Are you looking for a guide on selecting the right water purifier for your home?
If yes, then you are at the right place.
We will discuss the factors you need to consider while buying a new water purifier in India.
Table of Contents
Things to Consider Before Buying a Water Purifier in India
Before buying a water purifier, below are the things that you need to consider:
Types of Water Purifier
There are different types of water purifiers available in the market (like RO, UV, etc.) based on the type of water. Some purifiers also use a combination of these types like RO+UV, RO+UV+UF, etc. Depending on the level of TDS in the water, you need to choose the water purifier.
Gravity Water Purifier: Gravity water purifier uses pressure filtration technology to clean the water from unwanted solubles. This type of water purifier does not require electricity, and most gravity water purifiers are portable. The basic model of gravity water purifier comes at 1099 INR.
UV Water Purifier: A UV water purifier is also known as an ultraviolet purifier. It uses ultraviolet rays to kill viruses and bacteria present in water. However, this purifier cannot remove the water’s solubles and other harmful chemicals. Moreover, one needs to replace the filter every 6 months to maintain the intensity. This purifier does not require electricity to kill bacteria and viruses, but the downside is that it cannot remove heavy metals and chemicals.
RO Water Purifier: This is one of the most effective purifiers, also known as a reverse osmosis purifier. In this purifier, a pump pushes the water with heavy force into the RO membrane, where the dissolved solids and impurities as small as 0.0001 microns are removed from the water. In short, the hardness of the water is reduced after passing through the RO membrane.
UF Water Purifier: UF water purifier uses a hollow membrane to clean the impurities from the water. As the water passes through this membrane, all the impurities and suspended solids are removed. If you find low dissolved solids in water, it is recommended to buy this water purifier. However, the downside is that this purifier cannot kill microorganisms and germs.
Alkaline Water purifier: If you have high acidic levels, consider buying an alkaline water purifier. This purifier increases the pH value of water and neutralizes the acidic levels in the water. The water is neutralized by electrolysis, where ionizer filters raise the pH level.
Source of water (municipal, ground or multiple sources)
The majority of the water supply sources in India are municipal, ground or multiple. Understanding the water source will help you identify the right water purifier for your home. Generally, a TDS below 200 ppm is considered good for drinking. If you have a water source with TDS above 200 ppm and below 500 ppm, then it is recommended to pick a RO purifier. If the TDS is above 2000 ppm, it is suggested to buy a RO+UV purifier. If the TDS is below 200 ppm, but you still want to purify the water, then it is recommended to get a UV purifier.
Water quality (soft or hard)
Water consists of many minerals. But the amount of magnesium and calcium in it decides the water quality. If magnesium and calcium are in high levels, it is known as hard water, which is not fit for drinking. On the other hand, if the sodium and salt levels are high in concentration, it is called soft water. RO+UV purifiers work best with hard water.
Storage capacity
Once you identify the type of water purifier needed for your home, it is time to determine the storage capacity of the water purifier. If you are a family of only 1-2 members, buying a water purifier of 4-5 liters capacity is recommended. Similarly, if you are a family of 4 members, buying a water purifier of 6-8 liters capacity is recommended. And, if you are a large family (more than 5), it is recommended to buy a water purifier of more than 10 liters capacity.
Water storage tank material
Most of the water purifiers in India are either made of food-grade plastic or stainless steel. It has been observed that when water is stored for a long time in the plastic storage tank, there is a chance of bacteria and viruses forming again. On the other hand, people using stainless steel storage tanks claimed to store the water for long hours without worrying about bacteria formation. If you are low on budget, it is recommended to buy a plastic tank purifier. If health is your primary focus, we recommend buying a stainless steel water purifier.
Maintenance cost (especially filter replacement cost)
The maintenance cost of the water purifiers varies depending on the type of water purifier you plan to buy. Gravity water purifiers need less maintenance compared to RO and RO+UV purifiers. Since the RO membrane is different for each of these purifiers, you need to check the replacement cost of the filters. The cost of the filters is much high for UV purifiers, as they need to be replaced once every 6 months for better performance.
Water wastage ratio
Generally, RO purifiers waste 3 liters of water to produce one litre of pure water. So, it is recommended to pick water purifiers with less water wastage ratio or a secondary tank to store the impure water, which you can use for washing utensils, watering plants, etc.
Warranty
Generally, every brand provides a minimum of a 1-year warranty. But, a few brands provide an annual maintenance contract for 1-3 years. So, make sure to check the brand that offers more warranty so that your repairs get covered by it.
Brand reputation
There are many local brands available in the market for water purifiers. However, brand reputation matters when selecting a water purifier. Top brands always ensure the usage of quality materials in designing the product. On the other hand, local sellers use low-grade plastic to design water purifiers. If you want a water purifier that lasts for years, it is recommended to pick one from a reputed brand.
After sales service and support
Most of the time, a reputed brand has its service centre located in most cities. However, before you make the purchase, check if the brand has your area covered for servicing or not. Also, know the review of customer care support before buying a purifier. If the after-sales service is terrible, you might end up getting problems at the time of repair.
Conclusion
We hope this guide will help you choose the right water purifier as per your needs.
If you have any questions related to buying a water purifier in India, do let us know in the comments
