If you’ve been looking into getting a water purification system for your home, you’ve no doubt noticed the two most popular technologies – carbon filtration and reverse osmosis (RO). And you wouldn’t be the first person to wonder about the differences between them.
Here at Kinetico Utah, we often get questions about the options for water purification. The following guide should provide some answers, but you can always reach out to our professional team for more information on carbon filtration and reverse osmosis systems.
Carbon Filtration
Carbon filtration is the older of the two technologies, and it works by running the water through a special carbon substrate. Contaminants and impurities become trapped inside the filter, which works to improve taste, reduce odor and can make the water safer for drinking.
With carbon filtration, the options run from inexpensive standalone systems and pitcher filters to high-end water filtration systems that also include reverse osmosis technology. Carbon filters have various particulate ratings, but most excel at removing larger particles and chlorine.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis is an advanced method of water purification, and systems that feature this technology are capable of filtering out many potentially harmful particulates – much more so than any carbon filter system.
The RO process involves forcing water to flow through a semi-permeable membrane. Because the membrane’s pores are incredibly small, this action effectively removes a vast range of chemical and physical contaminants. High-quality purification systems, such as Kinetico’s K5 Drinking Water Station, are also customizable to eliminate specific impurities present in the household supply.
Which Type of Water Purification System Should You Choose?
Carbon filtration isn’t as powerful as reverse osmosis in terms of the level of purification the process provides. However, it’s worth noting that a premium carbon filter can be a better value than a bargain-basement RO system. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
As you explore your options for filtering or purifying the water in your Utah home, you’ll need to consider several factors. Space constraints could affect your decision on a type of system, and if you’re like most homeowners, price will also play a role. One of the most important considerations, however, is the exact contaminants present in your household supply – and testing is the only way to know what it contains.
At Kinetico Utah, we offer free, no-obligation water testing to homeowners in Salt Lake City and the surrounding northern Utah region. Schedule a consultation, and we’ll answer your questions about carbon filtration, reverse osmosis and what type of water purification system is right for you. Contact our office in Draper, Utah, today.