Whole House Water Filters Australia: Complete Home Guide

When most people think about filtered water, they think about the water they drink from the kitchen tap.

But water is used throughout your entire home.

You shower in it, cook with it, wash clothes in it, bathe the kids in it, fill the pets' bowls with it and run it through appliances every day.

That is where a whole house water filter is different from a standard under-sink drinking water filter.

Instead of filtering water at one tap, a whole house filtration system is installed on the main water supply so water can be filtered before it travels through the home.

If you are researching a whole house water filter in Australia, this guide explains the key things to understand before choosing a system.

What Is a Whole House Water Filter?

A whole house water filter is designed to filter water as it enters your property.

Depending on the plumbing layout and filtration system, this can mean filtered water is available throughout the home, including:

• Kitchen taps
• Bathrooms
• Showers
• Laundry
• Baths
• Other connected water outlets

This is why whole house filtration is sometimes also referred to as whole home water filtration.

Rather than focusing only on drinking water, it takes a broader approach to the water being used throughout the property.

How Does a Whole House Water Filter Work?

The exact filtration process depends on the system you choose.

Many whole house systems use multiple filtration stages. Each stage can perform a different role.

For example, one cartridge may focus on sediment while another may use carbon or specialised filtration media for other water quality concerns.

This is why it is important not to choose a system simply because it has more stages.

What matters is what each filtration stage is designed to do and whether those functions match your water source and what you want to improve.

What Can a Whole House Water Filter Reduce?

This depends entirely on the filtration system and cartridges being used.

Different systems may be designed for concerns such as:

• Sediment and visible particles
• Chlorine
• Taste and odour
• PFAS compounds
• Heavy metals
• Iron
• Other specific water quality concerns

Not every whole house filter reduces the same substances.

Always check the specifications and supporting product information for the exact system you are considering rather than assuming all filters perform the same way.

If you have a specific concern, such as PFAS, fluoride, hardness or iron, choose a filtration solution designed for that particular purpose.

Whole House Water Filter vs Under-Sink Water Filter

One of the most common questions is whether you need whole house filtration or an under-sink water filter.

The main difference is where you want the water filtered.

Under-Sink Water Filter

An under-sink water filter is typically installed beneath the kitchen sink and provides filtered water specifically for drinking and cooking.

This can be a good option if your main priority is the water coming from your kitchen tap.

You can explore Thrive's under-sink water filters here.

Whole House Water Filter

A whole house system is designed to filter the incoming water supply before it travels through the rest of the home.

This makes it more suitable for households wanting filtration beyond drinking water alone.

Explore Thrive's whole house water filtration systems.

Can You Have Whole House Filtration and Reverse Osmosis?

Yes.

For some households, the right setup may involve more than one type of filtration.

For example, you may choose a whole house system for water throughout the home and then install a reverse osmosis system in the kitchen for drinking and cooking water.

This allows different filtration technologies to be used for different purposes.

Whether this is necessary for your home depends on your water source, filtration goals and the specifications of the systems you are considering.

5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Whole House Water Filter

1. Your Water Source

Start by identifying where your water comes from.

This may include:

• Town or mains water
• Rainwater or tank water
• Bore or well water
• A combination of water sources

Different water sources can require very different approaches to filtration.

If you are using rainwater, bore water or another private water source, it may be appropriate to assess the water before deciding which filtration system is suitable.

2. What You Actually Want to Improve

Think about what led you to start looking at water filtration.

Is your main concern:

• Chlorine taste or smell?
• Sediment?
• PFAS?
• Hard water or scale?
• Rainwater filtration?
• Water throughout the whole home?
• Drinking water quality?

Starting with the problem makes it much easier to choose the right filtration solution.

If you are not sure what you need, try Thrive's Water Filter Finder.

3. Flow Rate

Flow rate is particularly important with whole house filtration.

Your filtration system needs to accommodate the amount of water your household may use at the same time.

For example, someone may be showering while another tap is running and the washing machine is filling.

A system that is too restrictive for the household's water demand may affect water flow.

Check the recommended flow rate of the system and consider the size and water usage of your household.

4. Filter Replacement and Maintenance

Water filtration systems require ongoing maintenance.

Filter cartridges eventually need to be replaced, and the replacement schedule will depend on the system, the cartridges, water quality and household usage.

Before purchasing a whole house water filter, find out:

• How often the filters are typically replaced
• Which replacement cartridges are required
• How much replacement filters cost
• Whether servicing is recommended
• How easy replacement cartridges are to purchase

Thrive also supplies replacement water filters to make ongoing maintenance easier.

5. Installation

Whole house filtration becomes part of the plumbing supplying your home, so installation is an important part of the overall system.

It is not simply about choosing a filter and mounting it to a wall.

The position of the system, available space, pipework, water pressure, flow requirements and future servicing access should all be considered.

Whole House Water Filter Installation on the Mornington Peninsula

Thrive Water Filters was born on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

Scott, one of the people behind Thrive, runs S F Plumbing and has more than 22 years of plumbing experience across residential plumbing, water systems and infrastructure.

For eligible customers on the Mornington Peninsula and surrounding areas, professional water filter installation and servicing is available through S F Plumbing.

This gives local Thrive customers access to both filtration product support and practical plumbing experience when setting up a system in their home.

If you would like to discuss local installation, contact Thrive here.

What About Rainwater Filtration?

Rainwater and tank water require different considerations from mains water.

The condition of the roof, gutters, tank, first-flush system, sediment levels and the way the water will be used can all influence the filtration setup.

If your home uses rainwater, choose a system that is suitable for your water source rather than assuming a standard mains-water setup is appropriate.

You can explore Thrive's rainwater filtration options here.

What If My Main Problem Is Hard Water?

Water filtration and water softening are not necessarily the same thing.

If your main concern is hard water, scale or mineral build-up, a water softener may be more appropriate than simply adding another standard filtration cartridge.

Thrive carries water softening systems for households where hardness and scale are the main concerns.

What If I Am Concerned About PFAS?

If PFAS is one of your main reasons for researching water filtration, look specifically for a system designed and tested for PFAS reduction.

Do not assume every whole house filter automatically reduces PFAS.

The filtration media, system design and supporting performance information matter.

Explore Thrive's PFAS water filtration systems.

Which Whole House Water Filter Is Right for My Home?

There is no single filtration system that is right for every Australian home.

The best place to start is with three simple questions:

1. Where does your water come from?
2. Where do you want filtered water?
3. What do you most want to improve?

Once you know those answers, it becomes much easier to narrow down the right type of filtration.

Thrive's goal is to make that process simpler without overwhelming you with unnecessary technical information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Whole House Water Filters

Is a whole house water filter worth it?

A whole house water filter may be worth considering if you want filtration for water used throughout your home rather than only at the kitchen tap.

Whether it is right for you depends on your water source, filtration goals, budget and household requirements.

Does a whole house water filter filter shower water?

When installed on the main incoming water supply, a whole house filtration system can filter water before it reaches connected outlets throughout the home, including showers.

Do whole house water filters reduce chlorine?

Some whole house filtration systems use media designed to reduce chlorine, but this depends on the specific system and cartridges used.

Always check the product specifications before purchasing.

Do whole house water filters remove PFAS?

Some systems are specifically designed for PFAS reduction, but not every whole house water filter removes PFAS.

Look for a system with documented PFAS performance if this is one of your main filtration priorities.

How often should whole house filters be replaced?

Replacement intervals depend on the system, cartridge type, water source, water quality and household usage.

Follow the manufacturer's recommended replacement schedule for your specific filtration system.

Can I install a whole house water filter myself?

Installation requirements vary by system and property.

Because a whole house system connects to the plumbing supplying the home, professional installation may be appropriate.

Where can I buy a whole house water filter in Australia?

Thrive Water Filters supplies whole house filtration systems Australia-wide.

Customers on the Mornington Peninsula and surrounding local areas can also enquire about professional installation and servicing through S F Plumbing.