By William Chandler III VP of DROP
If you want to ensure that everyone in your home has clean water they can drink, cook with, and wash with, you need to install a water filter. You might enjoy the convenience of having well water, but you need to purify it properly before you use it.
There are plenty of water filters available, and you may have a difficult time deciding which water filters are right for your needs. Generally, a whole-house water filter will be installed at the main water supply of the house. That way, when the water enters your home, it has already been treated. While you might be thinking about going with a point-of-use water filter, it is always better to go with a whole-house water filter, which can filter all of the water that enters your plumbing system.
Because there are so many choices available, how can you find the right water filter to meet your needs? Take a look at a few important tips below, and do not hesitate to reach out to an expert who can help you.
What Type of Water Filter Do You Want?
As you take a look at water filters for your home, you will see that there are plenty of choices out there. The first thing you need to do is think about the contaminants that are in your well water. You may want to reach out to a professional who can conduct a detailed analysis of your home’s water supply and figure out which contaminants need to be removed.
Some of the most common examples include excess minerals, chlorine, and sediment. Or, there might be some unusual chemicals in your water supply that need to be addressed. Because you are using a well, you might even find some iron in your water supply.
Some of these contaminants are relatively mild, but others can be very toxic. You need to find a water filter that will effectively remove whatever contaminants are in your home. Therefore, before you start looking at water filters, reach out to a professional who can analyze your well water supply and let you know what contaminants have to be addressed.
Think About the Size of the Water Filter You Want
After you figure out which water filter you want for your home, you need to think about how big of a filter you want. Generally, a large water filter is going to be the best option, as it means you will have a larger water supply in your home and you can go longer before having to replace the filter.
You also need to take a look at the port size of the filter itself. This is going to have an impact on the water pressure throughout your home and the number of gallons your water filter can process every minute. Generally, single-family homes will go with a water filter that measures 4.5“ x 20”, but there are some situations where you might need a larger water filter. If you have questions about which size water filter is right for your needs, you should reach out to experts who can point you in the right direction.
Understand the Flow Rate of Your Appliances
Think about all of the appliances in your home, and understand how much water they need to function properly. This means you need to take a closer look at the flow rate. This is a value that is generally measured in gallons per minute, but the volume measurement might be different, so you might need to convert the flow rate to get an even comparison.
There are numerous appliances that rely on a steady supply of water. The most common examples include showers, bathtubs, sinks, hot water heaters, dishwashers, and toilets.
When you are in the process of looking for a water filter, make sure you know the flow rate of the appliances, as you need a water filter that can process enough water to keep these appliances running.
As an example, a shower head typically has a flow rate of 3 to 4 gallons per minute. On the other hand, a dishwasher will probably have a flow rate of closer to 5 gallons per minute. You need to think about the size of your family, the number of appliances that might be in use at the same time, and the flow rate of each appliance.
Then, you can use this information to calculate the flow rate of your filter. If you have questions about this, reach out to an expert who can help you.
Consider the Longevity of the Whole-House Water Filter
Even though you are probably conscious of the price of the water filter, you also need to think about how long it will last. The quantity of the water you use and the quality of the water coming from your well will play a role in the overall lifespan of the water filter itself.
If you find that the water pressure in your home is a bit low, it might be a sign that it is time to replace the filter. You need to keep a record of how often you replace the filter, as it will help you get on a regular schedule. Do not forget to take a look at some reviews from other customers. They may be able to give you a better idea of how long you should expect the water filter to last. The longer the water filter lasts, the more money you can save.
Check the Maintenance Requirements
Finally, you also need to think about what it will be like to maintain that water filter. If you want it to last as long as possible, you need to take good care of it. Always think about how much time it will take to maintain the water filter, and consider how often you will need to perform routine maintenance.
You also need to make sure you are comfortable handling the maintenance of the water filter. If it is too complicated for you, you might want to go with a different water filter. On the other hand, you should have an expert who can show you how to perform maintenance on the water filter. That way, when the time comes, you are prepared.
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