Water & Air – Filter Systems News

August is National Water Quality Month, a month where many will take a look at the quality of water they are drinking. Water is an essential part of life, but poor quality drinking water can be the source of many health-related issues, such as tuberculosis, salmonella and diarrhea. Fortunately, there are ways we can know the quality of our water.

One of the common ways to determine your water quality is the use of water test kits. The Complete Home Water Quality Test Kit, priced at under $40, is the best to use. This will test your water for over 13 contaminants including bacteria and copper. This kit includes two test strips for each contaminant and one test strip for bacteria.

Once you have tested your water for contaminants, how do you purify it? This is a task that may seem daunting, but the process doesn’t have to be.

One way to purify your water is through the use of UV lights. Disinfecting your drinking water with Ultraviolet lights is environmentally safe and proven to provide sterile drinking water. Ultraviolet filters use high frequency light to irradiate water through a glass element. Once the water is exposed to the light, all living organisms, such as bacteria, are destroyed.  The Inline Ultraviolet Sterilization Filter connects directly onto your 1/4″ water line to provide sterile drinking water by killing 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. This UV filter has a flow rate of 1 gallon per minute.

The 3M Aqua-Pure Water Filter Replacement is one of the best whole house water filter cartridges available. This filter features high flow rates up to 20 gallons per minute and reduces the unpleasant taste and odor of chlorine as well as sediment and other impurities.

The Whirlpool 4396710 is the new and improved filter for Whirlpool side-by-side refrigerators. This Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter reduces unpleasant taste, odor, scale buildup and more in your water and ice. You should replace this filter every six months or if your water has a foul odor and taste. For a complete list of refrigerator water filters, go to Filtersfast.com and type in “refrigerator water filters” in the search box.

This August, let’s take the necessary steps to ensure better quality of water in our homes. 

July is National Doghouse Repairs Month and with the increase of extreme temperatures,the doghouse can provide much needed shelter from the scorching heat. As the temperature rises, so does the need for easily accessible water for you and your pet. Ask yourself these questions: does your dog or cat have easy access to water? Is it clean water? The importance of keeping water easily accessible especially during the summer months is important. However, giving water to your pet that is contaminated will do more harm than good for your dog or cat. Recent studies indicate that good quality water is beneficial for your pet especially for strengthening their immune systems. The hydration of internal organs will also keep your pet’s organs functioning properly and efficiently. Need more proof that water quality is extremely important for your pet? Look no further than this story from Heather Quinn, a proud cat owner who recently discovered startling news regarding her cat.

“My cat was very sick…and I ended up taking him to the vet. $700 later, we learned that he had a UTI and crystals built up in his bladder.  He had to undergo surgery to remove them.  The vet asked if we had changed his food type or water source recently and I had originally said no. He immediately suspected that the water caused it.  The vet recommends filtering your pets’ water because the minerals and chemicals found in well/tap water can create imbalance in the pet and cause these crystals to form in the bladder. The crystals block urine passage and cause kidney failure.”

As unsettling as that story may be, there are ways you can provide clean, safe drinking water for your pet. The DogIt Design Fresh and Clear Pet Drinking Fountain provides a steady supply of fresh and clean drinking water for your dog, by re-circulating water flow. This outdoor drinking fountain has multi-stage filtration that eliminates stale water by trapping the impurities. The elevated large surface area makes it useful for dogs that are larger, older or suffering from physical ailments. The correct replacement filter is the Dogit Design Fountain Filter Cartridges.

The CatIt Design Fresh and Clear Pet Drinking Fountain is made especially for your cat and provides a constant supply of fresh and clean water. This pet drinking fountain features an elevated design and utilizes multi-stage filtration for reducing impurities in water. The large surface area of this fountain results in higher oxygenation and the re-circulation flow ensures your cat will not receive stale and stagnant water.

Remember, your pet can share the same health benefits that you and I enjoy from drinking filtered water. Don’t deprive your pet of this essential resource.

We all need food to survive. According to NPR.org, Americans eat 1,996 pounds of food per year. That is equivalent to the weight of an elephant. July is National Culinary Arts Month, a month long celebration to promote awareness of cooks and their contributions to new culinary trends. Any cook will tell you that having great food quality is critical to any dish that you are preparing. Did you know that air and water has a big impact on the food we eat. How? For starters, water is used throughout the production of food. From the farm to processing to the kitchen table, water is a direct ingredient in many of our favorite dishes.

Hard water in particular can have a negative impact on food quality. How? Fruits and vegetables become extremely tough if cooked in hard water. This is due to the amount of calcium ions in the water influencing its textural properties. The taste of pasta can also be negatively affected by this. The Everpure Water Softening Cartridge softens your water by reducing minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are the culprits of hard water. This cartridge will also help improve the taste of your beverages, such as tea or coffee as well.

Sometimes, half the battle in food quality is keeping the food fresh. To do this, many of us resort to our refrigerator to keep meals safe to consume. But often, the refrigerator could be doing the opposite of what we want it to do. If your refrigerator air filter has not been replaced or is not working properly, your food will not stay fresh and will create unpleasant food odors in your fridge. How do you overcome this problem? The Frigidaire PureAir Ultra Refrigerator Air Filter eliminates foul odors from your refrigerator and freezer. This Frigidaire filter uses a combination of activated carbon, baking soda and zeolites, that will last up to 6 months and help food stay fresh.

Even if you are not a culinary artist, you still want to prepare meals that are pleasing to the palate for you and your family. The next time you notice a drop in your food quality, do not automatically blame your cooking. It could be a result of the water quality or even your refrigerator’s air filter.

Do you have a pool or spa? How often do you test the water in it? Water testing is a crucial aspect when it comes to your water quality. You should test the water in your pool, spa, drinking water, water for pets to drink and other water-related uses. PH meters are used to test your water for contaminants, sediments and other impurities that may be lurking in your water. Once you have tested your water, you will have a better idea of how to treat your water. We understand the importance of water quality. This is why Filtersfast.com and HM Digital are having a FREE HM Digital PH Meter and a PH buffer give a-way.

All you have to do is answer the following questions in 3 sentences or less.

1.)    Have you tested your water recently?

2.)    What do you use to test your water?

3.)    What did you find in your water?

In order to participate:

• Go to our Facebook page and click on “events”
• Once there, click on “The HM Digital Competition”
• Post your responses to the above questions in the comments section
• All entries will be entered into a random drawing where the winner will be determined
• You must be a fan of the FiltersFast.com Facebook page to be eligible
• All entries must be submitted by Tuesday July 17 by 3:00PM EST

“It is hard to imagine that an instrument weighing only 2 oz. could make ripples in the water industry.” - Jessica Moorman associate editor for Water Quality Products.

Did you know that one of the most important things you can do for your health is to regularly check the quality of your water supply? Too many times we think that just because the water looks clean means that it is clean. Sadly, that is not the case. Many waterborne particles are not visible to the naked eye, meaning you could be ingesting harmful toxins without knowing it. This is why utilizing a water test meter is critical. Of all the choices available for water quality analysis, we suggest HM Digital. They provide premier, high quality water test TDS meters.

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) is anything in the water you can’t see other than pure H2O. This could include any salt, metal and/or minerals. The lower the TDS level, the purer the water. HM Digital provides accuracy in TDS testing and offers great features for affordable prices. According to Charles Lee, Managing Director for HM Digital, Inc.:

“HM Digital strives to provide higher quality products at more affordable prices.  All of HM Digital’s instruments, pack in more features and specifications than the competition, yet are available at the same or better price.  The company’s industry-leading warranties solidify the brand as the first choice in instrumentation.”

With that said, there is little doubt why HM Digital is the choice for you when it comes to testing your water, whether it is for your pool, spa, or everyday drinking water.

The HM TDS-3 Meter with Carrying Case features little maintenance and convenient features such as a large, easy-to-read LCD Display and an auto off function to conserve battery life. Suitable for residential and commercial use, this HM Digital Meter provides accurate results of the waterborne contaminants that may be lurking in your water supply. Use this meter to:

• Check the performance of your water filter
• Confirm that your drinking water is at a healthy, safe TDS level
• Measure TDS levels for other applications such as residential RO applications

A vinyl carrying case with a belt clip and a three year limited warranty is included with the purchase of the HM TDS-3 Meter.

The HM Digital PH-200 Meter is a highly accurate, professional-grade digital pH and temperature meter. The HM PH200 can be used for pH testing, water purification applications, pools, spas, wine or coffee applications and more. This accurate and useful meter has a one year factory warranty and comes with one 7.0 PH buffer.

The HM Digital PH Buffer is economically priced, lightweight and has an indefinite shelf life. Preparation directions are included on the bottle for your convenience. Three packets of 4.0 pH, 6 packets of 7.0 pH and 3 packets of 10.01 pH are included upon purchase.

The HM Digital PTDS-4TM Pocket Size TDS Meter is a hand held digital water quality tester which is used to test the amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) and other impurities in water. This pocket size HM Digital water test TDS meter is the smallest and lightest TDS meter available on the market. Its uses range from testing the water quality of pools/spas to your drinking water at home. The housing of this HM Digital water quality tester is water-resistant and has a low-battery indicator.

If you do not regularly check your water quality, you could be doing your body a huge disservice. The quality of the water you drink is just as vital to your life as water itself. Remember, the best way to benefit from water is to draw from a clean source of water.

For more information on HM Digital, check out the video below:

Drinking tea is as much a ritual as it is delicious. But how do you make that perfect glass of tea? Believe it or not, water is the most crucial part. Many teas have a variety of subtle flavors that can be masked or destroyed by poor water quality that contains heavy concentrations of iron or other impurities. With that in mind, make sure you know the quality of your water beforehand as it will have an impact on your tea. If you know that the quality of your water isn’t too good, try looking at a countertop water filter system:

Take the Doulton HCPS Twin Countertop Water Filter System for example. This is a free standing twin housing counter-top water filtration system that easily connects to your existing kitchen sink faucet. The Doulton Counter Top Filter System has a lever to divert water to the ceramic filter and out the spout. The ceramic filter is self sterilizing, re-cleanable and simple to install. The Doulton UlraCarb Ceramic Filter Candle is sold separately.

Now that you have the water part out of the way, what about the rest of the steps? They’re easy and simple, so follow along and you’ll be brewing your best cup of tea in no time! Remember, preparation steps may vary slightly depending on the tea you are making.

1. As mentioned earlier, water quality is critical. It is best to start with cold water which retains more oxygen for more flavor. Also, don’t boil the same water over and over, as it will deplete the oxygen.
2. Begin to boil the water in your teapot or cup.
3. Use one bag per cup. Pour the boiled water on the tea bag into your teapot or cup and brew for 3-5 minutes. Keep in mind, brew time may vary from tea to tea, so it is best to look at the recommended brewing time for each tea flavor.
4. Squeeze the bag gently against the side of the teapot or cup with a spoon. Stir once, then gently squeeze again.
5. Place or set the tea in the refrigerator to allow it to cool down. Two-three hours should be sufficient.
6. When chilled, it is ready to drink. Just add ice cubes to a tall glass and pour the iced tea into the glass.

There you have it! A perfect glass of iced tea. Remember, water quality is a big part of the taste of tea so be sure you have good water quality before brewing. If you are interested in knowing what your water quality is, try the Complete Home Water Quality Test Kit, which test for over 13 different contaminants in your drinking water. What is your favorite flavor of tea?

Generally speaking, there are two ways people get their drinking water: through city water and well water. But what are they and what is the difference between them?

City Water

City water is typically river water. While this type of water has a lot of pollutants and contaminants to begin with, it is put through an assortment of cleaning processes and purity tests before entering your home. By law, city water is treated on a daily basis and often has chemicals added to it such as chlorine and fluoride. Bringing in city water requires changing the pipes in and around your home. Also, you have the added cost of a monthly water bill. Despite daily testing, there is the risk of contamination from old pipe lines that need upgrading. If you doubt the safety of your water, you can do research and find various water test kits that have been done to ensure water quality. Oftentimes, the biggest problem with city water is that just because the water is safe does not mean it tastes or smells very good. City water often contains minerals that will give the water an unpleasant look, taste, smell and may have undesired effects on your dishes, laundry and your hair. Fortunately, there are filters and additives you can get for your water that will make it look and taste better.

If you want to personally test your water supply, the Watersafe All-In-One Drinking Water Test Kit is highly recommended. This test kit is for city water only and contains everything you will need to find out simply and accurately if your water contains unsafe or undesirable levels of one or more of eight common contaminants.

Another way of ensuring water quality is through the use of purifier tablets such as the Aquamira Purifier Tablets. These tablets are used by dropping one tablet into one liter of water and waiting the required time. These tablets will not discolor the water and will improve the taste of treated water.

Well Water

Well water comes directly from the ground, and while it does not go through the same cleaning process, the water is filtered to a degree as it slowly trickles from the surface into underground reservoirs. Unlike city water, there is no monthly water bill that you will be required to pay. However, as a well water owner, it is up to you to test the safety and quality of your water. Generally, well water can be clean or dirty, depending on where you live.  Just like safe water might smell or taste bad, unsafe water may taste, smell and look perfectly fine. There can be many dangerous chemicals found in well water that have no taste, smell and do not change the look of the water. Well water can often contain agricultural runoff such as fertilizers and pesticides. It can also contain jet fuel and other chemicals from “fracking” (a process used in drilling for natural gas). Unless you have your water tested, there is no way to guarantee well water is safe, free of bacteria and other dangerous chemicals.

One way to get your water treated is through the Complete Home Water Quality Test Kit which tests your water for over 13 contaminants, allowing you to identify the issues in your water quality so you will know how to correctly and appropriately treat your water.

Once you test your water, you may find it handy to invest in a whole house water filter system such as the 3M Aqua-Pure Whole House Water Filter System. This whole house water filter has a 100,000 gallon capacity or up to one year cartridge life which reduces the multi-year cartridge replacement required with most water filter cartridges. This whole house water filter system will extend the life of all your household appliances that are connected to the water line.

Which do you prefer? City water or well water? Sound off in the comments below.

More people are using air and water filters for residential and commercial use.

According to a recent research report from The Freedonia Group, a leading international business research company publishing more than 100 annual industry research studies, results shows that the demand for filters in the United States is expected to increase by 7.1% each year to $12.6 billion in 2015. What on earth could be causing this surge in air and water filter usage?

This study sites reasons that include an ongoing trend toward strengthening environmental regulations, especially an increase in those involved with reducing emissions from electric utilities and diesel engines. Concerns about water quality and indoor air quality are also increasing the demand for filters in this area of consumer goods. In light of heightened awareness regarding drinking water contaminants and air pollution, we are finding that more consumers are replacing their motor vehicle cabin and air filters, diesel emissions filters, residential air filters and water filters more frequently.

Fluid filters used for municipal water and waste, as well as consumer water and industrial fluid filters, account for the largest share of filter consumption. The use of internal combustion engine filters such as oil filters, air intake filters, cabin air filters and fuel filters account for the second largest share of filter consumption. The growing concern about the water we consume and the air we breathe is creating a proactive approach regarding the heightened concerns with water, indoor and outdoor air quality. For your family’s health and well-being, be sure to replace your water, air, humidifier and vehicle filters as recommended, depending on usage and environmental quality for optimal performance.

Image Credit: Pre-Med S.T.I.T.C.H.

The Tea Council of the USA announced that January is the month to celebrate the healing properties and comfort of enjoying a delicious hot cup of tea. Findings show that tea has potential health benefits that include flavonoids, a substance that could act as an antioxidant helping to reduce oxidative damage in the body. Drinking tea is also linked to promoting good health and reducing chronic diseases like certain types of cancer and coronary heart disease.

Did you know that the quality of the water you use to make your hot tea can have an adverse effect on the flavor and essence of your tea? Check out our previous post, “Can Water Quality Really Ruin a Good Cup of Tea?” which talks about the importance of water filtration and purification to give you the enjoyment of a nice cup of brewed tea. Here are some suggestions for cost-effective dispensers that will give you clean filtered water for your hot tea, hot coffee and even your hot cocoa:

The Everpure EverHot Hot Water System with Chrome Faucet includes a high quality hot/cold chrome faucet that is designed for use with this hot water dispenser system. This Everpure Hot Water System is ideal for enjoying a fresh, hot cup of tea, coffee or other hot beverage. It is also perfect for making quick hot meals such as soup, pasta, oatmeal and more.

The Cuisinart CleanWater Countertop Filter System is a 2 gallon capacity home water filter system that sits directly on your counter to give you fresh, clean and purified water for drinking, cooking, brewing coffee or tea and more. This water dispensing system provides hot water (up to about 194 degrees Fahrenheit) and cold water (as low as 44 degrees Fahrenheit).

The Pentek GS-10CAL/RO-B Inline Filter-GAC/Calcite can be utilized in various applications to correct low pH levels, polish water and brew better tasting tea, coffee and other beverages. It reduces unpleasant taste and chlorine odor, as well as sediment. This Pentek Inline Filter can also be used as a post filter in many reverse osmosis (RO) systems.

If you are a tea-lover, you wouldn’t want to sacrifice the flavor of your brewed beverage due to poor water quality. Filtered water does matter! So, what flavor of tea will you be savoring this month?

Good Tasting Tea Requires Great Tasting Water

Tea connoisseurs know that next to superior grown tea, you cannot enjoy the true essence and bouquet of a fine cup of tea without good quality water. The water must be free of waterborne minerals and contaminants to brew a good cup of tea. Water must contain the presence of a sufficient amount of oxygen to enhance the natural flavor of your tea. If the water tastes good alone, your brewed tea will taste great!

Hard water, which is high in dissolved minerals, can affect the taste and appearance of tea by making it dark and cloudy. The taste can be chalky and minerals can cause limescale accumulation that could lead to costly repairs or equipment failure in teapots and infusers. Bottled water with high mineral content has the same negative impact, especially if it does not include substantial oxygen (aeration). Oxygen plays an important part in the brewing process because it helps to release the flavors of your tea. You should always use fresh water that was not previously boiled to brew your tea. Re-heating water that was previously boiled has lost much of its dissolved oxygen. According to the Tea Association of the United States:

Water softening equipment will help to reduce or eliminate water hardness caused by excessive mineral content. An activated carbon filter is used to remove soluble organic chemicals, chlorine, taste and odor causing compounds.

A water filtration housing system like the Pentek 20″ Big Blue Filter Housing & WS20BB Filter will help to soften your hard water dilemma.

Your water supply is an integral part of your tea experience. In the United States it generally comes from municipal water, spring water, well water or bottled water. The predominant supply of water is municipal water. Although this source is controlled by EPA standards, regulations do not eliminate the entire presence of harmful minerals and contaminants. Usually chlorine is added to municipal water to kill bacteria, but when chlorine is present it has a distinctive and unfavorable taste.

In rural areas, spring and well water are major water sources, but both are subject to serious contamination because they are unregulated. Individual springs and wells must be tested to determine the source and level of contamination. The Hach Water Hardness, Iron & pH Test Kit is a cost effective and complete kit for testing and determining the hardness and quality of your water.

Only companies using a multi-step process of filtration, purification and oxygenation would be considered reliable for brewing good tasting tea. Purified water must be infused with oxygen to assure you are getting the best flavor of tea. The process of water purification filters out minerals and contaminants. When choosing your water you want to make sure that you get the best taste from your brewed tea. Water quality is just as important as the quality of the tea leaves to a tea lover. These tea aficionados are persnickety about their preference of pure water for producing a crisp flavor and clear brew of tea that is aesthetically pleasing.