A whole house water filtration system is the most reliable way to combat hard water and soften the water for a healthy, happy home. Whether you’ve got something like hard water side effects, a chlorine taste you don’t life, or perhaps even sediment in your pipelines, these water filtration systems help to combat those harsh minerals – and that benefits the home, the people in the home, and all the systems and appliances too.
With so many different systems out there, how do you find the best whole house water filter for your home? In this guide, we share some helpful tips and insight to point you in the right direction so you can make an informed decision.
Why Get a Water Filtration System for Home?
Even if you do not have harder, you home would likely still benefit from finding the best whole house water filter. Water quality stems from several different factors Before you choose a water filtration system for home, you might also consider what your needs are for softer water. Things are some ways to identify water issues:
- Test Your Water: use a home water test kit or work with sending a sample to a lab to check for contaminants. These kits should cover basic details like iron, lead, and bacteria but should also rate your water hardness.
- Identify Water Sources: where does your water come from? City water sources often have additives like chlorine or chloramines that are used for disinfection. Well water and rural water sources tend to have minerals and sediment, like iron, that cause hard water and its effects.
- Assess Hardness Levels: hard water comes from excess minerals in the water, often minerals like calcium, iron, or magnesium. When there is an excess, the minerals can build up in plumbing and appliances and be hard on hair, skin, and nails too.
Taking the time to best understand your water needs will help you determine the best whole house water filter for your home.
The Best Whole House Water Filter and Softener Systems
The best option for your home will heavily depend on your preferences. However, there are certainly some top brands to be aware of and consider. These are our top picks in order of recommendation:
- Halo Zero Ultimate: whole house filtration and conditioning system that requires no ongoing maintenance and no backwash to benefit from. Designed to eliminate chlorine and chloramines through a premium carbon media, effectively reducing hard water and providing crystal clear water for drinking or use.
- Lancaster Water Group: a reliable brand since 1942 and operated out of Lancaster, PA, systems use modern and advanced technology to condition water and remove hardness with high performance mineral solutions and resin processes.
- Novo: multiple model options, all designed with high flow systems that are economical and work to remove sediment while improving taste and odor of water as well.
What to Look for in the Best Whole House Water Filter
Water purifications systems are not all created equally. Professionals like Plumber Media PA work to provide a variety of solutions for a quality system based on the home’s unique needs or preferences. Take the time to get to know the options and do the research before choosing a water filtration system.
These are some things to consider.
Filtration Type
Consider how a filtration system filters out the sediments and what that will require of you as well. Most systems are set up to target specific contaminants. If you need to target removing chlorine, then you aren’t going to want to use a system that focuses on removing dirt and rust but does nothing for chlorine.
These are the most common filter types:
- Carbon Filters: most known for removing volatile organic compounds and chlorine to improve taste and odor
- Sediment Filters: helps to remove sediment like dirt, rust, and large particles that are commonly a problem with well water
- Reverse Osmosis: highly effective system that removes heavy metals, bacteria, and dissolved solids
- Iron and Sulfur Filters: specifically designed to address iron and sulfur minerals, such as iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide
If you have determined what your water issues are, it will help better determine which type of water filtration system you might benefit the most from.
Water Softening Technology
Water filtration systems help to soften the water in your home by removing those excessive minerals and unwanted additives. If you have hard water, one of the benefits of a water filtration system for home is that the filtration helps to soften the water.
These systems typically have a built-in water softening capability, but there are two different options. The first is a salt-based solution that uses an ion exchange to remove calcium and magnesium while exchanging them for better minerals like sodium or potassium.
The other system is a salt-free conditioning system that conditions the water by altering its structure rather than removing minerals. People love this option for the low maintenance.
Flow Rate and Capacity
As you choose the best whole house water filter for your home, consider what your household size is and the water usage that your system needs to provide for. If you have a small household, you can likely use a smaller system that has a lower flow rate. However, larger households need higher flow rates as well as higher filtration capacities.
A higher flow rate simply helps to ensure consistent water pressure even when multiple fixtures are in use at the same time. This can benefit any home, but it ultimately depends on your household’s needs.
Maintenance Requirements
Before you purchase a system, take the time to familiarize yourself with any maintenance requirements as well. How often will the filter need to be changed? What kind of ongoing maintenance should you plan and prepare for? Some systems require more maintenance or filter changes than others, so being aware gives you the opportunity to plan and prepare accordingly.
Conclusion
As you look for the best whole house water filter and softener system, take into consideration your home’s needs and the water that you’re working with. Finding the best option for your home is going to depend on these factors. Consider your household size, any unique issues, and your budget for purchasing a system. Do your research and work with professionals that can help advise you on a great fit. Once you’ve got the right system, enjoy the benefits in your home!