Are Whole House Water Filtration Systems Worth It?
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: Sep 13, 2022
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Whole house water filters are a blessing for households dealing with a substandard water supply. Also known as point of entry filters, they treat water right when it enters your home.
As a result, every time you turn on the faucet, run a bath, wash your clothes, or do the dishes, your water is much cleaner and possibly healthier.
In contrast, point-of-use water filtration systems are more suitable if you are only concerned about safe drinking water.
Stay with us as we explore whether whole house water filters fit your lifestyle, budget, and needs.
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Key Takeaways
- Whether or not a whole house water filtration system is worth it depends on your water conditions and the specific filter model you are considering.
- To be sure, have your water tested for contaminants and other parameters and make an informed buying decision based on the results.
Do You Really Need a Whole House Water Filtration System?
Sorry to disappoint you if you’re anticipating a yes or no response. Honestly, whether you really need a whole house water filter depends on your water quality, the contaminants present, and your budget.
If you are using well water, we highly suggest using a point of entry filter to ensure a hygienic water supply. This is because groundwater is more likely to be polluted from chemicals, organic substances, herbicides/pesticides, microorganisms and other natural and man-made pollutants.
If you use city water, your community system is bound by the EPA to filter and disinfect the water. Regardless, city water is disinfected with chlorine or chloramine that can alter the taste and smell of your water. Moreover, water samples across the USA have shown elevated lead levels, violations for coliform bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, and much more.
If you want to be sure, you must get your water tested independently from a laboratory. Then, make an informed decision whether a whole house filter system is necessary.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Whole House Water Filters?
Like any home appliance, a whole house water filter comes with its own set of benefits and pitfalls. Consider the following pros and cons before investing in this type of filtration system.
Advantages of Whole House Water Filtration Systems
Here are the main advantages:
- Whole house filtration systems can remove numerous harmful contaminants from your water including chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals like lead and iron, bacteria, and so on. These pollutants pose a serious threat to you and your family’s health and can prove to be fatal if left untreated.
- The top filtration systems add a polishing touch to your water. They improve the taste, texture, and smell by removing odor causing contaminants and balancing pH levels.
- Perhaps the biggest advantage of whole house water filtration is that it protects your plumbing as well as your water-using appliances. Unfiltered water contains sediment and plenty of other solids that build up in your pipelines and ruin your dishwasher, water heater, etc. You will see a decline in repair costs, and your appliances will last much longer too.
- You will also see a visible difference in your clothes and crockery. Your clothes will come out brighter, and there will be no unsightly cloudy spots on your glassware.
- Did we mention, a whole house water filter also helps you achieve better skin and hair. If your water is full of iron, hard, or has several other unwanted chemicals, it can cause skin dryness and aggravate eczema and psoriasis. Untreated water will also make your hair brittle, dry, and prone to hair fall.
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Disadvantages of Whole House Water Filtration Systems
Consider these drawbacks associated with whole home water filter systems:
- A whole house water filter is not exactly cheap. Most systems cost between $300 to $2000 or more, which might seem like a splurge for some households. While it’s true these systems pay for themselves in the long run (e.g. no bottled water and fewer maintenance and repair needs caused by your plumbing), they do cost high initially. Similarly, these advanced units sometimes require professional installation that adds to the upfront investment.
- Some people simply do not have proper space to set up a system.
- If you live in a rented space, making changes to the plumbing for a whole house water filter is not an option.
- If you plan to shift houses, you can’t necessarily take your whole house water filter along with you. This is because each home can have its own unique water problem, and your old system might be useless in the new place.
Are Whole House Water Filters Worth It?
A whole house water filter is worth the peace of mind that your family has access to clean water everywhere in the house 24/7. However, if your only concern is chlorine taste, a common complaint, a filtered water pitcher or point of use filter will be your best bet.
On the other hand, if you are tired of scale buildup, dry hair, irritated skin, dingy clothes, rusty appliances, constant repairs, and your toddler drinking from the bathroom’s sink, a whole house water filter offers complete protection.
If you have any thoughts about the question, are whole house water filters worth it, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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