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Having spent years testing and installing whole house water filtration systems, we’ve found that understanding your system is crucial for optimal performance.
Our experience shows that homeowners typically use one of two main types of whole house water filters (which you might also hear called point of entry, whole home, or media water filters).
The first type combines multiple filter cartridges working together in sequence, while the second employs a more straightforward backwashing mechanism.
In this guide, we’ll focus specifically on backwashing filters – explaining exactly how they work, why the backwashing process matters so much for your water quality, and sharing our honest assessment of the advantages and limitations we’ve discovered through installing these systems in countless homes.
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Through our extensive field testing, we’ve discovered that quality whole house backwashing filters work differently than traditional filtration systems.
Instead of physically screening out contaminants, these point of entry (POE) water filters use specialized media like activated carbon and KDF-55 that absorb impurities from your water supply.
We’ve observed that as this absorption process continues, the filter media gradually becomes saturated with contaminants. When this happens, two things occur: the filter’s effectiveness at purifying your water decreases, and you might notice reduced water pressure throughout your home.
This is where backwashing comes in – it’s the essential maintenance process that keeps your system running efficiently. During a backwash cycle, water flows in the reverse direction through your filter, creating a cleaning action that we like to think of as a “deep clean” for your filter media.
Through this reverse agitation process, the accumulated contaminants are flushed out, effectively rejuvenating your filter media.
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Through our extensive testing of whole house water filters, we’ve found that backwashing plays a crucial role in maintaining filter effectiveness.
When your filter media captures contaminants from your water supply, these particles need to be regularly removed to maintain optimal performance.
This cleaning process, which we call backwashing, pushes these trapped contaminants out through a dedicated drain port, preventing them from entering your home’s water supply.
We’ve discovered that modern whole house filters have transformed this maintenance task into a completely hands-free operation, thanks to sophisticated electronic control heads.
In our experience installing and maintaining these systems, we’ve found these control heads can be programmed in two primary ways: based on water usage (gallons filtered) or on a regular time schedule (typically monthly or bi-monthly).
These smart controls have completely changed how whole house filtration systems operate.
Our testing shows they significantly reduce water waste during the backwashing process while maximizing filter media performance and lifespan.
Through our research and hands-on testing, we’ve noticed substantial differences in backwashing cycles across different filter models.
Let’s look at one standout system we’ve extensively tested – the Aqua Ox. The RE Edition (which handles iron and sulfur removal) follows this precise backwashing sequence:
The entire process wraps up in under an hour, ensuring minimal disruption to your water service.
Through our professional assessment, we’ve identified three key benefits of regular backwashing:
In our years of testing and maintaining whole house filters, we’ve learned that backwashing frequency isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
The schedule depends on several key factors we’ve identified through our field work: the specific contaminants in your incoming water (which we always recommend identifying through home water testing), their concentration levels, your filter type, and the capabilities of your particular system model.
Based on our extensive experience, here are some general guidelines we’ve developed: Specialized filters handling high levels of iron and sulfur in well water typically need backwashing every 3-4 days to maintain peak performance.
For activated carbon filters treating municipal water, we’ve found they can usually operate effectively for up to 2 weeks between backwashing cycles.
Through our comprehensive testing of various whole house filtration systems, we’ve identified several distinct categories designed for specific water quality challenges. Here’s what we’ve discovered about each type:
Our experience with well water treatment has shown that these contaminants often present the biggest challenges for homeowners. In our testing, we’ve found that catalytic carbon media proves particularly effective at removing these problematic substances, along with various other contaminants.
We’ve extensively tested these filters and found their impressive surface area and absorption capabilities make them outstanding performers. Their strength lies in removing chlorine, chemicals, and pesticides, while simultaneously tackling sediment and organic matter.
In our lab testing, these systems have proven to be powerhouses. They don’t just handle chlorine – they effectively remove the more challenging chloramines (which form when ammonia combines with chlorinated water). We’ve also verified their exceptional performance in removing iron, sulfur, and manganese from water supplies.
During our evaluations, we’ve worked extensively with these specialized filters that use alumina-silicate crystal mineral media with precise pore sizes. We’ve confirmed their effectiveness in treating water turbidity issues.
Our testing demonstrates their excellent capability in capturing silt, sand, and other particulates, while also addressing colloidal and soluble inorganic metal contamination.
Through our water quality assessments, we’ve identified acidic pH as one of the most challenging water issues to address. These specialized filters introduce calcite to maintain a more neutral pH (around 7.0), which our testing shows effectively prevents corrosion problems.
While many whole house filters struggle with fluoride removal, our research shows that Bone Char filters excel in this area. By combining carbon filtration with an ion-exchanging hydroxyapatite lattice surface (made from carefully selected animal bones), we’ve found these systems provide reliable fluoride reduction.
Based on our years of testing and installing various whole house filtration systems, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of advantages and disadvantages you should consider:
After testing hundreds of water filtration systems over the years, our team strongly recommends whole house water filtration systems for most homeowners – particularly those relying on well water.
For homes with high-quality municipal water supply (though we’ve found this isn’t always the case), you might not need a whole house system. However, our testing still indicates you’d benefit from a good reverse osmosis system or another point-of-use filter to ensure the healthiest possible drinking water.
If you haven’t yet installed a whole house filtration system, we invite you to explore our detailed reviews of the best whole house filters currently available. These reviews reflect our hands-on testing and real-world experience with each system.
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