From your morning shower to the last load of dishes at night, water touches nearly every part of your home. It affects how you cook, clean, wash clothes, bathe, and use many of your household appliances, which makes the quality of that water more important than you may realize.
If you notice unwanted tastes, odors, chlorine, sediment, or other concerns, a whole-home water filtration system may help treat your water before it reaches faucets and fixtures throughout your home.
What Is a Whole-Home Water Filtration System?
A whole-home water filtration system, sometimes called a point-of-entry system, is installed where water enters the home.
Instead of filtering water at only one faucet, the system treats water before it travels to showers, sinks, washing machines, water heaters, and other fixtures.
That means filtered water can be available throughout the home.
The type of filtration system needed depends on the water source and the concerns you want to address. Some systems are designed to reduce chlorine, while others may help with sediment, iron, taste, odor, or other water conditions.
What Water Concerns Can Whole-Home Filtration Help Address?
Water conditions can vary from one home to another, so there is no single filtration system that works for every household.
Depending on the type of system, whole-home water filtration may help address concerns such as:
- Chlorine taste or smell
- Unpleasant tastes or odors
- Sediment
- Iron
- Discoloration
- Other water quality concerns
For homeowners with city water, filtration may help reduce noticeable chlorine taste or odor.
For homeowners with private wells, a whole-home system may be used to address concerns such as sediment, iron, or other water conditions identified through testing.
Because different systems are designed for different concerns, testing your water first can help determine which type of filtration may be most useful.
What Are the Benefits of Filtering Water Throughout the Home?
One of the biggest advantages of whole-home filtration is that treatment happens before water reaches the rest of the house.
That can help address water concerns in the water used for everyday activities such as:
- Showering and bathing
- Washing clothes
- Washing dishes
- Cleaning
- Cooking
- Drinking
For example, homeowners who notice a chlorine smell when showering may prefer a system that treats water throughout the home rather than only at the kitchen sink.
Whole-home filtration can also help reduce sediment and other concerns before water reaches certain fixtures and water-using appliances.
Whole-Home Filtration vs. Reverse Osmosis
Whole-home water filtration and reverse osmosis are both water treatment options, but they serve different purposes.
A whole-home filtration system treats water as it enters the house. This allows filtered water to travel throughout the home.
A reverse osmosis drinking water system is typically installed near the kitchen sink and provides additional filtration for drinking and cooking water.
Some homeowners may benefit from using both systems.
For example, whole-home filtration may help address chlorine or sediment throughout the house, while reverse osmosis can provide an additional level of filtration for drinking water.
The right combination depends on your water and your household’s needs.
Whole-Home Filtration vs. a Water Softener
A water filtration system and a water softener perform different jobs.
A water softener is designed to reduce hardness minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can contribute to:
- White scale around faucets
- Spots on dishes and glasses
- Buildup on showerheads
- Soap that does not lather easily
- Scale inside water-using appliances
A whole-home filtration system is generally designed to address other concerns, such as chlorine, sediment, iron, taste, or odor, depending on the type of filter.
If your home has both hard water and filtration concerns, you may benefit from using a water softener and filtration system together.
Why Water Testing Should Come First
Before choosing any whole-home water treatment system, it helps to understand what is actually happening with your water.
Two homes can have very different water conditions, even if they are in the same general area.
One homeowner may be dealing with hard water. Another may notice chlorine taste or smell. A home with a private well may experience iron or sediment.
A water test can help identify common water conditions and make it easier to choose a system based on your specific needs.
Rather than guessing which filter or treatment system is right for your home, testing gives you a better starting point.
Find the Right Whole-Home Water Solution With Culligan
Whole-home water filtration can be a helpful option for homeowners who want to address water concerns throughout the house, but the right system depends on your water source and the issues you want to improve.
Your local Culligan water experts can help you better understand your water and recommend treatment options based on your household’s needs. Culligan offers whole-home water filtration systems, water softeners, reverse osmosis drinking water systems, and other solutions designed for different water concerns.
Culligan offers free in-home water testing to help you understand your water and find the right solution for your home. Contact your local Culligan team today to schedule your water test and discover whether whole-home water filtration may be right for you.
