Keep Your Water Clean with a UV Water Purifier!

Many times, the water that you use to wash your hands is filled with microorganisms and you just end up washing your hands with polluted water. You might even be using this contaminated liquid as drinkable water! Proper installation of a UV water purifier can help you fix that problem.

Water purifiers are able to remove contaminants from your water to make sure the water that you drink or wash your body with is pure and clean. Most water purifiers provide the same function - however, UV water purifiers offer one special feature that makes them stand out from the rest of the water filtration systems: a UV light. With UV water purifiers, an effective UV light shines through the water to eliminate microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. As a result, the water comes through the purification system completely pure and safe to drink. These water purifiers can be used to treat just one faucet or the faucets of the entire house, so they are also very convenient.

The Wedeco M7 series UV water purifier is one of the top UV purifiers in the market. This unit can easily get rid of 99.9% of the infectious living organisms found in water such as E. coli, Giardia, and other viruses. It also features a 24-hour LED monitor that indicates the filter's operating status. This takes the guesswork out of changing the filter on a monthly or yearly basis and saves you more money in the long run! Similarly, the PurTest PURPG-8 UV purifier removes bacteria and microorganisms from your water without altering the chemical balance or the taste. This particular unit operates on only one penny for hundreds of gallons of water, making it economical and safe. Additionally, the water purifier features a 30-day replacement alarm that informs you exactly when you need to change the filter. Additionally, both of these units are made with stainless steel for durability.

Buy a UV water purification system today to keep your water pure and bacteria-free! For more information about installing your own water filtration system, read this previous post.

Water Dispenser Review: New Air AI-300S

Water is the elixir of life and the substance that makes the earth habitable and human life possible, and with a water dispenser, you can easily increase your water intake to the recommended 8 glasses a day. Here are some other reasons why purchasing a water dispenser is a good idea:

- Water is healthier and less expensive than sugary sodas or juices.

- Studies have shown that adults tend to drink more water when they can dispense it and this is also true for young children.

- With a water dispenser, water is always available, therefore eliminating the need to run to the tap every time you need a new glass

- By purchasing your own water dispenser, you avoid having to pay rental fees to a water company

- Some water dispensers also dispense both hot and cold water; therefore allowing you to make a cup of tea or hot chocolate if the need arises

While there are many brands and styles of water dispensers available, you should consider how much water your and your family consume on a daily basis, what other functions you need in a water dispenser (ice maker, both hot and cold settings, etc) and whether you have room for either a countertop water dispenser or a floor standing water dispenser.

Floor water dispensers such as the New Air AI-400SB provide water via bottles or a building’s water mains. Although using a bottled water dispenser may be more costly than ones that use plumbed in water, you can always be sure that your floor standing water dispenser is providing a reliably clean water supply.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a small countertop model, the New Air AI-300S water dispenser is a great choice. This versatile water dispenser boasts many advanced features not found in many other water dispensers on the market such as a built-in icemaker (1.1 pounds per hour), ice crusher, and self-cleaning function. It also gives you the flexibility of either connecting it to your home line water supply or using bottled water, thus allowing you to enjoy iced or cold drinks anytime.

Water Dispensers - Renting Vs. Buying - AI-400SB Review

Studies have shown that perhaps 80% of Americans are walking around dehydrated. Many of us drink too many caffeinated sodas, coffee, or energy drinks, and these often cause our bodies to lose water. This is a cause for concern because water is necessary for our bodies to digest and absorb vitamins and nutrients. As well, water helps detoxify the liver and kidneys, and also carries waste away from the body.

There are also countless other benefits to keeping your body well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and a steady dose of 8 glasses a day (or ½ your body weight in ounces of water) can increase your mental clarity, improve your energy, keep your skin healthy, and even allow for proper digestion. In addition, for those trying to lose weight, water has been shown to be a natural appetite suppressant, and many doctors note that people often mistake hunger for thirst.

With that in mind, we should all strive to increase our water intake. Bottled water is a great way to ensure proper hydration, but over time, this may prove to be expensive, and for homes or offices, renting or purchasing a water cooler may be a more economical way to quench your thirst.

Renting a Water Cooler
In the past, traditional water coolers were wall-mounted and provided non-filtered water from a municipal water source. However, modern water coolers now feature purified water that is often delivered to a location on a regular basis, with empty bottles being taken away. This water is then dispensed through a free-standing water cooling, and rental fees can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 a month, depending on how much water you receive and what type of dispenser you choose.

The obvious benefit of renting a water cooler is having fresh water regularly delivered to you, and many water companies also offer cooler maintenance. Therefore, if your cooler happens to malfunction, the company distributing your water and cooler will most likely perform repairs for you. If you choose this method of acquiring your water and water cooler, be sure to inquire about what’s included with the monthly fee, as well as the following questions:

1. What is the charge for water delivery beyond the regular amount?
2. Are damages included and will the cooler be replaced at no charge?
3. Is there a fee associated with cancelling service?
4. Does the company offer a discount for supplying your own water cooler stand and just have the water delivered?

Purchasing a Water Cooler
For those who wish to purchase their own water cooler instead of renting one, many options are available, ranging from the most basic models which simply dispense room temperature water to models with advanced features such as ice makers. One such model is the New Air AI-400SB. This sleek and compact appliance not only features hot and cold water dispensing, but it also has the ability to produce up to 28 pounds of ice per day. No water lines or drains are needed, as this water dispenser can fit your choice of 3 or 5 gallon water bottles which can either be purchased from a retail store or delivered from a water company as noted above.

In addition to its convenient ice-making capability, the AI-400SB can also dispense hot or room temperature water, and its hot water safety guard prevents young children from getting burned. LED indicator lights make using this unit easy, and a low-water safety device ensures proper use. Although this unit retails for $329.95, by comparing rental costs and the different features this unit has to offer, over time, it is well worth the price.

DIY - How to Install a Home Water Filtration System

While some people may believe in the saying, "What you can't see can't hurt you," this is definitely not true when it comes to your drinking water. Although your tap water may look clean, drinking water often contains harmful contaminants such as chlorine; agricultural pollutants such as herbicide and insecticide runoff; heavy metals such as lead; or even sediment such as rust. Fortunately, water purifiers can help you eliminate all of the above pollutants and more, and installing a home water purifier may be easier than you think.

Pitcher water purifiers are one of the most popular types of water purifiers, as they are the least expensive and the easiest to use. The pitcher is filled with tap water and the filtering system in the pitcher cleans the water. These are great for keeping water chilled, as they are often stored in your refrigerator, and one filter usually provides up to 40 gallons of crystal clean water.

To filter both your cooking and drinking water, look for water filters that fit under your sink or whole-house water filtration devices. Under the counter filtration systems are easy to install, and most come with their own installation kits. Because under the counter water filtration systems usually remove particles and contaminants only from the sink that is attached to the filter, most people choose to install the filter under the kitchen sink, as that is where most people cook their food and get their drinking water. Follow these basic tips to set up your own under the counter water filter:

1. Locate your sink's shutoff valve to turn off the water. This can usually be found under the sink.
2. Disconnect the cold water line from the shutoff valve, and keep in mind that you may need to use a wrench to loosen the nut that holds the tube to your sink’s faucet.
3. Use a marker or pencil to mark the areas where you will need to drill holes to mount the water filter's bracket, and place the filter under the cabinet by the wall that is closest to the cold water line.
4. Drill the screws in place, connect the water purifier to your sink's water line, and connect a line that goes from the purifier from your tap. Once the filter is in place, slowly turn the faucet back on and make sure the connection points are tightly sealed.

While the exact instructions for your specific water purifier may vary depending on the type and model of filter you choose, usually only a wrench and possibly a drill and screwdriver are the only tools needed.

However, if you are looking for more complete water filtration systems, whole house water filters may be more appropriate. While installing these types of water filters may be a bit more complicated than the above two styles, most models do not require professional installation, and they are an easy way to ensure that your family is getting the best water possible.

The Consequences of Drinking Bottled Water

Drinking bottled water has been a rising trend. At upscale restaurants, many diners can be seen quaffing from a ubiquitous bottle of Evian, and bars and hotels often get away with charging upwards of eight dollars for a small half liter of "Vitamin-Infused" water.

In fact, increased bottled water consumption has been a global phenomenon, reaching 154 billion liters from the 98 billion liters consumed just five years prior. Even in the United States, where tap water is safe to drink, the public drinks over 30 billion liters, or approximately one 8-ounce glass per person every day. Mexico are second in terms of bottled water consumption, and China and Brazil follow. However, in developed countries, Italy leads the pack in bottled water sales.

When compared to tap water, both transporting and packaging bottle water is not environmentally friendly. Tap water is often distributed through an energy-efficient infrastructure, and transporting bottled water involves massive quantities of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are also used in the bottling process. The plastic used for making water bottles is commonly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is derived from crude oil. Once the water has been consumed, roughly 86% of the plastic bottles used in the U.S. become garbage or litter. Incinerating used bottles can also result in the emission of toxic byproducts such as chlorine gas and ash.

While affordable, clean drinking water is absolutely essential to the health and well-being of the global community, this puts a significant strain on our ecosystem, and does nothing to secure a water supply for the other 1.1 billion people in the world.

If Americans are concerned with the quality of their water, perhaps other measures should be taken in order to alleviate the burden bottled water places on our environment. Improving and expanding on existing water treatment and sanitation systems, and instituting home water purification units such as UV water purifiers will more than likely enable us to drink clean water without harming the environment.

Is Your Water Safe to Drink?

Roughly 70% of the human body is composed of water and in order to function properly, the body requires between one and seven liters of water per day just to avoid dehydration and to replace the body fluids lost through perspiration and urination. When one fails to replace these fluids in the body, severe problems can occur, such as exhaustion, fatigue, “brain lock,” and eventually death.

While the water in the United States is considered to be relatively safe, trace amounts of contaminants can still be found in the water we drink. Currently, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of contaminants in the water provided by public water systems for tap water, and the FDA establishes limits for contaminants in bottled water. Whether from the tap or from a bottle, at least small amounts of some contaminants can still be found in our water. In fact, the Natural Resource Defense Council states that 40% of municipal water suppliers regularly violate federal standards, and Giardia and Cryptosporidium are two species of protozoa that are most notorious in our water. In order to ensure clean water, you can attempt to purify your water supply by boiling water for five to ten minutes, adding ten drops of household bleach to each gallon of water, or by adding a household tincture of iodine to each gallon of water and letting it sit.

Though the above methods do work, they are best suited for camping trips and emergencies. Instead, the use of a UV water purifier such as the Purguard UV A2 can help kill 99.9% of bacteria and microorganisms from your household water. This type of water purification is actually used in most water sterilization processes consisting of purification, detoxification, and disinfection in wastewater treatment. Therefore, the UV water purifiers for home use are extremely effective and can either treat one faucet or the entire house. As water passes through the UV unit, the UV light shines through the water and eliminates the microorganisms, leaving the exiting water up to 99.9% safe to drink.

UV treatment is an excellent way to eliminate biological contamination from home drinking water.