Whole House Water Filters Buying Guide

Municipal water is generally closely regulated and safe. However, according to the CDC, it can still contain trace contaminants that are dangerous to health. Therefore, you have to take additional steps to ensure that your water is safe to consume —  and an effective way to do this is by installing a whole house water filtration system.

This type of filtration system eliminates contaminants before they enter your indoor plumbing, providing clean water for all your needs.

In this guide, we’ll cover some essential points to consider when choosing whole house water filters, so that you can start enjoying safe water in your home.

Read on.

What Is a Whole House Water Filter?

A whole house water filter is a purification device installed at the main line where water enters a house. Its purpose is to filter and treat the water before it gets distributed into your home, ensuring the water that flows from every faucet is clean and safe for consumption.

If you're looking for how to improve the quality of what you drink, this whole house water filters buying guide will point you in the right direction.

How Does a Whole House Water Filter Work?

Most WH filtration systems work via a three-step process. First, a sediment pre-filter removes larger particles, then an activated carbon filter treats the water, and finally, a post-filter does a final cleaning and polishing.

Pre-filter step: The first stage of a whole house filtration system is usually a sediment filter. It is designed to remove large particles like dirt, sand, and debris from the drinking supply. This helps to prevent clogging.

Carbon filtration: A carbon filter system is typically used as the second stage in a whole-house filtration system. Activated carbon eliminates chlorine, poor taste, and odor from water. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and some chemicals can also be removed.

Post-filter stage: Post-filters employ strong, multilayer mesh screens to improve the quality even more. It basically serves as a finishing agent, capturing any leftover silt and organic particles before it passes through your pipes.

The purified result is then distributed throughout the home via the main plumbing line. All of the house's faucets will have clean, safe water — in the kitchen, bath, shower, and everywhere. You can even take things a step further by investing in water filters for refrigerators. This could qualify as your home's second line of defense.

Types of Whole House Water Filters

There are a few different types of whole-house filtration devices available on the market today. The most popular ones are:

Sediment Filters

Sediment filtration devices are the most basic type of whole house filtration systems and are the most common. These devices use cartridges or mesh filters to remove particles such as dirt, sediment, sand, and rust from a household’s drinking supply. They are often used as the first stage in a multi-stage whole house filtration system to eliminate common home water problems.

Activated Carbon Filters

This filter works to not only remove particles such as sand and silt, but also volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and certain pesticides. Activated carbon filters are excellent for both chlorine reduction and taste and odor reduction. They are often used as the second stage in a multi-stage whole-house filtration system.

Catalytic Carbon

Catalytic carbon filters are specifically made to eliminate chloramines and hydrogen sulfide. Chloramine is commonly used to treat drinking water by municipalities. It can be dangerous to your health when ingested in high quantities.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filters

Reverse osmosis removes dissolved solids, minerals, and other contaminants from the drinking supply using a semi-permeable membrane. RO removes as much as 99 percent of contaminants. They are more expensive than other types, though.

Ultraviolet (UV) Filters

In UV filtration, microorganisms, bacteria, and parasites are killed by ultraviolet light. This process is also referred to as UV disinfection or irradiation. UV filtering systems can be used independently. It is best, however, to pair them with other systems.

Factors To Consider When Buying Whole House Water Filters

There are certain factors to consider when shopping for water filters for the whole house. They are:

Filter Size

Choosing the right size of filter for your home is crucial. Larger filters clean out more contaminants because they have higher flow rates. A small one has a lower flow rate and may not be able to keep up with the demand, resulting in poor output.

Water Quality

Water quality is another important consideration when buying a whole house system. The type of contaminants you want to eliminate and the hardness of your water should be taken into account. 

Flow Rate

Flow rate refers to the amount of fluid that can pass through the filtration device per second. You should buy a product whose flow rate meets your household's needs without compromising filtration.

Maintenance Requirements

Different systems require different levels of maintenance in order to function at peak performance. Be sure to determine the maintenance needs of any filtration system before buying and ensure that its regular maintenance is something you can handle.

Certification

Are you still wondering how to find the right whole-house water filter? Check out product certifications. Look for certifications like NSF or WQA. Brands like Filterway carry products with these certification ratings. This will ensure that the product meets strict industry standards and provides the highest level.

Installation

This is another important consideration when thinking of how to buy a whole house water filtration system. Filtration systems can be easy to install or require professional help. Select something that you can install yourself.

Conclusion

A water filter is a good investment for anybody concerned about the health and safety of their family. Before making a purchase, though, consider the factors we outlined in this guide. You may also want to research the pros and cons of whole house water filters brands before making a commitment.

Finally, be sure to shop from a reliable supplier to ensure you're buying high-quality products that can get the job done.