What Is a Whole-House Water Filter, and Do I Need One?
A complete whole-house water filter is a filtration system that treats all water entering your home. It is perfectly designed to meet the unique needs of Australian households. It can improve your water quality by removing chemicals and pollutants, enhance the taste and smell of the water, and protect your home plumbing from contaminants.
A whole-house water filter purifies the water where the main water line enters your home, ensuring that water flowing from every tap, faucet, or showerhead is freshly filtered. It targets common contaminants in your home’s water.
Types of Whole-House Water Filters
Chlorine water treatment systems
These systems are specifically designed for chlorine removal as part of a comprehensive water filtration solution.
The chlorine water treatment system filters water directly as it enters the home from the water source. This ensures that every water source in the house receives pure, filtered water free from chlorine. You can enjoy better-tasting and smelling drinking water straight from the tap, while also benefiting from reduced health risks associated with chlorine exposure and a decreased risk of chlorine-resistant bacteria.
There are different types of systems:
- Activated Carbon: These filters are excellent for removing chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and bad odors or tastes.
- Reverse Osmosis: Known for their ability to filter out a wide range of contaminants, including salts, heavy metals, and microbes.
- Distillation: This method involves heating water to boiling, allowing the water to evaporate (become steam), and then cooling the steam back into liquid, leaving behind impurities.
Sediment filters
Sediment filters are the first line of defence in whole-house water filtration systems, designed to remove larger particles such as dirt, dust, rust, silt, and sand. Typically installed as a pre-filter stage, they clear these particles before the water undergoes further filtration for chemicals and contaminants. This step not only improves the effectiveness of subsequent filters but also prevents clogging, enhancing the system’s performance and longevity.
Sediment filters come in two main types:
- Cartridge Filters: These trap particles in layers and require replacement when full.
- Spin-Down Filters: These flush trapped particles out through a valve and don’t require regular replacement.
UV filters
Ultraviolet (UV) water filters use high-frequency light to destroy bacteria and viruses, making them ideal for areas where water contamination from organic matter is a concern. They work by altering the DNA of harmful bacteria and pathogens such as E. coli and Giardia, rendering them harmless. UV filters purify water without adding chemicals, ensuring it remains safe and clean. However, they don’t remove physical contaminants or dissolved substances like sediments and heavy metals. To achieve the cleanest water, UV filters are often used in combination with other filtration methods.
Water Ionisers
Water ionisers use electricity to separate water into two components: acidic water and alkaline water. Alkaline water is believed to offer various health benefits, including improved hydration and antioxidant properties, while acidic water can be used for cleaning and disinfecting purposes.
Acid Neutralizers
Acid neutraliser filters treat water to raise the pH to a safer, more natural range (around 7). This is usually used to prevent severe damage to your home appliances and health. Acid neutralisers utilise calcite to reduce water acidity. Calcite has a pH level of approximately 9.4. When water enters an acid neutraliser and comes into contact with the calcite media, the calcite dissolves into the water, raising the water’s pH level. These filters need to be replaced every year.
Benefits of Installing it at home
Whole-house water filters offer numerous benefits, starting with the removal of harmful chemicals like chlorine, PFAs, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals from the water. These chemicals can pose health risks, including cancer and reproductive issues, while disinfection by-products like trihalomethanes are also a concern. These systems reduce chemical exposure and improve water quality. Additionally, using a whole-house filter can enhance your appearance by removing chlorine, which often dries out skin and hair and may contribute to conditions like acne or psoriasis.
Beyond health and beauty, a whole-house water filter improves the taste and quality of food by removing contaminants from cooking and drinking water. It also makes showering more enjoyable with softer water and eliminates unpleasant chemical odours. The system can extend the life of your appliances by reducing sediment and chemicals, which can otherwise cause wear and tear. Furthermore, it offers cost savings over bottled water and reduces your environmental footprint by cutting down on plastic waste. With easy installation and minimal maintenance, it provides cleaner water while contributing to a healthier lifestyle.
Do You Need a Whole-House Water Filter?
A whole-house water system can be expensive, which is why we recommend considering the water source reaching your plumbing system and the contaminants present in the water. Conducting a water test is key to understanding the solution that best suits your home. It is also important to check if you’ve experienced recurrent plumbing problems, appliance breakdowns, or health concerns. Once you have a clear understanding of your concerns, you can contact The Plumbing Gas & Heroes to assess your best options.
Investing in a whole-house water filter is a practical solution for ensuring your home has access to clean, safe, and great-tasting water. By addressing common contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals, and sediments, these systems improve the quality of your water, protect your plumbing, and promote better health for you and your family. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skin and hair health, extend the lifespan of your appliances, or reduce your environmental footprint, a whole-house water filter offers long-term benefits.
By choosing the right filtration system tailored to your needs, you’re not only protecting your home but also contributing to a cleaner, healthier lifestyle. If you’re unsure about the best solution for your home, reach out to The Plumbing Gas & Heroes for expert advice and assistance in selecting the ideal system.