Comparison Aquaphor Hot Water vs Aquaphor Gross 10

In this case is implied the temperature of the water for which the filter is designed. This parameter is directly related to the maximum operating temperature (see below). In general, modern filters fall into two main categories:

— For cold water. Exactly this purpose that most models today have, regardless of type. This is due to two points: firstly, cold water has to be filtered more often than hot water, and secondly, filter elements for such a temperature are simpler and cheaper. The temperature limit of cold water is usually held at around 40 °C.

— For hot water. Filters designed for connection to hot water systems.

When choosing a filter for its intended purpose, note that the use of “cold” filters with hot water should never be allowed. On the one hand, hot water usually has more impurities than cold water, which reduces cartridge life and cleaning efficiency. On the other hand, high temperature itself is an abnormal mode for filter materials, and instead of water purification, the opposite effect may even occur — the release of harmful substances from the cartridge. Therefore, for such cases, only filters designed for the corresponding temperatures should be selected.

On the other hand, the use of "hot" filters with cold water is quite acceptable — most of these models provide this possibility in case the hot water supply is turned off. However, for cons...tant work with cold water, it does not make sense to purchase such a filter, if only because it will cost more than the “usual” one.

The smallest size of foreign particles (in microns) that the filter can hold in total. Accordingly, the smaller this size, the higher the filtration efficiency, the less undissolved impurities remain in the filtered water. On the other hand, finer cleaning usually takes more time, which affects the speed (throughput) of the filter. It should be noted that in the case of using reverse osmosis filters, the filtration is very fine, up to 0.01 microns.

The amount of water that the filter is able to pass through itself per unit of time (of course, effectively purified in the process); usually stated in liters per minute. This parameter is largely related to the type (see above): for example, in jugs, the filtration rate usually does not exceed 0.5 L per minute, while for main devices that supply entire apartments, a throughput of tens or even hundreds of liters is required.

Note that it does not always make sense to pursue a high filtration rate. After all, other things being equal, finer cleaning takes more time; accordingly, the faster the filter works, the higher the chance that the quality of such cleaning will be relatively low. And devices that purify water efficiently and quickly usually have an appropriate price. Therefore, it is worth considering the purpose of the filter and, on the basis of this, determine the balance between the filtration speed and its quality when choosing. It is also worth keeping in mind the conditions of use: for example, if you need to filter low-quality tap water for drinking, it is better to sacrifice speed in favor of efficiency.

The resource can be described as the total amount of water (in thousands of liters) that the filter is able to clean before the cartridge needs to be changed. Usually, it is indicated for a standard filter element (see "Removable cartridges").

Different types of filters (see above) can significantly differ in resource, depending on the features of their application. However, for all models, the rule applies: do not use a cartridge that has exhausted its resource. This is due not only to a drop in filtration efficiency — an “overfilled” filter can begin to release the accumulated contents into the water, further degrading its quality. Since it can be quite difficult to monitor of a specific amount of treated water, many manufacturers indicate the approximate time in which it will be exhausted with an average intensity of use in addition to the resource. Usually it is a few months, but there are exceptions. In addition, for the convenience of the user, various indicators can be provided in the filter design (see "Cartridge replacement indicator").

In models with a multi-stage design (see "Stages of purification"), where there are several cartridges, their resource usually differs, and the total filter resource is usually indicated by the least durable cartridge, that is, until the first replacement of any of the filter elements.

The highest inlet water pressure at which a filter connected to a tap or water supply can operate indefinitely (at least until the resource is exhausted, see above) without breakdowns, failures, etc. In other words, this is the ultimate strength of the filter. Therefore, this parameter has a great importance, and when choosing a filter, you must make sure that it meets the characteristics of the connection point. In this case, it is best to choose a model with a margin: although the device will not break from short-term pressure surges in excess of the working device, but this will create off-design loads and can lead to early failure.

When buying a filter for ordinary domestic use, it can be assumed that the maximum pressure in the water supply, provided for by the housing and communal services standards of most post-Soviet countries, represents 6 atm, but its actual value is usually lower. Therefore, 6 atm filters are quite suitable for the definition of a “model with a margin” for apartments with medium and especially low water pressure.

The highest inlet water temperature at which the filter is able to operate normally. Modern filters are conditionally divided into models for cold and hot water: the operating temperature in the first case does not exceed 40 °C, and in the second it can reach 95 °C. For more information on the importance of matching water temperature and filter characteristics, see "Purpose".

Models of replaceable cartridges for which the filter is designed. Knowing the names of models, it will be much easier for you to find a replacement for an exhausted cartridge. In addition, the options directly named by the manufacturer are fully compatible with the filter and correspond to official specifications, while there is no such guarantee for "non-native" cartridges.

Several names in this paragraph are usually indicated for filters with multi-stage filtration (see "Stages of purification") — a cartridge for each stage.

The size of the cartridge indicates both the overall dimensions of the device and compatibility with non-native accessories from other manufacturers. So cartridges differ in width and height, measured in inches. Among the most common options are 5SL (5"x2.5"), 10SL (10"x2.5"), 20SL (20"x2.5"), 10BB (10"x4.5"), 20BB (20"x4.5").

The diameter of the pipes to which the filter is designed to be connected; indicated only for models with water connection, see "Connection". In plumbing, pipes of standard diameters are usually used, and inches are used for measurement — for example, 0.75", 1", etc. Most filters are equipped with a set of adapters for different pipe diameters, therefore, most likely there will be no connection problems, even if the initial diameters do not match. Nevertheless, it is best to choose a filter that matches your water supply in terms of fitting size — in this case, the connection is more reliable, and compliance with the claimed characteristics will be complete.