Should you buy faucet-fit water filters, install a whole-home system, or continue buying bottled water? If you're not sure which option is the right choice for your family's needs, take a look at the benefits of water filter systems.

Water On Demand

It's the middle of the night and you want a refreshing glass of clean, clear water. But if you have to look for a bottle or search for the only faucet in the house with a filter on it, you may need to wait. A whole-home system lets you get filtered water from any sink—whether it's in the kitchen downstairs or the bathroom next to your bedroom.

Not only will a whole-home system provide fresh water to drink, but it can also filter out the minerals that lead to hard water issues. Hard water contains excess calcium and magnesium. These minerals can leave a sticky residue on your hands after you wash with water, on your clothes after a cycle through the washing machine, on dishes after a cycle in the dishwasher, on the inside of your bathtub, or in your home's pipes/plumbing system.

It's not practical to put individual filters on each spout in your house. If your home has hard water, talk to a contractor about a whole-home option. Along with calcium and magnesium, this type of system may also remove potential contaminants.

Less Environmental Impact

Twenty-seven million tons of plastic ended up in American landfills in 2018, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While bottles aren't the only source of plastic waste, these non-reusable items contribute to a growing environmental issue. A whole-home water filtration system eliminates the need to constantly buy and use plastic bottles. Instead of bottled water, you can use glasses at home and fill reusable containers to go.

Cost Savings

Even though a whole-home system has a higher initial price tag than a faucet filter or a case of bottled water, over time your investment could pay off. Faucet filters quickly wear out and require replacement. If you skip the filter entirely and choose bottles, you'll have to buy enough water to keep your family hydrated. This could equal several bottles or more each day.

Bottled water isn't the only thing a whole-home filtration system can help you to save money on. Without hard water, you may pay less for hand soap, dishwasher soap, or laundry detergent. You'll need more of each soap product to compensate for the suds-reducing properties hard water. This means a filter may lower the overall amount (and cost) of soap/detergent your family uses.