Whole house filters are the most powerful players on the market when it comes to defending your whole home from contaminants like chlorine and chloramines, cysts like cryptosporidium, giardia and more. For those who are immunocompromised, dealing with high levels of sediment, or are just looking to have a little peace of mind, whole house systems provide the added benefit of not having to set up a filter at every faucet in your home, because it filters from the outset.
Whole house filters are high-performance, with some lasting as long as 1 million gallons or 10 years. Whether you’re using city water or well water, there is a whole house filter available for you. But the best part about these systems? You can customize them to filter whatever you want. That’s what your pre- and post-filter is all about.
Adding a Sediment Pre-Filter to Your Whole House System
You don’t put your dishes in the dishwasher without giving them a quick rinse first. This is essentially how your pre-filter works. Just like your pre-rinse, if you don’t filter your water from large particles and sediment before it enters your whole house filter, you risk getting sediment and other large particles trapped in your system, clogging your whole house filter and preventing it from operating at full volume.
While particularly stellar at capturing sediment overall, your pre-filter catches specifically anything from dirt and rust to silt from entering your whole house filter. This not only protects your system from damage, but it also allows it to do a better job of filtering those smaller particles like chlorine and other contaminants. By stopping sediment from entering your pipes, the pre-filter will prevent damage to your plumbing and appliances and will help keep your water filter clear of clogs.
the pre-filter will prevent damage to your plumbing and appliances and will help keep your water filter clear of clogs.
The pre-filter cartridge should be replaced every 2 months depending on your water quality and sediment levels. Sediment levels vary from location to location, so when you install your pre-filter, notice as it will start out white; when you notice a change in the filter color or you notice that your flow rate slows down, it’s time to change your filter. Forgetting to change it will cause a loss in water pressure in your home, making your post-workout shower feel more like a small drip and less like a relaxing way to cool down.
Adding a Post-filter to Your Whole House System
If your pre-filter acts as a pre-rinse before you put your dishes in the wash, think of the post-filter like the “sanitize” button on your dishwasher. It’s the final step before getting clean, filtered water right from your faucet.
After your main filtration unit does its job, the post-filter acts as a polishing agent, catching any remaining sediment and organic particles. Be sure to replace your post-filter once every 6 months to enjoy the benefits on repeat.
UV Filter
Ready to take your whole house filtration system one step further or simply looking to avoid having to worry about a boil warning? Add on a UV filter.
How does it work? UV filtration generates light artificially to target microbes, preventing them from reproduction. This means that you won’t ever have to worry about the potential of E. Coli being present in your water ever again— and for those who are immunocompromised, new parents, or dealing with a boil warning, this could mean the difference between boiling gallons of water for your family’s morning routine and total peace of mind. UV filtration from Aquasana is certified to kill 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that may be present in your water, like cryptosporidium or giardia, for added protection across your whole home.