Water contamination and pollution are becoming a huge problem in most modern households. And just like most other present-day problems, water contamination has a simple solution. Filtration systems can easily eliminate disease-causing contaminants in drinking water, making it safe for consumption.
Water filtration systems cost anywhere from $20 for a basic water pitcher with a filter up to $3,000 or more for a whole-home, custom filtering system. According to recent surveys, homeowners should expect to pay an average of $1,800 to install a whole-home water filtration system.
Read on to learn more about the pricing factors involved and tips for saving money on your system and installation.
Factors that influence the price of water filtration systems
Anytime you are dealing with a question of cost, there will be lots of factors at play including which features you are looking where, the availability of parts in your area, installation costs, and your overall budget.
Let’s look at the two biggest factors that determine water filtration system prices:
- Type of filter
- Costs of installation
The type of the filter
The type of water filter is the greatest price determinant. The different types of filters are best suited for different types of contaminants, so you may want to test your water first before settling on which filter to pick.
Here is a table that gives a good estimate of how much the different water filter types cost.
| Water filtration system | Median price |
| Pitcher filtration systems | $35 |
| Faucet mounted | $35 |
| Countertop | $85 |
| Under sink filtration systems | $125 |
| Reverse osmosis filtration systems | $325 |
| Whole house filtration systems | $3150 |
Please note: these are just the average prices based on the computation we did from several sources. The prices in the table are an average of the most expensive and least expensive filters in the respective categories.
So, the actual prices might go higher or lower depending on the type and brand of water filter you go for.
The cost of installation
For the most part, you can easily set up your water filter without the help of a contractor. However, when installing any filtration system that connects to the plumbing, it is a good idea to work with a skilled plumber.
A simple installation mistake can cause the water filter to malfunction, and you might end up drinking contaminated water without even realizing it.
There is an extra cost to working with a licensed plumber, but it will be well spent. The plumber will most likely charge an hourly rate, but there might be some other additional costs depending on your unique situation. For instance, if your plumbing requires some modification in order to fit the filtration system, you will need to dig deeper into your pockets.
When shopping around for a plumber, you will notice that they do not have a uniform rate. The more experienced plumbers typically charge more than the beginners. The thing to remember is you get what you pay for.
While saving money is always a good idea, it makes no economic sense to use the services of someone who will do a haphazard job just because they charge less. Just go for the more experienced contractors, and you will have your peace of mind for years to come.
Tips to save money on water filtration installation
- Try to get your quotes in early winter or late fall. These are usually the low seasons for most contractors, so you are more likely to get the best deals.
- Just like any other project, expect your water filter installation to go slightly over budget, so make allowance for that
- You don’t always have to use a contractor, especially if you are installing a system that doesn’t connect to the plumbing. But read the instructions carefully and follow them to the letter.
- Test the water first to know which contaminant you have. Most water filters are designed to handle specific contaminants. You can take your water sample to a nearby lab for testing. Alternatively, you can test the water yourself by purchasing a DIY water analysis kit. These are usually pretty affordable (less than $35). Here is a link to one that I really like. I love this kit because it can test for at least 10 different contaminants, including lead, pesticides, iron, copper, nitrates and nitrites, chlorine, and bacteria.
Are the water filters worth the money?
The short answer is yes. Water filters will help remove contaminants in drinking water and make it safe for your family. Depending on the contaminant you have, this could be anything from removing a bad aftertaste or odor or a more serious issue like removing lead contamination.
Contaminated water is known to cause communicable diseases, so you may want to nip any potential health hazard in the bud by installing a water filter. Besides, the cost of installing a water filter is negligible compared to how much you would have to spend on medication if you got sick from drinking the unfiltered polluted water.
I have written a more detailed blog post explaining why water filters are necessary for every homeowner. You can read it here.