Do whole home water filters save water or electricity?

Whole-home water filtration systems do not save a home on water or electricity. These products also do not cause a home to consume more energy or water than without them. Some whole home water filtration systems will require electricity to power the lamp for UV sterilization. Even when using a UV lamp as part of the filtration system, it generally consumes the same amount of energy as a 40 or 80-watt bulb.

How much does a whole home water filter cost?

The price point of a whole home water filtration system will depend on the product's quality and how complex the filtration system is (i.e., what it filters and how). You can expect a quality filtration system to start at around $600 with increased pricing for larger homes. But prices can vary wildly, ranging from a starting price point of $300 with an upper-end price tag of $3,000, making it more expensive than the countertop and under-counter water filters. On top of the system price, a professional may need to install your product, tacking on an additional cost.

Do you need a whole home water filter?

Homes with water issues ranging from hard water to large numbers of present toxins can benefit from installing a whole home water filter. The best way to be sure if your home is a candidate for a whole home water filtration system is first to have a water toxin analysis done for your home. If there is an excessive amount of toxins entering the household, a whole home water filter may be necessary.

Are whole home water filters better that countertop or under counter water filters?

A whole home water filtration system provides the benefits of a single under-counter water filter to every sink and appliance in a household. While having a higher price point, whole home water filtration systems can benefit a home needing multiple under-counter water filters. This method can save money on setup and the cost of numerous filter replacements. Both approaches have pros and cons, ultimately doing the same thing on a different scale. It comes down to preference and whether you prefer to have your whole house dispensing filtered water or select taps.

What does a whole home water filter remove from the water?

A whole home water filtration system filters all water entering your home and is excellent for hard water or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) problems. Not every filtration system comes with the same filters. It may include filtration methods such as reverse osmosis or UV filtration, different from traditional filters. Some standard filters for a water filtration system include: Ion Exchange Units (sometimes referred to as "water softeners") reduce minerals and are particularly useful at removing calcium and magnesium. This process can also remove fluoride, and some products can remove radium and barium. Mechanical filters remove sediments. Activated Carbon Filters absorb organic contaminants and are known to remove VOCs, benzene, radon. Some products can remove chlorination, as well as cleaning solvents and pesticides. Reverse Osmosis Units remove dissolved organic and inorganic compounds, including sodium and nitrates. This process removes any foul tastes, smells, or colors from the water. There are select reverse osmosis units that can also reduce chloroform, dioxins, pesticides, and petrochemicals in water. UV filters can kill up to 99.99% of bacteria and viruses in the water, quickly eliminating microorganisms. While these are useful, they are typically more of an addition to the system than a full system themselves because they don't remove other contaminants.

How long does a whole home water filtration system last?

This product's life expectancy depends on the quality of the filtration system purchased, including routine maintenance and replacement of filters. Replace select pre-filters as regularly as every 2 to 6 months. The primary filters have a longer life, replacing some every 5 and 10 years, while others may be a yearly replacement. Post filters will have a replacement window between 6 and 12 months. Remember, always be sure to check the manufacturer's guidelines for proper filter replacement strategies. Appropriate and timely filter replacement is crucial for the success and longevity of the system and the safety and well-being of the homeowners.

Learn about Whole Home Water Filter

A whole-home water filtration system brings the convenience of an under-counter water filter to every faucet and even attached appliances after a single installation. Compared to other water filtration systems, the whole home water filters have a higher price point but often include additional filtration methods. Be sure to select a product that will benefit your household and filter the toxins found in your water toxin report. Since these filters are more complicated than countertop water filters, consider having a professional install your whole home water filtration system. While not needing replacements as often as countertop filters, follow the recommended maintenance and filter replacement schedule to maintain the product's ability to filter toxins efficiently.

When purchasing a whole home water filtration system, you must consider a few things as you select the correct product for your home and lifestyle. First, be sure that you choose a filter that suits your home and filters the toxins found in your water toxin report. Also, be sure that you have selected a whole home water filtration system with a flow rate and filter appropriate for the size of the household. Next, ensure that your product has a rating under the NSF International (NSF) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) filtration system standards. These standards rate how well the product filters aesthetic effects (like taste or odor), health effects, and emerging compounds and incidental contaminants. Finally, consider a product with a warranty that protects the homeowner from product flaws.

When installing a whole home water filtration system, its primary use is not to improve the sustainability of the household. The purpose of whole home water filtration systems is to filter unpleasant and potentially dangerous toxins from the household water supply. Adding this water filtration system adds an annual cost for filter replacement, which generates some degree of waste requiring disposal. That said, if you find yourself consuming bottled water regularly or having to drain away water because of sediment or flavor, this system can reduce waste.

Whole home water filters improve the quality of water in your home by removing harmful bacteria, chlorine, lead, minerals, calcium, and carcinogens. The first water filter was created around 5000 B.C. by Hippocrates using a simple cloth filter.