A whole house water filtration system is installed at the main water line (point-of-entry) of a home and provides filtered water to every faucet, shower, and appliance throughout the house. These systems remove a wide range of contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals, sediment, rust, dirt, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), pesticides, and other impurities to improve water quality for drinking, cooking, bathing, and household use
How Whole House Water Filtration Systems Work
Most whole house systems use multiple stages of filtration to maximize contaminant removal:
- Sediment Pre-Filter: Removes rust, dirt, sand, silt, and other large particles to protect the system and improve water clarity.
- Activated Carbon Media: Reduces chlorine, chloramines, organic compounds, pesticides, and improves taste and odor.
- Copper-Zinc (KDF) Media: Helps reduce chlorine, inhibits bacteria and algae growth, and extends filter life.
- Post-Filters: Further reduce remaining sediment and organic particles.
- Additional Stages: Some systems include ion-exchange resins for water softening (reducing hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium) and specialized media for heavy metals like iron and manganese
Benefits of Whole House Water Filtration
- Provides clean, filtered water from every tap and appliance in the home.
- Improves skin and hair health by removing chlorine and chemicals.
- Enhances taste and quality of food and beverages.
- Protects plumbing fixtures and appliances from scale and corrosion.
- Removes odors and harmful chemicals that can evaporate during showering.
- Reduces staining from iron and manganese in water
Popular Features & Options
- Systems vary from single-stage to multi-stage filtration depending on water quality and specific needs.
- Some advanced models have self-cleaning filters to reduce maintenance.
- Flow rates are designed to maintain good water pressure for typical household use.
- Certified components and media ensure reliable performance and contaminant removal
Examples of Whole House Systems
- Aquasana Rhino® system uses multi-stage filtration including sediment, activated carbon, and KDF media to reduce 97% of chlorine and other contaminants.
- Express Water offers various systems targeting heavy metals, iron, manganese, anti-scale, and comprehensive chemical removal.
- Complete Home Filtration CHF-6000 combines softening and filtration with 1-micron carbon block filtration and KDF media for heavy metals.
- SpringWell's ActivFlo system uses a 4-stage proprietary design for maximum contact time and contaminant removal
In summary, a whole house water filtration system ensures that all water entering your home is filtered for contaminants, providing healthier, better- tasting water for all uses while protecting your plumbing and appliances. The choice of system depends on your water quality and filtration needs.
