Are you using a whole water filter at home? Do you need help learning how to change whole house water filter systems?

If your answer is Yes, then this article is for you.

 Whole House Water Filtration 

Whole house water filtration is a device wherein it protects and aids the performance of your water softener. This device is actually installed before your water softener that acts to stop any water sediments to enter your softener. Using a whole house water filtration can also save you from spending more money on repairs.

 Why Use a Whole House Water Filter? 

Most people know that you need to have a water filter in your house so that your drinking water is safe. This is because a certain filter can trap and take some microbes, bacteria, and other minerals on your water. Aside from this, there is also some reason why there is a need for you to change your whole house water filter. Such include;

• It can reduce asthma
• It can reduce skin allergies
• It can reduce skin irritation
• You will have cleaner water in your shower
• You will have a healthier skin
• You will have healthier hair
• It can extend the life of your appliances
• You will have less water residue
• You will have tastier food.

 A Guide on Changing Whole House Water Filter 

Here is a guide for you on how to change whole house water filter systems of any kind. We’ll go step by step to make things easier.

• Step 1: Take a bucket that is filled with soft water.
• Step 2: And then turn off your water system. Once it is fully turned off, turn on one of your faucets on the outlet side that is close to your water softener.
• Step 3: Take out the pressure from the filter valve by pressing the red pressure button.
• Step 4: Take out all the screws of your housing.

REMINDER: Make sure that you have the O-ring as it will fall from your filter housing while you are changing your filter.

• Step 5: Then, go ahead and take out the filter.
• Step 6: Make sure that you clean the housing of your filter by rinsing it with water. You need to check the housing of your filter, to see if it is clean because it might contain some residues.
• Step 7: Once the housing of your filter is clean, go ahead and put in your new filter.
• Step 8: Put back all the screws on the housing of your filter. You also have to make sure that your O-ring is clean.
• Step 9: Tighten the valve but make sure that you do not overtighten it.
• Step 10: Turn on the water slowly. Once the water is turned on, go ahead and check if there are any leaks.

Note: If you noticed any leaks, then you have to repeat steps 6-9 all over again.

 How Often Do I Need to Change My Whole House Water Filter? 

There is no difference between your whole house water filter with the air filter that you have in your car or your AC at home. You also need to change them. But the question here is how often should you change this?

This depends on the type of water filtration that you have at home. In most water filter systems, it actually depends on what type of water you are using. In the event that you are using municipal water, then your filter can stay longer than if you are using it to filter water from the well.

Also, what you also need to consider is the number of filters that you need to replace. This is because some water systems only use one filter. However, if you are using a newer and advanced type of water system, then it might contain two or more filters.

You can also try to check on your manual. In some cases, you will be able to see on the hardware or in the housing of your filter as to when you need to replace your filter. Also, it will be better if you follow what your manufacturer recommends on how often you should replace your filter.

 Whole House Water Filtration Schedule 

• If you are actually using a typical kind of water filter in your house, then you can have it changed every two to six months.
• Sediment Filters need to be changed every two months.
• Carbon filter needs to be changed every three to four months.

If you go beyond six months without changing your whole house water filter, then there is a big chance that some molds and algae will grow in your filter. So, it is better that you stick with the schedule for your filter to be changed.

However, this schedule can still change depending on how many family members live in one house. Let’s say that there are seven people in a house. Then this means that you have to change your whole house’s water filter more frequently than those houses that only have two people living in it.

You can also consider the following recommendations for you to know when you need to change your filter.

• You can consult your manufacturer’s manual, through customer service representatives or through their website. This way, you will have a better understanding of when is the best time for you to change your filter.
• Try to consult with a plumber. You can try to ask a plumber to inspect your water system. This way, you both will agree on a changing schedule.
• You can also change the filter once you see that the quality of your water is getting low.
• You can also consider changing your filter once that you noticed that the water pressure had changed.

 What is a Whole House Water Filter? 

A whole house water filter cleanses the water as soon as it reaches your home through the main water line. Rather than dealing with separate filters, your entire home’s water is purified from the start. A whole-house water filtration system can eliminate any impurities you don’t want in your home’s water supply. You may want to lessen water hardness, remove sediment, or get rid of the chlorine odor depending on your home’s water supply. The intricacy of whole home water filters varies, but whatever water quality issue you have, there is a whole house filter that can help. This ensures that every appliance, faucet, and anyone who comes in contact with your water receives clean, freshwater.

 Water Softener Vs. water Filter 

A water softener is not the same as a water filter. A water softener is a device that employs chemicals or materials to prevent minerals and metals from clumping and leaving a deposit in the water. A water filter cleans the water by removing particles and pollutants.

Although the minerals that water softeners deal with aren’t hazardous and don’t need to be removed, hard water can cause problems with appliances and pipes as the minerals accumulate. These minerals are kept from piling up by using the system to soften the water, so they don’t become a problem. Filters, on the other hand, are used to filter particulates from water. Some filtration systems contain a water softening stage, and some filtration systems may remove hard water minerals even without it. Only a filtration system will be effective in removing chemicals and particles.

 Why Use a Whole House Water Filter? 

A whole house water filter may be required for a variety of reasons. If your home’s water supply includes a contaminant or is of low quality in general, a whole house filtration system may be the answer. You may need to remove sediment and sterilize your water if you use well water. If you use city water, you may wish to remove the chlorine smell and taste from your water. Installing a water softener if you have hard water will provide you with numerous benefits. A whole-house filtration system can be constructed to filter out any contaminants in your water. A complete house filtration system may not be the ideal option for you if all you care about is filtering the water you drink and cook with. 

A countertop or under-sink filter would be more practical and cost-effective. You do, however, require a whole home water filter if you want peace of mind that the water flowing from all of your faucets and through your appliances is safe and filtered.

Our goal is to provide you with a safe, reliable water supply that is gentle on you, your appliances, and your property. If the water in your house tastes or smells strange, you should consider purchasing a whole house water filter. Other common difficulties include clothing that isn’t completely dry or dishes that have water marks on them after being washed. Whole-home water filters help purify water, making it safer to drink and use around the house. If you have city water, a whole-house water filter can filter out the toxins before they reach your faucet. 

Even well-water consumers, however, may require a whole-house water filter. Wells must be tested for quality and bacteria on a regular basis, and a whole-house filter can help maintain consistent water quality. A whole-home water filter can be perfect for you if you’re concerned about what’s in your water, especially if you don’t like the way it tastes or smells. Setting one up for the peace of mind that comes with knowing that all of the water in your home is clean and pure would be enough of a reason.

 Whole-House Water Filters Have the Following Advantages: 

•         You only need to modify the filters on one system.
•         Water filter pitchers can’t provide high-level filtration.
•         The system provides service to all faucets and appliances.
•         Can be used in conjunction with water softening requirements
•         Installation by a professional is available.

 Whole-House Water Filters Have the Following Drawbacks: 

• Initial cost: Whole-house water filters range in price from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
• Professional installation: Whole-house water filters typically require the services of a certified plumber, which adds to the expense.
• Water pressure may be reduced: At a specific rate, the water supply passes through the filter. You may notice a decrease in water pressure if you are having a shower, doing laundry, and running your dishwasher all at the same time. If you already have low water pressure, you might want to consider adding a water booster pump to your filtration system.
• Individual sink models are more expensive than these systems.
• It’s possible that you won’t be able to install the system yourself.
• If the main water line is under the foundation of the house or close to the street, it can be difficult to reach.

 Cost 

The quick answer is that it is debatable. It is dependent on the sophistication of the filter system required to address your specific water quality problem. The long answer is that a whole house water filter will set you back anywhere between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Keep in mind, though, that whole-house systems protect your pipes and appliances, so you won’t have to pay for as many pricey repairs or appliance replacements. 

In addition, most consumers spend between $400 and $1,000 each year on bottled water. Because a whole-house filter eliminates the need for bottled water, the advantages vastly exceed the disadvantages. If a whole-house water filter resolves your water-quality problem and provides you with peace of mind, The majority of whole-house water filtration systems cost between $500 and $3,000, although larger or more advanced models might cost $10,000 or more.

 The price of a whole house water filtration device, like any other household equipment, is determined by a number of criteria, including the type of filter (carbon or reverse osmosis), the active life of its replacement parts, and the size of your home.

 How Do Whole House Water Filters Work? 

Whole-house water filters attach to your home’s main water line, typically before it connects to your water heater. You may be able to link your outside water systems, such as irrigation and sprinklers, to a whole home filter in some situations, though this will be more complex and costly. Depending on the size of your system and how much water runs through it, the tank on a whole house water filtration system will need to be updated every 3 to 10 years.

The procedure for treating water is as follows:

•         The main water pipe is connected to the filter.
•         Sediment, grime, rust, and other big particles are pre-filtered out of the water.
•         Heavy metals, chlorine, and other chemicals are filtered out with crushed minerals like copper and zinc, while bacteria and other microbes are prevented from multiplying. Particles in the activated carbon filter absorb toxins and pollutants that the mineral filter cannot.
•         Water softening is used to prevent minerals in water from clumping together and gathering on surfaces and in pipes for persons who have hard water.
•         Any bacteria or viruses that may still be present in the water are killed by a UV system.
•         The water is sent to the water heater or appliances.

 What Do Whole House Water Filters Remove? 

Water filters for the whole house eliminate a wide range of pollutants, chemicals, and other materials from your drinking water. Filters recognized by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), a public health and safety body, must meet a level of elimination in order to be safe. The best whole-house water filters eliminate the following contaminants:

•         Heavy metals such as lead and others
•         Lead is not removed by all filtration methods. You must also ensure that all of your pipes are lead-free.
•         Bacteria and viruses are both bacteria and viruses.
•         UV-filtering devices typically remove 99.99 percent of germs and viruses.

 Chlorine 

Chlorine is commonly used by municipal water systems to destroy bacteria in the water. This substance is toxic in high doses and can be absorbed through the skin as well as through drinking. The majority of filters remove between 95 and 99 percent of chlorine.

It removes dissolved minerals that can cause problems. Examples of such minerals are calcium and magnesium.

It can remove harmful living organisms present in water which will later create a problem and would affect our health. Examples of such organisms are Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, parasites, and Algae.

Apart from the harmful organisms the whole house water filtration also removes Dirt and any sand or clay particles. It also removes rust that has been caused in the pipes with age.

 Different Types of Whole House Water Filters 

 Sediment Whole House Water Filters 

Sediment filters target physical impurities in your water, such as sand, silt, rust, clay, debris, or organic matter suspended in lakes, rivers, or streams as a result of soil erosion. The physical properties and appearance of water are mostly affected by these particles.

Sediment causes your water to seem turbid or hazy, as well as altering its flavor. To prevent impurities from flowing through to the other side, sediment filters use mechanical sieve-like material.

 Activated Carbon Filters 

The most often used residential whole house water filters are activated carbon filters. One or more pre-filters are usually included in an activated carbon whole house filter to offer your water a “double-cleanse,” as skincare enthusiasts refer to it.

These carbon-based systems not only improve the smell and taste of your water by removing pollutants like chlorine and pesticides, but they also minimize disinfection byproducts and VOCs. Wood, bituminous coal, bamboo, peat, or coconut shell — any carbonaceous source material – can be used to make activated carbon. Regular carbon, on the other hand, is not the same as activated carbon, which is used to filter water. The surface area of activated carbon has been increased by a factor of ten. A teaspoon of activated carbon has about the same surface area as a football field.

 Calcite Filters 

Acid neutralization is a water treatment procedure that raises the pH level of your water by using minerals. The resulting water is somewhat alkaline in the best-case scenario, which enhances its flavor.

Copper, lead, and other heavy metals often found in pipelines are also reduced by alkaline water.

These filters, also known as calcite filters, use calcium carbonate material that is found in nature.

 The best thing about acid neutralizers is that they don’t go overboard. It won’t leach any more calcium into your water after the proper pH level is obtained. 

 Whole House Reverse Osmosis System 

Reverse osmosis, the holy grail of water purification, purifies your water like no other. The reverse osmosis procedure is used in this water treatment operation.

Water is forced through a semipermeable membrane that rejects up to 99.9% of pollutants from your water, including salts and minerals. It is inefficient, however, against chemical substances, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), insecticides, and chlorine. That’s why activated carbon filters are always included in reverse osmosis systems. What are the costs? To begin with, the RO system eliminates all minerals from your water, both beneficial and harmful. The water that results is low in vital elements that the human body needs. Second, complete filtering takes time, which reduces water pressure. As a result, pumps and big storage tanks are included with whole-house RO water purification systems.

Third, they aren’t exactly environmentally friendly. Your system may flush 1 gallon of purified RO water down the drain in order to create 1 gallon of purified RO water.

 UV Filters 

In whole-house water filtration systems, UV filters are typically utilized as post-filters. They are low-cost and simple to maintain.

When water enters the UV light chamber, the UV bulb’s rays attack and kill 99.9% of microbiological pollutants in the water. UV filters are employed as an additional layer of defense against illness-causing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens because they do not filter anything out.

 Conclusion 

To conclude, now, you have all the information you need on how you can change your whole house water filter.

You also know some benefits that you can get if you maintain your water system well and, of course, an idea on when you should change your water filter. If you follow our guidelines, you should have no issues and change your whole house water filter easily.