How Much Do Home and Whole House Water Filter Systems Cost? (*Latest Prices)
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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:
- What type of water filter are you looking for?
- How much does a water filtration system cost?
- Installation + maintenance cost
- About well systems
What Type of Water Filter Are You Looking For?
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:
- Whole house water filters are point-of-entry (POE) systems. This means they connect to the main water line so you can use filtered water in the shower and the rest of your bathroom(s), your kitchen, and even for your laundry. Standard models are good for improving water aesthetics and increasing the longevity of your plumbing system and appliances. But of course there are more specialized units, too – think iron contamination in private wells. Our favorite systems? Check out the BOS whole house water filter guide!
We Recommend: SpringWell CF4 Whole House Water Filter
- Our Go-To Whole House Water Filter for Tap Water
- Enough Water for 4+ Bathrooms
- Filters Chlorine, Chloramine, Bad Taste & Odor, Organic Contaminants, Some Heavy Metals, etc.
- Lasts for 1 Million Gallons or 6 Years
- Easy to Maintain for Maximum Convenience
- 6-Month Satisfaction Guarantee and Lifetime Warranty
- → Read Full SpringWell CF4 Review
- Reverse osmosis systems provide a very thorough treatment process for filtered drinking water that’s almost pure H2O. They can easily remove up to 99% of dozens of contaminants and either sit on your countertop or install under your kitchen sink for point-of-use (POU) applications. There also are whole house reverse osmosis systems which can get really expensive as they’re more complex and usually require a large storage tank + delivery pump.
We Recommend: AquaTru Countertop RO System
- Our #1 Reverse Osmosis System
- Provides Clean and Great-Tasting Drinking Water Fast
- Removes Up to 99.99% of 82+ Contaminants, i.e. Chromium-6 (97.2%), Fluoride (93.5%), Lead (99.1%)
- NSF Certifications: Standards 42, 53, 58, 401, P473
- Installation-Free Plug & Play Unit – Ideal for Renters
- Maintenance Is a Breeze and Super Low-Cost
- → Read Full AquaTru Water Filter Review
- Regular under sink systems filter water on demand right before it comes out of your kitchen faucet or wherever you install one. In most cases, they provide water that not only tastes great but is also safe for drinking.
We Recommend: Clearly Filtered 3-Stage
- Our Favorite Under Sink Water Filter System
- Tested Against NSF Standards 42, 53 and 401 to Remove 230+ Contaminants
- Built in USA
- Designed for Quick, Non-Permanent DIY Install
- Quick, Tool-Free Filter Changes
- Lifetime Warranty + 30 Days Satisfaction Guarantee
- → Read Full Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Review
- Both countertop and faucet mounted filters can be attached to your kitchen faucet in minutes and without the need to make any permanent changes. Both types feature a more basic filtration process and usually allow you to switch between filtered and unfiltered water. The main goal here is to improve water taste & odor and eliminate some of the more harmful pollutants such as lead.
- Water filter pitchers are probably the most popular type as they are affordable to buy and so easy to use. The downside is that filtration speed is slow and cartridges may be prone to clogging.
We Recommend: Clearly Filtered Water Filter Pitcher
- #1 Water Filter Pitcher on the Market
- Removes 230+ Contaminants (More Than Any Other Water Filter Pitcher)
- NSF Certifications: Standards 42, 53, 244, 401 & 473
- Built in the USA + Large Enough for Family Use
- Low Maintenance Due to Long-Lasting Filters
- 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee + Lifetime Warranty
- → Read Full Clearly Filtered Pitcher Review
- Refrigerator and shower filters are somewhat special and probably not what you are looking for right now. Still, we wanted to add them to our list for sake of completeness.
How Much Does a Water Filtration System Cost?
| 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?
Installation + Maintenance Cost
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 |
A Few Words on Well Systems
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
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