money and the environment— with a glass of tap water. Drinking and cooking with water from the tap costs only pennies per glass compared to the $16 billion Americans spend on bottled water a year, according to a report in Fast Company magazine. This simple savings suggestion is clouded, however, by the fact that many consumersbelieve that tap water is not as clean or conve- nient as bottled water. Fortunately, while tap water may contain contaminants, a proper waterfiltration system can serve as a line of defense against pollutants, and it’s just as convenient. Plus, using tap water will help cut back on the estimated 38 billion water bottles the report says are thrownin the trash each year. “Even if water looks good, smells good and tastes good, it can still contain harmful contaminants. Many haveflocked to bottled water because it seemssafer, but bottled may not always be better,” said filtered water expert Will Mayfield. “Drink filtered water from a reusable bottle for the added confidence that comes with knowing unseen contami- nants like lead and chlorine byproducts have been reduced.” Water filters, specifically those found in refrigerators, offer benefits that are easy on the wallet, convenient and good for the environment. For the wallet: A five-year supply of bottled water at the recommended intake of eight glasses a day can cost more than $1,000. An equivalent amountof tap water | Drinking water filtered by your refrigerator can help your health, your wealth and your happiness. costs about $1.65, according to American Demographics. Comparatively, refrigerator waterfiltration systems require a biannual filter replacement at approximately $30 to $40—less than 22 cents a day. For the environment: In a year, refrigeration systems can filter the equivalent of 3,000 bottles of water. Making the switch tofil- tered water can prevent wasting these bottles. For the family: To ensure proper contaminant reduction, many appliance manufacturers recommend changing the water filter every six months. Many Whirlpool refrigerators have an easy-access system on thefront of the fridge to make changing the filter less of a chore. In addition, the Whirlpool Corporation offers a convenient subscription service for automatic filter replacements on time, every time. Visit www.whirlpool.com/every 6months for more information.
