Whole-House vs. Under Sink Filters

Gary Monks • March 3, 2023

The last thing any homeowner wants to do is drink contaminated water. If you're worried about contaminated water or have gone over your budget buying bottled water, it's time to start looking at water filters for your home.

Regarding home water purification, there are two main filtration systems: Whole-House and Under Sink filters. Both offer different advantages and come with unique considerations that must be considered when choosing the right system for your needs.

What is Whole-House Filtration?

Whole-house filtration systems use a single filter, usually installed at the main water line coming into your home. This ensures that all of the water used in your house is filtered before it reaches any faucets or appliances.

Advantages of this type of system include easy installation and a single setup to maintain an entire home. Additionally, this type of system uses filter layers where sediments, chemicals, and possibly heavy metals such as iron are removed from the water, providing you with safe, better-tasting water. By removing harsh chemicals like chlorine, you will notice relief of skin conditions and dry hair, and the removal of sediment can also help keep your pipes and appliance running smoothly.

The downside is that whole-house systems are more expensive and require more maintenance.

What is Under-Sink Filtration?

Under-sink filtration systems are an alternative to whole-house filters that provide filtered water from a single tap in the kitchen sink. These systems take up less space than their whole-house counterparts and can be installed without needing to make major plumbing changes.

They also tend to cost less upfront and require less maintenance. This type of filtration system doesn't require a lot of space to set up and will not require any permanent plumbing changes, making them great if you are renting. With an under-sink reverse osmosis water filter, you will be able to remove heavy metals, sediment, chlorine, and various contaminants for cleaner, better-tasting water.

The drawback with this type of system is that it only filters water from the kitchen sink, meaning you will still be exposed to unfiltered water from other fixtures like showers and laundry machines.

How to Choose the Right Water Filtration System

When selecting a filtration system for your home, consider what type of contaminants are present in your local water supply and the amount of water you use for day-to-day activities. Both whole-house and under-sink systems can provide clean, safe drinking water, but each has its own set of advantages and considerations that must be taken into account before making a purchase.

Ultimately, the type of system you choose will depend on your needs and budget. No matter which type of filtration system you decide on, you can rest assured knowing that your family is drinking clean, safe water.

Water Filtration Installation Services by Aqua Solutions

At Aqua Solutions, we can work with you to determine your water filtration needs. Once we've determined the best solution for your home, our expert team can install your water filtration system and set you up for pure, clean drinking water! Contact us today to learn more!

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Author: Gary Monks

Gary Monks has led Aqua Solutions since 1997, earning recognition as a water treatment expert with 25 years of experience. Renowned in Butler, he has won the Best Water Treatment award for three years and actively supports the community, including local sports and radio engagements.

How Water Filtration Provides Clean Water & Healthy Homes

How Water Filtration Provides Clean Water, Thriving Plants, and Healthy Homes

By Gary Monks • March 10, 2025

Improve your home’s water quality! Learn how water filtration ensures clean drinking water, supports plant growth, and promotes a healthier living environment.

How Water Quality Impacts the Taste of Your Food and Drinks

January 31, 2025

If you love hot drinks like tea or coffee or enjoy cooking, you're likely always looking to improve the quality and health of the daily foods and beverages you and your family consume. Why Water Filtration is Important for Your Home Water quality is crucial in many ways. High-quality water can elevate the tastes and textures of your favorite foods and beverages, making them safer and healthier for your family. By installing a water filtration system, you can: Keep Your Family Safe and Healthy The most important benefit of home water filtration installation is that it helps you achieve clean, contaminant-free water. Water filtration enables you to reduce your risk of waterborne illness, giving you peace of mind that your food and drinks are healthy and safe. Enhance The Taste of Food and Drinks In addition to increasing the safety of your food and drinks, high-quality water makes your favorite beverages and foods' natural flavors shine. Poor-quality water can introduce unwanted flavors, such as metallic tastes or chlorine, that can ruin the taste and quality of your foods and drinks. Impure water can also smell bad, making the aroma of food or drinks unpleasant. Additionally, water high in chemicals or impurities can make your taste buds less sensitive, reducing the flavor you experience in food and beverages. Get Better Cooking and Baking Results Water is an essential ingredient in many recipes. Higher-quality water can improve cooking and baking results. Water that is free from impurities and chemicals can help you achieve better texture and consistency, properly hydrate other ingredients, and achieve a better rise or fluffiness in your baked goods. How Water Filtration Works and Options for Your Home Water filtration removes contaminants, impurities, and unwanted elements from your water supply, ensuring that the water you and your family use is clean, safe, and better-tasting. Filtration systems achieve this through various processes, such as physical filtration to block particles, chemical treatment to neutralize harmful substances, and biological filtration to remove bacteria and microorganisms. The result is water that meets health standards and improves overall quality of life. When it comes to home water filtration, there are several options to suit your specific needs that we specialize in here at Aqua Solutions: UV Filtration Ultraviolet (UV) light filtration is a highly effective and chemical-free method for disinfecting drinking water. It exposes microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa to a germicidal wavelength of UV light. This exposure damages their DNA, rendering them inactive and unable to reproduce. UV filtration is an excellent solution for homeowners who want to ensure their water is free from harmful pathogens. It provides peace of mind and safer drinking water for your household. Reverse Osmosis Reverse osmosis (RO) is a powerful water filtration system that delivers exceptionally pure water by removing a wide range of contaminants. This system typically includes a small retaining tank, often installed in the basement, to store purified water for easy access. RO systems use a combination of sediment filters and advanced filter technologies, including carbon filters, to improve the taste and smell of water. These systems effectively eliminate heavy metals, pesticides, and dissolved solids, making them a top choice for homeowners seeking high-quality drinking water. Standard Filters Standard filters are a versatile and commonly used option for improving water quality. They come in two primary designs: cartridge devices and loose media tank-style systems. Sediment filters, a type of standard filter, are specifically designed to remove grit, particulates, and debris from the water. Additionally, standard filters can address unpleasant odors, discoloration, bad taste, and iron content. They provide a simple, affordable way to enhance your water's clarity and quality. Water Softeners Water softeners are designed to combat the challenges of hard water, which is caused by high levels of minerals like magnesium and calcium. These systems use a mineral tank filled with resonated media, such as resin or plastic beads, to filter out these hard particles. The media has a negative electrical charge, which attracts the positively charged minerals in the water. Water softeners are available in two main types: ion exchange systems, which replace hard minerals with sodium ions, and dual-tank systems, which feature two resin tanks for continuous operation. By softening the water, these systems prevent scale buildup, improve appliance efficiency, and enhance the feel of water for daily use. Ready to Enhance Your Home's Water? Call Aqua Solutions Today! Aqua Solutions is your top choice for home water filtration installation in Butler and beyond. Call today to learn which water filtration system works best for your home and get cleaner, healthier water!