whole house water filtration
With so many requests for the details on the whole house multi-stage water filtration system I have built and installed in two houses, I created this write up on it with a full parts breakdown and where to purchase all the components.
This system can be installed as a whole house filtration solution or if you omit the Whirlpool Central Filter it can be used in more constrained locations as with filtered cold water installed under your kitchen sink.
Components are comprised of: Whirlpool Central Filter (optional but highly recommended), Secondary Filter Housings with Respective Filter Blocks, Joining Pipes / Adapters and Stainless Flexible Interconnects as well as any additioal supplies needed.
First of all, let me address the main question I get about whole house filter systems - Why have a whole house filter, especially if I am planning on using or already have under sink filters?
If you have the ability, I always recommend to install a whole house filter for a number of very different reasons.
EVERY faucet and EVERY appliance in your house that uses hot or cold water will benefit greatly from the filtered water, extending reliability and life and potentially mitigating failures that can lead to flooding and a lot of damage.
Properly sized filters do not reduce water pressure in a noticeable way - even for a 4000 square foot 3 story home. Of course, if you already have very poor water pressure, we can discuss feasibility or other options.
No more hazed shower glass or haze on glassware. If you have ever had a glass enclosed shower, you probably know the pain of having to either squeegee the glass dry after each use or just deal with haze from mineral deposits. Since a whole house filter is purifying the water your hot water heater uses, everything downstream benefits.
On-Demand water heaters have dramatically less calcification, while traditional tank style water heaters accumulate a lot less sediment in the bottom of the tank. Both lead to extended life and cleaner hot water.
Central Filter System Installed Before Drinking Water Filter Stages
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This is optional as It's larger and also needs a location to drain to (like a floor drain or laundry sink) as it flushes itself monthly. The upside of this unit is you never have to replace it's filter and it prolongs the life of any filters you have down stream.
Whirlpool WHELJ1 Central Water Filtration System(~$500):
Drinking Water Filter 3 Stage Filter System
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Filter Housings for 10" x 4.5" Media Filters (x 3 @ $60)
1” MNPT Hex Nipples (x 2 @ $10) - Connects the three filter housings together
1” to 3/4” MNPT Hex Nipple Adapters (2 @ $7.50) - On the inlet and the outlet of the filter housing set (let’s you connect the set to your copper plumbing, use the 1” ones above if your plumbing is 1”)
3/4” FNPT Stainless Supply Lines (2 @ $10) - Connects the filter housing set to plumbing
3/4” MIP Copper Sweat Connections (2 @ $3.25) - Add where you break your water supply to easily loop in the filter housing set
Filter Media
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These are the three types of filters used in series to filter various negative components out of your water. You just need one of each to start, but should use Amazon's 'subscribe and save' functionality set at 6 month interval. This will get you the best price and remind you to replace filters on a regular basis to ensure the cleanest water possible.
1st Stage Filter ($13) - Pentair DGD-2501 Sediment 1 Micron
2nd Stage Filter ($24) - Pentek GAC-BB Activated Carbon 20 Micron
3rd Stage Filter ($30) - Pentek EP-BB Carbon Block 5 Micron
Additional Parts Needed...
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Silicone Lubricant 8oz - NSF Food Safe Certified (use on the filter seals to ensure they do not tear / leak)
Teflon Tape (use on all threaded pipe ends before assembling and use a lot, like 8 to 10 turns)
Reverse Osmosis - What about it, why don't I see it here???
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Due to unit size, cost, potential water pressure reduction and the requirement for a drain, I do not suggest using reverse osmosis systems with a whole house solution. With that said, clients might have a need for water treated in that manner and if so, I suggest an under sink reverse osmosis solution to supply a specific faucet in the home.