effective than filtration.

How Does Distillation Work?

The distillation process is not considered to be the most efficient way to decontaminate water, nor is it the most cost-effective solution to the problem of drinking water contamination. Distilling water requires two containers and a series of tubes. Contaminated water is heated to it’s boiling point, and steam from the water is transferred, through the tubes, into an other container, where it condenses into liquid form. The idea behind the distillation process is to leave all of the contaminants behind in the original container, resulting in fresh clean water in the second container.

Distillation does effectively remove contaminants that have a higher boiling point than water, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and some minerals. However, this technique does not remove chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or any other contaminants that have boiling points below that of water. Virtually all water filters remove chlorine from water, and the best water filters are also able to greatly reduce the presence of VOCs. When you compare water filters to distillation, there is no question that filtration is a better solution for producing safe drinking water.

Shower Water Filter Technology

If you want to enjoy soft and healthy skin and hair, the best thing you can do is to install an Aquasana shower filter in your bathroom. Once you’ve experienced the benefits of showering in de-chlorinated water that is free from harmful contaminants, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to install a shower filter in your home. When you shop around and compare shower filters, you’ll quickly understand why Aquasana is the best water filter available for showers.

Aquasana’s shower filter technology can’t be beaten by any other commercial shower filter. The company’s shower filters utilize a two stage filtration process that effectively removes chlorine, naturally improves pH balance, and reduces both synthetic chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Aquasana provides sub-micron filtration, providing the most thorough water decontamination technology available.

When you shower in filtered water, you’ll quickly notice an improvement in the look and feel of your skin and hair. As a matter of fact, if you don’t notice an improvement within a week of regular usage, Aquasana will gladly refund your money. Even if you compare shower filters made by every single filter manufacturer, and you won’t find one that provides a more refreshing shower experience than Aquasana.

The Real Cost of Home Water Filtration Systems

Choosing among the different home water filtration systems can be an overwhelming decision. It’s important to avoid making your selection based solely on the cost of purchasing the filtration unit. If you select a filter system based solely on the purchase price, you may end up with a water filter that is very expensive to operate on an ongoing basis.

The operating cost of water filter systems can vary greatly from one brand to another. If you chose an Aquasana home water filtration system, you can expect the replacement filter cost to be about $45.00 per 500 gallons of water filtered. For Culligan water filters, the replacement filter cost is more than $50 per 500 gallons. Replacement PUR water filters and Brita water filters each cost $100 per 500 gallons of water.

The type of home water filtration system you choose can have a significant impact on how much it costs to provide your family with a supply of clean tap water in your home. Be sure to consider how much it costs to replace the filter cartridges as well as how often they have to be switched out when making your choice.

The Best Water Filters for Trihalomethanes Removal

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are among the most dangerous chemical compounds that find their way into the water supply. THM contamination is very common, because these substances are a byproduct formed when chlorine is added to drinking water. THMs are known to be carcinogens, and are closely associated with the occurrence of several different types of cancer. Additionally, these substances cause problems with the functioning of the nervous system, the liver, and the kidneys. Ingestion of these substances can also contribute to miscarriages.

Even though the dangers of THMs are well-documented and the substance is present in the vast majority of drinking water, many home water filtration systems are not designed to remove these substances from the water supply. For example, Brita water filters and PUR water filters do not remove THMs from water. Both Aquasana and Amway water filters are proven to be effective at removing more than 99% of THMs from water. Kenmore and Culligan water filters also filter out large percentages of these substances.

Comparing Water Filtration to Reverse Osmosis

While it is possible to treat drinking water through the process of reverse osmosis, this technique is not considered to be as desirable as the use of water filters for drinking water decontamination.

What is Reverse Osmosis?

Originally developed to be a technique for removing the salt from seawater, the process of reverse osmosis can also be used to treat freshwater as a means of making it safe for human consumption. The process of reverse osmosis involves using pressure to force water to move against it’s natural flow pattern through a semi-permeable membrane. This technique is effective for desalinating saltwater. However, it doesn’t compare favorably with water filters when it comes to removing contaminants from water.

Why Are Water Filters More Effective?

When you compare water filters to reverse osmosis, it is clear that filtration is the better choice for drinking water. The best water filters offer sub-micron filtration, removing even the tiniest contaminant particles. Reverse osmosis only effectively removes particles that are actually larger than water molecules. It can remove heavy metals and many types of minerals from water, but it can’t remove chlorine or many chemicals. These tiny contaminants simply pass through the membrane along with the water.