Whole house water filters are the best bet to safeguard your health
If there’s one thing that can aid your healthy lifestyle efforts the most, it’s clean water, and what better way to have it than whole house water filters.
You see, 60 percent of our body consists of water. And among other incredible benefits, water helps maintain your body fluids, prevent dehydration, control calories, and absorb food nutrients.
That means you can keep yourself healthy and fit by simply drinking enough water.
But there’s one catch here, and that’s the fact that our seemingly clean tap water is actually contaminated.
In fact, if figures from the nonprofit Environmental Working Group are any indication, water contamination has left more than a hundred thousand people across the country at risk of cancer.
Not to mention, water pollutants need not be visible since contaminants like radium and arsenic have no color, odor, or taste whatsoever. Meaning, you might be drinking contaminated water already without even realizing it.
In addition to that, sediments, high levels of chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria, and viruses, are already commonplace. And that’s exactly why whole house water filters have become a prerequisite for all homes.
Wondering why else you should get a whole house water purifier?
You can go through our blog, 8 Benefits Of Installing A Whole House Water Purification System.
Whole house water filters: our top picks
Now that you’ve seen how critical it is to install whole house water filters, you might well consider one for your home.
However, choosing a water purifier system isn’t as easy as it may sound, given you have to consider multiple factors like purification method, level of filtration, and more.
Also, some water purification systems infusing additional chemicals in the process of filtration only add to the problem. As such, the key is to look for eco-friendly products or solutions when it comes to installing a water purifier.
Towards that end, we have compiled the best sustainable water purification solutions, so let’s dive in and have a look.
#1. Ozone water filtering system (for naturally pure water)
We have the whole house ozone water filter at the top of our list, and for obvious reasons, as it provides 100 percent pure natural water.
Unlike the common water filtration methods that involve chlorine infusion, an ozone water filter infuses ozone to eliminate the deadliest of contaminants. And since ozone is a naturally occurring gas, your water supply is treated entirely naturally without any chemical addition.
So exactly how do ozone filters clean your water?
Well, an ozone filtering system is equipped with an ozone generator which creates the very same ozone that is present in the earth’s upper atmosphere.
Once the filtering system’s Ozonator infuses ozone in municipal or well water, the high oxidative strength of the gas removes each of the microbes and pollutants. That includes parasites like bacteria and viruses, chemicals like chlorine and chloramines, and excessive metals like iron and manganese, among others.
Further, as all chlorine content is sufficiently removed, there’s no such foul odor in water that is usually caused by the high concentration of the chemical.
The result: all faucets of your home provide you with the cleanest and best tasting water.
On top of that, whole house ozone water filters are also one of the most cost-efficient and low-maintenance solutions. So much so that you can get one such system for a few hundred dollars and run it for years maintenance-free.
That’s impressive, isn’t it?
#2. General Electric GXWH04F whole house water filters
Another budget-friendly counterpart to the ozone water filtering systems on the market is the cartridge-based GXWH04F filters from General Electric.
These whole house water filters are adept with General Electric filter cartridges and are capable of removing a range of impurities from your water supply.
In fact, with one such filtering system, you can rest assured of the effective elimination of contaminants like dirt, sand, silt, rust, and more. Also, the filter cartridges are quite optimum at improving the taste of your drinking water and removing any foul odor.
Talking about the cartridges, they can last you for up to three months, and a light indicator on the water purifier will remind you when it’s time to replace them.
Now, even though this water purification system has a flow rate ranging up to 12 GPM, reviews suggest that you should use them under 8 GPM. That’s because, at a higher flow rate, there are chances of some impurities passing through the filter and into running water.
When it comes to installation, you can complete it very easily by yourself, thanks to the 3/4 inch inlet connections and manufacturer-provided mounting bracket.
Overall, these General Electric whole house water filters are a great pick if you have moderately impure water and you’re looking for an affordable solution.
#3. Pelican PUV-14 water filtering system
If your home gets a municipal water supply, you should consider the PUV-14 whole house water filters from Pelican.
This particular water treatment and disinfection system from Pelican is based on UV filtration, which uses powerful ultraviolet light to eliminate harmful pathogens.
As per the manufacturer, this UV filtering mechanism kills 99.9 percent of disease-causing microorganisms at the point of entry of water. And that includes bacteria like cryptosporidium, E. coli, and giardia; viruses, fungi, and other waterborne infections.
The UV filter itself is long-lasting and doesn’t call for a replacement for the entire year. Also, these whole house water filtering systems are highly energy-efficient and consume lesser energy than a LED lamp.
Nevertheless, before deciding on buying this water purification system, you should be aware of its cons too.
Take, for instance, the fact that this UV filtering system can’t remove heavy metals and sediments from your water. So you can’t use one if you use well water or have a hard water problem.
As such, these water filters are apt if your home receives municipal treated water, but you want to be reassured of pathogen removal.
#4. Aquasana EQ-1000-AST-UV whole house water filters
Are you looking for a guaranteed solution to whole house water purification?
If yes, then you should definitely go for the EQ-1000-AST-UV model water filters from Aquasana.
These water purifier systems feature carbon and KDF filter cartridges, a combo that effectively decontaminates chemicals and heavy metals. As a result, you can get rid of an extensive range of contaminants like lead, iron, chlorine, chloramines, pharmaceutical substances, and more.
Also, these water purifiers are equipped with UV filters, which means all harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens will be eliminated.
After the water is filtered and purified, the filter passes it through a salt-free softener, coating any excessive minerals or metals that might have passed through the filter. And that not only improves the overall water quality but also prevents these components from striking and eventually damaging water pipelines, hot water tanks, and faucets.
Amazing, right?
You see, while this particular water purifier model from Aquasana needs a higher budget, it is totally worth your investment. That’s because only a few whole house water filters are capable of removing contaminants the way this filter does.
In fact, you will rarely find such water purification systems on the market that are capable of eliminating nearly 100 percent pathogens, 97 percent chlorine content, and excessive mineral buildup.
The only drawback of the EQ-1000-AST-UV model is its flow rate of 7 GPM, which is slower than other water purifiers of its category.
#5. The WGB32B from iSpring
For those who are not sure how contaminated their supply of water is, the WGB32B 3-stage model from iSpring is the perfect option.
Why?
Well, this whole house package of water filters comes equipped with filter cartridges and filtration tanks of three different types. So whosoever polluted your water might be, you can rest easy, as these purifier systems can get you rid of every major or minor contaminant.
Here’s what filter cartridges they consist of:
- First, this iSpring water filter has a sediment removal cartridge that removes dirt, dust, sand, silt, and other sediments.
- Second, it has a carbon block cartridge to eliminate any harmful chemicals like VOCs, chlorine, etc., and improve the odor and taste of water.
- Third, an additional cartridge meant to reduce iron and manganese presence is also equipped to remove heavy metals.
In addition to that, you can also get a KDF and GAF cartridge filter as well for some extra bucks. This will remove substances like mercury, lead, hydrogen sulfide, etc., thus ensuring you get the safest possible water from your faucets.
And the best thing is that each of the cartridges lasts anywhere between six months and a year, depending on how extensively you use the system. On the contrary, standard water filter cartridges last mostly for three months.
Talking about the flow rate, you will get an excellent water speed of 15 GPM from your faucets.
Further, the iSpring WGB32B model offers ease of installation, meaning you can put up and start running the system within a few hours.
#6. APEC Water Systems CB3-SED-KDF-CAB20-BB 3-stage purification system
As a counterpart to the iSpring WGB32B water purification systems, we have the CB3-SED-KDF-CAB20-BB 3-stage system from APEC water systems.
If you are looking for solid whole house water filters capable of removing odorless and tasteless contaminants like lead and arsenic, this one is worth considering.
In terms of filtration, it works very similarly to the iSpring purifiers, with its three cartridges removing different pollutants. As such, the features of the two systems, as well as their prices, are highly identical.
Nevertheless, there’s one drawback of the CB3-SED-KDF-CAB20-BB model that you should know about. And that is, its incapacity to filter out microorganisms like potentially harmful bacteria, something that makes it less desirable.
#7. AO-WH-Filter from AO Smith
Looking for chlorine removal systems among whole house water filters?
Well, in that case, AO Smith’s AO-WH-Filter should be your ideal pick.
This water purification system is a single-stage filter equipped with a top-notch granular activated carbon filter. And, as per the manufacturer, the purifier removes 97 percent of foul odor caused by chlorine infusion at municipal treatment plants.
However, the AO-WH-Filter is incapable of filtering out sediments, pathogens, and excessive metals; and is apt only for households with high chlorine problems.
Here are some good reasons to install a whole house water purifier:
- It eliminates foul odor and provides you with the best tasting water.
- Gets rid of all contaminants and provides pure water to every faucet of your home.
- Solves the hard water problem by removing excessive mineral and metal content.
- De-chlorinates your water, thus preventing diseases caused by the chemical.
Things to consider before you invest in whole house water filters:
#1. Types of contaminants that the filtering systems eliminate
The first thing that you should consider before buying a whole house UV and filtering system is the type of pollutants one can remove.
Most water purification systems on the market usually feature single, double, and triple-stage filtration. And while the 3-stage water filters offer effective decontamination of the most polluted water, it’s better to choose one based on the contamination levels in your area.
To that end, you can go through the Environmental Working Group’s National Drinking Water Database and determine how polluted water is in your neighborhood.
#2. The flow rate or GPM
When you install a whole house water purification system, its filtering process usually slows down the water flow in your faucets.
You need an adequate flow of water, about 5 GPM, to efficiently run showers and appliances like dishwashers. And while most whole house water filters offer a flow rate between 10 and 15 GPM, some of them might not provide the required flow.
So we suggest you go for water filtering systems with a flow rate that adequately covers your requirements.
#3. Ease of installation and maintenance
After you buy a whole house water purifier, the first thing you’ll need to do is install the system. And some purifiers may not be as easy to install, thus calling for installation labor and increasing your upfront investment. That’s exactly why you should go for one which offers ease of installation.
Similarly, a low-maintenance solution will save you money in the long run. And you can pick one by looking for the average lifespan of filter cartridges.
#4. NSF certification is a must-have
You see, the only way you can verify if the manufacturer meets required safety standards is by checking for NSF certification on the water purification system.
The NSF International rates water filters, among others, and provides them with the ANSI or American National Standards Institute certification if they meet certain minimum safety requirements.
Whole house water filters: 5 frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1. Should you install a whole house water purifier system?
Be it an urban or rural home, whole house water purifiers are something you should definitely install.
You see, several studies have shown that water contamination is a cross-country problem. So no matter which state, city, or town you live in, it’s always better to safeguard yourself and your family from the damaging health effects of contaminated water.
Water contaminants can range anywhere from simply sediments to excessive chlorine to hazardous metallic substances like mercury, arsenic, and lead. And while some of these contaminants don’t pose a serious problem, others can be very harmful.
Also, it goes without saying that some of these water pollutants can be invisible and lack any odor or taste.
Thankfully, the right kind of water purifier system can eliminate all these contaminants.
2. What should you look for in a whole house water filter?
When installing a water filtration system, you should make sure that it is capable of removing contaminants of all types.
Most water filtering systems are designed to remove only some basic pollutants.
For instance, one such water purifier can remove chlorine, filter out sediments, and soften the water. But the more deadly contaminants will still be there and continue to pose health risks.
So we suggest you go for the best home water filtration system on the market.
Although such filtering systems are more expensive in comparison to generic ones, their benefits make them totally worth the investment.
3. How to know the quality of your tap water supply?
There are many ways you can determine the quality of water supplied to your home.
- First, you can conduct a DIY check of the water quality. And to do so, you can buy a water testing kit from your local plumbing shop.
- Second, you can also consider availing of the services of a licensed water technician in your locality. While such professionals charge a certain fee, it’s a good way to learn precisely how clean or dirty your tap water is.
- Third, if you receive a municipal water supply, you can also reach out to your local water utilities administration and get an exact picture of water health.
4. How much does a water purifier system for the entire home cost?
A whole house water purifier system can cost you anywhere between $1000 and $10,000.
Also, when we talk about the price of water filtration systems, a low-cost solution doesn’t always have fewer features. In fact, the best whole house water filter units on the market are mostly affordable too.
Take, for instance, a whole house ozone water filter that you can buy for a little over $1000.
5. How often do you need to maintain a whole house water filter?
Well, whole house water filtering systems are fairly easy to maintain; all you need to do is change the filter cartridge once in a while.
Even though most modern-day water filters have indicators that tell you whether or not it’s time to change the cartridge, you can also figure it out yourself.
How?
The first sign that you should change the cartridge is a reduced flow rate. And it usually happens due to sediment deposit in the filter, which shows that the cartridge has reached its limit.
Also, if you notice a change in the color or odor of water, you should replace the cartridge right away. That’s because a foul odor and color are indications that the cartridge has reached its limit.
Conclusion
Whole house water filters are something every household should go for, no matter how clean the supply of water might be. That’s because there are always chances of impurities and pollutants being present in municipal water.
And if you’re looking for one such water purification system, you can reach out to us.
At Eco-$mart Inc, we have top-of-the-line water filtration solutions to effectively decontaminate your water supply, that too naturally. So whatever be your water purification requirement, we have got you covered.
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