The easiest way to monitor your health in today's environment is to use well-purified water for drinking and cooking. But buying bottles of drinking water every time in supermarkets is too troublesome, so most often the choice falls on special cleaning filters. Manufacturers of filter systems offer a variety of models, among which you can easily find a mechanism that is suitable for the price and functionality. One of the best, and therefore the most popular options is water filterinstalled directly on the crane.
Advantages and disadvantages of faucet filters
Like any cleaning filter, the faucet nozzle has its pros and cons. The positive aspects of using such a system:
- Compactness and mobility. It is easy to install it alternately on different taps at home, and thanks to its small size and weight, you can take it with you when traveling, traveling to the country, when moving.
- Low price compared to stationary filtration plants.
- The filter nozzle passes much more water during the entire period of use than an ordinary jug filter.
- Many models are suitable for hard water, softening it.
Significant disadvantages:
- The degree of purification is less than that of stationary filters.
- Performance is also inferior to more expensive cleaning systems.
- Each time you use such a nozzle, you must monitor the water pressure. From too strong a jet, it can be torn off the tap.
- Hot water cannot be passed through it.
In general, in terms of price-quality ratio, you can put a big plus for this type of water filter.
Types of filter nozzles on the faucet
Nozzle filters can be divided into two different functional types:
- Removable. They are attached to the faucet only when filtered water is needed. For example, to draw water into a kettle or cooking utensils.
- Permanent. Such nozzles are constantly on the mixer and have a switch (divertor). It allows you not to use filtered water for washing hands, dishes, etc., thereby saving the resource of the filtering device.
Also, nozzle filters include desktop cleaning systems that are connected directly to the faucet using an adapter with a flexible hose. They are able to filter water with the help of more efficient cleaning modules due to the volumetric body - in this way they are similar to filters under the sink. Usually an additional crane is installed for them.
Different models may have different mounting methods. Some of them are suitable for ordinary Russian-made taps, others - for threaded taps. At the same time, there are models that are suitable for any type of mixer.
The principle of operation of the filter head
The filter mechanism in the form of a nozzle is attached to the end of a water tap and looks like a small cylinder. The principle of filtration depends on the method of water treatment of the system:
- adsorption method. Adsorption devices are characterized by a simple design. Various mechanical and chemical impurities are partially absorbed by the porous material located inside the housing of such a filter. Such a nozzle on the faucet requires increased pressure - this ensures its high-quality work;
- ion exchange membrane. The principle of operation of a device with such a membrane is that its active substances are able to bind compounds of chlorine and various metals. The filtered water stream that has passed through such a system is also cleaned of some harmful bacteria. The structure of the ion filter is more complicated: mechanical impurities are retained in a fine mesh, other impurities and bacteria in a flask with ion exchangers.
The performance of packed filters for water purification is most often 0.5–1 liters per minute, and their resource is from 1 to 3 thousand liters. There are nozzles with high performance that can pass up to 3 liters of water per minute, but the quality of cleaning is significantly reduced.
Do not forget that these filters are not designed for the use of hot water. If it so happened that hot water nevertheless got into the nozzle, it must be removed, cooled, and then reattached to the tap in order to rinse with plenty of cold water.
How to choose a filter nozzle model
Among the variety of all types and models of such filters, several of the most popular can be distinguished.
Aquaphor B300
The most affordable of all models of water filters. Its price is consistent with the quality, in addition to mechanical and chemical pollution, it perfectly disinfects water. The productivity is 0.3 liters per minute, the resource is 1000 liters. There is a sleeve that makes it possible to connect this filter to any type of faucet.
Aquaphor Topaz
This model effectively softens water and purifies it of free chlorine. The resource is 750 liters, the productivity is 0.3 liters per minute, and the price is twice as high as that of the previous model. For ease of use, there is a switch from filtered to unfiltered water and a cartridge replacement calendar.
Aquaphor Universal
A distinctive feature of this model is that it can be attached both to a regular faucet and to the neck of a plastic bottle, which is convenient for camping conditions. Resource - 100 liters, productivity - 0.3 liters per minute. The kit includes an adapter and a pneumatic blower for use on the bottle.
Geyser Euro
Metal filter with a resource equal to 3000 liters and a filtration rate of up to 0.5 liters per minute. It has a mode switch and the ability to install on a mixer with an aerator. The filter element is made of a special material - "Aragon".
ITA Filter
This model is distinguished by the presence of a chrome-plated body and high productivity - up to 1000 liters per minute. However, its resource is only 500 liters (with good initial water quality, this parameter increases). It has a switch for two modes.
Selecta barrier
With good performance (1000 liters), this model has a small resource - only 300 liters. A large family will have to change this nozzle at least once a month. The kit includes an adapter for any type of faucet.
