In This Buyer’s Guide:
- Why Should You Buy a Whole House Water Filter System?
- Which Contaminants Does a Whole House Water Filter System Reduce?
- How to Install a Whole House Water Filter System
- Which Whole House Water Filter System is Right for You?
Why Should You Buy a Whole House Water Filter System?
A whole house water filter system can filter much larger amounts of water than most other types of filters, including countertop, undersink, faucet-mount and pitcher water filters, and thus are ideal for large households. These filters can greatly improve the efficiency of any household applicances connected to your water line, such as your washer, dryer or hot water heater. A whole-house water filter may also act as a pre-filter, lengthening the filter life of other water filters used within your home.
Which Contaminants Does a Whole House Water Filter System Reduce?
In general, whole-house filters may remove sediment, dirt, rust and heavy metals from your water – contaminants which can cause harm to any household appliance that is connected to your house water line. Some whole-house filters also reduce chlorine taste and odor. Some are UV filters, which inactivate harmful microorganisms in your water, but must be used in conjunction with other whole-house filters if the reduction of contaminants such as sediment, dirt, rust and chlorine, is needed.
How to Install a Whole House Water Filter System
Minor changes to your household plumbing are required to install a whole-house water filter system. Follow all instructions contained in the packaging for your whole-house unit when installing your system. The general steps involved in the installation of most whole-house water systems are as follows:
1. Determine where to install. A whole-house filter should be installed near the central water line going into your house.
2. Shut off the water at the main outlet coming into your home. Turn the shut off valve to the installation site, for both hot and cold water, to their completely closed position, and clear the water lines of any remaining water before proceeding.
3. Using a pipe cutting tool, cut into the main water line, making sure to carefully follow all instructions included with the whole house unit package.
4. Use pipe fittings to connect the unit to the water line.Wrap the ends with Teflon tape to prevent leaking.
5. Turn the water back on and check for leaks. Adjust the fittings if necessary.
6. Flush the system completely after installation, by going to the nearest faucet and turning on the cold water until it runs clear.
Which Whole House Water Filter System is Right for You?
To determine which whole-house water filter system will be most effective, you should first test your water to see which contaminants need to be removed. Since most whole-house filters remove similar contaminants, you may want consider other factors such as micron rating, (the smaller this number, the more efficient the filter will be at removing smaller particles) flow rate and filter life. Also, consider whether or not the whole house system will be used in conjunction with other home water filters such as a shower filter, undersink filter, or refrigerator filter. If so, it may only be necessary to purchase a whole house filter that specifically reduces sediment and dirt, as most other filters will reduce chlorine. Or, if you’re going for maximum filtration, you may want to use a more advanced whole house filter, in conjunction with several other efficient home water filters.
Below are the whole house water filter systems we carry. We also have an abundance of compatible cartridges in stock which may or may not filter as well as the cartridge included in the initial whole house filter installation package. Visit our website for more details on compatible filter cartridges. The following filters are rated “good, better or best,” based on their use with the filter cartridge that is included in the system package. At the bottom, we have listed a couple of UV whole-house filters as well.
Good
Pentek Complete Whole House Filtration System 160367
This filter reduces sediment, dirt and rust, along with chlorine taste and odor.
Micron rating = 10
Flow Rate = 10 gallons per minute
Filter Life = 3 to 6 months, depending on the level of contamination and the amount of water used
OmniFilter Whole House Water Filter System BF7
This filter reduces sediment, sand, dirt and rust and provides a very basic level of whole house water filtration.
Micron rating = 30
Flow Rate = 30 gallons per minute
Filter Life = 30,000 gallons, or 3 to 6 months, depending on the level of contamination and the amount of water used
Better
OmniFilter Whole House Water Filter System U25
This filter reduces dirt, sand sediment, rust particles and chlorine.
Micron rating = 5
Flow Rate = 5 gallons per minute
Filter Life = 15,000 gallons
Aqua-Pure Whole House Water Filter System AP101T
This filter reduces dirt, rust and sand sediment.
Micron Rating = 5
Flow Rate = 8 gallons per minute
Filter Life = 2,000 gallons
Aqua-Pure Whole House Water Filter System AP11T
This filter reduces dirt, rust and sand sediment
Micron Rating = 5
Flow Rate = 8 gallons per minute
Filter Life = 2,000 gallons
Best
3M Aqua-Pure Whole House Water Filter System AP902
This advanced filter reduces sediment, dirt, rust and other impurities down tot he 5 micron level.
Micron Rating = 5
Flow Rate = 20 gallons per minute
Filter Life = 100,000 gallons
3M Aqua-Pure Whole House Water Filter System AP903
This filter reduces the odor and taste of chlorine, along with sediment, dirt, rust and other impurities down to the 5 micron level.
Micron Rating = 5
Flow Rate = 20 gallons per minute
Filter Life = 100,000 gallons
Aqua-Pure Whole House Water Filter System AP801-C
This filter reduces dirt, sand, rust and sediment from your water.
Micron Rating = 5
Flow Rate = 20 gallons per minute
Filter Life = 3 to 6 months, depending on the level of water contamination and usage.
Featured
These whole house water filter systems are ultraviolet systems, which use a UV light bulb to inactivate bacteria and viruses. UV filters must be used in conjunction with a standard whole-house filter, as there is no cartridge to remove sediment, dirt or other particles.
