How much does a whole home water filtration system cost

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Summary: Best Whole House Water Filter Systems of 2022

What Is a Whole House Water Filter System?

A whole house water filter system works to keep contaminants out of your water while removing sediment, bad odors and taste. It typically connects to your main water supply and filters out chlorine and other chemicals. Some filter systems include water softeners to reduce the impact of hard water.

How To Determine Which Whole House Water Filter System Is Best For You

What Gets Filtered

It’s important to know what’s in your water that you want to filter. Filter systems should remove chlorine and sediment at a minimum. After that, filter systems can remove chemicals, volatile organic compounds, scale, minerals and metals. How much a filter system removes can vary greatly between manufacturers.

Filter Capacity

A filter’s capacity matters because it will determine how often you need to purchase a new filter. Filter capacity and lifespan can have a wide range depending upon how much water you use and the quality of water that you’re filtering. Filters become ineffective once they fill up.

Flow Rate

Home filtration systems tend to impact the flow rate in a home, or at least it’s a frequent complaint of homeowners who install them. The flow rate determines how much water can pass through the filter at one time. A 5 gpm filter is typically adequate for one to two people in a one or two-bathroom home.

Installation

Most water filtration systems can be installed by yourself, however, some of the higher-end models will need professional installation. Anytime you’re dealing with water, you want to make sure you know what you’re doing because any error can lead to catastrophic damage to your home. If you’re not comfortable installing a filtration system, call a pro.

Filter Certification

The NSF tests and rates water filters and has developed requirements for safety and performance. The number signifies the order the requirement or protocol was established, not a rating.

Reasons to Get a Whole House Water Filter System

Water Tastes Bad

A home water filtration system is a quick way to eliminate poor tasting water. Filtration systems will eliminate chlorine, which is often the cause of the poor taste.

Cloudy Water

Cloudy water could contain impurities like sediment and a whole house water filter can help remove sediment.

Impurities

Whole house water filter systems can help remove chemicals and VOCs. Some will even remove herbicides, pesticides, iron and heavy metals.

High Chlorine Levels

Water filtration systems can significantly decrease chlorine levels in your water. Most can remove around 80% while some can remove up to 99%.

Hard Water

Whole home water filter systems with a water softener function can reduce the impact of hard water. Most systems can’t reduce hard water on their own and will need some sort of water softener. Some models have salt-free water softening and others don’t even use electricity.

Methodology

To determine the best whole house water filter system ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data on 23 whole house water filter systems, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:

Price (20%)
Flow rate (GPM) (20%)
Stage type (15%)
Filter lifespan (# of months) (15%)
Warranty (# of months) (15%)
NSF/ANSI- standard certification (10%)
Softening capability (5%)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does it cost to install a whole house water filtration system?

The installation cost of a whole house water filtration system depends on the type of water filter system you purchase. Some filtration systems cost less than $30 and can be installed by yourself. Other systems cost $1,000 or more and will require professional installation. On average, a whole house water filtration system can cost $2,000 to be installed.

Which whole house filter is best?

The best whole house filter is the one that will address all of your concerns with your water. You might not need a system that includes UV filtering. If your water has several issues, you’re going to want to find a filtration system that can tackle multiple issues.

Is a whole house water filter worth it?

A whole house filter is worth it if you purchase a lot of bottled water or have well water. If you detect contaminants in your water, a filtration system can be worth the investment, too.

Where should a whole house water filter be installed?

A whole house water filter needs to be installed near your water main shutoff, which is typically in the basement or a utility closet. Some systems can be installed outside.

Is it worth getting a whole house water filter?

It not only aids in preventing rust stains in sinks, tubs, dishwashers, and toilets, but offers softer, brighter and longer lasting clothing. A carbon filter effectively removes chlorine, chloramines, and odor. The outcome is chemical free, clean, fresh drinking water for the whole household.

How long does the average whole house water filter last?

On average, whole house water filters will last for the following lengths of time: Pre-Filter: Three- to Six Months. Carbon Filter: 12 Months. Post-Filter: Up to One Year.