You might often wonder about the quality of water in your household. Ensuring pure, clean water for your family can be a daunting task. The solution to this lies in a whole house filtration system.
Implementing a comprehensive system for whole house filtration can solve many of these concerns. Such a system filters every drop of water entering your home, maintaining your health and appliances’ longevity.
This guide is curated to help homeowners like you understand the importance, implementation, and benefits of installing a whole house filtration system. It saves time, reduces costs in the long run, and grants peace of mind regarding your family’s health.
Sizing a Filter for Your Home
The size of a micron filter required for your home depends largely on the tiniest particle you want sifted out from your water.
Representing one-millionth of a meter, a micron is the standard unit of measurement used for these filters.
As an example, a 5-micron filter will allow particles as small as 5 microns to pass through. Any smaller particles will not get filtered out.
It is also important to know that filters are generally divided into sediment filters and carbon filters, though both can have a micron rating.
| Filter Size (Microns) | Type of Particles Filtered | Susceptibility to Clogging |
| 50-Micron Filters | Dirt, large sediment, rust, silt, and scale particles visible to naked eye | Low likelihood of clogging issues |
| 25-Micron Filters | Smaller dirt, sediment, rust particles; asbestos particles | More resistant to clogging compared to smaller micron filters |
| 10-Micron Filters | Fine dirt and sediment; not suitable for bacteria or viruses | Inclined to clogging; requires proper sizing and maintenance |
| 5-Micron Filters | All larger contaminants; more dirt, some mold types, certain bacteria, cysts and asbestos | Prone to clogging due to smaller pore size |
Note that the micron rating refers to the size of filter pores, hence filters with lower micron ratings can remove more contaminants.
Selecting a filter with a lower micron rating than required leads to unnecessary clogging and maintenance issues.
The right sediment filter depends on the specific contaminants in your water, so confirm these before buying your filter.
Finally, even though they remove more contaminants, smaller micron filters are more likely to clog over time.
Thus, you must follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines to prevent clogging and ensure the longevity of your filter.
Installation Process for Filters
Filters play a vital role by keeping your refrigerator’s water and ice fresh, clean, and tasting great. Regular filter changes contribute to this experience.
Getting Started
To begin setting up your new filter, familiarizing yourself with the instruction manual is crucial. Understanding the process specific to your fridge model is key.
Not having your fridge’s manual isn’t a problem. Today’s internet allows you to access it online easily. Always order the suitable filter for your specific model.
Fulfilling Tools Required
Interestingly, no explicit tools are listed for this process. This makes filter installation approachable, even if you aren’t particularly handy around the house.
Visit this FamilyHandyman page if you need further assistance or detailed steps specific to your refrigerator model.
Maintenance of Water Filters
Your water filter demands regular attention to stay clean and efficient. Proper upkeep not only boosts performance but also extends the filter’s lifespan.
Initiate the cleaning process by detaching the filter as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This careful removal keeps the main unit from getting damaged.
The next action step involves disassembling your filter. Separating the filter cartridge from its housing ensures a thorough and complete cleanup of your unit.
Rinse the cartridge under cold running water. This clears up any loose debris lodged in the filter, creating an ideal environment for further cleaning.
- Set your timer: Soak your filter cartridge in a homemade vinegar solution for twenty minutes. This neutralizes harmful particles stuck on the surfaces.
- Cleanliness is key: Use soapy water to cleanse the housing with help from a soft brush, sparing no crevices.
- Stay harmless: Avoid harsh chemicals. Opting for eco-friendly solutions like vinegar keeps your filter safe and durable.
- Rinse again: Pass the cartridge through cold water once more ensuring it’s free of vinegar residue before reassembly.
While cleaning is vital, managing your filters involves more than this single task. Take note that even well-maintained filters require periodic replacement.
Refer to your manufacturer guide for optimal service periods. Furthermore, setting routine reminders helps keep you consistent with filter TLC and upgrading.
You aren’t restricted to DIY cleanup though; you can always hire pro services if needed. Especially dealing with complex systems where specialist expertise proves invaluable.
In times of mold sightings or stubborn grime, consider replacing the scandalous filter entirely. Regularity in maintenance can ward off such drastic measures, ensuring water safety.
Filter Certification Importance
Understandably, you might wonder about the significance of filter certifications. They’re critical in ensuring your water filtration system’s effectiveness and safety.
Certifications like NSF/ANSI 42-44 help determine how efficiently a filtration device can reduce specific impurities (like chlorine or hardness) that affect water’s taste and feel.
NSF/ANSI 53, on the other hand, guarantees your filter’s capability to rid your water of harmful contaminants, as determined by health regulations.
- NSF/ANSI 55: This relates to ultraviolet treatment systems that work to inactivate harmful organisms in your water.
- NSF/ANSI 58: This covers reverse osmosis systems that ensure minimal health-related contaminants are present in your water.
- NSF/ANSI 62: This pertains to distillation systems designed to leave behind heavy metal contaminants.
- NSF/ANSI 177: This applies to shower filters aimed at reducing free chlorine.
The lesser-known NSF/ANSI 244 certification implies the filter can protect against intermittent microbiological contaminants. And NSF/ANSI 401 indicates the filter’s ability to handle emerging, not-yet-regulated contaminants.
Lastly, NSF P231 standards inspect microbiological water purifiers for sanitation and health impacts. Trusting these certifications ensures the quality and effectiveness of your chosen whole house filtration system.
Benefits of Home Filtration
With whole-house filtration, you experience notable differences in the quality of your water. From eradication of contaminants to improved taste and odor.
These systems utilize a point of entry, effectively eliminating impurities throughout your home, from the kitchen faucet to the showerheads in your bathrooms.
- Great for Well Water Issues: Installation can vastly improve issues resulting from well water such as sediment and iron deposition.
- Filtered Water at Every Outlet: Gain equal access to purified water from every faucet or showerhead in your house.
- Taste and Smell Improvements: Carbon filtration components significantly enhance both the flavor and smell of your water supply.
An under-sink filtration system offers opulent benefits as well, including cost-effectiveness and convenience for homeowners endeavoring to reduce specific contaminants.
Set up directly connects to under-sink plumbing and is typically certified to NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 standards ensuring effective elimination of pollutants like lead, vastly improving odors and off-tastes.
Alternatives to Whole House Filters
It’s crucial to be aware of alternatives to whole house water filtration systems. There are environmentally-friendly options available that efficiently cater to your necessities.
The HealthyHome Solution
This is a salt-free, eco-conscious solution with no fluoride removal. However, an extra point-of-use reverse osmosis system can handle your fluoride needs.
Ionics Whole House Filters
These filters are high grade, even used in space missions and submarines. They efficiently remove harmful contaminants like chlorine and fluoride.
Under-the-Sink Filters
Not keen on getting a whole house filter? Don’t worry – you have other options like under-the-sink filters providing clean and safe water.
Ultimately, your choice depends on your family’s needs. After all, fluoride removal might not be necessary for everyone.
Your Filtration Journey
Commence your health-friendly mission with an apt filter. Ensure regular maintenance and pay importance to certification. Reap the benefits of home filtration, while considering other alternatives. Dive deeper into filtration on the Filtap blog for more knowledge!
