To some people, getting a water filter for the whole house is an absurd idea. They understand the need to filter drinking water, but why would you filter your shower water or your dishwasher water. Well, we’ll talk about the many reasons why you should filter all of the water you use later in the article, but for now, let’s start with the basics.
What Are Whole-House Filters?
Filtered water can be created by many different devices in our household, but you’ll have to purchase them separately. If you’d prefer that option, then our best advice is to get a good under sink water filter, because those can really up to your drinking game, as well as your cooking game and washing game.
You can also get faucet water filters if you feel like the permanent installation of anything won’t be a good choice. If you don’t want to add or remove anything from your kitchen, nor modify it, you can use a water filter pitcher, which is essentially a pitcher that filters water.
As you can imagine, it’s not handy to have all of these things separately. Buying them and maintaining them is more expensive, and it’s more work overall. If you want to make sure that your whole house has fresh and filtered water, get a whole-house system that’s going to be connected directly to the water source.
Best Whole House Water Filters
Buying a water filter for the whole house can be a tricky process, especially if you’re not really familiar with the terminology. Now we’re going to go over some of the most popular models of whole house filters and you can keep track of those that you like.
Express Water Heavy Metal Whole House Water Filter
Our first filter on the list is this three-stage filter that removes literally everything you may be concerned about: chlorine, mercury, dirt, sand, viruses, pesticides, organic compounds and more. The capacity of this filter is up to 100 000 gallons, which means you’ll have to do the math yourself.
The filters are very easy to replace – you just twist the old ones off and twist the new ones in. The housing is clear, which helps you get an idea of how much gallons can the filter work through. The setup is very easy and you won’t need a plumber to do the whole thing since you need to know how to work with 1“ connections only.
The three stages of filtering are carbon filtering, kinetic fluxion, and sediment filtration. The system is eco-friendly as well and you won’t lose any water during the process.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Save Your Time | Filter changes are quick and easy with simple efficient design. |
| Express Water Advantage | Only from Express Water! We offer several features unique to our system. |
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Cons:
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iSpring WGB22B 2-Stage 20 Big Blue
Moving on, we got this whole house water system that works in two stages: the first stage removes the sediments like rust, dust, and sand, while the other removes organic compounds and chemicals. The carbon filter is the one that does the fine job, while the sediment filter removes bigger particles.
The components of the product have been certified by NSF/ANSI, which means that you can believe the high efficiency. This will filter your water, but won’t do much regarding the softness, so don’t count on that.
This series works for 100 000 gallons, which is a pretty good amount, and the average efficiency goes up to 95%. No more taste, colors or odors in your water.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Top-Notch Quality | The first stage high capacity polypropylene sediment filter is able to achieve filtration down to 5 microns. |
| Peace of Mind Customer Service | We stand behind our products and if you encounter any problems with any of our products please reach out to us immediately. |
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CULLIGAN WH-HD200-C Whole House Sediment Water
Next n the list we have the clear whole house filter from Culligan. It’s mounted with 1“ connectors and you can use it both for personal use and commercial use, but in that case you’ll need to get one of the package options, where you’ll get a better price for the set.
The shut-off valve, the battery timer, and the aesthetic looks are just few of the key features of this product. It’s worth mentioning that it’s certified by NSF/ANSI with the standard 42. Some of the things this filter removes are sand, rust, dirt, chlorine and more. Your water won’t have a taste or an odor anymore.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Perfect For | Perfect for residential homes, helps protect appliances and pluming from sediment and scale. |
| Certified | The WH-HD200-C housing has been tested and certified by WQA against NSF/ANSI 372 for low lead compliance, CSA B483.1 and NSF/ANSI 42 for material safety and structural integrity requirements only |
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Home Master Whole House Three Stage Water Filtration System
The next product on the list is a filter that is pretty massive – it’s a three-stage one and it can remove all of the dirty particles, up to 1 micron of size. It removes manganese, iron, various chemicals and minerals that throw off the balance, as well as bigger particles like rust, dust, and sand.
The coconut fiber block filter included does an eco-friendly job and you can use it to filter 95 000 gallons before you need to buy a whole new product. However, the iron stage may last a bit shorter if your water is heavy on iron.
Installation is easy, you only need to put in a few hours of work and install the filter in a dry place.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| 1-inch ports | Home Master Whole House systems feature a massive filter housings with 1-inch ports, which deliver the strongest water pressure possible — up to 15 gallons per minute. |
| Great filter capacity | A coconut shell carbon filter purifies up to 95,000 gallons of water before needing to be replaced. |
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Aquasana Carbon & KDF Home Filtration EQ-1000 Whole House
Our next filter is a more pricey one, but it’s supposed to last 10 years, so that seems like a pretty good deal to us. The efficiency goes around 97% and the filter is made of two tanks that maximize the flow.
Your water will be filtered by carbon, and KDF as well, and maintaining both of these has never been easier. You literally don’t need to do anything – just replace the prefilters every 3 months. This is optional but will ensure a better flow rate throughout the years.
The install kit is very straight forward and the installation should not be a problem to anyone, just make sure to properly tighten the O-rings and you’re good to go. Don’t be afraid of heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals any longer.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| High-Performance Filter System | Carbon & KDF filtration media engineered to maximize contaminant reduction while leaving healthy minerals in your water. |
| Easy Maintenance | No draining or back flushing needed – Easily replace pre and post filters every 3 months for best filtration and flow rate. |
Pros:
Cons:
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iSpring WGB32B 3-Stage Whole House Water Filtration
Next up, we have a product very similar to the one already mentioned on the list, but it’s even better because of the additional stage of filtering that happens. The gadget removes sediment, chlorine, organic compounds, herbicides and more.
It’s still very DIY-like when it comes to installation and you can check the manufacturer’s YouTube channel for any additional info you may need. If you still feel like you’re not qualified for the job, contact a local plumber and they’ll surely take care of it.
The high-quality carbon filter is eco-friendly and has a fantastic lifetime as well! The NSF/ANSI standards of the filter direct a high performance that you can use until you go through your 100 000 gallons. Then you need to buy a new one!
Keep in mind that this product won’t remove the important minerals from your water and you’ll still have them, unlike with other reverse osmosis systems.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Protecting from Sediment, Chlorine, and More | Our system removes up to 99% of chlorine from water as well as up to 95% of sediment, rust, pesticides, herbicides, industrial solvents, VOCs, and various other contaminants. |
| DIY Installation and Maintenance | Refer to our manual and our helpful YouTube videos for easy DIY installation. |
Pros:
Cons:
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GE GXWH40L High Flow Whole Home Filtration System
Moving on, we have this heavy-duty filter that will clear all of your water and reduce scale, dirt, and rust as well. The installation relies on the 1“ connection, but you’re also getting all of the needed parts that you need to set up.
He filter itself lasts about three months, and it’s NSF/ANSI certified, which proves that it is quite efficient in what it does.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Heavy-duty filtration system | Clear sump allows for easy viewing of filter |
| Premium filtration | Certified to reduce sediment, scale, dirt and rust in your water, appliances and plumbing fixtures. |
Pros:
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Home Master HMF2SmgCC Whole House Two-Stage Filtration System
The next system on the list is a massive one. It can filter up to 10 gallons in one minute and it can provide you with proper pressure as well.
The sediment filter has four gradients and it goes from 25 microns to 1 micron in the process. This helps to prolong the filter’s lifetime a lot because the big particles don’t enter the fine mesh resin.
The 95,000-gallon big gadget makes sure that your whole family has the water they need wherever they are in the house. It is free of chlorine, chemicals, sediments and more. Because of the bigger size and the better flow, there is less blockage in the filter, which equals less maintenance.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| 95% | This Whole House system removes up to 95 percent of sediment, chlorine, chloramines, chemicals, and other contaminants that create foul tastes and odors. |
| Home Master | Home Master is part of Perfect Water Technologies, an American manufacturing company specializing in innovative reverse osmosis (RO) solutions for homes and businesses. |
Pros:
Cons:
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3M Aqua-Pure Whole House Sanitary Quick Change Water Filter System
The last product on our list is this water filter made to remove dirt, rust, sand, chlorine and more. It’s perfect for those who want a high volume of 100 000 gallons, as well as those who need a very high flow of 20 gallons per minute.
Make sure to keep in mind that this filter doesn’t remove fungi, bacteria, fluoride, and similar things, but it is very easy to maintain and has a Safe Quick Change design that helps you replace the cartridges without any messy puddles of water happening.
| Feature | Info |
|---|---|
| Sanitary Quick Change | Helps provide easier and cleaner cartridge change-out without having to contact the filter media or the need for a filter wrench. |
| Better Quality Water | Up to 85% chlorine taste and odor reduction using carbon block technology. |
Pros:
Cons:
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How Does a Whole-Home Filtering System Work?
So, what is the science behind all of these „best whole house water filters“? Let’s go over the basics and see whether there is a certain way these things work that you can use when you’re choosing which water filtering system works best for you.
So, the science behind the water filtering part itself is the same as to any filter, it depends on the technology. It’s either ion exchange, carbon block filter or something similar, but the idea is the same. The difference between a regular filter and a whole house filtering system lies in the way the water gets to the filter.
Interested in under-sink water filters? Read out the Best Under Sink Water Filters article.
With these systems, the water gets filtered directly after entering from the mainline, the main water supply, and then it circulates when it is already filtered. Most of these also feature a carbon activated filter that removes odors and tastes.
Filtered water goes through the plumbing and doesn’t leave any build-up, which ends up being a huge money saver once you realize that no issues have been happening with the plumbing for a while now.
Important Features to Look for in Whole House Water Filters
Let’s go over the most important features you need to check in each filtering product. These are usually highlighted on the packaging, but we’ll talk about the science behind them a bit as well.
Water flow
With whole-house systems, it’s important that the whole house has the water at all times, even the upper floor. That’s why you want a somewhat large flow. If you decide to skip on this feature, you may find yourself not being able to take a shower while someone else is having a bath. 12-16 gallons per minute are the average to look for, and anything above that is fantastic!
The types of filters inside
Of course, these are the most important parts. If possible, aim for a system that has two or three stages, and one of the stages has to be the activated carbon block that does a fantastic job at removing organic compounds as well. Ion exchange filters are great for making your water a bit softer as well, but you can live without them. The pro tip is to find those who have „rough filters“ that are stage 1 and they filter out the big particles that shouldn’t get to the finer methods of stage 2 or 3.
Filter lifetime
First off, don’t believe the manufacturer when they say that a certain filter lasts a certain number of months. The lifetime of a filter depends on your usage. What you should look for is the number of gallons that can be filtered before the filter actually has to be replaced.
Is it certified?
You can mostly guess what a filter removes when you know the types of filters that are included inside, but you certainly don’t know anything about the efficiency. Always look for NSF/ANSI standards that prove a certain filter is worthy of your time.
What Type of a Whole-House Filtering System Should I get?
There are no scientific types of filters out there because they all get categorized by their stages, but there are some questions that you need to ask yourself in order to understand how heavy-duty a filter you are getting should be.
- How much flow do I need? How many rooms are there in my house? How many people are going to be using the filter at the same time? Will I use it to clean?
- Do I need a high-pressure filter? Is my house a two-floor one or do I support more than two floors? Is my plumbing weak and should I be concerned about the pressure?
- How often can I financially afford to change the filters? Should I go for a lifetime over quality or is it a save if I invest in a more premium model?
- What is my water like? Do I need to be afraid of all of these contaminants or is there something specific I want to remove from the water?
- Do I believe big brands or will I believe user reviews?
- How hard can it be to install this? Will I call the plumber so the installation doesn’t make a difference or do I need to take into account that I need to at least have video instructions?
Why a Whole House Filtering System is a Must
Okay, okay, maybe you’re just overwhelmed with the amount of info that we’ve given you or you didn’t expect the price to be so high. Maybe you’re still considering whether you even need a filtering system. Wait no longer, we’ll show you some really straight-forward reasons to get a water filtering system.
Better overall health
When you’re constantly exposed to bacteria and viruses, your body tends to get inflamed much more often. On the other hand, toddlers and elders in the household may feel serious disadvantages and even feel sick most of the time.
Money saver
Don’t forget that buying bottled water is expensive and it’s not eco-friendly at all. That’s why a filtration system does a much better job. It may be a bit complicated to get it going, but once you manage to do that, nothing will stop you from your perfect drinking water.
Great taste
Well, it’s not rare to see that water smells bad or tastes bad, and we don’t want any of that for us or for you. By investing in a whole house filtration system, you will feel quite a lot of benefits and you’ll never feel the need to buy bottled water again.
Better skin health
Your skin hates water full of unbalanced minerals. These can make your skin dry and inflamed and can create issues for those who usually have skin problems. That’s why opting for a filter is a great choice.
Do you want to improve your skin and hair health? Read the article Best Shower Water Filters and find out more.
Whole House Filtration System Installation and Maintenance
What’s the use of a fantastic gadget if you don’t take good care of it? You’re literally throwing money away as the efficiency of your filter comes down each month. That’s why you need to make sure that you installed it properly and that you’re taking good care of your system as well.
How to Install Whole House Water Filters?
The first step to this process is turning off the water supply for your home. This will make your life easier by avoiding any mess that could happen.
Next, you should get the tools that are labeled in the instructions of your filter, as well as the parts. Make sure to read or watch the instructions once before you go ahead and re-watch each part as you do it. This will give you a better sense of how much time is needed for a certain part.
It’s also a good idea to drain the water from all faucets in your house by opening them.
Make sure to ask for assistance or call a plumber if you have no idea what you’re doing. It’s better to pay someone and get a proper result than to do it yourself and then have to re-do it completely.
You will now have to install a shut-off valve and a bypass valve. After that goes the pressure gauge and fitting the existing pipe into the system. If they don’t match, use adapter fittings to save the day.
Make sure to apply some grease on O-rings and to screw them on as tight as you can. Flush the water for a few minutes after connecting the system.
How do you Change a Whole House Water Filter?
This question depends on the filter because some of them have stages that can be removed independently, while some need to be completely removed and re-installed according to the steps mentioned in the paragraph above.
If you can replace stages separately, that means that it’s usually a twist-on, twist-off or a screw-on, screw-off type of fixation. This can be done really easily, but make sure to shut off the water supply to make sure everything goes by properly.
What are The Benefits of A Whole House System?
To end this story, we wanted to really show you all of the reasons why a whole house filtration system is a good choice. Not only do we think it’s a fantastic choice, we think it’s better than buying separate filters as well.
Because of that, we compiled a list of 15 reasons why you should consider getting a whole house system! If these don’t change your mind, we don’t know what will!
- You save money over time. Bottled water is expensive, as well as separate filters.
- You will save cash on other supplies like shampoos and gels because your skin and hair will be much better when you wash with filtered water.
- You will finally enjoy the taste of your water.
- Your kids and you will have a better immune system.
- No more illnesses amongst those who are very young or very old.
- You’ll notice that you’re finally drinking enough water daily.
- The system will last you a very long time and you’ll forget about it!
- These systems need much less maintenance than regular faucet and shower filters!
- You don’t have to turn them on or off!
- Your nails won’t be as weak and your hair won’t break anymore!
- You’ll notice less inflammation on your skin, which is especially helpful for those with psoriasis or acne.
- Your water won’t be home to parasites or cysts.
- Some of these even soften your water and make your house gadgets last longer and break less!
- These are a one-time investment!
- Tea, coffee and soups will taste much, much better from now on!
Summary
Finally, you made it. We are very happy that you have informed yourself about whole-house systems because that is the only way to make the right decision. We would advise you to go through the product list once more and maybe remove or add some of them to your „list of favorites“. Make sure to check out user reviews and YouTube videos as well, as a picture can show more than a 1000 words.
