The Benefits of a Whole House Water Filter

Many people are becoming more and more concerned over the quality of the water that comes from the taps in thier homes. Although tap water passes the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is certified as being drinkable, there are still trace amounts of minerals and soemtimes even bacteria that can cause problems with your health, skin and hair, and can shorten the lifespan of your appliances.

Buying bottled water or putting filters on your faucets is an alternative that can keep your drinking water clean, however, the water that you use for showering, bathing and laundry is still unfiltered. A more complete solution that is becoming quite popular is to choose a whole house water filter instead.

A whole house water filter connects to the water line entering your house and filters all of the water in your home directly at the source. That means that all outlets for water in your home such as your toilet, faucets, showers, baths, kitchens and laundry use pure, filtered water. Typically, a whole house water filter is connected the water line before it enters your hot water heater, so both your hot and cold water will be filtered.

The whole house water filter usually only filters water that you use inside your home and not the water that is used in your sprinkler system or for watering your garden. The water line for most homes splits off into two different lines – one for indoors and one for outdoors – either underground or at the foundation of the home. A whole house water filter is usually installed after this split so it will only filter the water that you use indoors. It is possible to attach the filter before the split in the line so your outdoor water can be filtered as well, however, this is usually much more expensive since it may require digging.

Whole house water filters can be either permanent or removable. If you are renting your home you may want to consider going with a removable filter so you can take it with you when you move. If you own your home, a permanent filter may be a better option.

The filters range in price from around $100 up to several thousand dollars depending upon the brand, quality, size, type and how long the filter will last. Typically less expensive whole house water filters have a shorter life-span and use more filters, so while they may be a cheaper up front investment, you might wind up paying more for filters and replacement in the long run.

There are so many benefits to using a whole house water filter including better tasting water, healthier skin, and softer hair. Not only that, but filtered water can help your appliances to function better and keep them working longer. You also can save money by not having the expense of buying bottled water for drinking, or frequently having to replace expensive faucet filters.