A water filtration system removes contaminants and toxins from your water. Discover the benefits and learn about top home water filtration systems.
A water filtration system purifies water before it enters your home. Water filtration systems come in a variety of sizes. Some are only meant for one source of water, such as a sink faucet, while others treat all of the water that enters your system. A filter that affects your entire water supply is known as a home water filtration system. These are considered the most efficient systems, since you are only installing one filter. Not only is this typically less expensive than installing multiple systems, but it is easier to maintain. On average, a home filtration system costs between $1,000 to $2,500, based on the model you choose.
While there are many reasons to own a home water filtration system, the biggest benefit is healthy water. A home filter removes all of the chemicals and contaminants from your water. Cleaner water is not only healthier for you, but your house. With the harmful materials filtered out, your water causes significantly less stress on your pipes and appliances. It also gives your water a cleaner, more refreshing taste. Since you can rely on tap water more, you also help the environment, since you do not need to purchase plastic water bottles.
Installing and Maintaining your Water System
There are two primary ways a home receives water, either from a local municipality or a well. Which type of filter you use changes based on where your water comes from. While most systems can be used for either type of water, some perform much better based on your water source. Most filters share the same installation process. You attach the physical filter to your main water line, so whenever an appliance calls for water, the water goes through the filter first.
To install the filter, you must disconnect part of your plumbing system to connect the filter onto your pipes. You must also connect a shut-off valve to the top of the pipes. While you can do this on your own, it is strongly recommended to hire a professional if you have never modified your pipes before.
Once the filter is installed, it requires minimal maintenance. Every so often, you must change the filter. Each filter lasts for a different period, and frequent use may shorten the average life of the filter. With most systems, filters are designed to last several years. Each system has a different monitoring and alert system, telling you when you need to replace the filter.
Home Master Whole House 3-Stage Water Filter
Home Master sells numerous water filters. Their 3-stage filter is built specifically for homes with a well. Many homeowners prefer well water because it is less expensive than paying the city for water, but there are some drawbacks. Most notably, wells are more likely to be contaminated, especially by iron. You can tell if your well has iron because it changes the color of your water, turning it light brown or red. Iron also causes significant wear and tear to your pipes.
The 3-stage filter runs well water through a multi gradient density filter, which removes any unwanted minerals from your water. After passing through the first filter, your well water goes through a second filter, which catches any chemical runoff from the previous stage. The final stage runs your water through a coconut shell carbon filter, which removes any traces of contaminants. Each filter has a 100,000-gallon capacity, which is enough to last an average household of four around a year, even with heavy water use.
Aqua-Pure AP903
The AP903 is a top-of-the-line filter if you are on a tight budget. Unlike most other water filters, the AP903’s filter is built into a single cartridge. Because of this, it is one of the smallest systems, making it easier to install. Since it has less parts, it is also naturally less expensive. Despite the small size, the filter is still designed to hold 100,000 gallons. If you use a well water, you may need to install a pre-filter, which is designed for water sources with higher-than-average amounts of sediment. This is also recommended if you have older pipes. The pre-filter only costs a small amount extra, increasing the overall effectiveness and longevity of the filter.
Spingwell CF1
Springwell’s biggest claim to fame was creating one of the best filters for removing chlorine from water. The filtration system is not only effective on chlorine, but general water contaminants. The CF1 is an advanced filtration system, using four separate filters to purify water. Each system is monitored by the CF1 flex bad, which maximizes how long your water spends in each filter. The flex bed slows the flow of water, ensuring it has enough time to go through the filtration process, without delaying how long it takes for the water to reach your appliances.
Springwell comes in multiple sizes, making it easier to configure based around the size of your home and pipe placement. The company also provides a free installation video if you want to install the filter on your own.