Whole-Home vs. Under-Sink Water Filter Options
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Depending on where you live and the kind of water you use, water filtration can either be a preference or a necessity. When exploring your options, you’ll find that there are two systems that can purify your water before it comes out of the tap: whole-house filters and under-sink filters. Both options effectively eliminate the need for bulky water filters. Keep reading to learn why water filtration is important and discover some of the key details about whole-home and under-sink water filtration systems so that you can make the best choice for you and your family.
Why Is Water Filtration Important?
Water is full of all kinds of substances, some of which are good, and some that are not so good. For example, many water plants treat a city’s supply with safe levels of chlorine or chloramine, substances that disinfect the water and protect it against germs, and fluoride, a substance that helps with the prevention of tooth decay. Aside from the beneficial additives, there are other substances that could be potentially harmful, like the germ cryptosporidium and lead. Filters remove a wide range of substances from your water, both good and bad.
There are some areas that have water that is unsafe to drink from the tap, making water filtration a necessity.
What Are Whole-House Filters?
Whole-house water filtration systems clean all of the water that goes to your home before it is distributed to the various water sources throughout your property, such as the bathroom or kitchen. These are known as point-of-entry filters because they are installed where your water lines enter the house. Point-of-entry filtration systems are usually the best choice when you’re dealing with a water supply that has high levels of contaminants and chemicals because they ensure that you have clean water for everything, from gardening to cleaning vegetables.
The Pros and Cons of Using a Whole-House Filter
There are advantages and disadvantages associated with whole-house water filtration systems.
Benefits of Whole-House Filters
Some of the benefits of using a point-of-entry filtration system include:
- Cost-efficiency: When you have a whole-house filtration system, there’s no need to install separate filters throughout the house, which can end up saving you quite a bit of money.
- Convenience: Because all of your water is cleaned as it enters your home, you can be sure that you’re using purified water regardless of what you’re doing. This allows you to bathe, hydrate, clean, and cook safely and with confidence.
- Contaminant-free water and air: Whether you’re doing your laundry, taking a bath, or washing your dishes, you won’t need any special modifications or fixtures to ensure that the water is clean. When the water is properly purified, it makes the air contaminant-free as well. For example, water is often treated with chloroform, which can be hazardous to your health in a gaseous state.
Drawbacks of Whole-House Filters
Whole-house filtration systems come with their own set of challenges, including:
- Decreased effectiveness: Though point-of-entry filters are great at purifying your entire home’s supply of water, they are typically unable to remove all impurities. Because of this, you may need to determine which contaminants your water has so that you can find a system that directly addresses your needs.
- Difficult installation: Whole-house filters are a little more complicated than other types of systems, and they usually require more plumbing skills to install. Calling a professional is usually advised so that you can avoid the hassle and make sure it’s set up correctly.
What Are Under-Sink Filters?
Just like the name suggests, under-sink filters are installed under a sink to clean the water supply running to that specific faucet. This type of filter is known as a point-of-use filtration system because it is set up at a direct water access point.
The Pros and Cons of Using an Under-Sink Filter
Under-sink filters come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Benefits of Under-Sink Filters
Some of the advantages of installing an under-sink filter are:
- Easily maintained: You do have to change the filters on these systems regularly, but the process is relatively simple.
- Simple installation: Installing under-sink filters still requires some basic handy skills, but it’s pretty easy, especially when compared to the installation process for a whole-house filtration system.
- Superior filtration: Under-sink filters usually rely on a variety of filters that can effectively remove all kinds of contaminants, including dirt, bacteria, sediments, and even odor.
- Space-saving: Unlike other types of stand-alone filtration systems, these filters are out of sight, giving you a discrete option that also frees up space.
Drawbacks of Under-Sink Filters
A few of the challenges associated with under-sink filters include:
- Provide a single clean water source: The primary downside for this filtration system is that it only gives you clean water for one sink, meaning you’ll have to install multiple units if you want clean water in other parts of the house.
- Require a water filter tap: A lot of point-of-use filters need a filter tap or a three-way tap. This is not only an extra expense, but it’s also a separate installation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions regarding filtration systems:
Are whole-house filtration systems worth it?
It really depends on your preferences and the contaminants that you have in your water, but point-of-use filtration systems are especially beneficial for those that use well water.
Should you filter tap water?
Filtering tap water not only eliminates unwanted contaminants, but it can also improve the taste of your water.
There are benefits and downsides for both whole-house and under-sink water filtration systems. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your needs, preferences, and the type of water you use. Regardless of the system you go with, getting the advice and expertise of a trusted professional can ensure that you make the right decision for you and your family. At Dahme Mechanical Industries, Inc., we’re here to help guide you through the process and install your brand-new filter. Contact us today to learn more about our services and set up an appointment.