Review: ENPRESS PIONEER Whole House Water Filter System
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Nov 20, 2023
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This review features the PIONEER, a whole house water filter system manufactured by ENPRESS and sold by SpringWell. What makes the PIONEER special is that, so far, it’s one of the few whole house water filters that could earn an NSF Standard 53 certification for guaranteed lead removal.
If you check the performance data report, you’ll find that the system has proven to reduce 99.62% of both particular and soluble lead. Now, 99.62% lead reduction in a whole house application is pretty darn good already, but there’s even more!
Contents
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ENPRESS PIONEER Whole House Water Filter System |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Media: | Activated Carbon + Ionic Binder |
| Filter Capacity: | 100,000 Gallons |
| Water Flow Rate: | 4.51-8.0 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | ~$400 |
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Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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ENPRESS PIONEER Whole House Water Filter System – All Specs
- Model: LCR-1
- Last Price: $1,554.97
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$400
- Filter Media/Process: Activated Carbon + Special Binder
- Flow Rate: 4.51-8.0 gpm
- Filtering Capacity: 100,000 gal
- WxH: 8″x40″
- Water Temperature: 34-100 °F
- Water Pressure: 20-125 psi
- Fitting: 1″ MNPT
- NSF Certifications: Standard 53, P473
- Warranty: 1 Year to Lifetime (Limited)
SpringWell – Discount Code
The PIONEER system is sold by SpringWell Water. You can use our code “BOS5OFF“ to get a 5% discount on any purchase you make on springwellwater.com.
ENPRESS PIONEER – Key Features
First of all, what does the PIONEER do differently to be the first whole house water filter to have earned an NSF 53 certification for lead removal?
Simply put, it removes both particulate lead and soluble lead from water:
- Particulate lead is what numerous other (whole house) water filters can adsorb, too. All that’s needed is a fine enough physical barrier – the PIONEER uses activated carbon block filter media. That said, the PIONEER might still be much more effective at removing particulate lead that its competitors. We couldn’t tell since the manufacturers of almost all the other whole house water filters on the market have never provided any performance data. Anyway, the PIONEER removes particulate lead down to 0.5-micron (nominal).
- Soluble lead is harder to catch. It requires chemical removal – no problem for the PIONEER. Special binders react with soluble lead in water to create an ionic (electrostatic) bond.
Bottom line: The PIONEER was tested for both forms of lead. And it was tested at the system’s standard flow rate of 4.51 gallons per minute (gpm) as well as 8 gpm peak flow. ENPRESS says you’ll get 99.62% lead removal at both flow rates.
8 gpm should be enough for homes with 2, maybe 3 bathrooms – it always depends on how many water outlets you use at the same time. 4.51 is for smaller homes with 1, maybe 2 bathrooms.
By the way, the PIONEER whole house water filter has also been awarded an NSF standard P473 certification for PFOA/PFOS removal (97.9%). Both PFOA and PFOS in drinking water increase the risk of cancer. Data estimates that at least one of the substances can be found in the water supplies of more than 100 million Americans, so not a bad idea to have those taken care of.
On top of that, the PIONEER filters cysts (>99.95%, NSF 53), chlorine, chloramine, other heavy metals apart from lead, bad taste, and odors.
Filter life per cartridge: 100,000 gallons or 1 year.
Gallery
PIONEER Whole House Filter Pros
Here are more pros:
- Being NSF-certified, you can rely on the PIONEER whole house filter for guaranteed lead, cyst, and PFOA/PFOS removal.
- The PIONEER uses a water meter to tell you via an easy-to-understand LED light system when it’s time to replace the filter cartridge inside. Green light means all is good. 3 yellow LEDs indicate the remaining filter life is less than 10% (10,000 gallons). Red light means you need to change the filter asap.
- Speaking of, filter replacement is easy with no tools required.
- Water meter + LED system require a power outlet which is backed up by batteries in case of power failure.
- Installation is relatively easy thanks to an integrated bypass valve.
- There’s a 1-year manufacturer warranty. Plus, the seller warrants the system tank throughout its lifetime (limited).
- SpringWell also gives you a 6-month satisfaction guarantee which allows you to test the system free of risk.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
The PIONEER removes the following water contaminants:
- 99.62% of particulate and soluble lead
- 97.9% PFOA/PFOS
- More than 99.95% cysts
- 90% chlorine for 300,000 gallons @ 15 gpm
- 85% chloramine for 300,000 gallons @ 8 gpm
- Bad taste and odor
- Few other heavy metals and more
The ENPRESS PIONEER – learn more on Springwellwater.com
Installation
Good news is, the system comes preassembled for the most part, plus it includes a bypass. So installation isn’t more difficult than hooking up any other whole house water filter which is a great opportunity to save if you’re a DIYer.
Just make sure to not use extra lubricants, unapproved sealants, or tools (all parts are hand-tighten only). Otherwise the product warranty may void.
Here’s what you need to do exactly:
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
- Select a spot for installation (this spot must be at the main water line).
- Turn off your main water source, then open the faucets in your home to drain the lines and reduce water pressure.
- Carefully assemble the tank as shown in the manual.
- Next, you’d need to install the cartridge. To do this, push down the top cap to unseat the snap ring. Then, take out the ring by pulling the handle inward and upward.
- Remove the cap from the top of the tank.
- Place the filter cartridge in the tank (the O-ring has to be down). Then, align the cartridge to the bottom center of the tank and push down on the filter cartridge until the O-ring moves into position.
- Reattach the top cap and snap rings back to their original position.
- Turn the water back on and depressurize the system by pressing the red button in the middle of the cap. Keep pushing the button until all air pressure is released and water flows out of the depressurization button.
- Release the button and check for leaks. Then, turn on the taps for about 10 minutes to ensure the system is fully flushed out.
The Package (Parts)
- Filter Housing
- Filter Cap
- Inlet Cap
- Umbrella Cap
- Filter Cartridge
- Straight Connector
- Bypass Manifold
- 2x Vertical Elbow
- Drain Valve Assembly
- 2x 90 Degree Elbow Connector
- Flow Meter Assembly
- In/Out Head with Filter Adapter
- 1″ MNPT Fittings
Maintenance
We already mentioned the LED filter life indicator. When the light is red all there is to do is changing a single filter cartridge – easy as pie with no tools required.
You just need to remember to also replace the 3-AAA batteries, reset the meter (hold down reset button for 3 seconds, LED lights will flash 3 times to confirm reset), and flush each new filter cartridge for 10 minutes prior to use. This shouldn’t be required too often, though. The filtration capacity is 100,000 gallons or 1 year.
Cost? Around $400 per cartridge and year which is okay for such a powerful whole house lead water filter.
You can follow these steps to replace your filter cartridge:
- Shut off the inlet and outlet valves on the bypass to shut down the water supply.
- Take out the umbrella cap on top of the vessel. Replace the 3-AAA batteries with new ones and press down on the reset button for 3 seconds. The LED lights will flash green 3 times upon reset.
- Push the red depressurization button until all water and air pressure is completely released.
- Unseat the retaining ring by pushing down the top cap with both hands.
- Take out the retaining ring by pulling inward and upward.
- Lift the top handles to remove the top cap, then take out the old filter.
- Open the shut-off and fitting, then flush out the bottom of the system.
- Find the small opening in the bottom center of the tank.
- Place the new filter cartridge into the tank (ensure that the double O-ring faces down)
- Align the cartridge with the bottom center opening.
- Push down the cartridge.
- Place the top cap in its initial position.
- Reattach the snap ring, then reseat the O-rings by pulling on the top cap.
- Turn on the water supply and open the inlet and outlet valves.
- Push down on the depressurization button to relieve the system of air. Don’t stop pushing until all the air pressure is released and water seeps out of the red button. Then, release the red button.
- Put the umbrella cap back on top of the system.
- Check for leaks.
- Flush the new cartridge for about 10 minutes.
Manual
Here is a link to the official manual:
NSF and Other Certifications
The PIONEER has been tested and third-party certified for NSF/ANSI Standard P473 for PFOA/PFOS removal, and NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead and cyst removal.
Earlier Product Versions
As far as we know, there are no earlier versions of this product.
PIONEER Filter Cons
One might argue that the PIONEER whole house water filter seems overpriced. And it’s reasonable criticism. However, we must not forget that there really is little comparable to it. Above that, maintenance cost is acceptable for what you get in our opinion.
What’s more, 4.51 gpm service flow and 8 gpm peak water flow is not enough for larger homes – you might need to use 2 systems in parallel which adds to the cost.
ENPRESS PIONEER Review: Our Verdict + Best for
The PIONEER whole house water filter is not exactly cheap. Yet it’s one of the very few point-of-entry system independently tested and certified for lead reduction according to NSF standards. The same goes for PFOA/PFOS and cyst.
All in all, it’s our top pick and best for people who want access to lead-free water at every outlet in their home. 5 stars!
Our Rating in Detail:
- Filtration Performance: 5.0/5.0
- Filter Capacity (Life): 5.0/5.0
- Purchase Price: 4.0/5.0
- Annual Cost: 4.0/5.0
- Overall: 5.0/5.0
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Comparison to Other Whole House Lead Water Filters
Let’s compare the PIONEER to two other whole house water filter systems capable of removing lead: The Aquasana OptimH20 and the SpringWell CWH-3.
Aquasana OptimH2O |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Media: | Sediment Pre, 0.5-Micron Catalytic + Activated Carbon Block |
| Filter Life: | 100,000 gal |
| Water Flow: | 4.82 gpm |
| Annually: | $570 |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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SpringWell CWH-3 |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Media: | Sediment Pre, Activated Carbon, Submicron Filtration |
| Filter Life: | 1 Year |
| Water Flow: | 16 gpm |
| Annually: | ~$350 |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
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ENPRESS PIONEER |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Media: | Activated Carbon + Ionic Binder |
| Filter Life: | 100,000 gal |
| Water Flow: | 4.51-8.0 gpm |
| Annually: | ~$400 |
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Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
|
Let’s start with the Aquasana OptimH20:
The Aquasana OptimH20 is, in our opinion, the best alternative to the PIONEER and even a tad more effective (it has a 99.62-99.66% lead reduction rate and a 98.2% PFOA/PFOS reduction rate – also NSF-certified).
The PIONEER and Aquasana OptimH20 look very similar – the only real difference is that the Aquasana has a 1-micron sediment pre-filter included with it. The pre-filter protects the main filter stage from clogging up. Here, Aquasana mentions catalytic carbon + activated carbon, while PIONEER only mentions activated carbon.
The Aquasana OptimH20 has a flow rate of 4.82 gpm, which slightly surpasses the PIONEER’s 4.51 gpm flow rate. Its filter capacity is 100,000 gallons, just like the PIONEER. It also has a very similar installation procedure which isn’t overly difficult.
In addition, the Aquasana OptimH20 has the LED filter life indicator, a 5-year limited warranty, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
In all, the system has a lot of similarities to the PIONEER and comes with tons of upsides. But it also has its cons. For instance, it costs a few hundred dollars more than the PIONEER and has a steep annual maintenance cost of $570, which is also more in direct comparison. Besides, the 4.8 gpm flow rate is barely enough for 2-bathroom homes. If you live in a large house, you’d need to install two systems in parallel – the cost of that would be even higher, of course. Then, we fished online for some reviews and found that people weren’t always pleased with Aquasana’s customer service.
The next system we’d be comparing is the SpingWell CWH-3. It is perfect if you need lead filtration AND scale reduction. It costs around $1,000 to purchase and around $350 in annual maintenance. This is slightly more budget-friendly than the two other options.
The SpringWell CWH-3 works using a 3-stage filter process.
- Stage one is a 5-micron sediment pre-filter that removes silt, sand, dirt, and other smaller particles. This is also where limescale is being removed.
- Stage two is an activated carbon stage that rids water of contaminants like chloramine, chlorine taste and odor, HAAs, PFAS, and pesticides/herbicides. The stage also improves water aesthetics like taste.
- Stage three contains the lead/VOC filter cartridge. Based on submicron filtration, it removes VOCs, lead, and other organic compounds from water.
The SpringWell CWH-3 has a flow rate of 16 gpm, which is much more than the PIONEER and Aquasana systems offer. Owing to its high flow rate, the SpringWell is more than capable of handling a larger home.
The filter cartridge lasts 12 months when used with water up to 15 gpm, just like the PIONEER and Aquasana.
SpringWell offers a 6-month risk-free satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime warranty on valve and filter housings. But as always, there are cons: Most concerning is that this system isn’t backed by any actual test data for lead removal.
So, which one to pick? We recommend the PIONEER since it is NSF-certified and more affordable than the Aquasana OptimH2O which comes in last. The SpringWell CWH-3 is the best option for lower budgets.
More Reviews:
This completes our review of the ENPRESS PIONEER Whole House Water Filter System. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
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