Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated:
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How much does a home water filtration system cost? There’s more than one answer to this question which we’ll cover in great detail on this page. So without further ado…
Contents:
Home water filters come in all shapes and sizes. The selection ranges from a small and inexpensive pitcher providing drinking water for a single person only to a more pricey whole house system that treats all the water entering your home. So the question really is what type of water filter do you want or need?
Because not every product is capable of removing all the potential contaminants that might be lurking in your water supply. While basic activated carbon filtration reduces chlorine content for example, lead, chromium-6 and chloramines require a more sophisticated approach.
Thus, you should think about conducting a water quality test. Several test kits are available online and at your local home improvement store.
That said, these are the different filter types you can choose from:
We Recommend: SpringWell CF4 Whole House Water Filter
We Recommend: AquaTru Countertop RO System
We Recommend: Clearly Filtered 3-Stage
We Recommend: Clearly Filtered Water Filter Pitcher
| Type | Price Range | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole House | Usually between $300 to $1,000 and more | Filtered water everywhere in your home; increase lifespan of appliances and plumbing system | More likely to require installation by a professional; most won’t have any effect on smaller impurities |
| Reverse Osmosis | $150 – $500 | Provide healthy drinking water 100% safe for consumption; produce relatively large volumes | Produce wastewater; strip away minerals; may require installation by a professional |
| Under Sink | $50 – $400 | Cost effective; most provide water safe for drinking | Might require installation by a professional |
| Countertop | $50 – $120 | Simple to use and clean; portable; no permanent installation required (great for renters); attach within a couple of seconds | Not always the most thorough filtration; take up space on your counter; don’t fit non-standard faucet types like sprayers; flow rate can be slow |
| Faucet Mounted | $20 – $50 | Simple to use and clean; portable; no permanent installation required (great for renters); attach within a couple of seconds | Take up space above/in your kitchen sink; might not be compatible with your faucet; not the most thorough filtration; flow rate can be slow |
| Pitcher | $20 – $70 | No installation required (great for renters); can be stored in refrigerator for cooling; simple to use and clean; portable | Filters need frequent replacements; low flow rate; limited storage volume |
Too costly? Want to learn how to build your own water filter?
Let’s say you’ve just purchased a new water filter. Now, unless you bought a pitcher or a unit that simply connects to your kitchen faucet, the next step would be to have the system installed in your home.
How much does that cost? Again, there is no definite answer because it depends on how complex the system is (check table below). The higher the complexity, the more costly the installation is likely going to be. By the way, you might be able to do the installation yourself.
Basic labor includes mounting the unit, installing a shut-off valve, making the plumbing connections, and verifying that everything works as intended and without leaks. Additional tasks are installation site preparation and cleanup.
To this we have to add the cost of materials and supplies such as tubing, connectors, and fittings if not included with the filter itself.
If modification of your home’s existing plumbing is required the total cost will increase by another $1,000 to $2,000.
Most plumbers also offer to remove and dispose old appliances and installation debris if need be. This is optional and costs somewhere between $50 and $120.
On a side note: In our opinion, if you are handy with tools there’s no reason not to try to hook up your new reverse osmosis or whole house water filter DIY-style (unless self-installation voids the warranty). For under sinks units, setup typically requires cutting into the drain line and drilling a hole into your countertop for the second faucet. Whole house systems require proper plumbing at the main water line.
Bonus Tip
If you want to make sure that the plumber you hire will provide excellent service of the highest quality, check for licensing and insurance. A plumbing company recognized by the Better Business Bureau is always a great start.
In addition, use sites like Yelp and Angie’s List to compare online reviews from past clients.
Lastly, insist on a price estimate in written form upfront to avoid unpleasant surprises.
As for maintenance, all water filter systems require filter (and membrane) replacements for optimum performance every once in a while. This adds to the cost.
Systems with multiple filtration stages like RO units will turn out more expensive compared to simple single-stage devices – think faucet filters.
| Type | Installation Cost | Labor | Annual Cost | Total Cost (First Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole House | $100 to $500 and more | 2 – 4 hours | $100 – $300 | $500 to $1,800 and more |
| Reverse Osmosis | $100 – $300 | 1 – 3 hours | $60 – $200 | $310 – $1,000 |
| Under Sink | $100 – $300 | 1 – 3 hours | $20 – $150 | $170 – $850 |
| Countertop | – | – | $70 – $130 | $120 – $250 |
| Faucet Mounted | – | – | $20 – $40 | $40 – $90 |
| Pitcher | – | – | $60 – $150 | $80 – $220 |
For any reputable source providing information on water filters it is impossible to predict how much it will cost you to have a tailored well water treatment system installed in your home without a full analysis of the situation.
There are simply too many possible conditions that you might be facing, from high iron, sulfur and manganese content to excess hardness or harmful microorganisms. These conditions all require special treatment by specialized systems.
If you have any questions about home or whole house water filtration system cost, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Can you provide listings of water treatment systems for entire home filtration? …and do-it–yourself instructions?
ReplyI have a shallow well system, would like to get a filter system put in.
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