Well water may seem more appealing than heavily treated water from the city but it actually comes with its own drawbacks. Well water often carries high concentrations of rust, dust, sand and other sediment particles. These often affect the taste, odor and overall quality of water.

To make matters worse, these sediment particles can do serious damage to your dishwasher, boiler or washing machine. If you’re in this situation or just want to prepare for the worst, then a sediment filter should be at the top of your shopping list.

The WFPF13003B whole house water filter from DuPont is an efficient and easy to install sediment filter. This model does a good job of keeping water free or dirt, rust, and sand by not allowing these contaminants to enter your plumbing and reach your appliances.

The WFPF13003B from DuPont is a point of entry (POE) water filter. What this means is that it begins the filtering process at the water main before it splits into different lines and reaches all faucets and appliances in your house. It improves both the drinking water and the water that goes into your heater or your washing machine. This way, you increase the longevity of your appliances.

Like most sediment filters, the DuPont WFPF13003B is a must-have for households that rely on well water or municipal water with a high concentration of sediment contaminants. It is not a good choice for removing chemical or bacterial contaminants from water. If your water analysis shows concerning results of heavy metals or pesticides this sediment filter won’t fix your problem on its own.

The WFPF13003B is easy to install and easy to maintain. If you’re not the type of individual with a background in plumbing, you don’t need to worry about it. The filter has a good capacity and only requires you to change the cartridge every six months or so.

You might also find this a useful product if you are particularly worried about dirty water damaging your appliances. Water heaters, toilets, washing machines and dish washers benefit greatly from sediment-free water. Installing this water system filter at your water main will save you the trouble of purchasing multiple units to protect appliances individually. This makes it a very cost-effective choice.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes the DuPont WFPF13003B a good whole house sediment filtration unit. First of all, it uses a standard 10” filter. This is not only great at keeping away large particles, but it is also quite interchangeable. You can use almost any 10” filter with this unit, from most popular brands.

The 15,000 gallons filtration capacity is good for small houses, offices and even RVs. You can achieve a 5 gallon per minute flow which is often more than enough for small families.

The standard 3/4 inch inlet and outlet allow this unit to be fitted in almost any household. One minor inconvenience is the lack of a clear casing. Although the filter has a good capacity, the cartridge may need replacing sooner if your water quality is poor. Since there is no visual indicator you will have to manually check the state of the filter from time to time.

The installation process becomes significantly easier once you understand that this water system filter is meant to be used as a POE filter. You should always install it on your main water line before the water splits into cold and hot. Never use it on a hot water line because the filter is not built to withstand the heat.

Before you do anything with it you should turn off your main water supply. You might want to also drain your pipes by turning some faucets on and off.

The WFPF13003B measures 13.8x6.4x5.4 inches. Measure carefully how much pipe you need to cut, and how much wall space you need. Leaving enough room is important if you want to have easy access when it’s time to change the cartridge. The filter doesn’t come with a mounting bracket but it only weighs 2.1 pounds so you shouldn’t need a complex system to support its weight.

Since the filter has 3/4” inlet and outlet ports you shouldn’t have a problem connecting it to your main pipe. If for some reason the seal doesn’t feel tight enough, try using some Teflon tape to make it leak-proof instead of twisting too much.

Note that if you already have a POE filtering system and you wish to add the WFPF13003B in line with the others, you should connect this model first in line. As a general rule, sediment filters are always the first in line and usually, carbon filters go last. If you are also using a UV filtration unit, then the carbon filter would become second to last.

While the WFPF3003B filter has almost everything you could want from a sediment filtration unit, the more expensive WFPF38001C, also by DuPont, has some additional features.

The WFPF38001C has a clear plastic casing that allows you to check the wear on your filter. This comes in handy should your filter begin to lose its efficiency.

Another improvement over the WFPF3003B model is the built-in bypass valve. Not everyone is thrilled about bypass valves on filters as they don’t tend to be very durable. If, however, this is something you simply must have, you can go for the WFPF38001C. Of course, it would be cheaper to just buy a bypass valve and install it on your WFPF3003B.

The DuPont WFPF13003B is a great sediment filter unit. It is easy to install on your main water line and it ensures sediment-free drinking and washing water. At the same time, it cleans your water before it splits into cold and hot circuits, so it has a great impact on your appliances too.

The 15,000 gallon capacity of the filter is good for small homes or RV’s. With normal usage, you won’t have to change filters more than two times a year. The standard 3/4 inch inlet and outlet make this filter a good fit in any household by itself or in line with other filtration units.

It can be hard to maintain quality drinking water with just one filter. Certain filtering techniques are more efficient at dealing with sand and rust than with chlorine, pesticides, microbes and bacteria. No matter where you live, chances are your water contains enough of each type of contaminant to warrant the use of a water filter.

Let’s take a closer look at one of our favorite products, the APEX MR-3020 with activated alumina. This system is well-built and it has shown that it can benefit both well-water and city-water households. The following paragraphs will explain why.

The APEX MR-3020 is a very well-rounded water system filter. It is a point of entry (POE) design which means it cleans your water before it splits into cold, hot and gardening circuits. Its high capacity and increased flow rate allow you to use it for both well water and city water and in large households.

The water filtration is done in three stages to ensure a superior water quality. The sediment filter keeps larger particles away while the activated alumina and carbon filter deal with bacterial and chemical contaminants. This way it protects appliances that use water too, instead of just improving the quality of drinking water.

Although highly efficient, the APEX MR-3020 is a rather large unit. Because of this, it might not be ideal for small homes, rented apartments or RV’s. For one, the system requires a lot of plumbing modifications to be installed. Secondly, it might just be too difficult to fit inside smaller living arrangements such as RV’s or trailers.

The APEX MR-3020 is a POE filter. This means that you’re not supposed to use it just for specific appliances. It’s not how you get the most out of it. Furthermore, the filters don’t handle hot water very well so using it just for boilers or other heating systems is out of the question.

The APEX MR-3020 works best in large households, office buildings, and even apartment buildings. Although it is recommended for 5 gallons per minute flow rate, it can easily handle higher levels if the quality of the water is not too bad, to begin with.

The Apex MR-3020 is a large POE water filtering system. The package it comes in is also quite heavy so let’s see what’s inside it.

As you can see, the filter comes mainly pre-assembled and it only requires you to connect it to the piping and to mount it on your wall. Luckily it also comes with a mounting bracket and a filter wrench which should make your job much easier.

There are almost no important features missing from the APEX MR-3020. However, despite its great technical abilities, it does lack some quality of life options which we know some people prefer. The lack of control valves and clear cartridge casings may make this model less appealing to some.

If you absolutely need those two features on your water filtration unit, you can try the Pure Water Club WH-3 whole house 3-stage filtration water system. It has a similar setup with three filtering stages for sediments, chemicals, bacteria and microbes. Albeit not as effective or high flow rate as the APEX MR-3020, it comes with clear casings and valves at both inlet and outlet.

You may also give this product a second look if the APEX MR-3020 just won’t fit in your place. We don’t think it’s a better product overall, but it does have some features that the APEX MR-3020 lacks in the design department.

Whether you live in the city or rely on well water, you will want to improve the quality of the water running through your house. The APEX MR-3020 helps you do just that with its 3-stage filtration system. It takes care of 99.9% of unwanted contaminants from common sediments to chemicals, bacteria and microbes.

The combination of activated alumina and carbon block filtering is especially effective against fluoride, chlorine and chlorine by-products. This filtering system will improve the quality of your drinking and bathing water and will also extend the life of your appliances that use water.

As the name suggests, the iSpring WGB32BM 3-stage filtration system - installed at the point of entry – is a system for water filtration and purification that works in 3 main stages. It’s specially designed to turn contaminated well water into fresh and clean water for home use.

The iSpring WGB32BM is an upgrade over the iSpring WGB22B-PB, which offers a 2-stage water filtration mechanism. The WGB32BM adds the 3^rd stage that filters iron and manganese. This is what makes the iSpring WGB32BM the best whole house water filter for well water.

Of note is the fact that this system meets NSF/ANSI standards as confirmed through independent third-party testing.

The iSpring WGB32BM is a heavy-duty system built to handle highly contaminated water. In fact, that’s why the system is recommended for well water, which collects a lot of metallic elements and dirt as it seeps through bedrocks.

If you wish to have fresh, clean water at every point of output in your home, this system might be just what you need. It’s designed to install close to the water source before water distribution to various locations in and around your home.

The iSpring WGB32BM can also be used to cleanse city/municipal water sources that contain large deposits of iron, lead, and manganese.

Because of its improved technology and effectiveness compared to most competitors, this system is a little more expensive. It would therefore not be ideal for homeowners on a budget. At 21 x 8 x 27 inches, this system is quite large and would not suit you if you have limited installation space.

In the box, you will find a fully assembled WGB32BM with three oversized filters designed to maximize flow rate. Noteworthy parts include:

Other items in the box include a filter housing wrench and an installation manual. These come in handy during installation and troubleshooting. The entire package weighs about 40 pounds.

The first filter is made of polypropylene. It’s designed to combat and hold dirt and larger-sized particles that could clog downstream filters. This is the filter that holds the biggest percentage of insoluble contaminants.

The second filter blocks soluble contaminants including 95% of chlorine, pesticides, chloramines, and various other harmful chemicals. It’s the first of two 5 micron CTO block carbon filters.

An advantage of block carbon over other carbon media is that it’s finer and thus forms a more solid wall. This increases its effectiveness at trapping and removing targeted contaminants. The second filter also removes odors, smells, and bad tastes.

It’s the third filter that makes the iSpring WGB32BM the best whole house water filter for well water sources. This is because it’s engineered to hold 99% of iron, manganese, and other naturally occurring metals found in well water sources. In fact, this is the only filter that specializes in iron and manganese removal among all filters currently in the market.

As if that’s not enough, this filter can remove arsenic. To do so, you should add 30mg/L of FeCL3 and 0.5mg/L of chitosan. These compounds induce bonding between iron and arsenic, forming a solid compound that can then be filtered out.

1-inch input and output ports allow for seamless installation and ensure water pressure remains high beyond the filtration system.

To get the most out of your iSpring WGB32BM whole house water filter, it’s important that you observe the following:

To remove contaminants from well water, the iSpring WGB32BM is highly recommended. But since its filters are designed to remove contaminants with a size of 5 microns or more, smaller sediments seep through quite comfortably. The iSpring WGB32BM is also quite expensive compared to most filters. To solve these problems, you might want to check out the following:

If you depend on well water to satisfy all the drinking and sanitary needs of your entire family, you need a filtration system that will keep each one of you safe from the plethora of contaminants present in the water. The iSpring WGB32BM removes up to 99% of metallic filtrates and is effective at holding soluble contaminants like chlorine and pesticides. Most importantly, its safety is tested and verified by independent third parties.

Whole house water filters, also referred to as point of entry systems (POE), are the best choice if you want to maintain a high quality of water in your entire household. Unlike point of use (POU) systems which only clean water for a specific faucet, POE units remove unwanted particles before the water spreads out through your plumbing.

Mounting filters at the main water entry point guarantees that you get clear, tasty drinking water and chlorine-free water in the shower. This also helps protect other appliances like toilets, heating systems, dishwashers and washing machines. It’s also cheaper to get a whole house system than installing individual units at points of use.

Here is a rundown of some of the best whole house water filtration systems reviews. If you want to know more about how they work and what each model is best suited for, you’re in the right place. You can also check the guide for what you can do when you simply cannot afford the best whole house water filter.

3-Stage System

The 3-stage Home Master system cleans all the water running through your household. This advanced filtering system ensures high flow rate and filtration capacity. The design is perfect for households that rely on non-chlorinated well water.

Features

The one-inch ports ensure a flow rate of up to 15 GPM. This is just the minimum recommendation for the average home. Although this whole house filter is not recommended for chlorinated city water, it is the best at cleaning well water without reducing the water pressure from the pump too much.

The first stage filter has four layers for 25, 10, 5 and 1–micron particulates. This sediment filter is designed to withstand bacteria and chemicals without deteriorating. The second stage filter reduces iron, manganese and other minerals commonly found in well water up to 3ppm combined load.

The final stage filter is a granular activated carbon filter that removes chemicals, improves taste, and eliminates odor.

Pros

Cons

Summary

Although this is not a universal filter, there’s a reason why it is considered the best rated whole house water filter. It protects all well-water households. As long as you do an analysis to check for chlorine levels before installing the filter, this three stage filtration unit will help dispense clean cold and hot water throughout your home.

2-Stage Carbon System

The two stage fine sediment and carbon system, in Home Master’s HMF2SDGC design, is a high pressure whole house water filter. It is easy to install like most POE systems from Home Master. This unit has plenty of capacity and it excels at dealing with chlorine in city water.

Features

The bacterial and chemical-resistant first stage filter uses 25, 10, 5 and 1-micron layers to filter out non-solubles. The second stage is a coconut shell carbon filter with a radial flow. This second filtration stage is what ensures the improvement of taste and odor by removing chlorine from the water and any other chemicals that went through the first filter.

The HMF2SDGC can go up to 20 GPM. This is more than the minimum recommended value (15 GPM) for the average home. The carbon cartridge cleans efficiently up to 95,000 gallons of water before it needs replacing.

Pros

Cons

Summary

This product is probably your go-to choice for city water problems. It has two filtering stations that deal with particulates and chlorine. The increased flow rate allowed is more than enough for the average home and the high capacity of the carbon shell filter ensures it will be a long time before you have to change it.

2-Stage Catalytic Carbon System

The HMF2SMGCC model from Home Master is a well-rounded POE system. It treats both chlorine and chloramine and it also deals with iron deposits. It is easy to install and ensures you have clean water running in both your kitchen and your bathroom.

Features

The filter cartridges are rated at 95,000-gallon capacity. It will take a long time before you have to change the cartridge especially since the maximum GPM allowed is 10. It does limit the flow rate a bit but it also cleans more thoroughly.

The first filter is a sediment filter with 4 layers of protection: 25, 10, 5 and 1 micron. The second filter is a catalytic carbon filter. This is a specialty filter for chlorine and heavy metals such as lead and mercury.

Pros

Cons

Summary

This product does a little bit of everything. It cleans the water from chlorine and metals. It uses two filtering units for maximum efficiency. While it sacrifices flow rate somewhat, it makes up for it with high quality clean water throughout your home.

iSpring WGB32BM – Best Whole House Water Filter for Well Water

The iSpring WGB32BM is a three-stage whole house water filtration system designed for households that rely on well water. It has a high capacity carbon filter good for up to one year and it works at the recommended flow rate.

Features

This filtering unit helps remove iron, manganese, chlorine, pesticides as well as other common contaminants you find in well water. It has an efficiency rating of up to 95%. The 1” ports ensure high pressure with a flow rate of up to 15 GPM.

The first stage is a polypropylene sediment filter for particulates while the FM25B filter in the third stage is designed to be highly effective against iron and manganese and other minerals. The CTO Carbon Block filter used in the second and third stage is the popular coconut shell carbon design for efficiency and longevity. This makes the cartridges last up to one year or 100,000 gallons of water.

Pros

Cons

Summary

This three-stage filter covers all the needs of well water households. It filters out iron deposits and unwanted sediments. It offers great protection against pesticides, herbicides and excess levels of chlorine. It is also a breeze to install and saves you cash by not having to call a plumber.

The AquaPure AP903 is designed for both city and well water. It is a smaller filtration unit that is easy to install and allows for surprisingly high water pressure.

Features

The entire AP900 series from 3M AquaPure is designed for maximum water pressure. It barely reduces the water flow and ensures you can have a 20 GPM flow rate in your entire household. This is above the minimum recommended value.

The system is easy to install and the cartridges are even easier to replace. They have a capacity of 100,000 gallons which means you won’t need to replace them too often. When the time comes, you just twist and remove by hand.

The carbon filter layer is most efficient against chlorine. The AP903 filters out particles down to 5 microns so it can reduce the sediment levels too. However, using an additional sediment pre-filtering unit is recommended to increase the efficiency.

Pros

Cons

Summary

The AP903 is the best high-pressure filtering unit. It has high capacity, high flow rate, and easy-to-change filters. The stainless steel design makes it both easy to install and highly durable. Although it only filters out particles down to 5 microns it is still a popular choice for well-water households as well as city homes.

The APEX MR-3020 is a three-stage whole house filtering system designed especially for city water. It is a durable design that offers high filtering quality at the cost of lower water pressure. It is best used in apartment buildings and smaller houses.

Features

The first-stage sediment filter has two 1-micron layers for removing up to 99.9% of unwanted particles from the water. The activated alumina filter in the second stage is what makes the Apex MR-3020 the best home filtration system for fluoride. The carbon filter in the third stage uses granular activated carbon (GAC) which is one of the most popular choices to remove chlorine and heavy metals from water while improving taste and odor.

The ports are 1” which should be enough to provide up to 15 GPM water flow. However, the manufacturer’s advice is to not exceed a value of 5 GPM for best filtration performance. This is why the filter is not recommended for large households.

Pros

Cons

Summary

The use of activated alumina in the APEX MR-3020 is optimal for removing fluoride from water. Although it doesn’t have the highest water flow rate it does a thorough job of cleaning chemical and other contaminants. The user-friendly design for ease of installation and maintenance is a bonus.

DuPont WFPF13003B - Inexpensive Alternative

You might not always need a high capacity whole house filtering unit. If that’s the case, the DuPont WFPF13003B might be right up your alley. It is designed to clean the water before it spreads to all the pipes in your home or office.

Features

This filter is a one-stage drinking water filtration unit. It can handle removing chlorine to improve the taste of the water and it also removes rust and silt to protect against oxidation. The carbon filter is enough to handle small offices and homes.

It only has a capacity of 15,000 gallons which means it may need changing every three months or so. It also doesn’t allow high water pressure since the filtration process is on the slow side. However, as a welcomed feature, this model is compatible to use in-line or as a pre-filter with most other products from DuPont and its competitors.

Pros

Cons

Summary

If you don’t mind changing cartridges a couple of times a year and you don’t need high water pressure then DuPont WFPF13003B is your easiest choice. It improves the quality of water in your entire house or office and it comes with a significantly lower price tag than its competitors.

Watts WH-LD - Budget Filter

The WH-LD whole house water filter from Watts is a budget-friendly option for small households. It is mostly designed for homes that rely on well water. It is effective at reducing sediment levels and ensures a proper clean water flow.

Features

The WH-LD is a great choice if you want to improve the longevity of your appliances. Because it eliminates iron, dust, and other sediments, it keeps heaters, washing machines and toilets running at optimum levels. It also improves the quality of your drinking water.

This small unit has three filters which include a 50-micron sediment filter. It’s not the best-rounded design in terms of what it can do but it makes up for it with its low price tag. The main drawback of the system is the installation process. Although it is easy to change the cartridge, installing the filter takes some skill or at least some plumbing experience.

Note: When buying this filter, it's also advisable to purchase the Culligan UB-1 Mounting Bracket

Pros

Cons

Summary

This may not be the easiest system to install but it is one of the cheapest you can get that actually does a good job. It is a great addition to any home that gets its water from a well. The three-layered filters clean iron, dust, and rust before they make their way into your cup of coffee or into your water heater.

Whole House UV Water Filter Reviews

It’s important to understand that UV whole house water filtration systems are not standalone units. They may be the most effective against bacterial contaminants but they also need a pre-filtration station that deals with other impurities.

The ultraviolet treatment is most effective on water with low sediments. That’s why having another filtration unit first in line is mandatory, not optional. The power consumption is negligible but because it uses power it means it is dependent on it so it doesn’t have a guaranteed 100% uptime.

A UV system can be bought as a POE or POU system, depending on the water quality. If you’re using a good pre-filtering system that cleans the water well, then you won’t have to worry about residual protection. If that is the case then a whole house UV water filter is your best option.

Viqua VH410

There’s a reason why all water filter manufacturers label a protection level of up to 99.9% instead of 100%. Not all filters can keep out every microbial, bacterial, and viral contaminant. A UV whole house water filter like the VH410 from Viqua can help with most contaminants that pass through your main filtration unit.

Features

It has a UV lamp that lasts up to a year before it needs a replacement. This timeframe is accurate only for high quality water. If you have a low quality filter that doesn’t stop sediments, you may need to change the lamp sooner.

The unit can be connected to 1” port systems. It uses only 60W and works with systems that allow a flow rate of up to 34 GPM. The VH410 is rather easy to install so you won’t need any professional assistance.

Pros

Cons

Summary

A traditional whole house water filter comparison to a UV system is not needed. The two systems deal with different issues that affect water quality. The Viqua VH410 is a great choice to supplement your whole house filtering unit and add an extra layer of protection for the running water in your home.

iSpring UVF55

iSprings designs both sediment and carbon water filters and UV systems. The UVF55 is a great product to use with any other whole house water filtering unit from iSprings. Whatever contaminants of microbial and bacterial nature that slip past your initial protection system are sure to be wiped out by the UV lamps.

Features

The Phillips brand UV lamps used in the UVF55 model are guaranteed for 9,000 hours of protection. They use only 55W which makes them competitive in terms of power consumption. Not that UV water filters consume much power anyway.

The design has two brackets which can be mounted on the wall to hang the filter. They are easy to install when following the instruction manual. The use of 304 stainless steel gives this unit its increased durability.

Pros

Cons

Summary

UV whole house water filters rarely come as durable and efficient as the UVF55. The unit is slightly larger but it is easy to install and has an extended lamp life. What’s even better is that you can pair it up with almost any filtering unit from iSprings and make sure the UV light only has to deal with high quality water.

Ultraviolet Light Water Purifier by Wholesale Market LLC

All you need for this product to work is a free outlet and some wall space near your main filtration unit. This UV whole house filter will kill common bacteria, microbes, and viruses. It’s guaranteed to work against E. coli.

Features

The filter works at up to 12 GPM water flow at maximum efficiency. It has little to no effect on water pressure. [easyazon_link identifier="B0110LTDDM" locale="US" tag="slehacins-20"]This filter[/easyazon_link] can be connected to 1” ports.

What’s interesting about this unit is that it comes with replacement UV bulbs. Although the lamp is guaranteed to last about one year, it’s still nice to have the replacements close by. The lamp, although powerful and efficient, only uses 55W.

Pros

Cons

Summary

This UV whole house filtration system is one of the most efficient money can buy. It works with low and high water pressures and it comes with replacement bulbs to spare. The light is guaranteed for up to 9,000 hours which means you have little maintenance to worry about.

Although there are many budget options when it comes to whole house water filters, few of them tackle a wide range of problems. Some are better at eliminating chlorine and some work better against sediments. The few budget options that try to do both aren’t very efficient.

The good news is that if you don’t mind some extra work around the house, you can make your own 3-stage whole house water filtration system. Why would you do this? Well, if you want to save some cash while still having an effective filtration unit, you can try and put one together yourself.

Now, keep in mind you don’t have to build filters from scratch. What you have to do is mix and match three individual filters that cover a wide range of contaminants. This means picking a sediment filter, a polypropylene filter, an active carbon filter, and combining them into one system.

Why this configuration? Simply put, it covers everything from dust and rust particles in well water to chlorine, fluoride and other unwanted chemicals found in city water supply. So, what you’re looking for is a 5-micron sediment filter and a 1-micron polypropylene filter to accompany your carbon filter.

Here’s the order in which you should arrange the filters. The sediment filter should always be first in line, followed by the 1-micron filter. The carbon filter is always the last piece of the puzzle unless you choose to get a UV filter too. If that’s the case the carbon filter will end up being the third piece.

To keep things simple and save even more money, you don’t have to use any water pressure meters. All you need are three filter housings, three housing brackets, a matching wrench and a couple of O rings. For increased water pressure support, check the label on the filter housings.

Different manufacturers offer different guarantees. Simply pick the ones that fit your budget and allow a GPM value you are comfortable with. You probably won’t need anything over 15GPM for a DIY project like this.

Once all the filters are connected in the correct order, be sure to measure the unit end to end before you proceed to the next step.

How to Install a Whole House Water Filter

Not all whole house water filters require professional assistance. Some designs are simple to install and others may require additional hardware. The location of your main water intake pipe also plays a part in the installation process. If it is out of reach or, if it requires additional work to make it accessible, then you should call an experienced plumber.

Depending on the complexity of the design you may or may not need the following tools: pipe cutter, wrenches, drill, tape, copper couplings, slip joints, push fittings. By checking the instruction manual you should have a complete list of all the tools you need for a DIY installation.

The first step is to choose a spot that will allow you easy access to the filters. After you’re satisfied, turn off the water main and drain the system. Measure carefully how much of the pipe you need to cut to make room for the filter before you use the pipe cutter.

After you’re done cutting and cleaning the edges, attach the shut-off valves at the ends. You can now mount the filtering system to the wall and align it accordingly. Be sure to always have the sediment filter first in line.

The following step involves attaching the fittings to the sides of the water filter. You should use some Teflon tape to create a tighter seal. You can use push fittings, which are easy to use, to attach the pipe ends you just cut. Make sure to use the right connections for your filter which are usually either ¾ or 1 inch.

After that, you can attach the input and output to the push fittings and your job is done.

Whole House Water Filter System Buyer’s Guide

Choosing a point of entry water filtration system often involves a longer installation process. At the same time, the more complex the unit the better the water treatment is. A good water filter system doesn’t just deal with chlorine but can prevent up to 99.9% of unwanted contaminants from spreading through the pipes in your home.

What it does differently from under-the-sink units or faucet filters is that a POE system deals with contaminants at the water main. Although these units cost a bit more upfront, it does save you the trouble of installing a filter in every room that uses water. This means you get clean drinking water and clean water for cooking and bathing.

What to Look For in Whole House Water Filters and How to Choose One?

Before you start looking at what whole house water filter to buy you should know exactly what contaminants are in your water. There’s no reason you should purchase the most advanced and expensive model if all you need to remove from the water is chlorine.

Flow Rate

After you’re up to date on your water analysis it’s time to look at the technical specs. First and foremost you should check the filter’s flow rate. This is measured in gallons per minute (GPM). To make sure your water filter can handle all the water running through your house, check the specifications on your faucets, showers and everything else that needs a specific flow rate.

The maximum GPM for a household is usually in the 15 to 40 GPM range. This depends on how many bathrooms you have and also how many people use water at the same time. More family members equal an increase in GPM.

To make an estimate of your own, make a list of everything in your house that uses water and check for their optimum GPM requirements. Here are a few examples: a regular shower may require a flow rate between 2.5 and 5 GPM, a dishwasher takes up 3 GPM. You can usually find the required GPM numbers on the label, manual, or packaging.

Filter Size, Port Size, Filter Longevity

The size of the filter impacts the speed of filtration and water pressure drop. The recommendations, on average, are for 1” ports and 4.5” by 20” filters. These dimensions work for most households and ensure a fast treatment and steady flow rate.

You want a filter with a capacity of about 100,000 gallons. However, the water intake is not the only factor that determines the longevity of a filter cartridge. It also depends on how contaminated the water is. The more contaminants your carbon filter has to filter out, the quicker it deteriorates.

Standalone carbon filters are more durable but they require additional maintenance. They could be equipped with a valve to set a backwash cycle to clean the filter. This will mean a slightly longer installation process but you won’t have to replace any cartridges in the long run.

Do You Really Need a Whole House Water Filter?

No matter where you live you will most likely need a water filter. Choosing a POE unit over a POU unit has some clear advantages. Whole house water filters clean all the running water in your household. You can choose them to be highly effective against specific contaminants in your area and ensure clean drinking, washing and cooking water in your entire house.

Chlorine is found in all municipal water lines and POE units can filter out any excesses. Tiny particles of iron, sediments, and toxins are common in well water. Complex carbon filters found in POE units can treat your water and make it safe as well as improve its taste.

Last but not least, contaminated water is almost never odorless. Apart from the weird taste it has, it comes with a scent that may ruin the quality of your food and affect your clothes too. If you want to wash your clothes and cook with clean water, you will need a whole house water filter.

How Does A Whole House Water Filter Work

POE units are attached at the intersection of your plumbing system and the main water line. Unlike the more common POU systems, POE units don’t treat water just before it pours out of your faucet. They filter out unwanted particles as soon the water enters your plumbing from the main water line.

Because this happens before your water splits into the cold and hot circuits, whole house water filters clean not only your drinking water but all the water in your house. You get cleaner bathing water in the bathroom, cleaner water in your washing machine, dishwasher, boiler, etc. You can even end up watering the garden with higher quality water if your plumbing separates that water after the POE.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Whole Home Filtration

There are clearly more pros than cons when it comes to using whole house filtration units. First and foremost, you end up using one filter to clean the water in the entire house instead of buying multiple units for every faucet.

Because POE units also treat the hot water supply before the boiler, they reduce the amount of chlorine vapors released to zero. This is a great benefit for everyone who is allergic or who is asthmatic. No chlorine in the hot water is also beneficial for the skin. Although chlorine is added to sanitize the water, experts advise against prolonged skin exposure to water with elevated levels of chlorine.

The long-term investment of a POE system is more advantageous than using POU units. If your goal is to improve the quality of all the water running through your plumbing then buying multiple POU units will cost you more.

The more advanced POE models have multiple filtration stages. This means that the more filters the water runs through the more types of contaminants are stopped. This is why the best whole house water filters are efficient against most physical, biological, chemical and radiological particles.

However, not all filters are perfect. Some of them may rely only on carbon filtering so you should be careful when reading the specifications. However, perhaps the biggest drawback of whole house water filters is the installation process.

Since these are complex units they are not as easy to install as a small POU unit under the kitchen sink. Most times you will need to hire a professional to get the job done. Even with an experienced plumber, depending on how your plumbing was set up, the process can take a few hours.

Common Contaminants in Water That a Whole House Water Filter System Can Remove or Reduce

Dirt, sand and ferric iron contamination are easily treated with sediment filters. Contaminants of a chemical nature such as chlorine, iron salts and others, are usually handled by carbon filters. Most POE systems use multiple filtration stages that include both previously mentioned filters and more, such as activated alumina for fluoride.

Because of this, they can help deal with all abovementioned particles before the water enters your plumbing. The more complex the POE filtration system, the better it is at treating the water against a wide range of impurities and toxins.

Dirt, sand and ferric iron contamination are easily treated with sediment filters. Contaminants of a chemical nature such as chlorine, iron salts and others, are usually handled by carbon filters. Most POE systems use multiple filtration stages that include both previously mentioned filters and more, such as activated alumina for fluoride.

Because of this, they can help deal with all abovementioned particles before the water enters your plumbing. The more complex the POE filtration system, the better it is at treating the water against a wide range of impurities and toxins.

FAQ​