Whole House Water Filters: Everything You Need to Know

A whole house water filter is one of the most effective investments you can make for your home’s water quality — filtering every tap, shower, and appliance from a single point of entry. Here’s everything you need to know before buying one in Australia.

For our full guide including product recommendations, see our Whole House Water Filters Guide or browse our whole house filter range.

What Is a Whole House Water Filter?

A whole house water filter (also called a point-of-entry filter) connects to your main water supply line where it enters your home. Every drop of water that flows to any tap, shower, toilet, washing machine, or appliance passes through the filter first. The result: cleaner water throughout your entire home from a single system.

How Does It Work?

Most whole house systems use a multi-stage cartridge process:

1. Pre-filter (sediment stage) — removes sand, silt, rust, and large particles. Protects downstream filters and appliances. Replace every 2–6 months.
2. Carbon stage — removes chlorine, chloramines, VOCs, and taste/odour compounds using activated carbon adsorption. Replace every 4–6 months.
3. Post-filter (fine sediment) — catches any remaining fine particles before water reaches your taps. Replace every 6–12 months.

For more detail on filtration methods, see our article: How Does a Whole House Water Filter Work?

Key Things to Know Before Buying

Chlorine vs Chloramines

Most Australian cities use chloramines (chlorine + ammonia) rather than plain chlorine. Standard carbon filters remove chlorine effectively but are less effective against chloramines. Check your local water utility’s annual water quality report to confirm which disinfectant is used — then choose a filter rated for that specific contaminant.

Flow Rate and Housing Size

Choose a housing size that matches your household’s water demand. A 10" x 4.5" Big Blue housing suits most Australian family homes. Larger households or double-storey homes may need a 20" x 4.5" housing or triple-stage system. See our Whole House Filter Dimensions Guide.

Third-Party Certification

Look for filters tested to NSF/ANSI standards. This confirms the filter removes what it claims to remove — don’t rely on marketing claims alone.

Whole House Filter vs Drinking Water Filter

A whole house filter improves water quality throughout your home but isn’t designed for maximum purity drinking water. For fluoride removal or very high purity drinking water, add a reverse osmosis system or benchtop filter at the kitchen tap.

Benefits of a Whole House Water Filter

• Filtered water at every tap — drinking, cooking, showering, laundry, and appliances all benefit
• Protects appliances — reduces scale, sediment, and chlorine damage to hot water systems, washing machines, and dishwashers
• Better skin and hair — chlorine-free shower water reduces dryness and irritation
• Single maintenance point — one system to maintain rather than filters at every tap
• Cost-effective — cartridge replacements are straightforward and inexpensive

Installation Overview

Most whole house filters are manageable DIY installations for homeowners comfortable with basic plumbing. Key steps: turn off the mains, cut into the supply line, install shut-off valves and a bypass assembly, mount the filter housing, connect inlet and outlet, and flush the system before use. See our full Whole House Water Filter Installation Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions