Water Filter

Most agree that the best way to filter water is through reverse osmosis, which sends the water through a semipermeable membrane to separate ions and unwanted particles from drinking water. The system efficiently removes pollutants, such as pesticides, lead, fluoride, arsenic, and more, if they happen to be present in your water. Reverse osmosis also improves your water's taste, odor, and appearance.

However, if you have specific health concerns or issues with your water, the best filtration method will be the one that makes your water better and safer for you.

Reverse osmosis filters last for a certain amount of liters or gallons filtered. Since this is nearly impossible to gauge, it’s more common to gauge their lifespan in months or years. Most RO filters will last six months to a year during normal usage. If you use a whole-house system, these filters will need to be switched out at much more regular intervals —every three to six months or so based on usage.

Your water softener doesn't have its own water filter. However, many household drinking water systems incorporate filters into the system or at access points. Having a clogged water filter in the household system can make it look as if there's a problem with the water softener. You'll see hard-water spots if the clog is in your softener system. If the problem is a filter issue somewhere else, you could see lower water pressure, foul tastes, or water-borne particles.

On average, a whole-home water filtration system costs between $1,100 and $3,500. However, the exact cost will depend on a few factors, including the type of filtration method. The most budget-friendly filtration systems include chemical injectors, which start at $600. Higher-end options, such as water distillers and reverse osmosis systems, range from $1,000 to $4,800.