Home Water Filtration System Cost (Updated 2023)

Whole home water filtration systems are a must to keep sediments, chemicals, and bacteria out of the water you and your family drink and clean with every day. However, there are countless types of filtrations systems on the market with very different costs.

The article will cover key consideration points when assessing the total cost of ownership for your home filtration system. Let’s dive in!

Factors Affecting Home Water Filtration System Cost

A lot of factors come into play when determining the total cost of a home water filtration system. Between the system type, its size, flow rate, the number of filtration stages, and the brand you choose, the final price tag may be very different. Here is a closer look at the primary factors and how they will affect the final cost of a whole-house water filter

Filtration System Type

The single largest factor in determining the cost of a home water filter is the specific type of filtration system chosen. An affordable point of use carbon filtration system can effectively remove contaminants, with costs coming to less than $500. However, the addition of chemical injection or ultraviolet filtration systems, which can help to eliminate microbiological contaminants, can raise this price tag by $200 to $1,000. Similarly, an under sink reverse osmosis filtration systems can come in at an average price of $300 to $900. On the more expensive end is a tank based whole house water filter, which costs on average $500 to $2,000.

System Size

Water filters can come in different sizes, generally falling into one of two types which are whole-home systems or point-of-use systems that are used for a single application, such as a faucet or even a pitcher. In most cases, whole-home systems generally are much larger and will come with a higher cost than a point-of-use system. Whole-home systems will typically start at a low end of $1,000, whereas a point-of-use system ranges highly, with a system for a single faucet starting as low as $100.

System Brand

As with most products, a brand name can have a major impact on cost, with respected and high-quality brands costing much more than those from lesser-known manufacturers. In most cases, whole home systems from less expensive or well-known brands can come in at prices as low as $750 to $3,000, whereas those from higher-end brands may range as high as $8,000. Though this may seem unreasonable on the surface, keep in mind that these brands often offer more extensive warranties and superior customer service, which can justify the price.

Number of Filtration Stages

In homes with relatively clean water, one filtration stage may be enough to leave you with clean and delicious water, but this is not always the case. If a home’s water source is providing particularly hard or contaminated water, multiple filtration stages may be needed to provide clean and reasonably soft water. These additional filtration stages mean more parts and, in turn, a higher cost.

Flow Rate Capacity

A home water filtration system must be sized to the typical consumption in the home to ensure a suitable flow without a drop in water pressure. The more residents, appliances, and fixtures there are, the higher the likely consumption will be, and the system will need to be able to keep up with that. This is generally measured by flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM), with systems offering higher flow rates costing more than lower GPM models. Homeowners can contact a water filtration pro to help decide what flow rate their home will require and a suitable system to match it.

Installation Location

Whole-home water filtration systems are installed at the point of entry, most often close to the main water shut-off valve, to ensure filtered water is supplied to all of the plumbing in the house. These systems have a higher upfront price tag and can require additional installation costs. A point-of-use system is much smaller and only addresses a single location, like the kitchen sink. Since these are more compact, they are less expensive and can typically be a DIY installation.

Cost For Types Of Home Water Filtration Systems 

There are a number of types of home water filtration systems, and these can have a very wide range of different costs. Here are the average costs for each of the most common water filtration systems.

Whole House Water Filtration Systems

Whole-home water filtration systems have a wide range of costs depending on the factors discussed in detail above, but these systems are more expensive than point-of-use options such as under-the-sink, faucet-mounted, or countertop filtration systems. Whole house water filtration systems generally cost between $600 and $1,800 or more.

Best For: Water sources that are heavily contaminated and unsuitable for consumption or use in appliances. Whole house filters will address every drop of water entering your home. Once installed, a tank-based whole-house system is essentially maintenance-free for the next 10 years.

Whole House Water Filter for Well Water 

Well water comes straight from the ground, and this often means a lot more contaminants, including sediment, heavy metals, and a higher presence of bacteria. These systems should be specialized well water filters and generally cost more than systems intended for municipal water at a low end of $700 and a high of $2,000 or more.

Best For: Well water sources that are heavily contaminated with iron, manganese, sulfur or well water bacteria.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

Reverse osmosis systems run water through a reverse osmosis membrane and can offer some of the cleanest water possible. A reverse osmosis system costs between $300 and $900 for an under sink reverse osmosis system. However, a whole house reverse osmosis system can run between $2,000 to $7,500.

Best For: Reverse osmosis produces some of the purest drinking and cooking water possible in a home water treatment system. If you want water that is up to 99.9% free of common contaminants, a reverse osmosis system is ideal.

Under Sink Water Filter Systems

Under-sink systems are installed beneath an individual sink in order to filter water for a specific faucet. These are much smaller than whole-home systems and, in some cases, can be installed by the homeowner themselves with a relatively straightforward process. As a result, under sink filters are generally more affordable, with an average cost of $50 to $200.

Best For: Undersink carbon filters are ideally suited for homes with targeted contaminant issues like chlorine, bad taste, and odors. They are also more affordable than other options, while still providing fresh water on demand. affordable

Water Filter Pitchers

Water filter pitchers are incredibly simple and affordable, allowing water to be poured in, filtered, and drank with no installation. Unfortunately, it generally takes a few minutes for the water to run through. They also have a lower capacity so you’re filling them up frequently. Still, with an average price range of $25 to $70, water filter pitchers are great to keep around and take on the go

Best For: Water filter pitchers are the most cost-effective filtration solution and require no installation. Although they have the lowest upfront price tag, the downside is they require frequent refills and filter replacements.

Faucet Mount Water Filter

Faucet-mounted filtration systems are attached to an individual faucet and do not require any expensive tools, expertise, or permanent alterations. On the other hand, they do take up some space mounted to the faucet head, often offer relatively poor filtration, and can reduce flow rate. However, faucet water filters are often the cheapest option available, with an average cost between $20 and $50.

Best For: Faucet mount water filters are ideal for situations where installations are prohibited, like rental apartments, or RVs. However, they require more frequent filter changes and may not be as effective as larger filtration solutions.

Countertop Water Filter

Similarly to faucet-mounted water filters, countertop filter options can be attached directly to a faucet with ease. However, they suffer similar problems. This includes reduced flow rate and relatively poor filtration. Generally, countertop filters can be found for between $100 to $300.

Best For: Countertop filter systems easily hook up without any installation, so are ideal for apartments or RVs.

Water Filtration System Cost Comparison

Water Filter Installation Cost: DIY VS Professional Installation

When it comes to installing a new water filter, professional installation can add to the overall cost. However, unless you are installing a point-of-use model, there is a good chance you will need the assistance of a professional.

Additional Plumbing

Depending upon the setup of a home’s existing plumbing, it may be necessary to make changes in order to accommodate the new system. Especially with a whole home filter system, you will need to get adapters and connector fittings to attach the system to your home’s plumbing. Doing the work yourself means that you can greatly reduce the cost of any required parts and piping that are needed.

Labor

Labor can add a significant amount of cost to the purchase of a water filtration system. The average installation cost for a water filtration system is between $150 and $600. Generally, plumbers will charge between  $50 and $200 per hour, depending upon the work at hand. So, make sure to consider what is included in the cost of any given system before making a purchase.

Permits

Depending on local regulations, a permit may be required in order to install a whole-home water filter. If you are working with a professional, they may handle any needed permits. Otherwise, homeowners should check with their local government before installing any new system. Generally, where required, these fees will amount to between $100 and $600.

Geographic Location

Location can have a large impact on the cost of a water filtration system, particularly when it comes to hiring professional installers. This is because of the cost of materials and labor, which tends to be higher in densely populated areas. In addition, water quality can be extremely different depending upon the area with different filtration needs and accompanying costs.

Water Filtration System Maintenance Costs

After the installation is complete, the primary costs of maintenance are changing the filtration medium and replacing worn parts. Generally, this will cost between $50 and $300 annually depending upon the type of system, such as multistage vs. single-stage, and whether you choose to hire a professional to handle it.

How To Save Money On Home Water Filtration System Cost

The cost of a home filter system may seem high. However, there are a few steps you can take to keep costs under control. These include:

• Test your water to know the filter type you need to remove the specific contaminants,
• Ensure you purchase the correct size of filter to cut down on water usage and any electricity usage,
• Choosing an energy-efficient system that can help keep energy costs down;
• Checking for any local or state rebates and incentives; and
• Acquiring multiple quotes from installation professionals to compare.