Looking to protect your whole house with clean and safe water?
Clean water isn’t a luxury—it’s a must-have for any homeowner. But you can’t just protect the kitchen. If you want better health, taste, and longer-lasting appliances, then you need whole-house coverage. But what features should you look for?
Point-of-use filters like pitchers or under-the-sink systems are great. But do they cover your shower, washing machine, and dishwasher? Here’s a secret: not a chance.
If you don’t have a whole-house system, then you aren’t protecting anywhere near enough of your water use.
In this whole house water filters guide, you’ll be taken through everything you need to know about them. This is to ensure that you are equipped with all the essential knowledge so you can confidently choose the best system for your home.
You will discover:
- Why Whole House Filters Are Essential
- Important Features to Consider
- Filtration Technologies 101
- Installation and Maintenance: What You Need to Know
Why Whole House Filters Are Essential
Whole-house water filters offer better, broader protection that point-of-use systems can’t match. If you aren’t already considering upgrading, here are three reasons why you should.
Protect Your Entire Home
Unlike kitchen-only filters, a whole house water filter in Adelaide treats every drop of water entering your home. A system installed on the main water line ensures complete protection before it reaches any faucet, showerhead, or appliance.
Here’s why that matters:
- You absorb more chemicals during showers. Cleaning and soaping up with filtered water help your skin.
- All your appliances work more efficiently with cleaner water.
- Water spots will disappear on your dishwasher if it is correctly filtered.
Think about it: 45% of tap water in the US has PFAS contamination. Recent USGS research has shown that these so-called “forever chemicals” are present in every water outlet in your home.
Save Money in the Long Run
Think of whole house filters as an investment, not an expense.
Did you know 158 million Americans are now exposed to PFAS in their drinking water? The demand for total filtration is through the roof. Analysts predict the whole house water filter market will grow to $40,210 million by 2025.
The thing is…
Point-of-use filters throughout your home will cost more in the long term than a single system. Buy fewer replacement cartridges, and your appliances last longer.
Better Health and Comfort
Water quality has a much more significant impact on your daily comfort than just taste. Chlorine and other chemicals can also dry out your skin during showers. Hard water minerals cause soap scum and cleaning issues.
A good whole house system addresses these problems at the source, improving everyday comfort while also safeguarding your family’s health.
Important Features to Consider
Whole-house filters are not all the same. To make the most informed decision, evaluate systems by these essential features that separate the best from the rest.
Flow Rate Capacity
Guess what the most overlooked feature is?
Flow rate determines how well your system can keep up with your water needs during peak demand. If it can’t keep up during the morning rush of showers and appliances, what’s the point?
Look for systems rated for at least 10-15 gallons per minute for average households. You will need a higher capacity for larger homes to maintain sufficient water pressure.
Multi-Stage Filtration
The most effective systems have multiple filtration stages to remove various pollutants. The most typical systems incorporate:
- A sediment pre-filter to get rid of dirt, rust, and larger particles
- Carbon filtration to remove chlorine, chemicals, and odors
- Specialized media to target specific contaminants like heavy metals.
Each serves a particular purpose, and omitting any filtration phase means neglecting any pollutants that could compromise your water quality.
Filter Lifespan and Maintenance
This is what most people don’t consider…
Maintenance needs vary greatly depending on the system. Some require filter changes every 3-6 months, while others last up to 2-3 years.
Total ownership cost should be compared when looking at different systems. A lower upfront cost system could turn out to be more expensive annually with frequent filter replacements.
Filtration Technologies 101
Before you pick a system, it’s critical to grasp the filtration technologies that go into each option.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
RO systems offer the most thorough filtration available. They can remove up to 99% of pollutants from your drinking water, including dissolved solids, heavy metals, and chemicals.
The catch?
RO systems waste water during the filtration process. Remove harmful chemicals from your water. You’ll also lose minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are considered beneficial. RO systems are also more costly to install and maintain than other options.
Carbon-Based Systems
Activated carbon systems are also highly effective at removing chlorine, chemicals, and taste and odor. They’re also more affordable than RO systems and don’t waste water.
But carbon filters have their limitations: they can’t remove dissolved minerals or all bacteria species. Carbon systems are best suited for treating municipally-treated water that has already met safety standards but may have taste or odor issues.
Installation and Maintenance: What You Need to Know
Correct installation and maintenance are crucial to whether your system performs as expected.
Professional Installation Needed
This is the part most manufacturers neglect to mention:
Installing a whole house system requires modifications to your home’s plumbing, particularly your main water line. Professional installation by licensed plumbers is required by most local plumbing codes, and improper installation will nullify your warranty.
Plan on spending money for a professional installation unless you are a skilled plumber. Installation will cost you between $500 and $1,500 depending on how you configure it.
Maintenance Needed
All whole house systems require regular maintenance to function effectively. This entails:
- Regular filter replacements on schedule
- Annual system sanitization
- Pressure monitoring to identify issues
- Water testing to ensure performance
Put reminders on your calendar since neglected systems perform worse than no filtration at all.
Selecting a System for Your Home
To select the best whole house water filter, you must first know your needs and water quality.
Get Professional Water Testing Done
Don’t buy a system until you’ve had your water tested. Generic systems might not solve your water problem or could have needless functions.
Professional water testing tells you exactly what pollutants you need to remove.
Systems are often included for free by manufacturers or, at the very least, the local retailer. Certified laboratories can do this for $150-300.
Size System to Your Needs
Calculate your peak water demand to size the system accurately. Things to consider are:
- Number of bathrooms and fixtures
- Appliances using water simultaneously
- Number of family members and usage habits
Small systems will create pressure issues, and big systems are a waste of money.
Plan for Long-Term Costs
The system you buy may be the most affordable up front but will cost the most over time. Consider filter replacements, maintenance requirements, and professional services when comparing systems. It may cost more to buy but may save thousands in maintenance over a system with 10-year filter life.
Wrapping Things Up
Whole house water filters are an excellent way to protect your entire home and the occupants’ health. But only if you know how to select and use them effectively.
By following this advice and getting the right system for your home, you can treat and safeguard millions of gallons of water. But you need to get it right: test your water, buy a system that’s big enough, and install it the right way.
Clean water is essential for your daily comfort and everyone’s health. Don’t skimp on the system that has an impact on everyone at home all day every day. The expense is worth it.
