How to Choose a Reverse Osmosis Filter

Reverse-osmosis filters are the newest type of water filters on the market offering the highest level of protection. However, for most people either an under-the-sink or countertop model provides sufficient filtration. Reverse-osmosis filters should be used if your kitchen is too cramped for another kind of filter, or if there is simply too much contamination.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• water purity test
• reverse-osmosis water filter

1. Determine the level of contamination in your water. You can do this by using a household water purity test available from your local hardware store, or by ordering a water quality report from your local water authority (usually free of charge).

2. Review various makes and models in consumer magazines and online. This will help you learn about the various features, options and prices.

3. Reverse-osmosis, or RO systems, are more costly than other filtration. But if you are able to, purchase an RO system with five or more filters. It's a better value and will necessitate fewer filter changes.

4. Shoot for a low number of required filter changes, and make sure that it's quick and easy to change the filters when it becomes necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• RO systems are slow and use a holding tank for already-purified water. If you use a lot of water, you might consider another type of filtration.
• RO systems are generally not the best value for filtration, even though they filter the highest number of contaminants.