Table of Contents for this Page
- Home Water Filtration System Cost
- Cost Range for a Whole House Water Filtration System
- Average Installed Cost
- Overview of Whole House Water Filtration Systems
- Home Water Filtration System Cost Factors
- Installation and Supplies Cost Details
- Permits, Inspection, Related Costs and Installation Time
- Related Projects
- DIY or Hire a Pro for this Project?
- Comparison Costs from Leading Resources
Whole House Water Filtration System Cost Range
Most homeowners pay between $900 – $3,100 for water filtration system installed by a pro. The cost ranges from about $360 for a basic DIY system to more than $3,500 for a professionally installed system with advanced filtration features.
Average Cost
The average cost to have a water filtration professionally installed for your whole house is about $2,075. This cost includes an initial water test by a local contractor, the cost of the water filter system, installation labor and all supplies needed to complete the project.
Average Do It Yourself Cost
$690
Average Contractor Installed Cost
$2,075
Typical Cost Range
$900 – $3,100, Installed
Overview of Whole House Water Filtering Systems
Impurities in drinking water range from iron that stains fixtures and are little more than a nuisance to PFAS and PFOS that cause serious health issues. Increased awareness of unhealthy drinking water has made adding a whole house filtration system one of the more popular interior home improvement projects.
This whole house water filter system cost estimate includes cost factors, retail costs, installation charges and pricing estimates from other reliable cost sites. There’s a brief section explaining your options for the types of whole-house water filtration systems available.
Homeowner-submitted costs are included – and you’re invited to return to share your project cost too.
Whole House Water Filter Cost Factors
Your whole house water filter system price will depend on the type you choose and other factors.
- System Type – Sediment filters are the least expensive, but they’re not designed to remove tiny particles or serious contaminants like PFAS or arsenic. Reverse osmosis systems are typically recommended if serious contaminants have been found when water is tested for impurities. Activated carbon filters in combination with other filter types are best sellers and have the widest range of pricing based on their capacity and features. They remove a broad range pollutants. Systems with a salt-free water softening component cost most and provide the most treatment of the water.
- How Effectively it Filters – Sediment (silt, dirt, rust, minerals) are rated the size of the particles in microns they remove. Chemical filters are rated in parts per million, ppm, they remove. The better the filtration, the higher the cost.
- The Use of a Pre-filter – Many systems use paper filters that are often considered pre-filters when used in tandem with a carbon or reverse osmosis (RO) system.
- System Capacity – Capacity is rated by the number of gallons that can be filtered before the filter needs changing, typically in the 50,000 to 150,000 range. They are also rated for the gallons per minute (GPM) that can be filtered. Residential water filter systems filter 8-15 GPM.
- Number of Filters – Those with 3 filters are common. For example, many have a polypropylene filter to remove large sediment, an activated carbon filter for chlorine and other unwanted chemicals and a filter designed to remove heavy metals from the water. These systems, especially when filtration is high, cost the most.
- Who Installs the System – Most homeowners leave this to a pro, but some can be DIY for those with basic plumbing skills. See our DIY or Not section below for details, or browse other plumbing repair project costs.
- Where you Live– Installation labor costs are higher in large metro areas, especially on the Coasts, than they are in small towns and rural areas.
- Whether Water Testing is Included – Testing ranges from $15 DIY kits to $200+ testing by a professional. Obviously, the more contaminants you test for, the higher the cost. But you’ll also get more information to use to choose the right filter for the pollutants in your water. Some local water departments offer free or reduced-cost testing. Many sellers of water filtration systems, such as Culligan and Kinetico, offer free testing. But expect the test results to come with a strong sales pitch for their pricey water filter system.
Note on Free Water Testing: Home Depot and other home improvement stores sometimes offer “Free” water test kits. You fill a small vile with your home’s water and send it to the lab, postage paid. These tests are usually only for hardness, not any contaminants – though the packaging may not state that. A few weeks after sending in the water sample, you’ll get a call from a local water filtration company seeking to sell you a system. If you want your water thoroughly tested, we suggest you skip this step and go straight to your water department or the local seller of your choice, not Home Depot’s choice.
Here’s a useful article on How to Decide What Water Tests to Order.
Water Filtration System and Installation Supplies Cost
Listed below are whole house water filter retail costs. The cost of supplies and installation are covered below.
- $50 – $115 | Paper or Polypropylene Filter (pre-filter) and Housing.
- $350 – $2,500 | Single Carbon Filters or Combination Filters with a carbon main filter.
- $400 – $850 | Carbon and Sediment Filters designed for metals including iron and manganese.
- $800 – $1,200 | Reverse Osmosis Systems.
- $20 – $100 | Replacement Filters or Filter Cartridges made from paper ($), polypropylene ($-$$) or carbon ($$)
Pro Tip: It’s wise to consider the cost of replacement filters when estimating the cost of a whole house water filter system. How often you change filters depends on the filter’s volume rating, how much water you use and contaminant levels in the water. It’s common to replace filters every month to once a year.
About Water Filter Systems
You have quite a few options. Most whole house water filtration systems have multiple filters.
Here are the most common types used in single-filter and combination systems:
- Paper and Polypropylene Pre-filters are used to remove large sediment, so that the sediment won’t block and shorten the life of more expensive filters. These filters can be installed separately and are also combined into multiple-filter systems.
- Sediment Filters remove silt and small sediment.
- Carbon Filters use activated carbon granules and/or carbon block to remove chlorine common in municipal water supplies plus sediment, silt and contaminants such as VOCs and herbicides that cause odor and bad taste.
- Ultra-violet Lights kill bacteria and disinfect water.
- Filtration plus Water Softening systems are ideal for hard water – water high in minerals. These are combination systems.
- Reverse Osmosis systems remove common contaminants like nitrate, iron and arsenic. These systems typically do not use multiple filters.
In most cases, homeowners have their water tested first and then choose a filtration system designed to remove the contaminants and levels found in their water.
Top Whole House Water Filter Brands
There are water filtration system manufacturers and then there are companies like Culligan and Kinetico that sell you the whole package with installation.
This list is of manufacturers. You buy the system and then DIY or call a pro for the install.
- Apec Top Tier filtration systems are combination systems. The most advanced include a reverse osmosis membrane plus poly or paper pre-filters and carbon filters.
- Aquasana has systems for city water and for well water. It’s filters can be combined. For example, if you start with a basic carbon filter, you can upgrade the system with a UV light or a salt-free softener.
- Express Water competes in the combination filter market. Many of its filter systems include a KDF – kinetic degradation fluxion – filter made from copper/zinc alloys to remove heavy metal, microorganisms and scale.
- iSpring sells combination filter systems usually consisting of a polypropylene 5-micron sediment filter and carbon block or granular carbon filters.
- Pelican makes affordable combination systems and high-end, high-capacity residential water filtration systems designed for homes with severely polluted water.
- Pentek is a leader in affordable, single paper and poly filters in plastic housings. They’re ideal for filtering minerals, but aren’t suitable for removing very small particles, chemicals and VOCs.
Permits, Inspection, Related Costs and Installation Time
Permits and Inspection Cost
- $0 | A permit is not needed to install a whole house water filtration system.
Related Costs and Installation Time
- 1.5 – 3 Hours | Whole House Water Filtration System Installation
- Cost for a New Sump Pump
- Well Pump Pressure Switch Cost
- Cost to Run a Gas Line
- Cost to Remove a Gas Line
- Cost to Run Gas Line from Street to House
- Gas Line Shut-off Valve Cost
- Cost to Hook Up a Gas Appliance
Are You a Water Purifier Installer?
If so, head over to our Costimates Pro’s page, and help us make this page better and more accurate for both our visitors and your future customers.
DIY or Hire a Pro?
These filtration systems are designed to be easily installed by a professional in a few hours.
The biggest hurdle to DIY is soldering the fittings for a secure connection, as shown in a This Old House video.
Watch the video, and if you have the skills demonstrated or really want to pick them up, give it a shot. Otherwise, pro installation is an affordable option, and that’s our recommendation.
Compare Costs from Leading Resources
- HomeAdvisor: $1,025 - $3,220, Typical Cost Range
- WaterSmart Systems: $300 - $5,000, Depending on Type
- Fixr: $2,100 - $3,300, National Average Range
- HomeWyse: $850 - $1,460, Basic Home Water Filtration System
- Porch: $1,800, Typical System Cost
Reviewed and Edited by Steve Hansen of Costimates
Steve Hansen is the Lead Editor of Costimates. (Learn more about us) An avid home improvement professional with more than 35 years experience in both DIY projects and working as a construction foreman in residential new home building, upfits, repairs and remodeling.
"Like most homeowners, I became frustrated with the lack of quality information available on specific homeimprovement repairs and renovations. In 2015, Costimates was formed to help homeowners learn as much as possibleabout various projects and their costs so they could make better financial decisions."
FAQs
Whole House Water Filtration System Cost | Costimates? ›
On the less expensive side, carbon filters cost between $50 and $500, and ultraviolet light units cost between $200 and $1,000. On the more expensive side, the average cost of a whole-house water filtration system like well-water filters and reverse osmosis units can range from $250 to $4,000 and up.
Is a whole house water filter enough? ›Generally, those on city water are recommended to use a whole house carbon filtration system for general multi-purpose whole house purification. Carbon filtration is effective in removing chlorine, chloramines, odor and VOCs to provide chemical free water throughout your entire home.
Is whole house filtration worth it? ›Home Benefits of a Whole Home Water Filter
This helps your appliances run more smoothly, have a longer lifespan, and keeps things like your dishwasher or washing machine from leaving residue on your dishes and clothing. The health benefits alone make a whole house water filter worth the money.
Water filters are more cost-effective because they don't require much electricity compared to distillation. In distillation, you need to boil the water and then condense it for later use. Boiling the water can take up much energy.
How much does labor cost to install a water filtration system? ›Water-filtration system installation cost. The labor cost to install a water-filter system is $120 to $600, depending on the system size, type, and complexity. This includes time spent mounting the unit, fixing all plumbing connections, and testing the system.
Do you need refrigerator filter if you have whole house filter? ›Whole-house water filtration makes sure that water from every faucet is clean and fresh, not just the water from your fridge. If you have a water filtration system installed, you probably do not need to spend the money on an expensive refrigerator with a filtered water dispenser.
How long does the average whole house water filter last? ›How long do filters in those systems last though? On average you're looking at about three to six months before you need to replace the filter. That said, it varies by the water filtration system. Some newer models may have multiple filters active at once and may require fewer replacements.
Can you drink tap water with whole house filter? ›It is best to use a point-of-entry filter system (where your water pipe enters your house), or whole-house filter system, for VOCs because they provide safe water for bathing and cleaning, as well as for cooking and drinking.
What type of whole house filter is best? ›- Best Overall Whole House Water Filter System: Express Water Whole House Water Filtration System. ...
- Best for Chlorine Removal: Aquasana Rhino. ...
- Best for Carbon Filtration: SoftPro Water Systems Upflow Carbon Filter. ...
- Best Budget: GE Appliances Whole House Water Filtration System.
- Potentially water wasting.
- Single fixture limitation.
- Doesn't protect pipes.
- Requires constant maintenance.
How much value does whole house water filtration system add? ›
Does water filtration systems increase home value? Research indicates that adding a water softener to your home can increase its equity anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.
Is it better to buy water or filter water? ›What's the annual cost of bottled water versus using water filters? It's about $80 cheaper to use a water filter in the first year than it is to buy bottled water for a household. You save even more the following year when all you're doing is replacing the filter at regular intervals.
Do I need to boil water if I have a whole house water filter? ›Water Filters
You should boil your tap water even if it is filtered. Most kitchen and other household water filters do not remove bacteria or viruses. Filters collect germs from water, so all water filters should be replaced after the advisory has been lifted.
No matter how you slice it, high-quality, filtered tap water will always cost less than expensive bottled water.
Do water filtration systems use a lot of electricity? ›The normal power consumption of a water purifier is between 25 and 60 watts per hour. For a minimum of 5 hours per day, a machine is used at home. You don't need to worry that water purifiers will increase your monthly electricity cost because they only use a small amount of electricity if used efficiently.
How big of a whole house water filter do I need? ›Filter size – the larger the filter the longer the service interval, and the more water it will flow and with greater pressure. However, the port size has a greater impact on GPM and pressure. The ideal filter size for most homes is 4.5” x 20”, however, large homes may require a second unit in parallel.
What does a whole house water filter remove? ›The most effective carbon whole house filter systems use a three-stage filter system including: Pre-filter to remove sediment, rust, and other large contaminants. Copper-zinc blend designed to remove chlorine as well as lead, mercury, nickel, and other dissolved metals.
How often do you need to change your whole house filter? ›Whole house filters usually require more frequent home water filter replacement because they are designed to remove sediment from all the water used in your home. To maintain the best quality and reliability of your whole house water filter, it is recommended that you change it every three to six months.
How often should you change a whole house water filter with well water? ›The average well water filter has a lifespan of 6 to 12 months. What is this? That means the filter will last up to 1 year before it needs to be replaced. Some well water filters have shorter lifespans – as little as 3 months – so it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.