Best Water Filtration Systems of 2024: Expert Picked - U.S. News & World Report
Filter Type: "Different contaminants require different solutions," says Ethan Bennett, senior technical advisor at the Colorado contractor Sanders & Johnson, and that means different filtering methods. Look for carbon filters if your water contains high levels of chlorine and basic nontoxic substances like rust. For minerals or heavy metals, go with reverse osmosis. Softening hard water is easiest with ion exchange. And if you're worried about bacteria and viruses, kill them off with a UV filter.
You may also benefit from pre- or post-filters, which help to reduce sediment that can build up in appliances. Some of the more comprehensive systems may incorporate multiple filter types.
"I recommend starting by having your home water tested," advises Robert Erickson, director of operations at Leaf Home Water Solutions. He notes that, while home testing kits are available in hardware stores and online, the best way to ensure accurate testing is involving a professional or someone from the local health department.
Flow Rate: A system's flow rate determines how fast water can pass through, measured in gallons per minute for whole-house systems and gallons per day in single-sink systems. According to Bennett, you should aim for at least 10 to 15 gallons per minute if you expect your home to use a lot of water.
To ensure that a system's gallons per minute will meet your demands, guess the maximum flow you expect to need at any given time by adding up the flow necessary for the various fixtures throughout your house. Showers typically require 1.5 to 3, sink faucets and toilets 2 to 3, and washing machines can need as much as 5 gallons per minute.
Installation and Maintenance: Most home water filtration systems are rather straightforward to install, requiring no more than a connection to waterlines in and out. However, depending on where you plan on putting yours, this can require cutting and redirecting piping and using a few more advanced tools. If that sounds outside your experience level, consider hiring a plumber.
All filter systems require maintenance in some form, even if that just means replacing the filters. Filters typically last anywhere between two and 12 months. Most systems also need cleaning at some point, though some include auto-cleaning features that make this less of an issue.
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