Clean water is indeed good living. Mostly, people ask themselves whether a whole-house water filter can be the solution for them. This system promises to deliver filtered water for every faucet in your home. Is it a worthy investment? Further, in this guide, everything you need to know for deciding if a whole-house water filter is right for you shall be covered.
What is a Whole House Water Filter?
A whole house water filter is a water filter system installed at the main supply water entry point of your home. In other words, it filters all the water before it reaches faucets in sinks, showers, washing machines, and even toilets.
Main Features of Whole House Water Filters
- Filtering water from every faucet in the home
- Installation at the main entry point of water
- Removes chlorine, sediments, and heavy metals among other contaminants
How does a Whole House Water Filter Work?
A whole-house water filter employs successive stages of filtration. It starts with sediment filters, which filter out large particles like sand and rust. Then carbon filters handle smaller contaminants, such as chlorine, pesticides, and VOCs. Some systems include an extra stage specifically for particular contaminants, such as heavy metals or bacteria.
Steps in the Filtration Process:
- Water entering the system is first passed through a sediment filter.
- The second type uses a carbon filter that removes chemicals.
- Other filters can be used to target specific contaminants, like heavy metals.
What are the Benefits of a Whole House Water Filter?
There are many wonderful reasons why a whole-house water filter might be the key just what your house needs. Here are some of the most important benefits:
- Pure Water Throughout Your Home: A whole house water filter filters all the water within your home, giving you pure water at every point. More than that, that means you will drink, cook, and shower in water free from harmful contaminants.
- Water Taste Improves: Filtered water tastes fresher and is cleaner because chemicals such as chlorine that could give bad tastes are removed. The taste preference of most people for the water from a whole house system is usually the main reason.
- Protects Plumbing and Appliances: A whole house water filter will prolong the life of your plumbing and appliances. Sometimes, these hard water minerals bring build-ups in your pipes and appliances, which can be expensive to fix. However, a water filter reduces these minerals, and your house will run pretty smoothly.
- Safer for Skin and Hair: Untreated water will itch sensitive skin and parch hair. A whole house filter ensures shower water is free from harsh chemicals, so it will feel much softer on the human body.
What are the Disadvantages of a Whole House Water Filter?
As stated above, there are a plethora of advantages when using whole-house water filters. Nevertheless, there are also some disadvantages. This has to be kept in mind before a decision on this system is brought into your home.
- Stiff Initial Price: Whole house water filters can be very costly initially. However, the system is very pricey, and professional installation accounts for the increased price.
- Maintenance: While maintenance can add up in terms of cost, routine maintenance is just that-maintenance. Filters will have to be replaced periodically-perhaps every few months or yearly.
- Does Not Purify Everything: Some systems simply do not eliminate certain contaminants, such as fluoride or nitrates, effectively. You may need a separate filter for potable water.
- Space Requirement: Whole house water filter systems are bulky. They occupy a lot of space around the primary source of water in your house, which thus presents a constraint on tightly placed abodes.
Types of Whole House Water Filters
There are several types of whole-house water filters. However, each has its features, and by knowing the difference, you will know best which to pick according to your needs.
- Sediment Filters: Sediment filters are the most basic type of whole-house water filter. They filter out the largest particles: sand, dirt, and rust. Though they do not capture chemicals or microscopic impurities, they are a necessary first stage in most systems.
- Carbon Filters: Carbon filters absorb chlorine, pesticides, and VOCs. These filters both improve the flavor of water and reduce the quantity of unhealthy chemicals within the water, making them an attractive choice for whole-house systems.
- Reverse Osmosis Filters: Reverse osmosis filters offer the most comprehensive filtration. They remove many impurities, including heavy metals, fluoride, and nitrates. These units are expensive and sometimes use large quantities of water.
- UV Filters: UV filters are meant to kill bacteria and viruses within your water. They are mostly installed in combination with other filters because it does not remove chemicals or sediment.
How to Choose a Whole House Water Filter
There are various considerations that one needs to look at when it comes to choosing the best whole house water filter, say your water quality, budget, and specific needs. Moreover, for these reasons, here is an easy-to-follow guide on what you need to do.
How to Choose a Whole House Water Filter
- Test Your Water Quality: Observe your water through a water test to know what contaminants are in your water.
- Set a Budget: Determine how much you are willing to spend on the system and the maintenance of the system.
- Consider Your Needs: Determine if you have hard water or specific contaminants that you require the system to target.
- Check Maintenance Requirements: Look into the frequent replacement of filters and any other need for upkeep.
Whole House Water Filters Tips for Maintenance
To keep working perfectly, your whole house water filter needs maintenance. However, here are the simple tips on how to keep your system working well.
Maintenance Tips:
- Change filters according to the manufacturer’s suggestions.
- Detect leaks or pressure changes, meaning that something is wrong.
- Seek professional services if your system requires complex maintenance.
- Keenly record your replacements in filter change to know when to replace it to avoid contamination.
Conclusion
So, a whole house filter offers a great deal of advantages from improvement in water taste to protection for your plumbing system. But in the first case, ensure you calculate the cost, maintenance, and available space. If you want clean water throughout your house and you invest your time in the system as well, a whole house water filter can certainly be the best addition to your house.
Maybe, eventually, whole-house water filtration will pay off if pure, clean water is first in your family’s list.
