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You may be considering installing a water treatment system in your home to be sure your water is the best quality it can be. However, if you want to initially check the quality of your water, you can request a copy of your water report revealing the quality of your water. If your water is provided by a private well, then you may want to think about having your water tested. Once you know which impurities are in your water, you can select a whole house water filter system to remedy your water quality concerns.
If you decide to go ahead with a filter system, consider the features offered by various products since not all systems may be effective to eliminate specify contaminants.
What is a whole house water filter?
Contents
The main purpose of a whole house water filter is to reduce impurities in your water, improve the taste and eliminate any odor issues. Whole house water filters are placed at the location where your water source enters your home. A whole house filter affixes to the main water line entering your home so that all water suppliers in your home dispense water that is treated.
What are the advantages of using a whole house water filter?
A whole house water filter system provides you and your family with peace of mind knowing that their water is clean and safe to drink. Water that is hard water contains a large amount of minerals and can create a buildup of stubborn deposits on showerheads and sink faucets, reducing the flow of the water. It can as well create unappealing discoloration in your toilet bowl and sinks.
A whole house filter system is helpful in decreasing chemical exposure from the air, water and even food, which is particularly significant for the elderly, young children, the elderly, and persons with reduced immune systems.
What are the different types of whole house water filter systems?
There are basically two principal types of whole house water filtration systems that exist:
- Regular capacity water cartridge. This cartridge is inserted into sturdy filter compartments to treat contaminated water throughout the home. The filters are generally smaller than heavy-duty system filters and require replacement on an annual basis.
- Heavy-duty water filtration system. This system is the strongest operating contaminant removal system as it uses a significant amount of filtering agents. The filtering system provides specific contaminant protection for up to ten years before the agents require replacement.
There are several National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards that apply to home water treatment systems. Different systems that exist and the standards with which they comply are:
- Filtration. Water contaminants are reduced when they get trapped in the openings of the filter or by being broken down by the filter modes in the system. Carbon filters are an example.
- Reverse osmosis systems. These systems reverse the natural flow of water so that the water flows through a semi-porous material from a more condensed solution to one that is more diluted.
- Ultraviolet disinfection. These filtration systems use UV light to disinfect water by treating non-disease causing bacteria found in water.
Choosing Your Filtration System
The types of contaminants that you will need to remove vary depending upon where you receive your water. Carbon filtration is successful in removing chlorine, chloramines, and odors to give you chemical-free water throughout your home. If there is a particular contaminant that you wish to eliminate, then you will need a whole house system tailored to removing the specific contaminant.
A whole house softener does not function as a filter, but only to soften hard water. However, a softener can be used in conjunction with any whole house filtration system to provide, soft and clean water through every faucet.
The best whole house water filter requires regular maintenance to function properly, so you want to be sure you operate the unit according to instructions provided by the manufacturer. Thus, you will need to replace filter cartridges and other parts on a regular basis.
Contenders for the best whole house water filter
iSpring RCC7 WQA Gold Seal
This Five-Stage filtration process removes impurities. Manufactured in the USA and a WQA Gold Seal certified product for NSF Standard 58, this reverse osmosis water filter system is constructed of quality materials and guarantees superior performance. Using the most cost-effective technology, it rejects up to 99% of pollutants. WQA Gold Seal Certified Products are independently tested and certified against the NSF standard for reverse osmosis and use FDA food-grade materials in all mechanisms. The gradient sediment filter is guaranteed to last longer and cost less.
Culligan HF-360AWhole House Sediment Filter
This whole house filter extends the life of your major household appliances in addition to your hot water heater. It will filter sediment like dirt or sand and get rid of scale particles found in hard water. It has a shut-off valve in the cap for easy cartridge replacement.
Use it for your entire house, inline, or under the sink. Most standard water filter cartridges will work with this system. A five-year warranty is included.
Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Filter System
This whole house water filter with built-in bypass reduces sediment, dirt and iron particles. This system treats all water entering your home, removing sediment and other particles that can damage your water softener or plumbing fixtures. With the built-in bypass valve system, maintenance is easy and does not require water shut off to your home in order to complete the task. The unit comes with three additional replacement filters and wrench. This system is backed by 130 years of Watts’ industry experience and quality. NSF tested and certified.
Factors to consider when choosing
Features
- Flow rate. Calculated in gallons per minute (GPM), the flow rate establishes the amount of water available to run your hot water heater, shower, toilet, and dishwasher, for instance. When calculating your requirements, check the demand ratings printed on these items. Typical ratings for showerheads are 2.5 to 5 GPM, 5 GPM for a toilet, and 3 GPM for a dishwasher. A whole house filter system with a flow rate under 10 GPM is not acceptable for maintaining continuous water pressure during times of peak usage.
- Port size. The ideal port size on a whole house water filter is one inch. Even if your home uses three-quarters inch piping, using a one-inch ported system will not create any holdups when fitted with a three-quarters inch pipe. The best whole house water filter systems having one-inch ports and 4.5″ x 20″ filters deliver plenty of water so that pressure drops are not noticed.
- Filter size. The larger the size of the filter, the longer the filter will last and the greater amount of water that will flow with greater pressure. However, port size has a larger effect on GPM and pressure. Large homes may require a 25 GPM flow rate and 1.5″ ports.
- Filter life. Filter life varies depending on the quantity and quality of the sediment. Quality whole house 4.5″ x 20″ carbon filter cartridges generally last 100,000–150,000 gallons in typical public water supplies.
Types of contaminants removed
Whole house filters are superior when it comes to getting rid of sediments, rust, and hard water scale. Filters placed on water taps are superior for the removal of organic chemicals, chlorine by-products, and industrial solvents. In some cases, you may need to enhance your home filtration system and also invest in a water faucet filter to have better tasting water. Be sure to use NSF tested methods and systems since the organization certifies filters based on the types of contaminants they remove.
Convenience
The best whole house water filter systems are equipped with ease of filter cartridge replacement. Units using filters with a longer life span decreases replacement instances. Systems containing built-in bypass valves make maintenance easy to perform without requiring water shut off to your home.
Features
iSpring RCC7 WQA Gold Seal
This Five-Stage filtration process and reverse osmosis water filter system reduces up to 99% of pollutants. It uses a gradient sediment which that is guaranteed to last longer and cost less, as well as FDA food-grade materials in all mechanisms.
Culligan HF-360AWhole House Sediment Filter
This system has a shut-off valve in the cap for easy cartridge replacement. You can use this unit in your entire home, inline, or under the sink. Most standard water filter cartridges will work with this system. A five-year warranty is included.
Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Filter System
With the built-in bypass valve system, maintenance is easy and does not require water shut off to the home in order to complete. The package includes three additional replacement filters and wrench.
Types of contaminants removed
iSpring RCC7 WQA Gold Seal
Five-Stage filtration process reduces up to 99% of pollutants, such as arsenic, chlorine, fluoride, lead, drugs, pesticide, and fertilizer.
Culligan HF-360AWhole House Sediment Filter
This system reduces dirt, sand, silt, rust and hard water scale particles in your water.
Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Filter System
The built-in by-pass system reduces sediment, dirt and rust particles.
Convenience
iSpring RCC7 WQA Gold Seal
The gradient sediment filter is guaranteed to last longer and cost less, so replacement is not required as often as some other systems.
Culligan HF-360AWhole House Sediment Filter
This system has a shut-off valve in the cap for easy cartridge replacement. Most standard water filter cartridges will work with this unit.
Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Filter System
A built-in bypass valve system makes maintenance easy to perform and does not require water shut off to the home.
Our Whole House Water Filter Reviews Are In
Best Inexpensive: The Culligan HF-360AWhole House Sediment
This filter system has a shut-off valve in the cap for easy cartridge replacement. You can use the unit in your entire home, inline, or under the sink.
Pros:
- Most standard water filter cartridges will work with this system.
- A five-year warranty is included.
Cons:
- Does not remove as many pollutants as some other systems.
Best for the Money: The Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Filter System
The Watts has a built-in bypass valve system for easy maintenance and does not require water shut off to the home in order to perform this task.
Pros:
- Includes three additional replacement filters and wrench.
Cons:
- Requires some plumbing knowledge for installation or the hiring of a professional to install the unit.
Best Overall: The iSpring RCC7 WQA Gold Seal
The iSpring Gold Seal unit comes with a Five-Stage filtration process, and the reverse osmosis water filter system reduces up to 99% of pollutants. Uses FDA food-grade materials in all mechanisms. The gradient sediment filter is guaranteed to last longer and cost less.
Pros:
- Extensive filtration system reduces up to 99% of water pollutants.
Cons:
- Although this system works more extensively than other less complex systems, you will pay more for the extra filtration.
Conclusion
Even though water out of a public source may already be treated, it still exposes you and your family to contaminants. The best whole house water filter system provides additional safeguards in each outlet of your home. Contaminants can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, so it is essential for protection throughout your home. If you do not have any particular water contaminant issues, then a whole house carbon filtration system is appropriate and generally recommended for whole house water decontamination.