House Water Filter, What's The Best Solution For You?

House Water Filter, What's The Best Solution For You?

By Dan DeBaun

Introduction

Water that is supplied to our homes can come from various sources. Regardless of whether your tap water comes from a private well or a treated municipal supply, it can still harbor a wide range of pollutants. These contaminants can damage appliances, plumbing and fixtures, and can also be harmful to our health. 

Things to Consider when Shopping for a Whole House Water Filter System

Why use a house water filter

Tap water can contain a wide range of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses and cysts, and chlorine disinfectant used to eliminate these pathogens, as well as toxic compounds such as lead and other heavy metals, and a wide array of agricultural and industrial chemicals that can all be harmful to our health. It can also contain sediment and other pollutants that can make water look unsightly, and smell and taste bad. 

Benefits of using a house water filter

Home water filters can remove common drinking water pollutants, thereby significantly improving the quality of your water and reducing the health risk associated with exposure to these contaminants. It can also save you money, by reducing maintenance and replacement costs of appliances and plumbing fixtures that can potentially be damaged by lime scale accumulation, for example. 

How to choose a house water filter?

When shopping for home water filters, you need to consider where your water comes from and what pollutants are likely to be present. Some water filtration systems are more efficient at removing certain contaminants such as iron and lead, for example, while others are more efficient at dealing with water hardness issues. Some water filters strip beneficial minerals from the water, while others retain these or actually remineralize the water. Also certain food preparation methods, such as fermented food recipes, call for filtered water since chlorinated tap water can cause poor results. Since there are several different types of home water filters on the market, and the list of contaminants they can remove can vary significantly between systems, you should carefully assess the pros and cons of each and select the house water filter system that best meets your needs.  

Types of home water filters

  • Activated carbon filters - Carbon filters work on the principle of adsorption, whereby contaminants present in water are trapped inside tiny pores of the carbon surface while the water passes through. If your water is rich in organic substances or has high levels of chlorine or heavy metals, a carbon house water filter could help improve the quality of your water. Activated carbon home water filters offer an affordable and low-maintenance solution to treating tap water in the home.
  • Reverse Osmosis (RO) - RO technology is very simple. The RO process involves using water pressure to force the water through a semi-permeable membrane, which removes contaminants while allowing the water to pass through. The clean water is then filtered further and the clean water sent to a holding tank for storage, while the contaminant-laden solution that remains behind is discharged down the drain.
  • Ion Exchange - Ion exchange water filters are essentially water softeners that reduce the hardness of water by exchanging calcium and magnesium ions with other ions such as hydrogen or sodium.
  • Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection - UV water treatment uses ultraviolet light to disinfect water as it passes through the UV water treatment system. When microscopic organisms present in water are exposed to UV light, it disrupts their genetic code and deactivates their DNA, preventing them from functioning and reproducing, eventually killing the organism.
  • Aeration - Aeration is a water treatment method that passes air through water to release volatile compounds and dissolved gases which are then vented to the outside. It is effective at removing hydrogen sulphide which is responsible for giving water an awful rotten egg odor. Aeration causes iron and manganese to transform from a dissolved state to a solid state, allowing the precipitated particles to be easily removed by filtration.

Tips for buying a whole house water filter system

Since home water filters differ considerably both in how they operate, as well their performance and the price your will have to pay, you need to carefully weigh up the pros and cons of each before you rush out and buy one. When choosing a whole house water filter system it is important to bear the following factors in mind.

  • Purpose/Filtration capabilities - What are you planning to use the water filtration system for? More specifically, what contaminants are you primarily targeting? Some home water filters are designed to filter sediment, while others target chlorine, heavy metals such as iron and lead, and/or toxic chemicals. Some house water filters come with useful integrated features, such as a water softener, for example. If you are just wanting to eliminate taste and smell issues, you can settle for a cheap canister type filter, but if you have a wider array of potentially harmful contaminants present in your water, you may want to consider investing in a more powerful home water filter that is capable of removing a larger list of contaminants. Read the fine print to see what the filter is capable of removing and check if the manufacturers have any relevant laboratory testing and/or certifications that support this.
  • Storage capacity, water output and filtering efficiency — What are the water demands of your household? If you have a large family and your water consumption is high, it would be wise to look for a larger house water filter that is able to efficiently filter, store and supply water to keep up with the water demands of all members of your family.
  • Type of filter — The type of filter you choose needs to be appropriate for addressing the water quality issue/s you are facing, without compromising the rate of water flow to your home. You also need to take into account how it operates. For example, does it require electricity or good water pressure to operate, or does it operate on gravity?
  • Affordability — The upfront purchase cost will invariably play a part in narrowing down your selection. Opt for the best house water filter within your budget, while also taking note of filter lifespan and the cost of replacement filters, as well as any other maintenance costs that may be required in the future. It is also important to consider whether you need to get in a professional to install the system or whether you can do it yourself. A more complex whole house water filter system can set you back hundreds of dollars and may cost a fair whack for installation too. By the same token, cheaper house water filters can often work out deceptively more expensive in the long run if you factor in filter replacement costs, so do your homework before you part with any hard-earned cash.
  • Versatility/Portability — Most whole house water filter systems tend to be fixtures that are inserted at point of entry to filter all the water entering the home. A useful alternative is to opt for a portable home water filter that can be moved around the home and used wherever it is needed, including outdoors or even on camping trips.

Best House Water Filters

Best Whole House Water Filter for Municipal Water

The Springwell CF1 Whole House Water Filter System offers the perfect solution for dealing with harmful pollutants that are often found in municipal water supplied to our homes. This 4-stage water filter targets contaminants such as chlorine, chloramine, pesticides, PFAS and other toxic compounds that can wreak havoc on our health.

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Low maintenance, manufacturer recommends replacing the 5-micron sediment filter every 6-9 months
  • Salt-free water softener is included if opting for the SpringWell Combo System
  • Optional UV water purification upgrade to kill pathogenic bacteria, viruses and cysts
  • The CF-1 system has a capacity of 1,000,000 gallons and will provide a home with 1-3 bathrooms with water at a flow rate of 9 gallons per minute (to ensure there is no drop in water pressure, homes with 4-6 bathrooms will require an upgrade to CF-4, and homes with 7+ bathrooms to CF+)
  • DIY installation instructions and video plus full installation kit included
  • Does not require electricity to operate
  • Comes with a 6 month money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty on tanks and valves

Cons

  • Not a cheap option by any means, especially if you add the UV water purification upgrade to kill pathogenic microrganisms

Best Whole House Water Filter for Well Water

The Springwell WS1 Whole House Well Water Filter System uses aeration as a treatment method to remove bad taste and odors from well water. It also offers a UV treatment module as an optional add-on feature to kill pathogenic microorganisms.

Pros

  • Bluetooth technology makes this water filter very user-friendly - you can manage it from your phone
  • Removes manganese, iron and sulfur
  • Optional UV water purification upgrade to kill pathogenic bacteria, viruses and cysts
  • Certified components
  • Does not result in a drop in water pressure to the home
  • Comes with a full set of installation tools
  • Twenty-five year filter lifespan, makes this whole house water filter virtually maintenance-free
  • Comes with a 6 month money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty on tanks and valves

Cons

  • Even more so if you add the UV water purification upgrade to ensure pathogens are eliminated
  • May require a professional plumber to install

Best Budget Whole House Filter

The General Electric GXWH04F Standard Flow Whole House Filtration System is an affordable whole house water filter capable of removing silt, sediment, particulate matter and chlorine that could potentially make your household water look, taste and smell bad. This is a great choice if you are primarily concerned about debris that affects the appearance or taste of your water and which could potentially damage your plumbing fixtures and appliances.

Pros

  • Extremely affordable
  • Removes silt, sediment and particulates that can make water murky or discolored
  • Removes chlorine
  • Reduces dirt, scale and rust in water, appliances and plumbing fittings and fixtures
  • Easy to install
  • Replacement filter cartridges are cheap

Cons

  • Filter cartridges need to be replaced every three months
  • The range of contaminants it is capable of reducing is very limited, so your family may still be exposed to harmful pollutants in drinking water

Best Portable House Water Filter

The Berkey range of portable home water filters offers a versatile alternative to a whole house water filter fitted at point of entry. Berkey home water filters are extremely effective at removing more than 200 drinking water contaminants, including pathogenic bacteria and viruses, sediment, chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides and a wide range of other toxic chemicals that can pose a health risk, while also resolving taste and odor issues in your household water.

Pros

  • Removes more than 200 common drinking water contaminants
  • Portable home water filter systems that can be used anywhere in and outside of the home, and even while camping or traveling away from home
  • Gravity fed, requires no electricity or water pressure to operate
  • Berkey water filters offers a wide variety of sizes to choose from, catering for one to twelve+ people
  • Durable, aesthetic polished steel design
  • A set of 2 Black Berkey water filters will filter 6000 gallons of water before needing to be replaced
  • Long filter lifespan makes it affordable over the long-term
  • Filtration flow rate of up to 3.5 gallons per hour with 2 Black Berkey filter elements fitted, which can be increased to 7 gallons per hour with 5 Black Berkey filter elements fitted.

Cons

  • Does not filter all the water entering a home, therefore only suitable for filtering drinking water, not bath or shower water. However, a Berkey shower head filter can be fitted to remove contaminants from shower water.

Best of the Best

Choosing the best house water filter from these top contenders is tricky. They all have their merits and ultimately the choice depends on your individual circumstances and preferences. The Berkey stands out due to its efficiency, affordability and overall versatility. It has been tested to remove more than 200 contaminants commonly found in tap water, including pathogens and contaminants that cause taste and odor problems. The Berkey systems come in a variety of sizes, so there is bound to be a system that meets your needs and falls within your budget. As Berkey home water filters do not require electricity to run and are fully portable, they can be used anywhere in the house or further afield, which is particularly useful if you travel a lot.

 

Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun is the owner and operator of Big Berkey Water Filters. Prior to Berkey, Dan was an asset manager for a major telecommunications company. He graduated from Rutgers with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering, followed by an MBA in finance from Rutgers as well. Dan enjoys biohacking, exercising, meditation, beach life, and spending time with family and friends.

~ The Owner of Big Berkey Water Filters

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