Learn About Whole House Water Filters

The right whole house water filters can prevent up to 99.9% of irritating chlorine and other dangerous chemicals from entering your home. They provide clean, pure, good tasting drinking water and water that is healthier for showering and bathing. What we have here are the important things to look for when you are shopping for a system.

All whole house water filters are not created equal. Always ask for the product certification and UL listing before you buy. Some products only contain certified "components". You want the whole system to be certified, not just some parts.

Not only the system, but the factory the unit and its components were created in should be certified. If the unit does not function properly, then you have wasted your money and you could still be endangering your family's health.

For the average size home, you need a high-capacity system. Else, you may end up with low water pressure or only partially filtered water. 300,000 gallons per three years is a good certified capacity. Smaller homes, apartments, condominiums and mobile homes may be able to get by with a lower capacity, but unless there is a huge cost difference, you are better off with the highest capacity possible.

Not all whole house water filters are complete systems. Some companies sell elements of the units separately. You will get a better price and better performance if the system is complete. It should include a pre-filter unit, a main filter unit and an installation kit that includes the necessary hardware. There should also be an emergency shut-off valve on the unit in case of leaks.

In order to protect your warranty and validated the certifications, you will need to have a licensed plumber install the unit. It should take less than three hours. Plumber's rates vary. So, shop around.

You want the whole house water filters themselves to be easily replaced; no plumber required. You should only have to replace the main filter unit every three years. If more frequent replacement is recommended, you may want to look for a different system. Yearly replacement could be costly and inconvenient.

The best systems may seem a bit pricey, usually around $1000, but when you consider that you will no longer need shower or kitchen units. Add in the cost of replacement carbon filtration cartridges for the various units in your home and you should end up saving money with whole house water filters.

Too, you have to consider the health advantages. If you have a shower unit, it cannot filter the water for tub baths. If you filter the water in the kitchen, the water you brush your teeth with is still contaminated.

Your water will be softer throughout your house. Your clothes will smell better. Your skin and hair will be softer. You'll have less build-up on your fixtures, because the mineral content will be balanced, as long as you choose a multi-stage unit with an ion exchange filter. Whole house water filters can improve many things in your life, including your family's health.