Kitchen & Bath
Water Filtration
by Scott Gibson
Keeping Clean. Aquasana's
AQ-4000 water filter removes a variety of contaminants from tap
water, including chlorine, lead, VOCs, MTBE, and microbial
cysts. Removal rates for many compounds are 98 percent or
higher, the company says. The double-filter unit can be
attached to the existing faucet and placed on the counter, or
it can be tucked beneath the sink and connected to a new
dedicated faucet. Replacement cartridges ($48 apiece) treat 500
gallons of water. The AQ-4000 costs $100 if ordered directly
online. Sun Water Systems, 866/237-4658,
www.aquasana.com
On Tap. PUR's FM-3700 attaches directly to the
kitchen faucet; the faucet aerator simply needs to be removed
and replaced with the filter housing. According to the maker,
the unit sharply reduces levels of many contaminants, including
asbestos, lead, solvents like toluene and benzene, and
microbial cysts. A built-in monitor shows when the filter needs
to be replaced. (The company's Flavor Options model allows
homeowners to add sugar-free fruit flavors to the water.) The
FM-3700 retails for about $50; replacement filters, good for up
to 100 gallons of water, cost $40 for a three-pack.
P&G, 800/787-5463,
www.purwaterfilter.com
Heavy-Duty. Everpure promises commercial-grade
performance with the H-54 undersink filter, claiming that it
reduces not only contaminants like lead, asbestos, and cysts,
but also chlorine taste and odor, dirt and cloudiness, mold,
oxidized iron, manganese, and particles as small as 1/2 micron.
In addition, the company says the filter — which must be
connected to a separate faucet — inhibits lime-scale
buildup in appliances. It costs about $310. Replacement
filters, good for 750 gallons, cost $78.
Everpure, 800/323-7873,
www.everpure.com.
Towel Warmers
Shelve It. Working with limited wall space?
Warmrails offers a compact shelf rack in corded and hard-wired
versions, each 26 inches wide, 11 3/4 inches tall, and 12 1/2
inches deep. The warmer draws only 65 watts, says the maker,
and is designed to run continuously. The corded model comes in
chrome, polished brass, or satin nickel (the cord measures 7
feet), and the hard-wired (shown) in chrome or nickel satin.
Both models retail for $130. Warmrails,
714/890-3644, www.warmrails.com
Minimalist. Runtal North America's new Fain
towel radiator comes in both round and square stainless-steel
stock and in hydronic and electric versions. The hydronic model
is designed for 180-degree water and can be equipped with a
manual or thermostatic control valve; the electric one (300
watts) can be plugged in or hard-wired. An optional
programmable controller allows seven individual programs, each
with up to three on/off cycles per day. The unit measure 33
inches high, 19 1/2 inches wide, and 3 1/2 inches deep; prices
run around $1,200 for the hydronic model and $1,600 for the
electric. Runtal North America, 800/526-2621,
www.runtalnorthamerica.com
Hot Glass. Instead of tubing or flat panels,
Thermique's towel warmer uses a sheet of electrically heated
glass to toast towels. (The company claims to offer the only
UL-approved heated glass in the country.) Metal brackets
— available in polished or brushed nickel, polished
brass, and chrome — hold the glass, which can be
monogrammed. The unit measures 28 inches tall by 36 inches
wide, stands 4 1/4 inches from the wall, and installs on a
120-volt circuit. It retails for $2,600 to $2,800, depending on
the finish. Thermique Technologies,
312/326-9193, www.thermiquetechnologies.com