Whole House Filter Systems – What You Need to Know

1. What’s the best whole house water filtration system?

The best whole house filter for your home depends on several factors. It’s quite a subjective choice and there isn’t a one size fits all answer for everyone. When deciding which whole house filter to buy consider the following points:
1- The contaminants in your water you want to remove
2- How much filtration you require per day
3- How long the filters last
4- Flow rate
5- The price and ongoing maintenance cost you’re comfortable with
6- Installation and space for the filter system
7- Quality and brand of the filter
Keeping these points in mind, we’ve outlined the top whole house filtration systems to buy.

2. How much does it cost to install a whole house water filter?

Whole house filters come at a variety of price points to suit all budgets. The lower end models cost an average of $80 to $100, mid-range models cost around $500 and more sophisticated, high-end models can cost upwards of $2500. Just because a systems is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better, though, so instead of focusing on the price, consider the specifications and what the system does. Sometimes, the difference between a pricey model and a similar more affordable option is a feature that you can do without.

3. How long does a whole house water filter last?

This depends on the capacity of the individual model but most can last from 10 to 15 years, depending on the quality of maintenance and the usage. Apart from small repairs the only ongoing maintenance is the periodic cartridge replacement, which is typically every 6 to 12 months.

4. Can I drink water filtered with a whole house system?

This would depend on the quality of your water supply. Whole house water filters remove the most obvious types of contaminants in your water, but they don’t always remove biological contaminants or heavy metals. Because they work at a fast rate, the water has a reduced contact time with the filter and contaminants can get through. Pairing the whole house system with an under-sink water filter or a countertop filter is your best bet to getting safe drinking water.

5. What contaminants do whole house filter systems remove?

Depending on the type of filter used, your whole house system can remove almost any type of contaminant in your water. Most whole house filters contain several filtration mediums to remove a variety of impurities. For example, sediment filters remove particles and solid contaminants while activated carbon filters reduce chlorine, bad odors and taste as well as a variety of other bad stuff. The best way to go about it is to test your water first to identify what you want to remove and then pick a filter that’s designed for that.

6. What’s a POE vs. PUE water filter?

POE stands for point of entry and simply means the main point of your water supply. A whole house filter is a POE system because it’s attached at the point where your water enters your house. From here the system does its work and sends clean water throughout your home.
PUE stands for point of use. This refers to filters that work at specific locations in your home, like a shower water filter in your shower or a countertop filter in your kitchen.

7. How do I know if my whole house filter system is working?

Pay attention to any drops in water pressure or change in taste as this can indicate if there’s something wrong in your filtering system. Apart from this, if you want to know whether your whole house system is actually doing what it claims it can do, test your water before and after installation to note any changes, positive or negative. You can use a home water testing kit one to get the job done. If you’re using municipal water, you can request a water quality report from the relevant bodies.

8. Do I need a water softener if I have a whole house filter?

Water softeners treat hard water, while house filters reduce and remove contaminants in water. These are two different jobs and while whole house filters do improve your water quality, they don’t remove the hardness in water. By using these two systems in conjunction you can have the benefits of softened water together with cleaner water.

9. Can I get a whole house reverse osmosis system?

RO systems are among the best when it comes to effectively removing impurities in water, but unfortunately there’s a catch. These systems aren’t very efficient, environmentally friendly or quick. So, while they’re perfect for something like an under-sink system they don’t suit the requirements of the whole house.

10. What capacity whole house filter should I buy?

Consider your water usage and the size of your house when deciding on the filter size you need. There are filters to suit every capacity, so it really comes down to what suits your home.

11. What happens if I don’t change the filter?

You will have to change the filter cartridges periodically because they’re not made to last for ever. One potential scenario is that the water simply comes to your tap, without getting filtered. Another scenario is that as the filter fills up with contaminants, it loses its ability to filter water and can start emitting bad odors and tastes. Your water pressure will decrease and overall, the system can feel clogged up. Either way, it’s best to change the filters within the recommended timeframe to ensure your system is working optimally.

12. Are whole house water filters worth it?

Whole house water filters are not a necessity, but they give you peace of mind and control over the water that gets into your home. Most tap water in developed countries is safe to drink and highly regulated. But even so, contaminants can get into the water, let’s say from the pipes that it travels through to get to your home or from some oversight by the system. Remember the Flint Water Crisis of 2014? That happened because dangerous levels of lead seeped into the water supply from old pipes. While these sorts of things occur once in a blue moon, a whole house water filter system can keep you from becoming a victim of that blue moon.