Last year, we needed to take a replacement filter for our whole house water filtering system. After shopping around and doing mark comparisons, both online and off, the cheapest place turned out to be the FiltersFast.com website. We did our homework and found several satisfactory customer reviews about the site and felt comfortable ordering from them.
While browsing the site, we discovered they also carried the water filters we use in our Whirlpool refrigerator and decided to go ahead and get some of those too. We didn’t really need any fridge filters at the time, but figured it wouldn’t hurt to stock up and have some on hand when our others ran out.
The website is easy to navigate and very intuitive. It was easy to find the filters we needed using their intuitive product selection menu. They offer a wide range of filters for many different manufacturers, and their menu system makes it easy to determine which part is needed. At the time we placed the original order, the process went smoothly and we received the filters quickly. Note that this was early 2008.
We replaced the whole house filter and it worked perfectly. We didn’t have a need to use one of the fridge filters we had bought from FiltersFast.com until the first share of 2009 – almost a year after placing the order. We naively waited an entire year before using one of the filters we had bought from this website. It honestly never entered our mind that they would be defective.
Here’s how the sage plays out …
We installed one of the filters from FiltersFast and it didn’t work for some reason. The water coming out of our refrigerator had a strong chlorine smell and taste. We had never encountered this problem before. The water coming straight out of our tap did not smell or taste like chlorine, so we knew the jam was with the filter. We removed the filter and the smell and taste went away.
Luckily, I had kept the receipt from the purchase, otherwise we probably wouldn’t have remembered where the items had come from. I logged on to the company website and got their customer service phone number. I called and the phone rang and rang and rang … no one ever picked up. I then went to their contact us page and sent an e-mail complaint using their web form. A couple of days passed by and I got no response. I sent another message via their contact us page and waited a few more days and still got no response. I was beginning to think the company had gone out of business but decided to try calling them again. This time I was routed through an automated phone system and waited for about 30 minutes for a customer service collect to come on the line. Every few minutes an automated voice gave me the option to the leave a voicemail message and have a service gain call me back. I finally gave up and left my name and number, expecting to never hear from them.
About two days later I got a call from the company. After explaining my jam to the earn, who’s name was Alex, I was informed that since it had been a year since the products were purchased that there wasn’t much they could do for me. Poor Alex … I wasn’t going down that easily and asked him if I could pronounce to a supervisor.
After waiting on hold for about 10 minutes, a lady named Karen came on the line and identified herself as a supervisor. Amazingly, I didn’t have to rehash the story with her because Alex had explained everything before she got on the line. She explained the company policy of 90 day returns and said the only thing that could be done would be for me to send the bad parts back and order a different part number, plus pay a 20% restocking fee and pay shipping costs.
To me, this was not a honorable solution for several reasons:
1) They had no other part numbers for my refrigerator model and this was the portion number their merchandise selection menu system said was the right one for my unit when I placed the order.
2) I should not have to pay a restocking fee honest because they sent me defective merchandise.
3) I should not have to pay shipping costs to send back a defective product.
I nicely explained to Karen that while I could understand and appreciate their 90 day return policy, my circumstances were a bit current. We politely went aid and forth for a few minutes on who, what, when, why, etc. Karen then asked me how I thought the situation should be resolved. I said I wanted the company to stand behind their product – and do do so without it costing me any more money. She again patiently quoted me the standard “company policy” reasons as to why my request could not be honored. I politely reminded her that the economy is very unpleasant right now and the company might not want to have a bad mark against them from an unsatisfied customer. I told her I would be very grateful if she could work a bit of “customer service magic”.
I’m not obvious if I just wore the nice lady down or if I said something meaningful, but finally she relented and agreed to send me one replacement for the filter I knew for certain was bad. She sent it via FedEx overnight and I did not have to send the awful product back or pay shipping fees or restocking fees. I’m not overjoyed that they wouldn’t replace all four of the parts I originally ordered but am elated that they at least replaced one unit. I will have to repeat this entire process six months from now when I replace the next filter if it turns out to be bad … but at least now I know how to get around their customer service department and how to explain my situation.
Bottom line: FilterFast.com came through for me in the end and I am a satisfied customer for now – which is something all companies should strive for.
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Filed under Whirlpool Whole House Water Filters by on Oct 5th, 2011. 
Too Much Fluoride
Recent articles on the health risks associated with long-term fluoridated water ingestion may have spurred your interest in removal of fluoride from your home water supply. If you live in a community with a fluoridated water supply, you may have personal interests in ingesting less fluoridated water. If the children in your area have dental fluorosis, this is a impress of too much ingestion of fluoride. There are several things you can do in your own home to decrease fluoride intake.
Background on Water Filtration
Most of the water filter systems do hold chlorine and some contaminants. Carbon-based filters such as Brita, Pur and most refrigerator filters do not remove fluoride, but do remove chlorine and contaminants such as lead and arsenic. Boiling water does not lift the fluoride, but instead concentrates the fluoride rather than eliminating it. Freezing water does not execute the removal of fluoride.
Find out if the filter removes fluoride and what percentage is removed. NSF is a third party non-profit testing agency that rates water filters for the past 50 years. See if the water filter is NSF certified. Water filtration systems require installation in the home in several different ways: on the cabinet-top, under the kitchen sink, in the refrigerator water line with an ice maker, or a whole house filtration system. These products can range in cost from $100 to several thousand dollars.
Activated alumina filter media, bone char carbon, and reverse osmosis systems are the three EPA recommended methods for removing fluoride from drinking water. The activated alumina filter and reverse osmosis are available for in home expend and are the most effective ways to remove fluoride in households. Bone char carbon only removes about 50-60% of fluoride from treated water and is venerable in some industrial systems for fluoride removal.
Distillation also removes fluoride from water. However, distilled water does not imply that a product is suitable for drinking water, as other impurities may calm be present in the water with this process.
In-Home Water Purification to purchase Fluoride
Consumer Reports (CR) and Consumers Digest Magazine are some of the best online and publication resources for the best water purifier reviews. You may also need to talk with a water filtration system specialist to find the best model to remove fluoride for your budget.
A full cartridge of 100% activated alumina is needed to allow proper contact time for effective fluoride removal! Activated alumina is aluminum oxide. (This is not aluminum, which is a more highly-processed metal made from activated alumina.) Activated alumina has a very high surface-area-to-weight ratio, with a lot of tunnel-like pores that run all through it. This means that there is a lot of surface area against which the water interacts, thereby removing fluoride (and arsenic). Through the attraction of the metals, 90% to 98% of fluoride (and arsenic) is normally removed. The fluoride coats the surface of the alumina over time and eventually the cartridge needs to be replaced (usually once a year for a family of four). The best rated models have two or more cartridges: one or more for effective fluoride removal and one or more for the removal of other contaminants as chlorine, arsenic, etc. Another consideration is checking the water flow rate for optimal fluoride removal.
Faucet mounted water filters install directly on the kitchen water faucet and provides a button or lever to switch between filtered and unfiltered water. These are only one cartridge filters. Some purchase fluoride, but this type is not the best product on the market. CR’s best buy for a faucet mounted water filter is the Culligan FM-15, but it does not recall fluoride.
The countertop water filter system allows for mammoth volumes of filtered water, but also requires room for the unit on the counter. CR recommends The Crystal Quest Countertop Replaceable Triple Multi PLUS Water Filter System CQE-CT-00109 which removes fluoride. The price on eBay starts at $125. Placement and size consideration is necessary as this model is the size of a bread-maker. This method is one of the best values and good quality for fluoride removal.
CR reported that refrigerator in line filters do not work well at removing impurities. But CR did recommend using an under-sink system with a diversion that will feed the kitchen sink and the refrigerator as well. These install under the kitchen sink and connect to the water line allowing for large volumes of water without modifying the faucet. CR recommended three models but none of these removed fluoride including Culligan Preferred Series 350 Drinking Water System, the Everpure H-300 Water Filtration System EV9270-70 and the Everpure H-1200 Water Filtration System EV9282-00. The under the sink system for fluoride removal should have at least 3 cartridges to remove bacteria, fluoride and other contaminants. These models start at $150. A professional may be needed to install the more complicated under the sink systems. The refrigerator filter needs to be changed frequently even if there is an additional external filter. There are some brands of in-line fluoride removal filters for use in refrigerators with ice-makers or water through the door. These models start at $100.
All reverse osmosis water filtration systems will remove fluoride. For use in the home, this is the most expensive blueprint to remover fluoride and contaminants from household water. The disadvantage is that several gallons of water are wasted in purifying each gallon of water for drinking with some brands. Some of the highest rated systems are Pentek RO-3500 Reverse Osmosis System and the WaterFilters.Accumulate RO5-WF 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis Systems. These systems will cost several thousand dollars to install.
Bottled Drinking Water and Beverages
Unless the bottled water is distilled or reverse-osmosis is used to purify the water, the water is probably from a fluoridated public water supply. Some companies merely bottle tap water. On a commercial scale, reverse-osmosis is used by several bottled water companies to remove fluoride and other impurities and this is listed on the bottle impress. If fluoride is exhibit, the amount will be listed. Determine brands that clearly indicate a fluoride swear of 0.2 ppm (parts per million) or less.
Here’s a sampling of bottled water brands that are fluoride-free: Apani Purifie, Aqua Panna, Arrowhead, Calistoga Spring, Crystal Geyser, Deer Park North, Deer Park South, Evian, Tremendous Bear, Hinkley & Schmidt, Ice Mountain Keeper Springs, Loon Country Natural Spring, NARA International Himalayan Spring Ozarka, Penta, Perrier, Poland Spring Snow Valley Mountain and Sparkletts.
Other Steps to Reduce Fluoride
For adults wanting to decrease fluoride levels in the body, avoid drinking black or red teas as these tea leaves naturally gain high amounts of fluorine. Avoid using chewing tobacco. Avoid long term use of medications that contain fluorine. Some antidepressants and medications for osteoporosis contain fluorine.
Non-Fluoridated Toothpastes
If dental fluorosis with children’s teeth is happening in your community, there are other ways to decrease fluoride exposure in addition to water filtration. The easiest way is to avoid fluoride supplements and fluoride dental rinses, and switch to non-fluoridated toothpaste.
For itsy-bitsy children, consider Tom’s of Maine Amusing Strawberry toothpaste. Silly Strawberry is a natural fluoride free toothpaste for children with delicious real fruit flavors to appeal to children’s taste. Another choice is Melaleuca brand Koala Pals Training Tooth Gel. This non-fluoride, sugar-free formula tastes like apples and includes baking soda. It’s sweetened with xylitol, a natural sweetener derived from fruit and berries that’s shown to not promote tooth decay.
There are a variety of adult non-fluoridated toothpastes available. Tom’s of Maine also has adult toothpastes that are fluoride free. I am currently using Jason’s Healthy Mouth brand of non-fluoridated toothpaste with cinnamon oil flavoring and tea tree oil. Some people consume hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to brush their teeth.
Summary
All of the suggestions in this article will reduce fluoride for everyone in your household.
What heed of fluoride water purifier do you prefer for your home? Which brands of non-fluoridated toothpastes do you like the best? Let me know in the comments piece below!
Resources:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5890058/fluoridated_water_is_risky_for_your.html? cat=5
http://www.pure-earth.com/fluoride-water-filters.htm
http://www.filterwater.com/p-105-undersink-fluoride-filter-triple.aspx
http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryhowtoguide/a/removefluoride.htm
http://www.filterwater.com/s-4-fluoride-filters.aspx
http://www.bizrate.com/water-filters/water-filters-fluoride-removal/
http://www.blog.waterfilters.net/consumer-reports-water-filters-ratings/666
http://www.allwaterpurification.com/water-purifier-reviews.html
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/56/find-the-best-filter-for-your-tap-water.html
http://www.nofluoride.com/betternutrition_article.cfm
http://www.nextag.com/non-fluoride-toothpaste/sho
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Filed under Whirlpool Whole House Water Filters by on Sep 6th, 2011.
- Both commercial and pubic housing now provide specially built kitchens and rooms for the disabled
- Major companies like Home Depot and Lowes manufacture and install barrier free kitchens for disabled
- Some safety features are non-slip floor surfaces, proper lighting and rounded surfaces
In recent years sizable progress has been achieved in the create and creation of barrier free environments in both commercial buildings and public housing. For individuals with restricted
mobility, hearing or vision, the physical environment can either facilitate or nick their independence. But in a barrier free surrounding, a person with a disability is allowed to live more independently within their home and enjoy greater access to public buildings and even participate in physical activities. Rooms with barrier free designs, especially kitchens, not only back those with disabilities, but aid even the elderly and other individuals whose physical attributes restrict them from experiencing easy access to kitchens and other living quarters.
Fortunately, there is a large number of high-tech and cutting edge companies like Home Depot, Lowes, Inc., Barrier-Free Environments and the National Association of Home Builders, to name unbiased a few, involved nationwide in the design and manufacture of barrier free kitchens and other facilities for the disabled. And while every space in a barrier free home is vitally important to the disabled homeowner or resident, the focus here will be on barrier free kitchens and what is required in their design and construction before comtemplating contracting or purchasing a new or outmoded kitchen.
First off, we know that the average kitchen, no matter how well designed, has numerous impediments that make it difficult for consume by anyone with a physical disability. Creatiing a kitchen barrier free requires specific planning and design features that are different from the average remodeling or retrofitting project. When designing barrier free kitchens, four important issues need to be considered:
1. Safety: which includes non-slip floor surfaces, lighting, and non-protruding, rounded-off corner surfaces;
2. Mobility: is there sufficient status to manoeuvre a stroller or wheelchair?
3. Accessibility: can the kitchen be easily accessed from one or more adjoining rooms and/or hallways, or are there steps or other barriers to impede access; and
4. Function: are the appliances, counter tops, cabinets, sinks and fixture facilities able to be used by a person with a disability?
Generally speaking, wheelchair access requires wider door openings — 36 inches minimum, with 42 inches to 48 inches preferred — as well as greater clearance between all cabinets. Grab bars may also be necessary for additional attend, and these should be come appliances and primary work areas. Of course, grab bar designs need to be discussed with the contractor before work can begin, so that support blocking can be added in the walls and other partitions.
The primary access consideration is that hallways and doorways need to be at least 1200mm wide to allow sufficient space to enter the kitchen.
Light fixtures and power switches should be located where a wheelchair user can arrive them, at least 1m from the floor. Consideration should be given to using rocker or touch switches which are easier to turn on and off. The kitchen should also have benches (with rounded off corners) which are around 850mm from the floor. Providing a continuous bench between preparation area, microwave, stove and other appliances will befriend with the safe handling of hot food.
Cabinet access can be established by using cabinets 2 inches lower than standard height. The toe-kick spot under cabinets also needs to be higher — 6 inches instead of the standard 4 — to allow the wheelchair to positioned closer to both cabinets and countertops. Sink cabinets and cooktop areas should be designed so a wheelchair can roll all the way under them. This is achieved by using doors that open out and then slide back into grooves on the sides of the
cabinet, such as those on an entertainment center; or the doors of cabinets can be left off to provide easy, continual access. Drapes or vertical blinds can be obsolete here instead of doors to cover the cabinet openings.
Appliances and their locatoin also are important to a barrier free kitchen. Most experts suggest that appliances be electrical to eliminate having to reach over an open flame and to avoid the
danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. For anyone with an impaired sense of smell, electric appliances will eliminate the danger of being unable to detect a gas leak. Appliances with controls positioned in the front are best for simple access. For persons with impaired vision, there are appliances that come with Braille lettering as well as knobs and push-button controls provided in various sizes and dimensions to assist those who experience concern using
conventional ones.
Ovens with doors hinged on one side, lower table-top stoves and side-by-side refrigerators with freezers are far more accessable to wheelchair users especially when it is necessary to reach the lower shelves in these appliances. Another innovative diagram that can be installed to facilitate accessing shelves in cabinets and appliances, are carousel shelves and shelves mounted on level-headed rollers which make it easier to come objects stored on the back part of the shelf. Such carousel shelves are also handy to use inside the refrigerator for storing small items.
It is best to remember that the teach of safety should first be addressed when designing a barrier free kitchen. And such safety issues should specifically relate to or answer the individual needs and requirements of the disabled person in question. Therefore, an experienced contractor or designer will viisit the disabled person at his current dwelling to learn firsthand what unique design features should be installed to meet these specific needs and requirements.
When complete accessibility is established, mobility is no longer a problem for the disabled person who must use a wheelchair or stroller. Electrical and gas-free designed appliances, non-slip and adhesive floors, easy to reach fixtures and cabinets, and wide enough entrances and surface spaces are of course major concerns for a barrier free kitchen. And while appliances, counter tops, cabinets, floors, and sink and fixture facilities are all crucial to designing and constructing a barrier free kitchen, those with disabilities (and their families) first need to know where to go whom to contact before build and/or remodeling concerns and costs become a consideration.
A good region to start is with the family doctor or an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists, along with real estate contractors and designers can be found under both local and State listings in the phone book or by contacting one or more of the many sources listed at the conclusion of this article. On the Internet a search for “barrier free kitchens” via any of the major search engines will provide an almost inexhausible list of local and regional companies actively involved in the business of designing and manufacturing barrier free rooms and kitchens.
For now and more than ever across the United States and Canada, real estate planners and contractors, architects, appliance manufacturers, plumbers, carpenters, cabinet makers and others in the construction industry are working and innovating at high speed to design, construct and retrofit better barrier free rooms and other access facilities for both public housing and commerical real estate.
Ever since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and the notable aging of the United States population an awareness for facilities that are accessible to people with disabilities has become more than just a social or political concern. Barrier free environments benefit everyone, and their increase in construction has been an economic boon to thousands of communities across the nation.
Specifically, the design of barrier free kitchens in homes for the disabled and the elderly has provided both dignity and livelihood to these citizens, and moreover has provided a reciprocal windfall in both jobs and improved economies for local housing commuities and the construction industry alike. No longer does the disabled or elderly person have to endure limited access and restricted mobility at home or in public. Today, the answer to greater access and almost unlimited mobility is only a phone call or email away!
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Filed under Whirlpool Whole House Water Filters by on Apr 25th, 2011.
Last year, we needed to buy a replacement filter for our whole house water filtering system. After shopping around and doing price comparisons, both online and off, the cheapest place turned out to be the FiltersFast.com website. We did our homework and found several satisfactory customer reviews about the site and felt comfortable ordering from them.
While browsing the site, we discovered they also carried the water filters we employ in our Whirlpool refrigerator and decided to go ahead and find some of those too. We didn’t really need any fridge filters at the time, but figured it wouldn’t hurt to stock up and have some on hand when our others ran out.
The website is easy to navigate and very intuitive. It was easy to find the filters we needed using their intuitive product selection menu. They offer a wide range of filters for many different manufacturers, and their menu system makes it easy to determine which fragment is needed. At the time we placed the novel order, the process went smoothly and we received the filters snappy. Note that this was early 2008.
We replaced the whole house filter and it worked perfectly. We didn’t have a need to use one of the fridge filters we had bought from FiltersFast.com until the first portion of 2009 – almost a year after placing the order. We naively waited an entire year before using one of the filters we had bought from this website. It honestly never entered our mind that they would be defective.
Here’s how the story plays out …
We installed one of the filters from FiltersFast and it didn’t work for some reason. The water coming out of our refrigerator had a strong chlorine smell and taste. We had never encountered this problem before. The water coming straight out of our tap did not smell or taste like chlorine, so we knew the problem was with the filter. We removed the filter and the smell and taste went away.
Luckily, I had kept the receipt from the purchase, otherwise we probably wouldn’t have remembered where the items had come from. I logged on to the company website and got their customer service phone number. I called and the phone rang and rang and rang … no one ever picked up. I then went to their contact us page and sent an e-mail complaint using their web form. A couple of days passed by and I got no response. I sent another message via their contact us page and waited a few more days and still got no response. I was beginning to think the company had gone out of business but decided to try calling them again. This time I was routed through an automated phone system and waited for about 30 minutes for a customer service rep to come on the line. Every few minutes an automated voice gave me the option to the leave a voicemail message and have a service rep call me wait on. I finally gave up and left my name and number, expecting to never hear from them.
About two days later I got a call from the company. After explaining my problem to the rep, who’s name was Alex, I was informed that since it had been a year since the products were purchased that there wasn’t much they could do for me. Poor Alex … I wasn’t going down that easily and asked him if I could content to a supervisor.
After waiting on hold for about 10 minutes, a lady named Karen came on the line and identified herself as a supervisor. Amazingly, I didn’t have to rehash the story with her because Alex had explained everything before she got on the line. She explained the company policy of 90 day returns and said the only thing that could be done would be for me to send the poor parts befriend and order a different fragment number, plus pay a 20% restocking fee and pay shipping costs.
To me, this was not a edifying solution for several reasons:
1) They had no other part numbers for my refrigerator model and this was the part number their merchandise selection menu system said was the correct one for my unit when I placed the order.
2) I should not have to pay a restocking fee just because they sent me defective merchandise.
3) I should not have to pay shipping costs to send support a defective product.
I nicely explained to Karen that while I could understand and appreciate their 90 day return policy, my circumstances were a bit unusual. We politely went back and forth for a few minutes on who, what, when, why, etc. Karen then asked me how I thought the situation should be resolved. I said I wanted the company to stand behind their product – and do do so without it costing me any more money. She again patiently quoted me the standard “company policy” reasons as to why my request could not be honored. I politely reminded her that the economy is very bad right now and the company might not want to have a dreadful mark against them from an unsatisfied customer. I told her I would be very grateful if she could work a bit of “customer service magic”.
I’m not sure if I just wore the nice lady down or if I said something meaningful, but finally she relented and agreed to send me one replacement for the filter I knew for certain was bad. She sent it via FedEx overnight and I did not have to send the dreadful product back or pay shipping fees or restocking fees. I’m not overjoyed that they wouldn’t replace all four of the parts I originally ordered but am jubilant that they at least replaced one unit. I will have to repeat this entire process six months from now when I replace the next filter if it turns out to be bad … but at least now I know how to get around their customer service department and how to explain my space.
Bottom line: FilterFast.com came through for me in the end and I am a cheerful customer for now – which is something all companies should strive for.
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Filed under Whirlpool Whole House Water Filters by on Mar 6th, 2011.
Water filters are very popular with many households. You will find yourself saving a lot of money by purchasing a water filter. Instead of buying bottled water it is a lot more affordable to buy a water filter and just replace the filter when well-known. When I first decided to win a water filter, I did not realize how many options there are currently available. There are a few things that you will want to leer for when shopping for a water filter and a few things that you will definitely want to stay away from.
The first thing that you need to choose is what you need to filter out of your water. The type of chemicals and bacteria that can be found in water varies depending on where you are located. Since water contamination can catch worse over time, there is no need to have your water tested. Within a month after testing your water supply can suddenly become contaminated with something that was not there before without you even intellectual. Where your water comes from can also play a tremendous role in the type of filter you need. If you have well water your water can easily become execrable with bacteria and parasites. This does not mean that you can not have these types of items in a municipal water supply they are just more common in well water.
If you own your own home you may find it to be a genuine thought to install a filter on your main water line. This way your water will be filtered as it is coming into your home. You can consume this type of water filter in conjunction with the faucet filters to give yourself an even bigger safety cushion. It is not necessary to still use the sink filters if you are using a main water line or whole house filter. These types of products will be a bit more expensive initially and will have to be installed by a professional.
Another type of water filter are the under sink filters. These are very easy to install yourself and can be found at your local home supply stores. It is vital that you choose an under sink filter that will take out contaminates. Be sure to read the label on the product before you purchase it or ask a sales associate at the store. The third option is a faucet mounted filter. These are the most affordable and easiest to install. You can accept these types of items at your local Wal-Mart, or Target, store. You can also find it at your local home supply store. You will need to make sure that you change the filter regularly.
Regardless of which one you choose be sure to do your homework. You will want to take the time and research each product thoroughly and find out which offers you the most affordable option, and one that works the best. There are plenty of reviews on the various filters that are available for purchase. Remember that by taking the time to research before you buy you will be saving yourself a lot of money in the long run.
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Filed under Whirlpool Whole House Water Filters by on Feb 15th, 2011.