Things You Should Know About Water Filters

Clean water is essential for healthy living. We need it to drink, cook, shower, wash, and so on. The problem is that the water that reaches homes are filled with contaminants. Using this directly can compromise the family’s health and wellness. It can also create problems around the house including foul odor, nasty stains, and clogged pipes. For a lot of homeowners, the solution is to install the best whole house water filter system and reap their benefits.

What is a Whole House Water Filter?

Filters can be connected at any point along the system. Whole house water filters are designed to connect with the main water line so as to treat all the liquid that flows into the home. This is an ideal scenario since you will be able to get clean water everywhere around your house — in the kitchen, in the bathroom, and in the laundry room. Indeed, water can be treated before it goes to the heater, if you have one. Whether the yard water is included will depend on the system configuration in the area.

What type of Whole House Water Filter do I need?

You should choose a unit based on the contaminants present in the water, says QualityWaterLab.com. A laboratory analysis is the best way to know exactly what you are dealing with. Usually, those who are getting their water from the municipal supply will have to contend with sediments, chlorine, and hardness minerals. Those who are using a private well will have to remove iron, sediment, and hardness minerals. Water analysis results can be requested from municipal utilities provider. 

Water Softening vs. Water Filtration

The hardness of water is based on the amount of dissolved minerals, usually calcium and magnesium. Water softeners are designed to remove these minerals alone. On the other hand, water filters can eliminate a broader range of unwanted particles. These two can be combined in a system called a water conditioner. 

Types of Common Contaminants

1. Sediment 

These are particles that are big enough to be seen by the naked eye including dust, sand, dirt, and rust. They can be removed using a strainer. If there is a lot of sediments coming from the supply, then the household should look for a filter with multi-stage sediment removal. The very last stages are often set up to deal with the finest particles. Reusable filters are good for this situation. If there is only a small amount of sediments, then a disposable filter might suffice. 

2. Chemicals

Carbon filtration is commonly relied upon to get rid of chemicals in the water. Chlorine is a major contaminant as it is used by most municipalities as a disinfectant. 

3. Iron 

Ferric iron is easy to see as it makes water red with rust. A sediment filter can be used to remove the unwanted particles. On the other hand, ferrous iron is hard to spot since it is dissolved in clear water. Removal will entail oxidation or ion exchange. 

Selecting a Whole House Water Filter — What to look for:

1. Flow Rate 

Filters slow down the flow of water as the liquid makes its way through each stage. However, the best whole house water filter can still provide a fairly high flow rate to ensure good water pressure even at peak usage hours. Compute for your requirements by checking the ratings on your toilet fixtures and household appliances. Dishwashers average 3 gallons per minute while showerheads range from 2.5 to 5 gpm. Most whole house filters can provide 15 to 40 gpm. 

2. Filter Size 

Larger is often better when it comes to filter size. This equates to greater flow rate, higher pressure, and longer periods between service calls. Homeowners should also consider the port size and its effects on pressure and flow rate.  

3. Filter Life 

It is hard to measure filter life in terms of time since it will depend on the amount of sediment found in the water. Most carbon filter cartridges, on the other hand, should be able to handle between 100,000 and 150,000 gallons from municipal supplies. There are stand-alone carbon filters which can last even longer is they have a periodic backwash cycle with a backwashing valve. 

4. Port Size

For most whole house water filter applications, the port size should be 1-inch. It doesn’t matter is the house has ¾”pipes since the ported system won’t trigger any issues such as bottlenecks. With a port size of 1″ and a filter size of 4.5″ x 20″, the system should be able to provide ample water to maintain high pressure and prevent drops.