A whole home water filter is an effective and efficient way to ensure the water in your home is safe and clean. Installing a whole home water filter can help to reduce contaminants, unpleasant tastes, and smells and protect your family’s health. It can also save you money over time and help to reduce your environmental impact.

Clean water is accepted as a standard of life today for many of us, and we tend to trust our cities to provide high-quality water for our homes. However, tap water can have contaminants and chemicals that could affect our health.

Many municipalities continue to test above state and national standards for contaminants. But your best option for supplying your home with clean water is to take matters into your own hands. Head to the Environmental Working Group’s online database to check what’s in your water.

This article will discuss the importance of having a whole home water filter, the potential benefits, issues that can arise without one, the different types of filters available, the installation process, and the installation cost.

What is a whole home water filter?

A whole home water filter is a system installed at the main water line that serves your entire home. It filters out contaminants, such as sediment, chlorine, and other pollutants, from your home’s water supply before it is delivered to your taps.

Whole home water filters can benefit your health and the environment by removing potentially harmful contaminants from your water while reducing water bills and water waste. Furthermore, it can help to reduce unpleasant tastes and smells in your water.

3 benefits of having a whole home water filter

A whole home water filter is one of the best investments you can make for your home. It provides clean and safe water for your family and can also save you money in the long run. One of the main benefits of having a whole home water filter is the health benefits it provides.

1. Health benefits

By filtering out harmful contaminants, you can reduce your risk of developing health issues like gastrointestinal problems, skin conditions, and even some types of cancer. It can also help improve the taste and smell of your tap water, making it easier to drink and enjoy.

2. Environmental benefits

Another benefit of having a whole home water filter is the environmental benefit. By reducing the number of contaminants in your water, you can help to protect the environment from dangerous pollutants. This can help to reduce water pollution, as well as reduce the amount of energy used to treat contaminated water.

3. Cost savings

Finally, having a whole home water filter can save you money in the long run. Not only will it reduce your need for bottled water, but it will also help to reduce your plumbing repairs, as it filters out debris and contaminants before they reach your pipes. Overall, having a whole home water filter is an excellent investment that can provide numerous benefits for your family and the environment.

Why get a whole home water filter?

While faucet and pitcher filters are cheap and convenient, nothing beats the performance and peace of mind that a whole-home filter (also known as a whole-home filtration system) can bring to your family. And the best whole-home filters combine hard water treatment and filtration in one.

A whole-home filtration system will ensure that every water source in your home has clean, contaminant, odor-free water running through it. It also increases the life of pipes and appliances throughout your home, preventing mineral build-up and stains wherever water runs.

Contaminants

Contaminants are substances found in water that can harm humans and the environment. Common contaminants include bacteria, viruses, lead, chemicals, and heavy metals. Without proper filtration, these contaminants can enter our drinking water and harm our health. Installing a whole home water filter is an effective way to ensure water is safe to drink.

Unpleasant smells and tastes

Unpleasant smells and tastes in water can be a sign of contaminants present in your water. Without a whole home water filter, these contaminants can enter your home and be consumed, leading to potential health issues. Installing a whole home water filter can help reduce these unpleasant smells and tastes, as well as help protect your family from contaminants.

The realities of hard water treatment

A recent US Geological survey found that 85% of the country has hard water, as measured by the amount of calcium and magnesium it contains. For most people, hard water treatment would improve the lives of their plumbing systems and save them money.

Hard water can increase home energy consumption due to build-up in equipment that reduces the equipment’s ability to heat surrounding water, causing it to consume more energy. It also creates build-up on pipes and appliances that, over time, can result in corrosion.

Unfortunately, most people assume the only treatment option for hard water is to install a system that requires massive amounts of salt to be added to their water, an undesirable and costly solution. Some cities have banned salt softeners due to the contaminants they dump into the ecosystem. Thankfully, another option is to resolve hard water issues without using chemicals.

HALO’s ION system uses magnetic fields to change the polarity of magnesium and calcium in the water, keeping them from building up as scale on pipes. That means you don’t have to buy bottled water or send softened water running off into your yard or sewer.

3 Types of whole home water filters

Several types of whole home water filters are available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Gravity filters use a filtration system that uses gravity to push the water through the filter. Activated carbon filters employ carbon to remove particles, contaminants, and odors from water. Reverse osmosis filters use pressure to push water through a semi-permeable membrane, trapping contaminants and minerals on one side.

Each type of filter works differently, and it is important to research to determine which one is best for your home. Furthermore, different filters require different maintenance levels and can have different costs.

1. Gravity filters

Gravity filters are one of the most popular types of whole home water filters. They use gravity to remove contaminants from water, making them an efficient, cost-effective solution. Gravity filters can remove sediment, rust, heavy metals, and other impurities. They are also relatively easy to install and maintain, making them an excellent choice for DIY enthusiasts.

Gravity filters also last longer than other water filters, making them a great long-term investment. When shopping for a gravity filter, it’s essential to look for one with a large capacity to filter the water in your entire home.

2. Activated carbon filters

Activated carbon filters are a type of whole home water filter that uses a combination of adsorption and chemical reactions to remove contaminants from water. The filter passes water through a bed of activated carbon, which adsorbs pollutants from the water. These pollutants are then trapped in the carbon, thus purifying the water.

Activated carbon filters effectively remove many contaminants, including chlorine, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds. In addition to providing clean, safe water, activated carbon filters also help reduce unpleasant tastes and odors.

3. Reverse osmosis filters

Reverse osmosis filters are a type of whole home water filter that work to remove contaminants from your water. This type of filter uses a membrane to filter out unwanted particles from your drinking water, such as bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.

Reverse osmosis filters effectively remove unwanted particles and can be used for both commercial and residential applications. They are also easy to install and maintain and provide safe, clean drinking water for years to come. If you are looking for an effective filtration system, then a reverse osmosis filter may be your best option.

What to consider when buying a whole-home water filter

Selecting a whole home water filter can be a daunting endeavor, thanks to the wide range of options available. Each technology has unique capabilities, including removing contaminants and various price ranges. Some filters make use of multiple technologies, while others employ only one.

We recommend selecting a filter that requires little maintenance or replacement parts, so you can set it and forget it. Systems like the HALO5 system can run for 10 years or longer without needing to be replaced. Its multi-stage filtration solution also removes more contaminants, chemicals, and sediment than most carbon systems.

The cost of a whole home water filter

The cost of a whole home water filter can vary depending on the filter you choose and whether you can install it yourself or hire a professional. Generally, gravity filters are the most affordable option, ranging from $100 to $500. Activated carbon filters are typically more expensive, costing anywhere from $500 to $1000. Reverse osmosis filters can be expensive, ranging from $500 to $2000.

If you choose to install the filter yourself, you may be able to save money on the cost of installation. However, it may be best to hire a professional for a more complicated installation process.

Installing a whole home water filtration system

Installing a whole home water filter is a great way to ensure your home’s water supply is free of contaminants and other impurities. Depending on your budget and skillset, you can either install it yourself or hire a professional to do the job.

If you decide to do it yourself, it is important to make sure you have the right tools and supplies. However, if you are unsure of your skills, hiring a professional installer who can get the job done quickly and safely is best.

Professional installation typically costs more than DIY installation, but it can save you time and money in the long run.

Interested in upgrading to a whole-home water filter?

A whole home water filter is important to ensure your home’s water is safe and clean. With the various filters available, you can choose the one that best fits your needs. When installing a water filter, we highly recommend enlisting the help of a trained professional.

Lee Company has the expertise to install the right filter for your home and ensure it works properly. Don’t take chances with your home’s water—make sure you have the right filter installed by the experts at Lee Company.

If you’re curious about the water quality in your home, contact us today to receive a no-cost estimate for a whole home water filtration system.