In America, we are incredibly lucky to have the cleanest, safest water supply on the planet. But even so, the CDC estimates that about 7.2 million Americans fall ill from waterborne diseases each year, So we need a UV water Purifier to to save our health.
Having a well puts you at a much higher risk of water contamination. Fortunately, UV water purifier systems can protect you from harmful pathogens. But which ones are worth your money?
If you are having trouble choosing a UV water purifier, you have come to the right place. With years of industry experience and articles shared in publications such as WQP Magazine, WWD Magazine and Sawyer Products, I know the ins and outs of the water treatment industry.
I founded WaterFilterGuru.com to share my knowledge with like-minded people, and my website now sees an average of 100,000 monthly readers.
The most important feature of UV water purifiers is reliability. For this reason, this list is short and sweet – there are 4 purifiers that I can confidently recommend based on their high level of performance and customer satisfaction.
In this guide, I will share:
- Review of 4 Best UV Water Purifiers Worth Your Money in 2021
- Information you need to know before buying a UV water purifier
- Answers to your frequently asked questions about UV water purification
Table of Content:
- Best UV Water Purifier Systems
- UV Light Water Treatment System Reviews 2021
- UV Water Purifier Buyer’s Guide
- What is an Ultraviolet Water Filter?
- Advantages of Using a UV Filter
- Limitations of UV water purification systems
- How Does a UV Water Purifier Work?
- UV Water Purifiers vs Water Filters
- When you should use a UV purifier
- Key considerations when buying a UV light water filter
- How to choose the right size UV unit
- Installation and Maintenance of a UV purifying system
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best UV Water Purifier Systems
- Viqua D4 Premium
- US Water Systems Pulsar UV Disinfection System
- Viqua VH410 Ultraviolet Disinfection System
- Pelican Premium Ultra Violet (UV) Disinfection System
System | Details |
---|---|
Viqua D4 Premium | Flow rate: 12 GPM Power consumption: 50W Installation: Vertical or horizontal |
US Water Systems Pulsar UV Disinfection System | Flow rate: 10 GPM Power consumption: 49W Installation: Vertical |
Viqua VH410 Ultraviolet Disinfection System | Flow rate: 14 GPM Power consumption: 60W Installation: Vertical or horizontal |
Pelican Premium Ultra Violet (UV) Disinfection System | Flow rate: 15.8 GPM Power consumption: 83W Installation: Vertical or horizontal |
UV Light Water Treatment System Reviews 2021
Viqua D4 Premium is a complete home UV water treatment system used primarily to remove bacteria from water, making it ideal for residential homes using well water. With a flow rate of up to 12 GPM, this UV filter provides quick, efficient water treatment that won’t affect the water pressure in your shower or other water-based equipment.
What makes the Viqua D4 stand out from its competitors is its small, compact size. It’s space-efficient with a smaller eco footprint, while offering the same performance as a tall UV chamber. With a constant current feature, this UV lamp won’t die even when your power is cut, so you’ll have access to clean drinking water at all times.
With a lamp life of 9,000 hours, the Veequa Model D4 is designed to give you over a year of use before it can be replaced. You install the system at the entry point of your home, and most people find the installation easy enough to handle on their own. All you need to do is fit the UV lamp inside the sleeve and connect the system directly to your water line, following Weka’s installation instructions.
When it comes to lamp life or UV intensity, the Viqua D4 Premium won’t leave you in the dark. Its interactive display screen shows all the information you need to know about the condition of your UV filter, help you troubleshoot problems if they arise and plan to buy a new lamp before your old one lives. . The screen also displays the company logo and contact information in case you need to contact customer service for advice.
You can buy replacement parts for Viqua online for a relatively low cost—replacement lamps, for example, cost just under $100, which you’ll only need to pay for once a year. Aside from replacing the lamp, the only other semi-routine maintenance you’ll need is cleaning the lamp housing. Unlike alternative bacteria removal filters such as RO systems, there are no filters to replace on a semi-annual basis, and no backwashing is required.
US Water Systems Pulsar UV Disinfection System
One of the latest UV disinfection systems to hit the market is the US Water Systems Pulsar UV disinfection system. This whole-household application offers rapid inactivation of microorganisms, rendering them unable to reproduce or infect.
The Pulsar is designed to provide a reliable and consistent UV output over its 9,000 hour lifetime. To check the system’s performance, you can find the information you need on the included full-color LED screen.
Sediment in the water can prevent the UV process from working properly, as it prevents UV light from fully penetrating the water. The Pulsar comes with a 1-micron sediment pre-filter that removes sand, salt and dirt particles before passing water through the system.
Like most UV systems, the Pulsar is easy to install, and maintenance is limited—you’ll only need to replace the lamps on an annual basis (and you can do that without interrupting water flow).
You will be notified by the system when the lamps need to be replaced, and an alarm will sound if the system fails to notify you in advance.
There are several features that support Pulsar’s efficiency and make the UV disinfection process as safe as possible. The durable stainless steel chamber helps prevent UV light corrosion, and the power supply is in a sealed case to avoid accidental water damage.
Pros:
- Lamp change notifications & alarm
- Safety features protect the system
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- No certifications for disinfection performance
- May need a plumber to install
The Viqua VH410 is a powerful UV water purifier that can be used at water flow rates up to 18 GPM. With a high UV output, this UV water filter is smaller in size, helping you save space while providing the same performance in a larger chamber.
You can install the Viqua VH410 alone or with a water filter, depending on your needs. Remember that VH410 will not reduce particulates or chemicals from water such as chlorine, which are not hazardous to your health in small amounts, but can still affect the taste or smell of your water.
There’s no need to hire a plumber to help you with the installation of the Viqua VH410. It is designed for simple DIY set-up, for either vertical or horizontal installation (vertical is recommended). The package includes the lamp and filter housing, as well as brackets for wall mounting. Be aware, however, that you will need to purchase the necessary fittings to connect the Viqua system to your water line.
You can use the Viqua VH410 for both city and well water, and it’s considered the best UV water purifier to kill bacteria and cysts like E.Coli, Salmonella, and Giardia. It works by targeting the DNA of these microorganisms, killing them and preventing them from being able to reproduce. Promising consistently high output, the VH410 will continue to perform at its peak throughout the lamp’s lifetime.
After about 9,000 hours of use (the equivalent of about a year), you’ll need to replace the Viqua VH410’s lamp for a new one. The purifier comes with a lamp change reminder that rings when it is time to buy a new one. There’s also a digital countdown screen, which you can use to check the unit’s performance and buy a new lamp ahead of time.
Other than replacing the lamp, additional maintenance is minimal. You’ll need to clean off scale and build-up from the lamp sleeve after every three months. Guidelines for how to do this safely can be found in the user manual. You don’t need to do anything to improve the flow rate, as it will last up to 18 GPM over its entire lifespan depending on your home’s water flow rate. This means you will never have to face a drop in water pressure in your faucet or shower.
Pros:
- Quality construction for durability – Viqua UV purification systems will last for beyond a decade with the right care
- Easy to get running after installation
- Handy lamp change reminder
Cons:
- Additional fittings will need to be purchased to connect the Viqua VH410 to your water line
- Installation may be too complex for some people
Pelican UV Light Water Purifier targets waterborne pathogenic organisms that can cause illness and disease such as bacteria, viruses and cysts.
This eco-friendly system has a peak flow rate of 9 to 16 GPM, making it suitable for use in most homes. Being able to remove only live microorganisms from the water, the Pelican system will not affect the current taste, smell or appearance of your home water.
What sets the Pelican Premium System apart from other UV water filters is its NSF 55 Class B certification. This certification assures that the system is designed for supplemental treatment of drinking water to remove bacteria, which has been tested by third parties and deemed suitable for consumption by humans.
If you’re looking for a no-fuss UV purification system, the Pelican unit is the perfect choice. All you have to do is clean the lamp sleeves every two months and replace your lamps once a year. Both of these processes are extremely simple, and take only a few minutes to complete.
The Pelican UV purification system uses a specific type of UV disinfection called thymine dimerization. When UV light penetrates the DNA of living microorganisms in water, it is permanently altered, making it no longer able to reproduce or infecting the person drinking the water.
The manufacturer provides a useful analogy to imagine what this might look like: a broken zipper. DNA is unable to “zip back up” because the mechanism that holds it together is no longer in practice.
To make sure you never miss a lamp replacement, the unit has a useful lamp edge display that counts down until it’s time to order a new lamp. When it is 30 days before you need to make a replacement, a light on the system will turn yellow, and an alarm will sound, giving you plenty of time to order a replacement.
For families with young children, finding a UV light that is safe to leave around little fingers can be important. The Pelican Premium UV Disinfection System has a safety cap that will prevent young children from being able to access the lamp or any other electrical component, and the lamp comes with a special plug that allows you to power it on when it’s on. prevents from Not safely inside the UV chamber.
Pros:
- Contains everything you need for installation
- Can be installed by anyone; written and video instructions available
- Ideal for families with children
Cons:
- Some users have noted a noisiness from the fan
- Has been known to heat up the water that sits inside it before use
UV Water Purifier Buyer’s Guide
To help you with your decision, we’ve compiled all the most relevant information about UV water purifiers in the guide below. Use this resource to learn how to find the best products for your specific needs!
What is an ultraviolet water filter?
viqua uv disinfection system
An ultraviolet water filter, otherwise known as a UV water purifier or UV water sterilizer, is an effective system for killing bacteria, viruses, cysts and other living organisms that are sometimes found in drinking water.
This system looks like a long, thin lamp, and is installed over your main water pipe at the point of entry into your home.
Benefits of Using UV Filters
Whether you plan to use an ultraviolet water filter to source your home’s municipal drinking water or private well water, there are several benefits to doing so. When using a UV purification system to treat your water, you can benefit from:
non-chemical disinfection
Unlike other methods used to clean, purify or disinfect water, UV disinfection does not add chemicals to water or change its composition. It easily kills harmful microorganisms by shining light through the water effectively.
no added taste or smell
Because nothing is added to your water, you won’t notice a distinct taste or unpleasant odor as a result of using a UV filter. Your water will taste as good as ever.
virtually no maintenance
One major advantage of UV filters is that you don’t have to constantly replace as many different filters as you need to do with a reverse osmosis unit or whole house water filter. You just need to clean the lamp case every two months, and the lamps need to be replaced almost every year.
assurance of safe drinking water
You never know what might happen in the future, and having a UV water sterilizer will assure you that even if your city’s drinking water is compromised for any reason, you still have access to safe water to drink. will be accessible.
Limitations of UV Water Purification System
Of course, like all water filters and purifiers, whole-house UV water filters come with a number of limitations, including:
no contaminated removals
If you want to remove suspended particles in your water, including contaminants that affect the taste and smell of water, then a UV water purifier is not for you. The system can only kill live microorganisms, and has no effect on drinking water contaminants.
need power to run
If there is a power outage in your home, you will not be able to use your UV lamp, as it requires electricity to run.
can warm your water
If you haven’t turned on the faucet for a while, it’s possible that the water sitting under the UV lamp may become hot. You can fix this by simply running a tap to allow this water to pass through the drain before the cooler water arrives.
How does UV water purifier work?
A UV light water purifier works very simply to kill microorganisms and prevent them from multiplying in the water.
It treats the water with a germicidal UV light, which targets the DNA of the microorganisms living in the water and scrambles it.
With scrambled DNA, microorganisms are unable to reproduce or behave as they normally would. This means that after being treated with a UV water purifier, you can safely drink water containing bacteria and viruses, and you will not get sick.
UV Water Purifier Vs Water Filter
UV water purifier and water filter are not the same thing. For a start, they are completely different in appearance – a UV light is essentially a tall lamp enclosed in a metal housing; Whereas water filters have a mesh cartridge, usually made of activated carbon or a similar material.
The function of a water purifier is also very different from that of a filter. While water passes through a water filter, which reduces or removes contaminants by trapping them in their media, UV purifiers allow water to flow directly through the UV tube without being slowed down by the filter.
A UV lamp treats water as it flows through the pipes leading into your home. By damaging the DNA of microorganisms living in water, it kills harmful bacteria, viruses, cysts and other microorganisms. On the other hand, water filters cannot kill living organisms. They easily remove suspended particles from water by preventing them from flowing through the filter media.
whole house uv water filter
Source: viqua.com
When You Should Use a UV Purifier
You can use a great UV water purifier whenever you want. Many people choose to use UV disinfection:
For municipal water at home
UV purifiers are installed at the entry point of water into the house. While the water in your local area is treated to remove bacteria and other microorganisms before it reaches your home, there is no guarantee that your water is completely sterile. Only an at-home UV light water filter can ensure this.
while traveling
If you’re traveling or camping and don’t have access to a clean water source, you can bring a UV water purifier with you to make sure your water is safe to drink. There are many portable, handheld water purifiers that you can use for work.
for well water treatment
Having your own private well water source for your home also has its benefits, but you need to make sure it is safe for consumption by your family before drinking it. Installing a whole house UV water can ensure that all faucets and appliances in your home are producing clean, safe water.
Key Points When Buying a UV Light Water Filter
Before you start shopping for a UV water filter, there are several factors to consider. This includes:
Your budget
Not all UV water systems cost the same. You can buy some for as little as $100, but more advanced systems may cost a few hundred dollars upfront. While you don’t need to look for the most expensive model on the market to get the job done, keep in mind that price and quality are often intertwined.
Your water needs to be purified
If you want to remove live contaminants from your water, a UV water purifier will definitely help. But if you want to improve the taste of your water, or get rid of chemicals like chlorine, look elsewhere. A UV light will not improve your condition.
your water flow rate
The flow rate of all UV systems is measured in GPM or gallons per minute. It measures how fast water can flow through the system, or how much water can flow through the system at one time. It is better to get a system with a higher flow rate for your home, but knowing your home’s flow rate will help you make the right decision.
your water quality
Certain properties of your home’s drinking water can make it more difficult for UV water purification to be carried out effectively. For example, water with a high sediment level, or water containing a lot of iron, calcium, and magnesium, can prevent a UV system from treating the water properly. Installing a whole house water filter or water softener before your UV lamp can help with the situation, depending on your water problems.
your available space
UV systems come in all different sizes, and some require more available space than others. Tall lamps are unlikely to be suitable for small storage cupboards, but it is not difficult to find more compact UV lamps with similar GPM. You should also consider whether the UV system can be installed vertically and horizontally, or only vertically, if your available space is not suitable for vertical installation.
How to choose the right size UV unit
There is a huge variety of sizes of UV water systems, and you may be unsure how to properly size your ultraviolet water system for your family. You can find everything from small handheld, portable drinking systems to large whole home systems with flow rates of hundreds of gallons per minute.
When deciding the right size for you, consider the following:
size of your house
The larger your home, the higher the GPM you need to efficiently deliver pure water to all your home appliances. 10 GPM systems are suitable for smaller homes, condos or apartments, while those with 15 GPM or higher are ideal for larger homes with more than one bathroom.
If your water has color
The color in your water may indicate high levels of iron or surface sediment. This can prevent UV rays from penetrating through the water as effectively, so if your water has a yellowish tint it is always best to shape it.
the size of your plumbing
Most UV systems are designed to connect seamlessly to your plumbing, but it’s still worth checking the product’s fittings before making a purchase. Buying a UV system that isn’t compatible with your plumbing can limit the flow rate of your water.
UV purification system installation and maintenance
Installation of a UV purifier is about a medium on the complexity scale, and you may prefer to hire a plumber to do the work for you. But if you enjoy a DIY project and have up to an hour of free time, you can install a UV system yourself.
Your system’s installation instructions will specifically tell you how to set up your own model, but if you want a basic idea of how installation works, here’s what you’ll typically need to do:
Decide where to put the filter – If you’re installing an all-in-home UV purifier, it’s unlikely that it will be alone. You can have a UV lamp as a follow up to a well pump (if you are using well water), a water softener, and a complete household water filter. In this case, you just install your UV filter last, so that water can flow through everything you installed earlier. If you don’t have anything else installed, you can simply install your UV filter as close to the entry point of your water into your home as possible.
Mount the lamp housing to the wall – Your UV lamp should come with the lamp housing. You can attach this housing directly to the wall using the included mount. Be sure to install the lamp so that the power cords come out from above if you choose to install it vertically; This helps to ensure that the system can work effectively.
Undo one end of the lamp housing – slide your UV lamp into the housing, then seal the lamp on both ends using your included O-rings.
Connect your lamp to your water line – Your UV lamp has two threads, one for the water going into the system and one for the water going out of the system and back into the water line. Connect these to your water line following your manufacturer’s instructions.
Turn on your home water – Next, you need to check for leaks by turning on your water and using your home appliances.
Plug the UV System into the Wall – The final step in installation is to plug the UV light into your wall and connect it to your electricity. Be sure to connect the wire securely according to your installation instructions – don’t let non-waterproof areas of the wires get wet.
uv water filter replacement lamp
Like any water treatment process, UV water purifiers require some maintenance. UV lamps need to be replaced approximately every 12 months or after every 9,000 hours.
The reason the lamp needs to be replaced is that after 9,000 hours, the mercury in the lamp depletes, reducing the effectiveness of the lamp. Replacing a lamp only takes a few minutes – you just need to remove your lamp housing from the wall, slide the old lamp out, and slide in the new one.
You will also need to clean the quartz glass sleeve inside your UV water filter. If your water contains hardness or iron, it will cloud the glass screen and prevent UV wavelengths from being able to pass through your water. For this reason, it is recommended that you be sure to clean the sleeves every two months.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I’m not using my UV lamp, will it last longer?
This principle makes sense, especially if you have a vacation home with a well water source and don’t want to leave your UV light on while you’re away. Unfortunately, though, it’s a bad idea to turn off your UV lamp when you’re not using it. This can cause the lamp to fail prematurely, so it’s best to keep it running if you want your lamp to last longer.
How is UV power measured?
The power, or strength, of a UV lamp is measured in millijoules per centimeter square, or mJ/cm2. According to the US Department of Health, the minimum power provided by a UV water filter is 30,000 mj/cm2. You can usually find out from their product description how many mJ/cm2 the UV system is. If a system is NSF Class B certified, it means that it has met the test requirements and exceeds the minimum required power of 30,000 mj/cm2.
Do I need to install a complete household water filter before my UV lamp?
If you’re not using well water, no – but it’s recommended. Installing a filter will enable contaminants and particles that can interfere with the ultraviolet process to be removed from the water before the UV light can pass through.
If I install my UV lamp vertically, does it matter which way the water enters and exits?
Yes, your water should enter the lamp from the bottom fitting and exit from the top fitting.
What if I don’t change my UV lamp when necessary?
For a start, your light will no longer work, as the intensity of the UV will decrease to such a level that it becomes useless. Even if the lamp is still burning, it doesn’t mean it’s doing much for your water.
How do I check that my UV system is working properly?
The easiest way is to buy a laboratory water kit that will enable you to test your water before and after using a UV lamp. Look for a kit that tests for bacteria, such as coliforms and E. coli, both of which a UV lamp will be able to kill.
It is especially important that you test your water if you are taking it from a well, as you need to make sure it is safe to drink before using it in your home.