Review: Filtrete 3WH-STD-S01 Whole House Water Filter System
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Aug 4, 2023
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The Filtrete 3WH-STD-S01 Standard Capacity Whole House System is a barebones whole house sediment water filter for removing sand, silt, rust, and other dirt. At 30 microns, the filter is only capable of removing relatively large particles but does so effectively and at a low price point.
The system also features standard-sized cartridges, so upgrading the filter is as easy as swapping out the old cartridge for a new one.
Let’s take a closer look at this budget-priced whole house water filter and see if it merits more serious consideration.
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Filtrete 3WH-STD-S01 Whole House Water Filter System |
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| Price: | $ |
| Micron Rating: | 30 |
| Flow Rate: | Not Specified |
| Filter Life: | 3 Months |
| Annual Cost: | ~$20 |
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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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Filtrete 3WH-STD-S01 Whole House Water Filter System – All Specs
- Model: Filtrete 3WH-STD-S01
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$20
- Filter Media/Process: 30-Micron Pleated Sediment
- Filtering Capacity: 3 Months
- WxHxD: 5.66″x13.03″x5.86″
- Weight: 4.16 lb.
- Water Temperature: 38-100 °F
- Water Pressure: 25-125 psi
- Fitting: ¾” NPT
- NSF Certifications: Standard 42
- Warranty: 1 Year
Filtrete 3WH-STD-S01 – Key Features
The Filtrete 3WH-STD-S01 is a basic whole house water filter sold at a reasonable price. It’s designed to provide basic sediment removal to reduce sediment, sand, rust, and silt from getting into your home’s water supply. Sediment removal will protect your plumbing as well as your water-consuming appliances (your dishwasher, washing machine, and water heater).
The manufacturer states the system is appropriate for homes with 2-3 or fewer bathrooms, but no exact flow rate figure is given.
Filtrete also makes a larger 3WH-HD-S01 version with a slightly higher flow rate and filter capacity – which would make a good choice for larger homes.
Filtrete Whole House Water Filter Pros
Perhaps the system’s biggest advantage is its low cost. It’s inexpensive even when compared to other whole house sediment filters – which tend to be the cheapest filter types. Annual cartridge replacements cost just about $25, so running the system is incredibly cost-effective in the long term.
Changing filters is also very simple: A red pressure-relief button on top of the filter head prevents filter sumps from being stuck.
The ability to swap between different filter cartridge types is another major plus, as you can change the filter’s functionality this way. How? The system comes with a 30-micron pleated filter cartridge, but as the cartridges are standard-sized, the system can be upgraded to higher-performance cartridges easily.
Filtrete offers string-wound (for sediment), carbon-wrap (for chlorine taste/odor and organic chemicals), as well as grooved filters (for sediment). You can also use filter cartridges from other manufacturers if you wish, which may also save you money!
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
As the system is a basic sediment filter, it will only remove sand, soil, silt, rust, and sediment down to 30 microns.
30 microns is fairly coarse when it comes to sediment filters, but has the advantage of being less clog-prone when compared to the 5-micron filters often found in more advanced systems.
The Filtrete 3WH-STD-S01 – learn more on Amazon.com
Installation
Installation is fairly simple when compared with other whole house water filtration systems assuming you have basic DIY and plumbing skills.
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
Tools and materials needed for installation:
- Pipe cutter
- 2 x ¾” sweat connections
- 3 x ¾” Ball valve (sweat type)
- Plumber’s tape
- Adjustable wrenches
- Torch
- Plumbing solder and plumbing flux
- ¾” copper pipe
- 2 x ¾” elbows
- 2 x ¾” tees
- 3 x ¾” unions
- Mounting hardware
- Bucket and towel
Installation instructions:
- Plan and mark the installation location on the main water line. Make sure to leave 12” of clear space under the filter for cartridge changes.
- Shut off the main water supply line and depressurize the water lines by opening a faucet downstream.
- Use pipe cutters to remove a section of pipe at the installation location corresponding to the system size. Use a bucket and towel to clean up any water.
- Assemble and install the system, being sure to observe the correct flow arrows. Use three shutoff valves. Use copper pipe and sweated connections to assemble the system. Support the system by fastening the mounting bracket to a wall or other framing. Pipe hangers can also be used as an alternative.
- Insert the filter into the filter housing. Lubricate the O-ring and place it in the groove on the filter housing.
- Carefully reattach the filter housing to the system making sure the filter is seated correctly. Hand tighten.
- Ensure the bypass valve and the downstream faucet are open. Close the inlet and outlet valve. Turn on the water supply and check for leaks.
- While water is running through the faucet, close the bypass valve and open the inlet and outlet valves. Allow the filter to fill up.
- Close the inlet valve and check for leaks once again. If it’s leaking, consult the troubleshooting guide in the manual, otherwise open the inlet valve and let the water run for at least 20 minutes before use.
- Close the downstream faucet.
The Package (Parts)
- Filter sump/housing
- Filter cartridge
- Mounting bracket
- Sump/housing wrench
- Mounting screws
- O-ring
Maintenance
As there is only a single filter cartridge to replace, the maintenance required is fairly minimal. All that’s necessary is changing filters every 3 months or so. The exact frequency will depend on your local water quality as well as the volume of water running through the system.
To change the filter cartridge:
- Close the shutoff valve before the filter, or shut off the water supply at the main valve. Relieve the system pressure by opening the nearest cold-water faucet.
- Close the shut-off valve after the filter.
- Place a bucket below the filtration system.
- Unscrew the filter housing/sump using the supplied wrench. Locate and remove the O-ring, wiping clean of lubricant.
- Remove and discard the old filter. Clean the filter sump with soapy water and rinse.
- Insert the new filter into the filter housing/sump, lubricate the O-ring with food-grade silicone lubricant, and place it back into the groove on the housing.
- Carefully reattach the filter sump to the head making sure the filter and O-ring are properly seated. Hand tighten, being careful not to overtighten.
- Open the shutoff valve after the filter and the one before it. If shutoff valves aren’t equipped turn on the main water supply.
- Open the nearest cold-water faucet and flush the filter for 20 minutes. Check for leaks.
Manual
Here is a link to the official manual:
https://www.manualshelf.com/manual/filtrete/3wh-std-s01/instructions-assembly-spanish/page-6.html
NSF and Other Certifications
According to the manufacturer, the Filtrete whole house water filter is tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 – which pertains to aesthetic effects (namely the reduction of chlorine, unpleasant tastes and odors, and particulates).
We couldn’t verify this claim, however, so take it with a grain of salt.
Earlier Product Versions
The Filtrete Standard Capacity Whole House System has no earlier product versions as far as we are aware.
Filtrete Whole House Water Filter Cons
While the manufacturer states the system is certified against NSF/ANSI Standard 42, there is no publicly available evidence for this that we could find.
Besides, a small proportion of users had issues with leaking from the filter housing and/or the water inlet and outlet.
Others found that rather than lasting the advertised 3 months, the filters only lasted about a month before clogging up.
Additionally, some users disliked the lack of netting in the pleated filter, which tends to simply disintegrate when it’s clogged.
And finally, we would have liked a built-in bypass valve and a specification on flow rate.
Filtrete 3WH-STD-S01 Review: Our Verdict + Best for
Overall, the Filtrete 3WH-STD-S01 whole house water filter is a solid basic sediment filter at a reasonable price point. It would work best as a pre-filter stage for a water softener or a whole house carbon water filter for example, or if you simply have coarse sediment in your water that needs removal.
At 30 microns, it won’t remove the finer sediment that a 5-micron filter would, but that also means it’s less likely to clog prematurely.
Our Rating in Detail:
- Filtration Performance: 3.5/5.0
- Filter Capacity (Life): 3.0/5.0
- Purchase Price: 5.0/5.0
- Annual Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.0/5.0
Comparison to Other Whole House Sediment Water Filters
Let’s take a look at how the Filtrete system stacks up against another popular whole house sediment filter – the SpringWell PF.
SpringWell PF |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Micron Rating: | 5 |
| Flow Rate: | 20-35 gpm |
| Filter Life: | 6 Months |
| Annual Cost: | $35-65 |
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Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘ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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Filtrete 3WH-STD-S01 |
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| Price: | $ |
| Micron Rating: | 30 |
| Flow Rate: | Not Specified |
| Filter Life: | 3 Months |
| Annual Cost: | ~$20 |
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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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The SpringWell PF is another barebones sediment filter but features several significant improvements over the Filtrete system. First, the SpringWell is a 5-micron filter rather than 30-microns – so it will remove much finer particles. The system comes in two sizes, a 10-inch unit with a 20-gallon per minute flow rate, and a 20-inch unit with a 35 gpm flow rate. Both flow rates are high enough to accommodate large homes with 6+ bathrooms and unlike the Filtrete, the exact figures are provided.
The SpringWell is slightly more expensive than the Filtrete at just over $80 for the system and $35 to $65 per year depending on the cartridge size. Additionally, SpringWell offers a 180-day money back guarantee and a lifetime warranty (limited).
Overall, the SpringWell could make a better whole house sediment water filter for the majority of users in our opinion. It offers a superior filtration level, flow rate, and warranty all for a small price increase.
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This completes our review of the Filtrete whole house water filter system. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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