Reviews of The Best Whole House Water Filters of 2024
We all know how important it is to have clean water. One of the easiest ways to ensure your home is supplied with fresh, clean water is to use a whole house water filter. By treating your water source at the point of entry, you’re ensuring all appliances and water sources are providing filtered, high quality water.
Picking the right filter system for your home can be a challenge with so many great products on the market.
If you’re looking for the best whole house water filter to buy, this buyer’s guide is for you. Sometimes, whole house water filters are referred to as Point of Entry (POE) system. This is because it is installed at the point of entry of water into homes.
The 10 Best Whole House Water Filter Systems
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
Why use a whole home water filter?
Are whole house water filters worth it? Why do you need to install one in your home?
One of the chief reasons why people opt for the best whole house water filter systems is to ensure clean water devoid of impurities is available from all water faucets in the house. Other benefits of using the best home water filtration system in your home include:
- To ensure that your appliances like washing machines, blenders, water heaters last longer. Dirty water can easily damage some of these appliances if the dirt in it becomes accumulated.
- Protecting yourself from sicknesses that may arise from using contaminated water. By reducing the amount of chlorine in city water, it makes the water safe for drinking. Additionally, it removes sediments and dirt that may have found its way into the water through the water pipes. If you use well water as the water source in your home, the water filtration system will screen the bacteria and other impurities out of the water since the water may not be chlorinated.
- To protect your clothing especially the white ones from changing color because of exposure to dirty water.
- You save some money when you install a whole house water filter at the entry point into your home. So instead of buying a filter for each faucet in your home, one whole house filter does the job.
- The whole house water filter systems filter more than 20 gallons of water in an hour. This is opposed to other home filtration systems like the reverse osmosis system which can only filter specific gallons daily.
- Their filters are often long-lasting. For example, the Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 has filters that last 3 – 10 years depending on the model you buy. This saves you maintenance costs as the only thing you need to do is to change the filters.
NOTE: Most people will argue that the reverse osmosis system offers better water filtration results. Yes, it does, but the cost of installing a reverse osmosis system at each water faucet in your home can increase significantly. For this reason, we suggest that you install the reverse osmosis system in the kitchen sink where you draw drinking water from. This will keep your mind at ease as you’re sure of drinking water filtered using 0.0001-micron filters.
What type of whole house water filter should you buy?
Most people who intend to buy whole house water filters are unaware that there are two types. The heavy duty filtration systems and the standard whole house water filtration systems.
The major difference between both is that the heavy duty system has a life of up to 5 or 10 years and requires less maintenance. On the other hand, the standard capacity systems use filters which are frequently changed every 6 to 12 months. The standard systems allow for customization of filters which is a good option for filtering out specific impurities.
For this review, we have highlighted both types. Additionally, we have shed more light on the types of filtration systems in the buying guide below.
Who is this review for?
This review is geared towards homeowners looking to make the water in their homes clean. There’s no gainsaying that the city and well water often supplied to our homes are contaminated – we already know this – however, many of us still do not know how to treat our water directly from its source to make it clean and fit for use in any part of the house.
For this review, we’ll be looking at some top rated water purification systems for homes. These products met our review criteria and are recommended by many as the go-to whole house water filtration systems. They are listed in the table below in no particular order.
If you are just looking for something to improve drinking water, take a look at our buyer’s guide for simple countertop water filters or water filter pitchers.
Before you view the table showing our best whole house water filter, read the tips in the section below.
Factors To Consider While Looking For The Best Whole House Water Filter Systems
Some of the very important factors to consider include the following…
- The type of filter: As earlier mentioned, there are two types of whole house water filters; the heavy filtration systems and the standard capacity filtration systems. The heavy systems often come equipped with a carbon tank. Hence, they are referred to as carbon tank models. A typical example is the Aquasana Rhino Eq-1000. Additionally, the standard capacity water filter is otherwise called the replaceable cartridge type. This is because the filters are replaced frequently every 6 to 12 months. The Home Master filter is a typical example.
- Your budget: Having decided on the type of system you want, you need to set aside your budget. If your budget is low, then you should opt for the replaceable filter models. Furthermore, if you have a large budget and of course a large space for installation, buy the heavy filtration systems.
- What capacity do you want? This is not the physical size of the system. Rather, it is the capacity of the gallons produced. Some whole house water systems are designed to filter up to 1 million gallons of water. A typical example is the Aquasana EQ-1000. The larger the gallon size filtered by the system, the larger it is in physical size.
- What’s the size: The physical size of the system should also be considered. Whole house systems require massive space to be installed especially if you opt for the heavy models. Space should be large enough to house the unit and allow for any maintenance services that may be done on it like changing of filters.
- The Flow Rate of the system: For large families, water flow rate should be high so as to cater for the water needs of everyone at home. Typically, the flow rate of most whole house filter systems is between 15 GPM and 20 GPM. GPM stands for Gallons Per Minute and refers to the number of gallons filtered by the system. The higher the GPM, the higher the chances of having a steady water pressure.
- The lifespan of the system/filters: The heavy duty systems tend to last longer than the replaceable cartridge models. So if you’ve got the replaceable model installed, you should look out for the lifespan of the filter. Most filters have a lifespan of 6 to 12 months. The longer the lifespan, the better for you.
- Micron Size: Most whole house water filters have a micron size of fewer than 5 microns. The lower the micron size of the filter, the cleaner your water. If you need purer drinking water, you should get the reverse osmosis filter installed in your kitchen sink, or at the tap where you draw drinking water from. Reverse osmosis filters can filter up to 0.0001 microns as compared to standard and heavy whole house filters with 0.35 to 1-micron size.
Credit: Advanced Water Filters
Best Whole House Water Filter Reviews
We’ll review these whole house water filters according to the way they are arranged in the table above.
The Home Master HMF2SMGCC water filter opens the door of your home to impurity-free water. This amazing water purification system is designed to treat water for chloramines, chlorine, lead, mercury, taste, and odor problems amongst other things.
How does it do that? It uses a 2 stage filtration layer to purify water supplies into your home without reducing water pressure.
The first stage filter is a 4-layer multi-gradient depth sediment filter which has sizes ranging from 25, 10, 5, 5 and 0.1 microns. This filter can last for about 12 months although its duration is determined by its usage and quantity of sediments accumulated in it. As a matter of fact, a family of 4 can rely on clean water from it for about 12 months.
On the other hand, the second stage filter is a mixed media granular activated catalytic carbon filter. It is designed to keep impurities like mercury, lead, and copper out of your water. This ensures up to 95% all round protection from any kind of water impurities.
With massive housings for its filters and sporting a 1-inch port, the Home Master HMF2SMGC water filter does a good job of turning the water in your home into potable water. Need I mention that the oversize filters help to induce better water flow rate? Moreover, it also reduces the number of times the filters have to undergo maintenance.
Pros:
- 95,000-gallon filter provides up to 12 months of clean water.
- Oversize filters which help induce better flow rate and reduces the filter’s maintenance frequency.
- A 2-stage water filtration process with each stage removing a particular water impurity.
- Produces up to 10 gallons per minute of water (10GPM).
Cons:
- Its massive size may not fit all the homes that would have loved to own it.
Sporting a 1100,000-gallon filter with a 20 gallons per minute flow rate, the 3M AquaPure whole house water filtration system ensures your home is provided with unrivaled clean water no matter which faucet you turned. This APNO3 model is one that has never been seen before. As a matter of fact, using the proper sediment filter, the 3M AquaPure filter will last a family of four up to 23 months.
The filtration system comprises of a stainless steel top which makes installation easy. This, however, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek the services of a specialist to install it for you. It’s better to spend a few bucks on installation than damaging a unit and replacing it completely. The stainless steel material used for making the head is corrosion resistant.
To keep away impurities like sediment, dirt, chlorine taste and odor, and rust, the 3M AquaPure filter uses a carbon filter media. These filter materials are all FDA CFR-21 Compliant. More so, the filtration system features an all-new SQC design (Sanitary Quick Change) design. This ensures that you can change the cartridge fast and easily. To avoid clogging the filter with large particulates, you should use a sediment filter in front of the filter.
Unfortunately, if you want a filtration system that filters out radon, you should look elsewhere. Since radon is a gas, this water filter cannot filter it. However, if there are particles that emit radon in the water being filtered, the 3M AquaPure filter will remove it.
It is also important to install this filter alongside its shutoff and pressure bypass valves. This would make it easier for you to be able to change the filter by shutting off the water.
YouTube Video Review
Pros:
- Can last a family of four for up to 23 months.
- Filters chlorine taste and odor perfectly.
- Easy to change filters which require shut off valves to be installed.
- High flow rate ensures water get to every part of the house with good pressure.
Cons:
- The filter and cartridge are integrated and not separate.
- Water pressure tends to weaken as the filter ages.
For homeowners interested in buying a 2-stage whole water filter for city water treatment, the iSpring WGB22B filter is a great choice worth considering. iSpring is particularly known for making the best reverse osmosis water filters. Hence, when we found out they made this whole house filter, we had to check it out. To be frank with you, we weren’t disappointed. However, there’s still room for better improvement.
First and foremost, the filters are large enough to last you a pretty long time. This ensures that you save your money and use it for something else. Need I also mention that the filters that come with this system are affordable?
That said, the iSpring filtration system features a 1-inch port which ensures that water flows well. In fact, the system has a water flow rate of 15 GPM. This pressure is apt for many homes and is often the standard GPM of most filtration systems.
iSpring designed the filters to be able to handle fine sediment and carbon, iron, lead, and manganese removal tasks. Of course, it does a great job. The stage 1 filter which consists of a 5-micron polypropylene sediment filter with removes dirt and particulates from your water. On the next filter which is a 5-micron coconut shell carbon filter which removes the bad tastes, odors, chlorine, and chemicals.
This ensures that your water to a large extent is clean. As suggested by the manufacturer, the iSpring WGB32B (another variant of the model we are reviewing) is recommended if the water in your home is heavily chlorinated.
Installing the iSpring system in the home is quite an easy DIY task. However, if you have any doubts, you should hire a professional to do the job for you. The filtration system is to be installed by splicing the main water line. The system uses a 1” female inlet and outlet which is properly threaded. If you’re using PVC pipes, this would be easy. As with the 3M AquaPure water system, shut off valves must be installed. This will ensure you have no troubles with changing filters and servicing the system.
YouTube Video Review
Pros:
- Clean clear water delivered to all the corners of your house.
- A 2 stage filtration system that each handles specific filtration instructions
- High flow rate of 15 GPM
- Gallon size of 100,000
- Deals decisively with bad taste, odor, chlorine, lead, magnesium, and sediments.
Cons:
- Filters don’t last beyond 7 months except if you’re just 2 in your home
Being closely related to a popular figure sometimes has its perks. Those perks are always advantageous. It’s worth noting that the Home Master HMF2SSDGC whole house filter system is closely related to the Home Master HMF2SMGCC water filter.
This Home Master system comes with massive filter housings. Moreover, it sports a 1-inch port that ensures the distribution of water at a very high flow rate of 15 GPM. In some cases, the GPM can reach up to 20 GPM. This is also complemented by a 100,000-gallon coconut shell carbon filter which is replaceable. Furthermore, the system comes with a dual gradient density filter with 1-micron spores. This 1-micron spore will ensure that the tiniest particles, odor, and tastes won’t get through the filter.
Irrespective of the fact that it is a 2-stage system, this home filtration system passes your water through 25 microns, 10 microns, 5 microns, and 1 micron sized filters. The filter is also tailored towards removing sediment, chlorine, and chemicals like pesticides and herbicides from the water.
The Home Master HMF2SDGC is designed to provide clean water for a family of four for up to 12 months. Unlike other whole house water filter systems, the Home Master HMF2SDGC can be used alongside other products. This implies that if you have a UV sanitizer or a water softener, they can both work together. You only need to connect this system to your water softener or your UV sanitizer.
YouTube Video Review
Pros:
- Strong mounting brackets and solid build of filters
- High water flow rate from the filters.
- Gives out up to 100,000 gallons of water which can sustain a family of 4 for up to 12 months.
- Can be used in alongside softeners and UV sanitizers.
Cons:
- It doesn’t come with pressure release and shut off valves
- Loose plastic threads on the inlet and outlet ports.
If you’ve seen the Aquasana EQ-1000 whole house water filter in action, you’ll realize it’s a high capacity product. But we just can’t guarantee the authenticity of the 10-years claim. This also means that we are skeptic about the 1 million gallon filter.
Obviously, Aquasana did some tests before releasing the product. It comes in various packages, some of which might interest you.
- The filter with 10 years lifespan, a softener, and the pro kit.
- A softener, a UV sanitizer, a pro kit and the 10-year filter. You can also opt for the 5-year filter with the same kit.
- The 6-year water filter or the 4-year chloramine filter.
With this plethora of options, one can gladly say they mean business with their 10-year lifespan filters. Arguably, their 1 million gallons is thus achievable with little maintenance occurring on any pre-filters you use.
Unfortunately, in a good way, however, the filter has a flow rate of 7 GPM. This flow rate is not up to par with the 15 GPM we’ve seen in other models. But who cares, especially when clean water is a turn of the tap away in your house.
The filters of the Aquasana EQ-1000 are designed to deal diligently with chlorine, mercury, pesticides, silt, water soluble metals, rust, industrial solvents, and lead. Aquasana designed this particular model to use a 3 stage filter. The first stage removes dust and other debris of its kind. On the other hand, the second stage main filter removes bacteria and substances like herbicides and pesticides. Lastly, the 0.35 sub-micron filter takes care of any organic compounds that may have escaped the second stage.
Installing the Aquasana EQ-1000 requires little professional experience in plumbing. It comes with its own pro-grade installation kit. This kit makes installing the system a breeze for experts familiar with the procedure.
YouTube Video Review
Pros:
- A Large capacity filter that lasts for a decade.
- 1 million gallons of water will be treated with the filter.
- Easy to install since it comes with a pro-grade installation kit.
- Suitable for sizeable households with above moderate water needs.
Cons:
- Extremely huge and may not be suitable for homes with limited space.
The DuPont 15k gallon water filtration system is a simple whole house water filter designed to specifically improve water clarity. No one has any reason not to have this system installed in their home. It’s pretty much affordable and can often, it’s bought in pairs of three so it can serve its purpose in threefold. To achieve great results, we suggest that you use 15 microns, 5 microns, and a 1-micron carbon filter respectively. This will ensure that impurities don’t make it to the water you drink.
The DuPont WFPF13003B filter has a flow rate of 5GPM. This may not be an ideal GPM since we’ve seen filtration systems with 15GPM. Although its GPM is low, there won’t be any reduction in water pressure in your home. Moreover, the gallon size stands at 15,000 gallons
DuPont equipped this water filter with a 10-inch micron filter that specializes in removing impurities. These impurities include sediments, rust, heavy metals, bad tastes and odors, and chlorine. However, you’d need to upgrade the filter to a certain standard to achieve the all-round water protection.
Unlike some other water filters for homes which are large, the DuPont WFPF13003B filter is moderately sized. Installing the DuPont water filter is an easy task anyone can do with little plumbing knowledge. Aside from that, changing the filter is easier than expected. Just be sure that you have your shut off valves installed. Additionally, you can also install a UV water purifier alongside this DuPont filtration system. They will both work in tandem to make your water clean and crystal clear.
Pros:
- Super affordable filtration system.
- Can be bought and arranged sequentially using different filters in each model.
- The filtration system can be used alongside UV purifiers and some other water purification systems.
- Installing the DuPont filtration system is as easy as ABC.
Cons:
- Plastic threads may leak easily if not handled properly.
This 3-stage iSpring system is simply the 3 stage version of the iSpring WGB22 which we reviewed earlier. They both share the same similarities and can be used interchangeably. For people who don’t know, three-stage filtration systems offer cleaner water than the two-stage models. However, they tend to cost more than the former.
The system filters the water coming into your house by running it through several filters with varying microns. This filtration process eliminates up to 95% sediments that clog your water. It also removes other impurities like chlorine, rust, chemicals and other contaminants that may find its way into your water source.
This 3-stage system has a similar flow rate of 15 GPM and gallon size of 100,000 like its 2-stage cousin. One of the reasons why people opt for the other 2 stage system lies in the price difference as one is less affordable than the other. For even better efficacy, you can use this WGB32B system alongside a reusable sediment filter.
Pros:
- Eliminates all manner of water contaminants with precision.
- Offers long-lasting filtration service for up to 100,000 gallons.
- Can be used alongside another reusable sediment filter.
Cons:
- Because of its large size, ample space is required for installation.
The Home Master HMF3SDGFEC whole house 3-stage water filter is an upgrade of the 2-stage model we reviewed earlier. Designed to do wonders and eliminate the impurities in your water, the system does all that leaving no stone unturned. Apparently, it shares the same structure and operating principle with its 2-stage counterpart.
With the same flow rate of 15 GPM with 100,000-gallon size, this system will keep your water clean – for about 6 to 12 months, of course. The three filters on this system have their respective functions. In the first stage, the filter is designed to remove large particles like dirt and sand. This layer can filter down to 1 micron.
The second layer is designed to remove iron, sulfur, manganese and some other heavy metals. And finally, the third filter removes chlorine and some other chemicals that find their way into your water. It’s one of the best whole house water filters for well water.
Pros:
- 3 filters each dealing decisively with a particular type of impurity in your water.
- Clean water guaranteed for up to 1 year with 100,000 gallons and a GPM of 15
- It’s a good choice for eliminating iron from your water.
- Long lasting filters which filter down to 1 micron
Cons:
- The plastic on copper fitting may leak if not properly installed.
- Not easy to install
Away from the notable iSpring and Home Master brands, here’s the Apex MR-3030 whole house water filter system. It is a 3 stage system built for eliminating all forms of water impurities like sediment particles, chlorine, water odor, and smell. The three filters are housed in one filter body, unlike the single filters we’ve seen on some other models. Each stage filters a particular type of impurity – this ensures the water remains pure at all times. The filters sport 1-micron pores which are extremely tiny enough not to allow impurities pass.
As I earlier mentioned, the three filters housed in one unit are cost effective in the long run. However, if you’d rather prefer the single filter per unit models as seen on filtration systems like the Home Master or the iSpring, you’ll pay more long term.
Did I mention that the water flow rate of the APEX MR-3030 is rated 15 GPM for 20,000 gallons? That’s sizeable enough for a small home, although you may end up changing filters more frequently.
YouTube Video Review of the Apex MR-3030
Pros:
- 3 different filters ranging from 5 microns, 1 micron and a carbon filter for cleaner water
- Removes chlorine and other water impurities significantly from the water.
- Great flow rate of 15 GPM
- This filter can conveniently treat well or city water without hassles.
Cons:
- Changing filters can be a pain in the neck.
The last but not the least of the best whole house water filter under review is this Aquasana filter. On a first look, one can easily infer that the system looks like the 1 million gallon model. Of course, it is the lower version of that model and it features a long-lasting filter.
Like its big brother, it has a 7 GPM water flow rate and a 300,000-gallon size filter. Installation is made simple for experts using the Pro Install Kit that comes with it. The 3-year filter offers exactly the same filtration guarantee found on the older model. Surprisingly, it does so as a more affordable option.
It’s important to mention that at the expiration of the filter’s lifespan, you can get a replacement tank. The replacement tank costs a little bit less than the whole system. This replacement tank should be able to see you through some more couple of years before it finally packs up.
Some of the upgrades that are available for the Aquasana 3 year water filter include a UV sterilization kit as well as a salt water softener. You can also decide to use a post filter alongside the main filters. The both of them will work in tandem to make your water cleaner.
You can also opt for the 500,000 or 600,000-gallon models. The higher the gallon size, the higher the price.
Pros:
- The long-lasting filters with a minimum of 3 years
- Easy to change filters
- Ensures your entire household water is clean and clear.
- Water pressure remains the same, thanks to the constant water flow rate.
Cons:
- Needs to be installed by a professional.
So far, we’ve seen ten of the best whole house water filters, their flaws, and selling points. Choosing a whole house water filter won’t confusing anymore. Certainly, it won’t be as confusing as installing the system if you had no prior knowledge.
Talking about installation, the next section teaches us about installing whole house water filters. Apparently, most homeowners want to save some money through DIYs after spending hugely on the filters.
How Do Whole House Water Filters Work?
Understanding the working principle of whole house water filters will make you appreciate the machine. There’s a clear distinction between the single filters usually installed in kitchen and bathroom sinks where we draw water from. As earlier mentioned, whole house water filtration systems make sure water drawn from any faucet in the house is clean.
To achieve this feat, the whole house water filter is installed at the entry point of water into the house. Most whole house water filters are built to follow a 3-step process.
The first stage serves as the pre-filtering stage. A pre-filter is placed before the main filtration system. The pre-filter works round the clock to remove large impurities and contaminants. Some pre filters filter anything impurities and particulates above 5 microns. This will help to prevent clogging in the system.
For some systems, the second step is the removal of chlorine. A special filter removes the chlorine which can make both the taste and color of your water bad.
Furthermore, an activated charcoal filter or a carbon filter comes at the third stage. It removes any other leftover impurities in the water. After this stage, the water may still be purified again using either a water softening system or a reverse osmosis system. The water softener removes water hardness. On the other hand, the reverse osmosis system makes the water much cleaner to a higher degree. Most homeowners install a reverse osmosis filter in their kitchen sink from where they get drinking water.
Before we proceed further, there’s something important you should know. It’s the water quality. We discussed water quality in the latter part of this article.
How to Install Whole House Water Filters
Installing whole house water filters is not a job for novices without prior knowledge. Don’t let that discourage you from learning how to install it. Just a little knowledge and you can handle the rest. It’ll only take your more hours than it will take a professional to do the installation. This is because the installation procedure defers slightly depending on the whole house filter you choose to install. This guide will walk you through the basic installation principles.
What do you need?
The following are some of the tools you’re going to need for installing the whole house water filters.
- An adjustable wrench
- A pipe cutter.
- Slip joint push fitting
- Teflon tape
- Copper coupling
- Drill
- Valves
- Pressure gauge
To install, follow the steps below.
- Turn off the water: You need to turn off the water from the main water source into your house. To do this, simply locate the shut-off valve and turn it till it closes.
- Drain the water out: Draining the water out is the next important thing to do after shutting off the water. We suggest turning on the kitchen sink faucet and allowing the water to run till it drains out most of the water.
- Select where to install your whole house water filter: The location where the system is installed in your home should fully accommodate the whole house water filters you are about to install. It should be near the water source and away from children. Ample space for installation means changing filters won’t be difficult.
- Cut the pipe: After choosing your installation location, measure and mark the pipes. You should measure correctly and mark off spots for the shut-off valves and the pressure gauges. It’s not a must that you should do this, but it helps especially when changing filters. Using a pipe cutter, cut the pipe. Keep a bucket nearby to collect any water that may run off from the pipe. You should remove any burrs from the pipe using a reamer.
- Inserting the shut-off valves: Place the shut-off valves at the end of both pipes on your main water pipe. The shut-off valve will be used to control the water when changing filters. They are often prescribed as an option, but we beg to differ on that. To be honest, shut off valves are essential for changing the water filters.
- Mounting the filtration unit: It’s time to mount the whole house water filter. Some filter producers recommend screwing a plywood panel on to the wall although it is optional. The filtration unit will be mounted upon the plywood (if present) or the wall using the mounting brackets. Your sediment (1st stage filter) should come first followed by other filters. The directions for placing the filters are often specified on the installation manual. Make sure you put the input and output fittings to each side of the water filter. Apply a generous amount of the Teflon tape to keep it sealed so there won’t be any leakages.
- Attach your system’s pipes to the ends you cut: Now, attach the pipes of the system and the pipes you cut initially together. You can use push fittings or a compression nut for this purpose. Push fittings tend to be pricier, however, they are easy to use when compared to compression nuts. Attach the filter’s input and output to the push fittings. At this point, you should give yourself a pat for a job well done. The result will be similar to the image below.
Watch the video tutorial below.
Whole House Water Filter Installation Diagram
This is a typical representation of the best whole house water filter system.
Here’s a typical installation diagram for whole house water filters. There may be slight differences depending on the filters and other additional systems attached to it.
What if we told you that you could construct your own whole house water filter instead of buying one.
You read that right! Here’s how to do it…
How To Build Your Own 3-Stage Whole House Water Filter
For this purpose, you’ll need the tools mentioned above for installation purposes. Furthermore, you’ll need
- A 5-micron polypropylene sediment filter for stage 1,
- The 1-micron polypropylene filter for stage 2,
- An activated carbon filter for stage 3
- An optional bypass valve
- Housing brackets and rings for mounting the filter.
NOTE: The end result may not be as effective as it should have been if you purchased the filter. This may also amount to extra work which can be time-consuming.
When you have assembled everything needed for building your own system, it’s now time to install the system. You should follow our whole house water filter installation guide above to install your custom built system.
Is it necessary to build your own system?
To be frank with you, it’s only a means of cutting down on costs. However, with the knowledge of building your own filter system, you can do so anywhere in the world. Most producers don’t ship their whole house water filters outside the US. This may be as a result of shipping costs and other factors best known to them.
If you intend to build your own whole house water filter in a vacation home you have outside the US, you can simply buy the necessary items in bits and ship them to the location you want outside the US. Then you can build yours with little or no effort. At least, you’re guaranteed of clean water.
How To Change Filters in your Whole House Water Filters
If you use have installed the standard whole house water filters in your home you need to change the filters frequently. It’s a pretty easy task, and in this section, we’ll show you how to do it.
But first, let’s answer the question… How often should I change the filter in my whole house water filter?
You should change your filters every 3 to 6 months or every 6 to 12 months. The frequency of changing your water filter depends on how contaminated your water is. Additionally, if you notice the water pressure is slowing down, you should check out the filters.
Watch the video below…
To change your whole house water filter cartridge, you need the following
- A bucket
- The filter wrench which often comes with the filter.
- The new filter you want to put in place of the old one.
Procedure for changing the filter.
- Using the shut-off valves before and after the filters, restrict water flow from both directions. Next, drain the water in the pipe system to a fairly large extent. Simply turn on your sink tap to drain off the water.
- Press the red pressure release button if your system has any.
- Place your bucket under the filter you want to change so you can collect any extra water that will spill.
- Using the filter wrench that came with the filter, insert it from underneath and turn. Loosen the filter till you can easily turn it out with hands. Then, remove the filter wrench.
- Get ready to be drenched as the water left in the filter will spill on your body. Slowly remove the filter from the unit and pour the water left in it into your bucket.
- Remove the filter from its housing and place it in another bucket to drain out the water. Rinse the housing with hot water to remove leftover dirt. You can add a little bit of dish soap, but don’t forget to rinse thoroughly.
- Check the casing for any leftovers from the previous filter. Remove them if any.
- Next, check the rubber ring for any flaws. If it needs to be changed, change it, and if otherwise, put it back into its correct position.
- Lubricate the O ring using silicone grease.
- Place the new filter in the housing in its correct position. Then, screw the housing back to the unit using the filter wrench. Make sure you don’t over tighten it. Also, ensure that the standpipe sits in place with the cartridge.
- Next, turn on the water by turning off the shut-off valves you turned on at the beginning. Press the pressure release button (if your system has one). Allow the water to run for some minutes and you can check by tasting or testing.
Congratulations, you’ve successfully changed your whole house water filter cartridge.
Credit: Den Garden
Best UV Water Filters Quick Review
To further purify your water, you can install a UV water filter alongside the whole house water filter system. It is pertinent to note that some UV water filters come with their own whole house filtering systems. Others are sold as single units.
The UV water filters are effective when it comes to dealing with bacteria and viruses in water. They annihilate these organisms and other biological contaminants totally. As a matter of fact, UV water filters tackle chlorine-resistant microorganisms. While using the UV water filter, the water never comes in contact with the UV lamps.
In this quick review of the best UV water filters, we’ll answer some of the pertinent questions concerning the system. We will also review the top UV water filters. Additionally, we’ll highlight its advantages and disadvantages and how to install it.
What are the Best UV Water Filters?
The following are our top picks for the best whole house UV water filters.
This UV water purifier is undeniably the king of other UV water filters. With an energy requirement of just 55W, the filter ensures your water is spotlessly clean. It is designed to deal mercilessly with microbes, viruses E. coli, and other harmful bacteria in water that can cause serious health challenges. Water is filtered by this system at a flow rate of 12GPM.
It weighs just 7 lb. and features a glass tube UV lamp. To power the UV filter, an AC power cord is supplied in the box. This sends AC current to the unit. Also included in the box are the mounting brackets, 2 replacement bulbs aside from the main bulb that came with the unit.
The only downside of having this unit is that the seals aren’t watertight. Moreover, you may find it a bit tedious installing the unit by yourself.
The Ronaqua UV water purifier has exactly similar specs as the UV light filter we just reviewed above. These include a 55W low-pressure UV lamp accompanied by two other replacement bulbs in the packaging. It does exactly what it’s designed to do – neutralize waterborne organisms in your water.
With the Ronaqua UV light system, you get 12GPM of water filtered. This is enough to cater for the water needs of a fairly large house. Like other UV filters, you only need to change the UV bulbs once in a year. Typically, you should begin to make arrangements to replace the bulb at the 9 months mark. Installation is simply a breeze. However, you still need to take extra care not to damage the bulbs. The filter can be mounted either vertically or horizontally.
Its major flaw is the weak clips which may not be able to properly hold it in place.
Looking for a budget UV water filter? Hqua makes pocket-friendly UV light water purifiers such as this one. Unfortunately, this budget UV water purifier is designed to filter 6 GPM. Hence, it is not recommended for homes with sizeable water needs.
Aside from that, the UV filter is about 23 inches long – a tad lesser than the other two UV purifies above. It does, however, filter your water properly, removing up to 99.99% of water bacteria and other contaminants in less than 2 seconds. The power rating of the Hqua UV light filter is 25W, 30W less than the Ronaqua model. This helps you save on energy costs whilst keeping your water clean.
You get one extra UV replacement bulb when you purchase this unit. The UV bulbs last for 9000 hours or about 1 year. Installation is pretty much simple. However, you might find out that one component is missing. Hqua promises to send two replacements as a way of appeasing you. Hqua recommends that you clean the quartz sleeve of your UV filter every 6 months. Thereafter, change the filter once it reaches 12 months.
Are UV water filters safe?
Yes, they are safe to use for sterilizing water. They don’t add any particles to the water. In lieu, they remove the unwanted microorganisms. However, UV water filters can also leave contaminants like chlorine, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals in the water. This is why we recommend that you use the UV filter alongside your whole house water filter.
How does the UV water filter work?
The working principle of the UV filter is pretty much straightforward.
First, the water that will be filtered by the UV filter must pass through a proper filtration system. You can filter the water using any of the recommended whole house water filters above. This will eliminate most sediments and particulates that are in the water. The presence of these particulates will otherwise make it difficult for the UV filter to work effectively.
After the filtration by the system, the water is then channeled to the UV water filter. The UV water filter emits UV light which kills the DNA of bacteria and other organisms found in the water as it passes through the flow chamber where the light source is. The general flow rate of your whole house water system may decrease if the UV water filter’s flow rate is lower. Moreover, water needs to flow at a minimal flow rate for proper sterilization of the water. It is therefore advisable to install a UV filter with a similar flow rate as your filtration system.
This video clearly explains the working principle.
Advantages and Disadvantages of UV water filters
The following are some of the benefits and demerits of using UV water filters.
Advantages:
UV filters are cost effective. They are energy efficient The UV filters don’t add any new chemicals to the water they filter. They are relatively easy to install although they need utmost care to avoid damage during installation. Less maintenance required except for changing the UV lamp yearly. They annihilate bacteria and other microorganisms found in the water.
Disadvantages:
In the absence of electricity, the UV water filters cannot function effectively. The water must be filtered by a filtration system before the UV filter purifies it.
Credit: All About Water, Water Purifier
How to Install the UV Water Filter
Installing the UV water filter is simple save for the fact that you need to handle the UV lamp tube with extreme care.
Watch the video below for instructions.
How to Replace the UV Water Filter Light Bulb
This is done only once in a year and you don’t need professional help to be able to do this. To change the bulb on your UV light water filter, follow the steps outlined below…
- Unplug the AC adapter that supplies electricity to the unit. Depending on the product, an alarm will be triggered of. The alarm notifies you of a power outage in the system. Note that the alarm will stop itself.
- If the UV water filter feels warm or hot to the touch, allow it to cool down. Then, remove the protective cover of the UV light water filter.
- Unscrew the connector from the top of the bulb.
- Put on your latex gloves and unscrew the bulb and remove it from the UV filter.
- Take out your new bulb from its packaging and insert it in slowly and carefully. Screw the bulb back again.
- Turn the water on and check for any leaks. If none, proceed to the next step.
- Connect the connector to the unit using the screw you removed earlier. Cover the unit with its protective cap.
- Next, plug the power cord to an electric supply source. Then reset the UV water filter unit by pressing and holding the reset button for 5 seconds to change the days to 365.
That was pretty easy, right? Sure, it was.
Watch the video tutorial below for a step by step process.
Knowing the water quality. Why is this important?
The quality of the water before and after its filtration will indicate the effectiveness of the filtration system. This is made possible by testing the water for its quality before and after it has passed through your whole house water filter. Carrying out tests on your filtered water can also help you decide which filters to buy. To know your water quality, request for a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).
- Request for a water test report: If your water is supplied by the municipal area, consider requesting for the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). This report is published by the Environmental Protection Agency EPA. The document is free to obtain and will list out what your water contains. With an idea of what’s in your water, you are ready to test your water.
- Use a Home Water Testing Kit: This is an inexpensive but sure way of knowing your water’s level of purity. Using the testing kit, you get instant results right in your home. Use the test kit to check for bacteria, chlorine, lead, iron, water hardness, pH, and other impurities. It may not be as accurate as what you’d obtain in a laboratory, however, it still gives good results. In the later course of this article, we will review some of the best home water testing kits. Additionally, we will show you how to use them.
- Test the water in a laboratory: Test the water in a lab especially if you have treated a waterborne disease before. This method is rather expensive, but it’s worth it. Collect water from your home and take it to the lab for testing. It usually takes more time to get results as against the instant results obtained when testing with home water testing kits.
The Best Water Test Kits And Strips
For testing the water quality in your home, we recommend the following water test kits.
- Baldwin Meadows Drinking Water Test Kit: The Baldwin Meadows drinking water test kit is an inexpensive way of testing your water at home. It is designed for testing for the presence of lead, copper, iron, nitrites, nitrates, chlorine, alkalinity levels, pH, and hardness. To test the water for impurities using this kit, simply dip the Baldwin strip into the water. 100 strips are included in the package.
- Watersafe WS425W Well Water Test Kit: Watersafe offers you the opportunity to test your water sources for contaminants such as nitrates, nitrites, toxins and other contaminants. It’s designed for testing well water.
- First Alert WT1 Drinking Water Test Kit: Use the first alert test kit to receive alerts for contaminants in your drinking water. It’s used for checking the hardness of water. Additionally, you can also use it for detecting the presence of bacteria, lead, pesticides etc.
Final Thoughts
There’s no reason for you to drink unclean and contaminated water anymore. Thank goodness that these water filters are up to the task. Choosing any of these best water filters shouldn’t be a difficult task. The same goes for changing filters, installing the filters, testing water for impurities, and for buying UV water filters.
Let your neighbors know about this great article. They don’t deserve to drink contaminated water, or do they?
