Does my hot water system need a water filter?

Signs Your Hot Water System Needs a Filter

There are a few common signs that may indicate your tankless water heaters could benefit from a filter:

• A clear sign of scale around your faucets or inside the tankless heater
• Reduced water flow from hot water tank taps
• Strange noises coming from the water heater
• Discoloured or cloudy hot water

These indicators often imply a requirement for a water filter system to address hard water issues. Water hardness, characterized by high levels of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals, can result in scale deposits that are detrimental to plumbing. Over time, scale accumulation can lead to reduced efficiency and lifespan of your hot water system.

Dedicated filter tap systems for hot water heaters remove impurities including chlorine and heavy metals via activated carbon or ion exchange resin beads. This safeguard guarantees optimal water flow, thereby improving water quality with reverse osmosis techniques. Water heater filters, especially those with whole house UV technology, improve your drinking water by removing sediment and chlorine for better taste and odour.

Upon noticing scale buildup, it’s advisable to consider a whole house or point-of-use hot and cold water filter beneath your sink. This can extend the life of your system and enhance your home’s hot water performance with the added protection of a uv light.

How Water Filtration Works

Water filtration works by passing water through filter mediums that trap and remove impurities. There are various types water filters available, each designed for specific water treatment needs:

1. Mechanical filters use a physical barrier like a screen or membrane to block sediment, rust, and other particles.
2. Carbon filters contain activated carbon that adsorbs chemicals, odours, and bad tastes from the water.
3. Ion exchange filters swap out magnesium, calcium and other mineral ions that cause hard water with softer sodium or potassium ions.
4. Reverse osmosis filters Push water through a stage reverse osmosis membrane that filters out salts, metals, and minerals.

As it passes through a filter system, untreated water is rid of contaminants; ensuring clean water is available for various uses. Over time, filters become saturated and need a change, but your proactive maintenance can prolong their effective lifespan. Our filtration service significantly enhances water quality, improving pressure, flow rate, taste, odour, and overall purity.

Do water filters work? Absolutely. They offer an effective remedy for scale buildup, chlorine-related taste and odour, lead, cysts and common well water hardness. They increase the lifespan of water heaters and better the quality of your household plumbing by mitigating mineral deposits, taste, odour, and corrosion of your tap water.

Consider adding a filter kit if you notice reduced pressure or strange noises from pipes. High-quality filtration not only betters the water’s taste but also amplifies the health and longevity of your home’s water system.

Types of Water Filters for Hot Water Systems

Point-of-Use Filters

Point-of-use filters, such as undersink water filters, supply purified water straight from the hot water outlet for ease. These filters deliver pressurised, filtered hot water straight from the faucet. Popular point-of-use filters include:

• Your under sink water filter: Under bench units installed beneath your kitchen sink to filter your tap water and significantly boost its quality.
• Faucet mount filters: Directly attached to the hot water faucet to run water through the filter of a single water tap.
• Shower filters: Specialised filters installed in the shower line to filter bathing water.

Targeted for home use, point-of-use filtration systems efficiently remove contaminants and sediments from a single cold water source. They are easy to install and service.

Whole House Filters

As the name suggests, whole house filters treat all the mains water entering your home. Installed on the main water line, they filter both hot and cold water entering your home. Whole house systems offer a complete water filtration solution, providing a range of benefits like instant hot water on demand.

• Main water line filters: Comprehensive units that sieve out sediment buildup as water enters your home.
• Sediment filters: Pre-filter that traps sediment before the water reaches other treatment systems.

Whole house water filtration systems purify water for every outlet, seamlessly integrating into your home’s plumbing despite the higher cost and complexity.

Inline Water Heater Filters

Inline filters, installed directly on the pipes, ensure maximum efficiency and extend the lifespan of your tank or on-demand heater. They filter water as it enters the tank or on-demand heater. Benefits include:

• Reduced scale buildup inside the tank water system.
• They ensure instant access to boiling and chilled water, boosting both performance and longevity.
• Decrease operating expenses by enhancing heating efficiency.

Benefits of Installing a Water Filter on Your Hot Water System

Adding a quality water filter to your hot water system provides a range of benefits that can improve your water quality and the performance of your heater:

Reduces Scale Buildup

Water filters eliminate particles such as calcium and magnesium that lead to scale deposits in pipes and water heaters. By trapping these "hard water" particles, filters help descale your system to meet your needs and prevent future accumulation.

This protects your hot water system from the negative effects of scale buildup like loss of efficiency, reduced water flow and damage to internal components.

Extends System Lifespan

The descaling abilities of water filters help preserve your water heater and plumbing. Scale buildup shortens the lifespan of hot water systems through corrosion and accumulation in pipes and tanks.

By reducing minerals, filters allow your system to operate efficiently for longer before repairs or replacement are needed.

Improves Hot Water Quality

Filters rid your water supply of contaminants including chlorine, bacteria, viruses, and sediments, rendering it immaculate and enjoyable for use. Resulting in a purer taste, it’s perfect for making your morning coffee or tea, serving as a refreshing bottled water alternative straight from your tap.

Numerous filters also act as water softeners, reducing mineral content and lessening the impact of hard water. This creates a smoother, soapier lather and helps prevent dingy laundry and film on surfaces.

Optimises Water Pressure

Over time, scale accumulation reduces water flow throughout your plumbing system. Filters rejuvenate water pressure by clearing out obstructive buildup.

This allows your tankless water heater to operate at its best, providing superior quality water with heightened pressure from taps and showerheads.

A specialized water heater filter can increase your system’s lifespan, boost efficiency, and improve hot water quality.

Maintenance and Considerations for Water Filters

To keep your water filters working properly, regular maintenance is essential. Here are some important tips:

Monitor and Replace Filter Cartridges

Filter cartridges generally require replacement every 3 to 6 months, subject to usage. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific filter. Monitor the filter lifespan and recognise when you need to change cartridges.

Consistently test the filtered water with a TDS meter. Increasing TDS levels signify that the filter media is exhausted and less effective in contaminant removal.

Clean the Housing

Dirt and sediment can accumulate in the filter housing over time. Once a year, disconnect the system, disassemble the housing and rinse thoroughly. Scrub away any visible deposits.

Completing this step guarantees that the water being used by your family is uncontaminated. Reassemble once completely dry.

Flush and Descale the System

To prevent scale buildup, flush the filter system monthly by running water through it for 5 minutes. For heavier deposits, use a descaling solution.

This extends the life and efficiency of your filtration system.

Engage a Licensed Professional

Replacement and maintenance of whole house filters and under-sink water heater systems should be conducted by a licensed local plumber experienced with water filters; always call us for assistance.

Inadequate servicing can impair the filter systems’ performance, potentially leading to contaminated water in your pipes. Trust an expert for optimal safety and reliability, Feel free to contact us at any time for expert advice.

With periodic maintenance, your water filtration system can provide pure water to your home’s taps for years to come.