There are many different types of home water filtration systems on the market. The intent of this article is to explain the different types, purpose of each, and what to look for, when purchasing.

What is a Whole House Water Filter?

A whole house filter (also called a point of entry system) connects to the main water line entering your house, and provides water to all fixtures in the house. Usually the entire home water filter is connected to the main water line before it splits into the hot water heater. Clients wishing to purify the water to their backyard and sprinkler systems might find this to be a bit more challenging as the main water line coming off town system typically splits off right into a “house” water line and a “yard” water line in the house’s foundation slab or on the street level before the house. Even if this is the case, Legacy Plumbing Company can tie in your yard water lines to the filtered water.

What kind of Whole Home Water Filter do I need?

This depends on what kinds of contaminants are in your water. If you are on a municipal city water supply the standard contaminants of concern are chlorine and chemical compounds, sediment and hardness minerals. The types of contaminants typically found in a non-public well water supply are sediment, iron and hardness minerals, but can range to contaminants that are toxic or damaging. It is advisable to get your water tested, and Legacy Plumbing Company can help you with that, just give us a call.

Water Softening vs. Water Filtration

Water Softeners take away hardness minerals particularly, whereas water filters are designed to take away a broader range of contaminents. Nonetheless they are often mixed in one unit refered to as a water conditioner.

Forms of Common Contaminants

Sediment – sometimes refers to visible particles in the water, which should be mechanically strained out similar to dirt, dust, rust and sand. Water supplies with excessive quantities of sediment ought to take into account a number of phases of sediment filtration, with the phases step by step becoming finer. Reusable filters must also be strongly considered. Water supplies with less sediment can use disposable, finer filters.

Chemicals – most chemical contaminants will be removed utilizing carbon filtration. The most common chemical disinfectant present in municipal city water supplies is chlorine, which could be removed with a carbon filter.

Iron – there are 2 forms of iron found in water supplies, ferrous (aka dissolved or clear water iron) and ferric (aka rust or red water iron). Red water iron and rust particles can be removed with a sediment filter, whereas clear water iron could be removed through oxidation or ion exchange. Elements affecting the lifetime of an oxidizing filter are pH and the presence of Hydrogen Sulfide.

Choosing a Whole House Water Filter — What to look for:

Flow rate – measured in gallons per minute (GPM), flow rate determines the quantity of water obtainable to run your shower, toilet, hot water heater, dishwasher, etc. When calculating your necessities have a look at the demand ratings printed in your home equipment and toilet. Typical showerheads flow 2.5 to 5 gpm, toilet 5 gpm, dishwasher 3 gpm. Relying on the size of your home and household your water flow rate necessities may range from 15 – forty gpm. A complete home filter system with a flow rate lower than 10gpm is unacceptable for sustaining uninterrupted, comfortable water pressure throughout peak use.

Filter size – the larger the filter the longer the service interval, and the extra water it’s going to flow and with better pressure.

Faucet Filters (Point-of-use water filters)

When used correctly, water filters (which fall into two categories: level-of-use and point-of-entry) can significantly improve the taste and odor of a family’s water.

Kitchen water filters fall into the point-of-use category, that means they filter water in a specific location only, usually the kitchen sink. They include containers (pitchers or larger dispensers) that store water in a refrigerator, or faucet-mounted and under-sink models which are installed more permanently. Most point-of-use water filters use carbon filters to absorb impurities (especially odors). A reverse osmosis system, one type of under-sink water filter, also possesses semi-permeable membranes — more aggressive filtering materials. Membranes can simply remove nitrates, arsenic and other contaminants, materials that carbon filters alone cannot achieve.

Point-of-entry systems, then again, work to filter an entire family’s water supply. These products are usually put in in basements or outside. For stopping visual contaminants like dirt, sediment and rust with a quick flow rate and little clogging, experts say whole-home filters are king. Nevertheless, to remove cysts (parasites) and certain different contaminants, point-of-use filters are still needed. In this report, we focus solely on point-of-use kitchen water filters.

Water Filter Pitchers

Filtering water pitchers and dispensers enhance water style and high quality

Pitchers and dispensers are a really perfect solution for many who mainly want higher tasting consuming water within the fridge. However, households that drink quite a lot of water or are strapped for space of their fridge might discover it inconvenient to always fill or store these containers.

Faucet-Mount Water Filters

Faucet-mounted water filters are handy and straightforward to install

Faucet-mounted water filters might be convenient for households that use numerous filtered water. These products are comparatively simple to put in — merely remove the aerator from the tip of the faucet and screw on the filter. In some cases, experts say an adapter may be necessary for the filter to fit correctly.

So, what type of water filtration system is right for you and your family? That depends. Please contact Legacy Plumbing, so we can help you decide. We offer a full range of water filtration products, including the Industry Leading EasyWater line of products. For more information, please check out our water filtration product page:.

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