There are individual water filters that can be for a single faucet and then there are whole house water filtration systems that ensure that you have clean water coming through every single faucet in your home. Here are the good and not-so-great things about whole-house water filtration systems.
What Is A Whole-House Water Filtration System?
You might be aware of water filters that can be mounted on the faucets, installed under the sunk, or showerhead filters and it can lead to clean and clear water for use. Well, a whole-house water filtration system takes everything to the next level. It is a mechanism that filters all of the water coming to the house so that you can get clean water every time and everywhere.
A whole-house water filtration system can be of many types, some of which are as follows:
Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Systems
It uses a semi-permeable membrane to push the water out for use, leaving the impurities and bacteria behind. It’s considered more effective than most water filtration systems due to its ability to remove most of the contaminants that can be present in the water.
Sediment Filter Systems
This filtration system has a physical mesh and the force of gravity to keep the sediments behind and sieve the water. A similar but better mechanism is used in a whole-house water filtration system.
Activated Carbon Filters
A cartridge filled with activated carbon that sucks the impurities from the water is employed. It’s a relatively newer version of water filtration systems and it’s getting popular in households.
Water Softener Systems
Water softeners clean the water by removing excess calcium and magnesium through a process known as ion exchange. It is not necessarily a filtration process, but it does lead to water that doesn’t leave too much limescale on fixtures and appliances.
A water softener system is used in houses where there is hard water in the taps and faucets and it produces no or less lather no matter how much soap or detergent you use.
Pros And Cons Whole-House Water Filtration Systems
Now that you know some basics about whole-house water filtration systems, you can go through their merits and demerits.
Pros Of Installing A Whole-House Water Filtration System
It Removes Sediments And Contaminants
One of the most obvious pros of a whole-house water filtration system is the fact that, depending on the type of water treatment process you choose, it removes most or all sorts of sediments and contaminants from the water. If you were to do this mechanically, then it would have taken you hours. However, with a whole-house water filtration system, things are made quick and easy and you can get clean and dirt-free water in a matter of seconds, as soon as you open the tap.
It Removes Smell
Sometimes, water can have a really weird odor. It can be because of microorganisms present in it or it can be due to trace quantities of metals and ions in it as well. Regardless, smelly drinking water is anything but pleasant and you need to remove the odor.
Well, this is where a whole-house water filtration system will come in handy. It, along with removing sediments, also gets rid of the smell-causing contaminants. Those contaminants are left behind in the system while you can enjoy fresh and pure water that doesn’t smell like a fish pond, rotten eggs, or metallic.
You Don’t Get Sick
When you drink clean and filtered water with no harsh and heavy metals and dangerous bacteria and microorganisms, then you will feel better. You won’t have stomach issues, your gut will be healthy, your skin won’t break out and your hair will be shinier and stronger.
If you are constantly drinking and using unfiltered water to wash your body and hair, then they will turn dull and lifeless and that’s not what you want. So, if your goal is a healthy body with spectacular hair and skin, then you need to consider a whole-house water filtration system. However, you need to pick a system that removes the contaminants in your tap water. If you want a water treatment system that removes most of the contaminants, then choose a reverse osmosis system Washington County.
It Reduces Expenses
Whether you have hard water or contaminated water, you don’t want to use it. Hard water wastes a lot of detergent and with murky water, you’re wasting it away to let clean water come through the taps. When you install a whole-house water filtration system, you are saving a lot of money and water for that matter.
You will use way less detergent after getting rid of hard water and you will also be able to use water as soon as you open the taps. There’s no sign of wastage anywhere, so this quality makes a whole-house water filtration system amazing. Moreover, due to clearer water, your appliances like the dishwasher won’t break down as often saving you on repairs as well.
Cons Of Installing A Whole-House Water Filtration System
It Is Expensive
One major drawback of a whole-house water filtration system is its price. Since it is a house-wide installation, it is going to cost you more than a single filter. The cost of the system and the installation cost add up.
A lot of people can’t seem to justify the price of this filtration system and it’s not budget-friendly for a lot. So, this is immediately a no-go for them. They tend to go for other less expensive options like a faucet-mounted water filter.
You Need A Lot Of Space For It
A whole-house water filtration system is not a small installation. It is a sizable assembly and it needs a lot of space to be fixed and set up for use. So, if you are thinking of wedging it in between a small space, then that’s not going to cut it.
You need room for a whole-house water filtration system. If your house is small and there isn’t a lot of space even for walking, then you need to resort to other options because installing a whole-house water filtration system will be a nightmare and will only lead to problems.
Fluctuations In Water Pressure
Sometimes, with the installation of a whole-house water filtration system, there might be changes in the water pressure. This doesn’t normally happen all the time, but if you’re making a connection for the whole-house water filtration system with the main line, there will be some air in the pipe and this can cause spitting of water in the taps and faucets when you open it.
Other times, it can also lead to low pressure in the faucets. This can be a bit frustrating, which is why a lot of people don’t think that this system is worth it. However, proper installation can reduce or eliminate this problem.
It Can Over-Filter
A lot of the time, reverse osmosis filtration systems can remove the trace amounts of essential nutrients in water too. The semi-permeable membrane does keep the bacteria and contaminants at bay, but it can also remove other minerals and that’s not what you want. You don’t want over-filtered water because it’s stripped of its natural minerals and nutritional value.
This is why, sometimes these systems can be very rigorous in the filtration cycle and that can ultimately turn into a bad thing for you. So, whole-house water filtration systems don’t always tick all of the boxes for you.
Conclusion
A whole-house water filtration system is a great addition to houses that have contaminated well water. Depending on your needs, it can be a perfect solution or an unnecessary expense for you, so it’s best to choose wisely. You should start by getting the water tested and then consider which type of well water filtration system WV to choose.
