Whole House Water Filter Installation Cost 2023 – How Much?!
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: Jul 13, 2023
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Taking the time to research the installation cost of a whole house water filter can help prevent some unpleasant surprises.
You have to account for multiple factors: The cost of the system itself, professional installation labor which may be optional in case you are skilled with tools, and additional features you might need.
Expenses for filter replacements become important for estimating the long-term cost of using a whole house water filter.
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Key Takeaways
- Labor cost for whole house water filter installation is usually around $500 and can go up to $1,000+ (it will cost more if you need additional plumbing work or updating of your old system).
- The price of the filtration system itself will depend on its type, size, filter capacity, and other features. Everything between $50 and $3,000 is possible.
Whole House Water Filter Installation Cost Factors
So, how much does it cost to install a whole house water filter? Well, it depends…
Whole House Filter Type
One of the main factors which determine how much you need to pay to have a whole house water filter installed at your place is the type of system.
In most cases, choices will boil down to one of these options:
- Sediment filter
- Carbon filter
- Iron filter
- Whole house reverse osmosis
- UV system
Also, you can choose between cartridge-based systems and tank-based.
Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and some will cost more than others.
Size (Flow Rate)
Depending on the size of your household, you may need a whole house filter capable of handling a larger flow rate. Those come at a higher price, and may be more limited in the availability of additional features.
Filter Life
Pay attention to how often you’re going to have to replace filter cartridges/media. Some systems come at a low upfront cost, but end up very expensive in the long run once you factor in the price of maintenance. Conversely, investing in a more expensive filter can spare you from some high expenses down the line.
Extra Features
If you’re dealing with a more heavily contaminated water supply, you might need additional features in your whole house water filter. For example, pre-filters that remove coarse particles before they reach the filter itself, to avoid clogging it up.
This will depend on your individual situation, and it’s important to get your water tested if you suspect that you might be dealing with an especially bad situation.
Brand
Some brands have a “premium” reputation and will cost more by default, even if their features aren’t more advanced compared to competitors.
However, you should keep in mind that you’re not only paying for the brand itself, as those companies tend to place more emphasis on their image and therefore often provide additional features and services like lifetime warranty.
Further Reading:
Required Labor
It’s often possible to install a whole house water filter yourself. Not always though – either because the process is too complex, or because the manufacturer prohibits it in the product’s warranty.
Working with a contractor to install a whole house filter can add more than 100% to the price. In some cases, you should set aside at least $1,000 for labor costs alone.
Your plumbing configuration will also affect this. If your home has an older system that will require a lot of additional work, expect the price to go up accordingly.
Where You Live
The installation cost of your whole house water filter will also depend on where you live. Some regions are simply more expensive than others due to factors like the labor market, drive-out times, and availability of professionals.
Do some research to find out how much it would cost you to hire a professional contractor for several hours of work.
Water Testing
Have you had your water tested recently? This is always recommended before investing in a whole house water filtration system.
Water testing can reveal some previously unknown factors about the water conditions you’re dealing with. It can add a good deal of money to the price of the installation itself, but it can also save you cash in the long run by helping you avoid spending too much on filtration that you don’t need.
Whole House Water Filter Prices by Type
| Whole House Water Filter Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Cartridge-Based Sediment Filter | $50-100 USD |
| Carbon Whole House Water Filter | $100-2,500 USD |
| Iron Whole House Water Filter | $500-3,000 USD |
| Multi-Stage Whole House Water Filter | $200-500+ USD |
| UV Water Purifier | $200-1,000+ USD |
| Whole House Reverse Osmosis System | $500+ USD |
Cartridge-Based System
There are all kinds of cartridge-based whole house water filter systems. They usually come with multiple filtration stages.
They are not as expensive as most tank-based units, and you can get one for as little as $200 if you don’t care too much about extra features. A full-featured system can cost over $500, which is still manageable for the average budget.
However, you should remember this: A cartridge-based whole house water filter often turns out to be much more expensive to maintain than a tank-based system due to high filter replacement cost.
Sediment Filter
Sediment filters vary a lot in price, but you shouldn’t expect to pay more than $1,000 at the high end of the spectrum. Some cartridge-based systems are available for as little as $50-100, though those usually come with higher running costs like filter replacements.
We Recommend: Crystal Quest Turbidity Whole House Water Filter
Get 5% Off! Use Code: BOS5OFF
- Our #1 Tank-Based Whole House Water Filter for Sediments
- Choose Between 2 Sizes for Up to 5 Baths
- Removes Particles Down to 5 Microns (Nominal) in Size + Chemicals
- Filter Life: Up to 1,000,000 Gallons
- Low and Affordable Maintenance
- 1 Year Product Warranty
- → Read Full Review
Carbon Filter
Carbon filters tend to be a bit more expensive than sediment filters, but still quite affordable. You can expect to pay around $100-300 at the lower end, and up to $2,000-2,500 if you want a high-grade system with additional features from a renowned brand.
We Recommend: SpringWell CF Whole House Carbon Water Filter
Get 5% Off! Use Code: BOS5OFF
- Our #1 Carbon-Based Whole House Water Filter
- Choose Between 3 Sizes for Up to 7+ Baths
- Removes Chlorine, Chloramine, Bad Taste & Odor, Organics, and More
- Filter Life of 1 Million Gallons or 6 Years
- Very Easy to Maintain
- 180-Day Satisfaction Guarantee and Lifetime Warranty (Limited)
- → Read Full Review
Iron Filter
Filters specifically designed for removing iron tend to cost around $500 (cartridge-based) on average, though some models go up to $3,000 (tank-based).
A 3-stage system by iSpring, for example, costs around $550. It will also remove other types of metals, including manganese, and is effective against sediment as well.
We Recommend: SpringWell WS Whole House Iron Water Filter
Get 5% Off! Use Code: BOS5OFF
- Our #1 Whole House Water Filter for Well with Iron
- Choose Between 2 Sizes for Up to 7+ Baths
- Removes Iron, Manganese, and Sulfur
- Filter Life of 10+ Years at No Additional Cost
- Automated Backwashing
- Maintenance-Free
- 180-Day Money-Back Guarantee and Limited Lifetime Warranty
- → Read Full Review
Whole House Reverse Osmosis
Whole house reverse osmosis systems are recommended when you’re dealing with heavy contamination. They are rather complex and are correspondingly more expensive.
Some low-grade systems start at around $500-700. More advanced models cost up to several thousands of dollars.
UV System
Despite their seemingly more advanced nature, UV water purification systems are relatively simple devices with no moving parts or physical filtration (other than an optional pre-filtration step). They start at around $200 and can go up to $1,000+, which typically gets you a larger filtration capacity.
Whole House Water Filter Price Comparison by Brand
Let’s look at some real-life whole house water filter price examples:
| Whole House Water Filter Brand/Model | Price Tag |
|---|---|
| SpringWell CF4 Whole House Water Filter System | $1,199.67 USD |
| SpringWell WS1 Whole House Well Water Filter System | $2,204.00 USD |
| USWS Bodyguard Plus Whole House Water Filtration System (15 gpm) | $1,355.64 USD |
| USWS Matrixx inFusion Iron and Sulfur Removal System | $2,628.00 USD |
| NU Aqua 3 Stage Whole House Water Filtration System | $415.95 USD |
| Home Master HMF3SdgFeC 3 Stage Sediment, Iron & Carbon Filter | $579.00 USD |
| Crystal Quest Smart Whole House Water Filter (13 gpm) | $1,968.70 USD |
| Aquasana Rhino Whole House Water Filtration System | $949.00 USD |
| Pentair PC1000 Whole House Water Filter System | $1,338.30 USD |
| 3M Aqua-Pure AP903 Whole House Water Filtration System | $401.99 USD |
How Much Does a Whole House Water Filter Cost to Install?
So, how much does whole house water filtration system installation cost?
Labor (Based on Job Complexity)
In most cases, you can expect to get the job done for around $500 if you’re using a professional installer. However, this can easily climb up to $1,000 and even more if your plumbing needs additional work, especially if your current system is old.
You might also need to install an additional loop or completely rework certain parts of your plumbing. In that case, you should take more time to compare prices and negotiate the terms with different specialists.
The Installer
Some installers will do the job for as little as $100-200, though more complex situations will call for additional work and possibly a more experienced specialist, which can run you up $500 or even more.
Your Region
If you live in a larger city – especially on the coasts – you should expect to pay more for the installation work. Rural areas tend to be more affordable in this regard, although you might have to deal with additional drive-out fees if your home is in a more distant location.
Supplies
You’ll be expected to either provide all additional supplies yourself, or cover their cost. It can sometimes be cheaper to procure these items on your own if you have the time to seek out a good deal. You should prepare to pay for:
- Mounting brackets
- Tubing/piping
- Fittings and other connectors
- Shut-off valves
- Adapters
- Teflon tape
Calculation Examples
Example 1: Tank-Based Carbon Whole House Water Filter for Mid-Sized Home, DIY-Install
| Cost Factor | Total Cost (First Year) |
|---|---|
| System Purchase | $1,200 USD |
| Installation kit | $100 USD |
| Sediment Pre-Filter Replacement | $40 USD |
| Total | $1,340 USD |
Example 2: Backwashing Whole House Water Filter for Iron and Manganese, Mid-Sized Home, Professional Installation
| Cost Factor | Total Cost (First Year) |
|---|---|
| System Purchase | $2,300 USD |
| Installation Cost | $500 USD |
| Maintenance Cost | Free |
| Total | $2,800 USD |
DIY Install vs Hiring a Professional
For some whole house filters, installing them yourself is a feasible option. You need to be careful about the terms of warranty though. Some manufacturers explicitly prohibit DIY installations.
You should also evaluate whether you have all the necessary tools for the job and how much it would cost you to fill any gaps on that front. It might turn out that hiring a pro is more expensive in the end.
Tips When Hiring
- Take your time to compare different offers if you’re not in a rush.
- Make a list of all supplies the job will require and see if you can purchase them at affordable prices. It will usually cost more to have them provided by your installer.
- Know what type of system you’re going to install. If you’re still shopping around for the right model, it may be too early to contact an installer.
- Try to work with someone in close proximity in order to minimize any drive-out costs.
Benefits of a Whole House Water Filtration System
Filtered Water at Every Faucet
Unlike water filtration systems that are installed directly at individual faucets, whole house systems ensure that you get clean water in the entire household. This means cleaner drinking water, but also cleaner water for showering and cleaning, which can make a positive difference in your body and your home.
Low Maintenance
A good whole house water filter requires relatively little long-term maintenance. Once the system is installed, you mostly have to think about replacing any filter cartridges every once in a while.
Keep Your Pipes in a Good Condition
Reducing contaminant levels can have a positive impact on the lifespan of your plumbing as well. If you’ve recently upgraded your pipes, investing in a whole house water filter is a smart idea as it will help you get the most out of your investment.
Some Systems Improve the Smell and Taste of Water
This doesn’t apply to all systems, but you can sometimes see a noticeable difference in the smell and taste of your drinking water, especially if you’ve been dealing with heavy contamination until now.
If you have any questions about whole house water filter installation cost please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
*All prices last updated: January 2023
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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