Review: Pentair PC1000-P Whole House Water Filter (Pelican PC1000)
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Aug 4, 2023
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The Pentair PC1000-P whole house city water filtration system (formerly Pelican PC1000) provides filtered water at every outlet in your home, including your bathroom(s) so that you can wash your body with cleaner water for healthier hair and skin.
The main focus is chlorine/chloramine removal in tap water for improved taste and smell. But it doesn’t stop there. Lots of other impurities, some with health effects, will be reduced, too. The price? Seems fair – all details below!
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Pentair PC1000-P Whole House Water Filter |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Media: | 5-Micron Sediment, KDF + Catalytic Carbon |
| Filter Capacity: | 1,301,770 gal |
| Water Flow Rate: | 12 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | ~$30-40 |
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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.
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Pentair PC1000-P Whole House Water Filter – All Specs
- Model: PC1000-P
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$30-40
- Filter Media/Process: Sediment Pre (5 Microns), Catalytic Carbon, KDF
- Filter Stages: 2
- Flow Rate: 12 gpm
- Filtering Capacity: 1,301,770 gal or 5 Years
- Width: 9”
- Depth: 9”
- Water Temperature: 36-120 °F
- Water Pressure: 25-80 psi
- Water pH: 6-11
- Fitting: 1″ Male NPT
- NSF Certifications: Standard 42 (Chlorine Reduction), Standard 61, Standard 372
- Warranty: 1 Year on Tank, 5 Years on Electronics
Pentair PC1000-P – Key Features
Okay, what exactly does the Pentair PC1000-P whole house water filter do? It features multiple filter steps to trap sediment, chemicals, and some heavy metals:
- First, a 10″ sediment pre-filter removes particles larger than 5 microns to protect the subsequent filter media (and your other home appliances) from clogging.
- Catalytic granular activated carbon reduces chlorine taste and smell (around 96% according to NSF Standard 42 certification). The same goes for chloramine which is another commonly used water disinfectant. In fact, Pentair guarantees effective chlorine and chloramine removal below the minimum detection level for 5 years or 1,301,770 gallons. And other chemical compounds including pesticides, herbicides, and pharmaceuticals also get adsorbed by the catalytic carbon. Speaking of, compared to conventional activated carbon, catalytic carbon is pricier but also more effective with a higher filtration capacity. So no shortcuts here!
- In a final step, KDF-55 oxidation media, a copper-zinc alloy, filters water-soluble heavy metals, e.g. lead, chromium, and mercury. The main reason for Pentair to include KDF-55 is the bacteriostatic properties, though: It protects the activated carbon bed against fouling by bacteria and algae which is important when you think about the long filter life.
The water flow rate is 12 gallons per minute (16 gpm peak), so enough for larger homes with 4-6 bathrooms. →The smaller Pentair PC600-P is for homes with 2 to 3 bathrooms which you can learn more about here.
Pentair Whole House Water Filter Pros
More pros:
- The tank is wrapped in stainless steel for durability (doesn’t look too bad either).
- Tank + parts are warranted for 1-5 years.
- Judging from our personal experience, Pentair’s customer support is reliable.
- You don’t need to be an expert to install this whole house water filter yourself.
- Maintenance is reduced to a minimum.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
The system features three filtration stages to remove a wide array of contaminants from your water.
- First, a 5-micron sediment filter removes dirt, debris, sand, silt, and other suspended particles down to 5 microns in size. This will help prevent clogging of the later filter stages as well as keep excess sediment out of your plumbing and home appliances.
- Next, catalytic carbon filtration removes chlorine, chloramine, pesticides, herbicides, industrial solvents, disinfection by-products, and much more. The inclusion of catalytic carbon rather than regular activated carbon is a major plus – as it’s highly effective at removing chloramine – a commonly used chemical in municipal water filtration.
- Last, KDF-55 media further reduces chlorine, as well as removing heavy metals, and helping to control microbial growth inside the system.
The Pentair PC1000-P – learn more on Amazon.com
Installation
We have a built-in bypass valve which makes the installation a lot easier. Also, the system is pre-assembled when shipped and the tank comes pre-loaded. This will save some time.
Pentair offers an optional installation kit. Alternatively, you can visit the hardware store to get everything you need like pipes and fittings (connection size is 1 inch).
By the way, both inside and outside installation are possible, as long as you have access to your main water line.
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
Tools and materials required for installation:
- Adjustable wrench
- Plumber’s tape
- Fittings and adapters
- Garden hose
- Pipe (PVC, Copper, or PEX)
- Pipe cutters
During shipping the system head can sometimes come loose from the tank. If this is the case, hand tighten it by rotating it a ¼ turn clockwise.
Installation step-by-step:
- Prior to installation, the system requires soaking and rinsing. This is necessary to eliminate the tiny carbon particles contained in the media tank. To soak/rinse the tank follow these steps:
- Find the carbon tank as well as the hose bib attachment.
- Fasten the hose bib attachment to the filter inlet. Connect a hose to the hose bib and then slowly turn on the water until it starts flowing out of the outlet port. The flow ought to be the thickness of a pencil. Let it flow for 15 minutes or so.
- The initial gallons flushed out will look dark and hazy. This is not a cause for concern and means the process is working properly.
- After 15 minutes of flushing, turn the water off for a minute. Now, alternate between flushing for one minute and shutting off the water for one minute. Continue until the water flowing from the outlet is totally clear. Now, remove the hose bib attachment.
- Should the pressure drop significantly during flushing, shut off the water flow and allow the tank to sit. Then repeat the previous step, but reduce the flushing speed.
- At this point, you’ll need to install the sediment pre or post-filter. This can either be installed before or after the tank, with pre-installation common to well water systems and post-installation common to city water systems. To install the sediment filter:
- Unscrew the filter housing cover.
- Disconnect the plastic cover from the outside of the sediment filter.
- Position the sediment filter on the standpipe located inside the blue filter housing.
- Turn off the water flow.
- Connect the filter housing with its mounting bracket using the bolts and washers included in the kit.
- Fasten the mounting bracket using the Phillips head screws. Make sure to orient the IN and OUT sides correctly.
- Hand-tighten the blue-colored filter housing and then tighten further using the filter wrench. Don’t over-tighten.
- Determine the size of your inlet water supply line.
- At this point, you’ll want to ensure the tank is completely level for installation. To do this, pick the tank 6 inches up and knock it lightly until it levels itself out. The tank bottom is a self-leveling boot that ensures it can be leveled on numerous surfaces.
- Check the plumbing type of your inbound water supply and select the right plumbing fittings to adapt to the 1-inch male NPT assembly.
- Fix the required fittings onto the inlet and outlet sides of the bypass valve.
- Join the inbound water line from the sediment filter to the bypass valve inlet. Now, join the outbound water line to the outlet on the bypass.
- Open the main water line to your home and check the entire system for leaks.
- Remove the plastic film from the outside of the tank. Add the Pentair logo sticker if you wish. Now apply a coating of the included wax to the outside of the jacket and continue to do so 1 to 2 times annually.
For 72 hours immediately following installation, maintain low water usage by not using multiple outlets simultaneously. This can cause the filter media to float, leading to temporary low-pressure issues. Should this happen, cease using the system and allow the tank to settle for 15 minutes. Then resume usage at a lower level.
Note the installation process described above assumes your inlet and outlet are pre-plumbed. If they aren’t, you’ll have to remove a section of pipe from your main water supply using pipe cutters or a hacksaw before installation.
Video
The Package (Parts)
- 1″ Plastic Male NPT Assembly
- Blue Sediment Filter Housing
- Mounting Bracket
- 4x Phillips Head Screws
- 4x Bolt Head Screws
- 4x Washers
- 5-Micron Poly-Spun Sediment Filter
- Sediment Filter Wrench
- 4 oz. Bottle Non-Abrasive Auto Wax
- Bypass Valve
- Hose Bib Assembly
- Whole House Water Filter
- Owner’s Manual
Maintenance
Properly maintaining the Pentair PC1000-P whole house filter system is key. But don’t worry, not much work is required. You just need to remember to replace the sediment pre-filter (about $20 per piece) every 6 months or so, depending on your water usage and quality.
Regular cartridge replacements will keep filtration performance up to standards and extend the life of the entire unit.
The carbon media needs to be renewed every 5 years or 1.3 million gallons. What’s great is that you can do this yourself – no need to call a plumbing professional if you don’t want to which saves you up to a couple hundred dollars. And you can continue using the tank. This is not only cost effective, it’s also environmentally friendly. Cost for the replacement media: About $300.
Sediment filter replacement step-by-step:
- Shut off your home’s main water line and turn on the system’s bypass valve.
- Open a faucet downstream from the system to relieve pressure in the plumbing. Leave the faucet turned on.
- Detach the blue filter housing from the mount by turning the included filter wrench clockwise.
- Pull out the old sediment filter and dispose of it.
- Pop out the old O-rings and clean out the top groove by wiping it clean. Oil two fresh O-rings with a little silicone grease and install them. Push the top O-rings into their groove using a finger or two. This step is key to ensuring a proper seal. If the O-ring looks broken, stretched out, or pinched it must be replaced.
- Insert a fresh sediment filter into the filter housing over the standpipe inside the housing.
- Hand-tighten the filter housing onto the filter cover. Then tighten it using the filter wrench being careful not to overtighten.
- Turn the main water line on slowly allowing the sediment filter to fill and air to be expelled from the plumbing lines. Turn off the system’s bypass valve.
- Check the filter and system for leaks.
Manual
Here is a link to the official manual:
NSF and Other Certifications
The Pentair PC1000-P is certified to NSF Standard 42 for the reduction of aesthetic chlorine. The system will remove approximately 96% of chlorine to a capacity of 1,324,800 gallons.
It’s also certified to NSF Standard 61, the standard for products coming into contact with drinking water.
Lastly, the system is certified to NSF Standard 372 certifying that it is lead-free.
Earlier Product Versions
The system has an earlier product version under the Pelican brand also called the PC1000. As far as we can tell all that’s changed is swapping the Pelican name for Pentair.
Pentair House Water Filter Cons
Nothing serious; a few people found the filter media priming to be difficult.
We think metal instead of plastic fittings would have been nice.
Finally, a few customers appeared to have a hard time dealing with customer service.
Pentair PC1000-P Review: Our Verdict + Best for
Customer feedback for the Pentair PC1000-P whole house water filter seems solid. Naturally, one particular highlight is how much more refreshing and clean the water tastes before and after installing the system.
All things considered, this is one of our go-to whole house water filters best for city water and basic filtration needs. 4.5 stars!
Our Rating in Detail:
- Filtration Performance: 4.5/5.0
- Filter Capacity (Life): 5.0/5.0
- Purchase Price: 4.0/5.0
- Annual Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.5/5.0
Comparison to Other Whole House Water Filters
An effective way to evaluate any water filtration system is by comparing it to the leading models on the market. Thus, let’s see how the Pentair PC1000-Ü compares to the SpringWell CF and the Kind E-1000.
SpringWell CF |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Media: | 5-Micron Sediment, Catalytic Carbon, KDF |
| Filter Capacity: | 1,000,000 gal |
| Water Flow Rate: | 9-20 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | ~$40 |
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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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Kind E-1000 |
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| Price: | $ |
| Filter Media: | 5-Micron Sediment, Catalytic Carbon Block |
| Filter Capacity: | 12 Months |
| Water Flow Rate: | 15 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | ~$145 |
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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.
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Pentair PC1000-P |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Media: | 5-Micron Sediment, KDF + Catalytic Carbon |
| Filter Capacity: | 1,301,770 gal |
| Water Flow Rate: | 12 gpm |
| Annual Cost: | ~$30-40 |
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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.
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The SpringWell CF (fully reviewed here) is a similar tank-based system utilizing the same filtration media as the Pentair. It features a 5-micron sediment filter, catalytic carbon, and KDF filter media. Resultingly, the system will remove essentially the same contaminants as the Pentair including chlorine/chloramine, sediment, heavy metals, VOCs, herbicides, pesticides, etc. The only major difference is an extra-large version of the SpringWell featuring a 20 gallon per minute flow rate. Plus, you get a long satisfaction guarantee and warranty.
The Kind E-1000 (read the full review here) features a 2-stage cartridge design with a 5-micron sediment filter followed by a catalytic carbon stage. No KDF filter media is included, meaning it won’t remove certain heavy metals or assist in controlling microbial growth. As the system is cartridge-based rather than tank based, it requires annual filter replacements – costing approximately $145 yearly. This means that although the system costs less upfront, in the long run, it will cost more. The Kind also features a respectable 15 gallon per minute flow rate – putting it roughly on par with the Pentair in terms of capacity. Satisfaction guarantee and limited lifetime warranty? You bet!
Overall, The SpringWell CF and Pentair PC1000-P are closest in terms of design and performance – we prefer the SpringWell due to some nice extras like the satisfaction guarantee and warranty – while the Kind offers a strong alternative for those partial to cartridge-based systems.
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This completes our review of the Pentair PC1000-P. 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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