Under Sink VS Whole House Water Filtration
When it comes to water filtration units, homeowners have two options. First, they can opt for a point-of-use system, an under sink setup that provides filtration for a single faucet or basin. Second, they can opt for a whole house filtration system that treats water throughout the entire plumbing system. You might ask, “Which is best for me?” Here is a look at the arguments for the two designs.
Under Sink Filtration
The main argument for a point-of-use system that goes beneath a sink is cost. Your upfront cost for installing an under sink unit is going to be significantly cheaper. Many people choose these models because they are convenient. Especially if you’re looking to retrofit something into a place you’re renting, this is the least invasive solution.
Adding a filter below the sink is also a good choice if you’re dealing with limited space. Your place might have a small service closet or basement for the water systems. Installing a more robust setup could be challenging, but there’s already space below the sink. You may also want to consider installing a unit beneath the sink if access to the water lines is limited. The sink area is a good spot to tie into a line.
Finally, using an under sink system might be a good choice if your household’s water quality problems are fairly limited. You might not like the high chlorination level of your municipal water system, for example. This may not affect anything besides drinking and cooking, so having a system at the point of use keeps things simple.
Whole Home Filtration
Generally, we recommend a whole house filtration setup for a variety of reasons. Foremost, these units offer maximum protection. Many water quality problems affect more than taste. Hard water, for example, can lead to mineral buildup that damages:
- Pipes
- Drains
- Water heaters
- Appliances
- Faucets
- Showerheads
- Toilets
If your house’s water system has noticeable sediment, there is a pretty good chance you don’t want it in your drinking water, shower, or laundry.
The extent of potential damage often surprises homeowners. Hard water can narrow plumbing lines as much as 50%, leading to low water pressure. Corrosion can cause leaks within 20 years, potentially leading to flooding and water damage that could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Buildup can clog drain and sewer lines, leading to backups that could also cause costly damage. A destroyed water tank is a similar threat. The ability to reduce these risks in one shot makes a whole house system very appealing.
Options
Another argument for a whole house system is that it offers the most filtration options. If you’re looking at a water quality test that shows multiple contaminants are present, it can be hard to fight them all with an under sink configuration. Your water might need multiple activated charcoal filters, reverse osmosis, and UV treatment, for example. Installing a system that provides these in stages is optimal.
Some advanced solutions are also available that treat issues that are rarely even options for a point-of-use setup. You can find whole home options for treating water against:
- Pesticides
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Heavy metals
- PFAS
- Lead
Flow Rate
The flow rate for a system beneath your sink is usually one or two gallons per minute. That can make even a simple task like filling a pot for cooking pasta difficult. Conversely, whole house systems have to provide enough water flow for multiple systems to work concurrently. They average 10 to 15 gallons per minute, which is more than enough to allow people to simultaneously use the washing machine, dishwasher, and shower. You can also fill that pot of water for pasta quicker while all this happens.
Targeting
A whole home design doesn’t necessarily have to provide filtered water for your whole place. For example, you probably aren’t too worried about chlorine in a toilet. We can plumb your system to target the relevant systems. If you need to protect appliances and drinking water, for example, we can run lines to those and set up bypasses for everything else. However you wish to target problems, there is a simple way to do it with a whole house configuration.
Durability
Whole home designs are generally built to be more durable. They use larger units and more aggressive filters and membranes. Consequently, they tend to last about 15 years with normal maintenance. An under sink model will likely last about five years before it needs a replacement. In both cases, the assumption is that you’re regularly replacing filtering elements according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
Final Recommendation
Our general recommendation to homeowners is to install a whole house filtration unit. It offers the best peace of mind because you don’t have to worry that there’s something that you might be missing. Likewise, coverage for your entire home’s systems keeps appliances, lines, and drains in much better shape. There are limited cases where putting a system under the sink might be better. Most involve cost or space limitations.
Your Water Quality Experts
Lakeland Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is the choice of so many homeowners. We proudly serve Lakeland, FL, and the surrounding areas. Folks book us for their plumbing needs because we have numerous excellent online reviews and a reputation for punctuality, service, and quality. If there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay.
If you’re interested in settting up water filtration in your Lakeland home, schedule an appointment with Lakeland Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today.
