Best Whole House Water Filter Systems 2022 – Forbes Advisor - Forbes

What Gets Filtered

It's important to know what's in your water that you want to filter. Filter systems should remove chlorine and sediment at a minimum. After that, filter systems can remove chemicals, volatile organic compounds, scale, minerals and metals. How much a filter system removes can vary greatly between manufacturers.

Filter Capacity

A filter's capacity matters because it will determine how often you need to purchase a new filter. Filter capacity and lifespan can have a wide range depending upon how much water you use and the quality of water that you're filtering. Filters become ineffective once they fill up.

Flow Rate

Home filtration systems tend to impact the flow rate in a home, or at least it's a frequent complaint of homeowners who install them. The flow rate determines how much water can pass through the filter at one time. A 5 gpm filter is typically adequate for one to two people in a one or two-bathroom home.

Installation

Most water filtration systems can be installed by yourself, however, some of the higher-end models will need professional installation. Anytime you're dealing with water, you want to make sure you know what you're doing because any error can lead to catastrophic damage to your home. If you're not comfortable installing a filtration system, call a pro.

Filter Certification

The NSF tests and rates water filters and has developed requirements for safety and performance. The number signifies the order the requirement or protocol was established, not a rating.