Whole House Water Filter Buying Guide: What to Look For

A whole house water filter is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to your home’s water quality. Here’s what to look for when choosing a system in Australia.

Browse our whole house filter range or see our full Whole House Water Filters Guide.

Why Whole House Filtration Matters

A whole house filter connects to your main water supply line — every tap, shower, appliance, and hot water system receives filtered water. This matters because chlorine and chloramines in town water don’t just affect drinking water. They also:

• Dry out skin and hair during showering
• Fade colour-treated hair faster
• Affect the taste of food and beverages cooked with tap water
• Reduce the lifespan of rubber seals and fittings in appliances

A whole house carbon filter removes chlorine and chloramines from all water entering the home, addressing these issues at the source.

Key Buying Considerations

1. Know Your Water Source

Town water: primarily chlorine/chloramine removal — a twin Big Blue (sediment + carbon) handles most needs. Bore or tank water: requires sediment filtration, carbon, and potentially UV sterilisation. A water quality test is recommended.

2. Choose the Right Size

Big Blue 10" x 4.5" housings are the standard for Australian family homes. They handle higher flow rates and have longer cartridge life than slim-line housings. Larger households or high-sediment supplies may benefit from 20" housings.

3. Check the Flow Rate

Measured in litres per minute (L/min) or gallons per minute (GPM). The system must handle your household’s peak demand without pressure drop. A twin Big Blue system handles 30–60+ L/min — sufficient for most Australian family homes.

4. Look for NSF Certification

NSF/ANSI certification confirms the system removes what it claims. Look for NSF 42 (aesthetic effects — chlorine, taste, odour) and NSF 53 (health effects — heavy metals, cysts) certifications on cartridges.

5. Consider Ongoing Costs

Sediment cartridges: $20–40 each, replaced every 2–6 months. Carbon cartridges: $30–60 each, replaced every 4–6 months. Total annual cartridge cost for a twin system: approximately $80–$200. Browse our replacement cartridge range.

Frequently Asked Questions