Choosing the right size water filtration system for your home is essential for safe drinking and use. A too-small system won’t remove impurities, while a too-large system wastes resources and money. When choosing a water filtration system, consider the number of people in your family, restrooms, and water-using appliances and fixtures.
Size Matters
A filter media removes pollutants in water filtration systems. The size of the system determines how long the water contacts the filter medium, which affects its effectiveness. Smaller systems filter water for less time and remove fewer impurities. When choosing a water filtration system, consider the flow rate, number of appliances and fixtures, and line pipe size. Professionals can help you choose the perfect system for your family.
Count and Calculate Your Appliances
Counting and calculating appliances are essential to sizing your water filtration system. The number of bathrooms and family members in your home might give you a basic sense of the amount of water filtration system you require, but it may be inaccurate. List all your fixtures and appliances and decide how many can be run at once to ensure you have the right size system. You can estimate system size by adding device flow rates. Common household fixtures and their flow rates:
- Tubs: 4-8 gallons per minute (GPM)
- Washers: 4-5 GPM
- Showers: 2.5-5 GPM
- Toilets: 2.2-5 GPM
- Dishwashers: 2-3 GPM
- Faucets: 2.5-3 GPM
Consider the flow rates of your appliances and fixtures to verify that your water filtration system can handle your daily water demand and provide clean, safe water for your family.
Check Pipe Size:
Water filtration system size is determined by pipe size. The line pipe at your home’s entrance can be utilized to assess your filtration system’s size without arithmetic. The water volume going through the line pipe, measured in gallons per minute (GPM), can be used to assess the size of your filtration system. A 1-inch line pipe flows 16-30 GPM, which requires a larger filtration system. This is an estimate, not a calculation, and speaking with an expert like WES Water will help eliminate guesswork and guarantee you have the right system for your household.
Consider your home’s number and flow rate of appliances and fixtures when sizing your water filtration system. Toilets, faucets, dishwashers, and showers use water and affect your filtration system’s flow rate. Many water filtration systems have tables to help determine the right size based on bathrooms and family size. These estimations should be adjusted for your usage and appliances. List all your home’s fixtures and appliances and calculate how many can be utilized at once to determine your filtration system’s size. You can estimate system size by adding device flow rates.
Micron Water Filters
Micron water filters eliminate pollutants using filter cartridges with micron-sized holes. These filters have micron-sized holes. These filters remove sand, dirt, and other water particles.
Micron water filters remove smaller particles than other filters. A 5-micron filter removes particles 5 microns or larger, whereas a 1-micron filter removes particles 1 micron or larger. Micron water filters can remove particles. Other filters cannot.
Micron water filters come in various micron grades, so you may choose one that meets your water filtration needs. To remove fine soil from water, you may require a 1-micron filter or smaller. However, a 20-micron filter may be ideal if you reside in a high-debris location.
Micron water filters remove sediment but not bacteria, viruses, or chemicals. They can be used with activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis systems to filter water completely.
Discover Sediment Filters
Sediment filters remove sediment from water. Low-micron filters remove tiny particles. Sediment filters remove big particles like sand and rust from water. They are typically used as pre-filters for other water filtration systems to protect the other filters from bigger particles.
Consider What You’re Removing:
Consider your water’s pollutants before choosing a water filter micron rating. To remove cysts and other bacteria, pick a filter with a lower micron rating. A larger micron filter may work if your water is mainly free of these toxins but has a lot of sediment. Remember that water sources and areas vary, so a filter that works well in one area may not work well in another.
Nominal vs. Absolute Micron Filters
Nominal and absolute micron filters differ in efficacy. Nominal micron filters have pores close to the micron rating, but some particles may pass through. However, absolute micron filters prevent particles of the same micron rating above 95%. An absolute filter is the ideal micron filter if you need to remove a certain amount of dirt from the water.
Pressure Decrease Affects Micron Filters
Pressure drop reduces micron filter performance. As water passes through the filter medium, pressure loss occurs. Replace the filter when pressure drops surpass a particular level. High-pressure drops might clog the filter, limiting its ability to extract particles from water. Monitor the pressure drop to ensure your micron filter is performing efficiently.
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the right water filtration system size for your home is essential for clean, drinkable water. The system’s size impacts how well it filters water and removes contaminants. Consider your home’s appliances and fixtures, line pipe size, and water pollutants when choosing a size. Understand the difference between nominal and absolute micron filters and how pressure drops affect micron filter efficiency when choosing a filter. With these guidelines, you can choose a water filtration system that fits your home.
