Some would say that there is an art to buying a water filter. Those people wouldn’t be wrong. With all of the information out there, it’s a lot to take in, and it’s no wonder you might have difficulty finding the right one.
First, you’ll see popular filters. Some are more in-demand than others for a good reason. If you’re looking at popular purifiers, then odds are you’re going to come across the [amazon link=”B01MCX9UX8″ title=”Berkey Water Filter” /]. While high-end, it is a fantastic filter and we’ve put together this guide to teach you more about it.
What Is a [amazon link=”B01MCX9UX8″ title=”Berkey Water Filter” /]?
The Berkey Water Filter is a purifier designed to remove waterborne contaminants. Globally, Berkey Water Filters help set the standard for what water filtration should be. Whereas you might use most filters on indoor tap sources, you can use the Berkey on outside bodies of water. You can take any natural water source and filter it into clean, pure drinking water. To make it even better, you aren’t using any chemicals. There is nothing complicated about filling the filter with water and letting it do its thing.
This filter is not simply a filter. In fact, it has a purifier classification. This means that it takes unhealthy water and transforms it into something healthy. If you can’t think of a reason where this would be useful, think of this: during emergencies or long-term power outages, you may end up with dirty or untreated water. This filter stops you from having to worry about where you’re going to find clean water.
So, you might be wondering, what does the Berkey Water Filter System clean out? It removes pathogenic bacteria, cysts, viruses, parasites and chemicals. When it comes to water filters, the Berkey is one that took the water filter industry by storm. It was groundbreaking in its ability to reduce these pollutants to undetectable levels.
[amazon fields=”B01MCX9UX8″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large”]
Top 5 Reasons to Have a Water Filter
If you’re looking into the Berkey Water Filter, then you may already know some of the benefits of having a water purifier in your home. Still, despite their popularity, people still question why they are necessary. How are water filters any better than tap water? Before you decide to invest in a water filter for your home, we will go over some of the major reasons to invest in one.
Water Filters Save Families Money
After buying a purifier, you may be wondering how it helps you save money. The initial cost is the investment that will save you in the end. Many families use bottled water as a trusted source of clean water. While this is healthy, it can be expensive. If you buy bottled water, just think about the amount of money that you could save if you did not have to buy bottled water each week or month.
Water Filters Preserve Quality
Did you know that contaminants can end up in your water or that it can turn foul over time? This is usually because the pollutants in the water begin to decay. Water itself cannot rot, but what is inside it, can. The filter preserves your water so that it will not going to rot or decay.
Chlorine Isn’t Healthy to Drink
We need chlorine in our water to help clean it of harmful contaminants. While the traces of chlorine in your water are not going to cause any long-term damages to your body, it is not healthy to be drinking it, and many people don’t appreciate the taste. A filter allows for cleaner and fresher water.
No More Lead in Water
We all know the dangers of lead. So, what happens when there are traces of it in your water? Most of us do not want to take that chance. The Berkey Filter can handle lead and heavy metals. This means that you don’t have to worry about you or your children consuming lead-contaminated water.
A Water Filter Is an Environmentally Friendly Option
Nowadays, the push to reduce our carbon footprint is hard to avoid. Most of us want to be as green as we can. After all, polluting the environment isn’t in anyone’s best interests. With a filter, you are no longer buying plastic bottles that have to be processed. You create less trash and little cost for transporting water.
What You Need to Know Before Purchasing a Water Filter
Choosing a water filter isn’t necessarily an easy choice. After all, there are many options on the market. Even if you know that a water filter is for you, you still have other considerations. There is still knowledge that you should have before embarking on this purchase. The more information that you have, the more educated your decision will be. This could keep you from overspending or making a mistake with your investment.
Before you go out to buy a water filter, here are some things that you should know.
How Is the Storage Capacity?
- Storage capacity is one of the more important considerations. Most water filters can give you an estimate of how many people it can serve. If you have a large family, then a small container will run out quickly, and you will have to replace filters often.
What Brand Is Best?
- This is a subjective question. Everyone has their preferences, but it doesn’t hurt to look at the most popular brands. Take a look at what people are saying is the best and decide for yourself if you want to go with that brand.
What Does the Competition Look Like?
- This is when you should compare and contrast other brands. Look at the competitors and find out which water filter would suit your needs. Sometimes the differences will be minute; however, even the smallest detail might change your decision. Perhaps one filter has a larger capacity for a better price. Maybe one is smaller but is capable of filtering out more contaminants. The point is that you should look at what other brands are doing in comparison.
How Is the Company’s Service?
- The company’s service is important. While you might hope that nothing goes wrong with your filter, there is a chance that it will. You need to make sure the company that you purchase from will be there for you if you need them. You might need a replacement part or repair work done. Whatever the case, if you have questions or are in need of a warranty, you should choose a company with a fine reputation.
- While some companies may boast great service, you should pay attention to what people say about the company.
Do You Need Special Installation?
- There are a couple of different types of water filters. With one kind, you only need to fill it with water, and you can leave it on your counter-top. This is the simplest type, and it does not require any extra installation. However, this isn’t the only variety of water purifier on the market. There are some that you have to install under the sink and hook it up to the faucet itself. While many of these come with special instructions and are easy to follow, they aren’t all simple. This is where a plumber may come in. If you don’t want to have to deal with a professional installation, then it’s best if you look for water filters without an involved installation process.
[amazon link=”B01MCX9UX8″ title=”Berkey Water Filter” /] Specifications
One of the first factors when looking into water filters is how many people it can meet the demands of at home. In general, a family of about four to six can use the Berkey water filter comfortably. Berkey designed it as a heavy-duty system, meant to last for years, if not longer. The Berkey water filter has two filters. The first sifts out bacteria and contaminants from your water. The second one removes fluoride and heavy metals.
Specifications:
- Removes 99.99% of all bacteria and 99.99% of viruses
- Polished 304 stainless steel
- Black Berkey filters degrade chorine until it’s undetectable
- cogOne filter lasts for 3,000 gallons
- cogBerkey filters can filter stream and lake water
- cogNo need for water or plumbing hookups
- cogHeavy metal and lead filtration up to 95%
- cogMeets protocols for classification as a water purifier
Pricing
The Berkey isn’t a cheap water filter. When it comes to filters, you can consider this one to be more of an investment.
How It Compares
When it comes to water filters, Berkey tends to run on the expensive side. However, it not only has convenience, but it also is more effective than other filters. Usually, when you have a more expensive model, it is also going to be more complicated to install. This isn’t the case for Berkey or Aquasana models.Unlike the Berkey, Everpure is best when installed by your plumber. It is in the same price range but has a more complicated installation to your faucet. With Aquasana, you can keep it on your counter for a lower price. However, it does not have the same capabilities that Berkey does. You can’t use it with outdoor water sources.
Berkey
[amazon link=”B01MCX9UX8″ title=”Big Berkey Water Filter” /]
[amazon box=”B01MCX9UX8″]
Aquasana
[amazon link=”B005V087YK” title=”Aquasana AQ-4000″ /]
[amazon box=”B005V087YK”]
Everpure
[amazon link=”B002R0E00C” title=”Everpure H-54″ /]
[amazon box=”B002R0E00C”]
Most water filters have several similarities and differences. Pick which features are most valuable to you, and that is how you can make the best decision for you and your family.
Pros and Cons of Berkey Filters
The Berkey filters have their share of bonuses. Before we get into the advantages, however, let’s talk about the downsides. First, the biggest factor that might have consumers turning away is the price. For a filter, it is high-priced. This does not mean that the cost is unreasonable for the features, but for some consumers, the features aren’t a necessity. Not everyone wants to spend that kind of money on a filter. What you should keep in mind, though, is that you won’t have to change the cartridges often.
Here are some of the most important pros and cons that could make or break your decision to buy one.
Pros
- Sturdy, durable design made of stainless steel
- Filtration cartridges last for 3,000 gallons
- Easy to use; you simply pour water into the unit
- Does not require electricity
Cons
- High-priced and may not be affordable for everyone
- Only comes in stainless steel
Conclusion
Most water filters are only going to last you for a few years at most. This isn’t necessarily bad, but the Berkey filtration system will last you for decades. There is a reason why it is one of the more popular brands. It is capable of more than most. It can eradicate more contaminants than other water purifiers can. Remember, this one can be used on outside water sources. Forget ever having to worry about fresh water.
While expensive upfront, it makes up for it in how long it lasts. Not only is it made of durable materials, but also the cartridges themselves do not need replacing very often. The specs and reviews come together and back one another up. It’s a quality filter, and if you’re looking to make an investment in clean water, this is the one for you.
