Water Filter Systems: How to Choose the Right Filter for Your Home

A water filter system can improve the way your household drinks, cooks, showers and uses water every day. The right system can help reduce sediment, chlorine taste, odour and selected contaminants, depending on the filter type, cartridge and water source.

For Australian homes, the best water filter system is not always the biggest system. A kitchen drinking water filter, under sink water filter, whole home water filter, shower filter, reverse osmosis system or UV filtration setup may all suit different needs.

Installed Today offers a range of water filters, including drinking water filtration systems, kitchen water filters, whole home water filtration systems, shower water filters and Puretec water filtration systems.

Quick Answer

The best water filter system for your home depends on your water source and what you want to reduce.

For most town water homes, a kitchen or under sink drinking water filter may be enough if the goal is better-tasting water for drinking and cooking. A whole home water filter may suit households that want filtered water to taps, showers and appliances. A shower filter is for shower water only, while reverse osmosis and UV systems are used for more specific filtration needs.

One filter does not solve every water quality issue. Water source, filter media, cartridge rating, flow rate, maintenance and water testing all matter.

Why Install a Water Filter System?

A water filter system can make everyday water more pleasant and practical to use. Many households choose filtration because they want to reduce chlorine taste, improve odour, capture sediment or stop relying so heavily on bottled water.

A suitable water filter can help with:

• Better-tasting drinking water

• Reduced chlorine taste and smell

• Cleaner water for tea and coffee

• Filtered water for cooking

• Less sediment reaching taps and appliances

• Reduced reliance on single-use bottled water

• More convenient access to filtered water at home

• Improved shower water quality, depending on the system

The right system depends on the problem you want to solve. A simple taste-and-odour filter is not the same as a reverse osmosis system, UV filter, PFAS-rated cartridge or whole home filtration setup.

Common Water Filter System Types

Different water filter systems are designed for different uses. Before choosing a product, it helps to understand the main types.

Drinking Water Filtration Systems

A drinking water filtration system is designed for water you drink, cook with and use at the kitchen sink. These systems are commonly installed under the sink and connected to a dedicated filtered water tap.

They can suit households that mainly want:

• Better-tasting tap water

• Reduced chlorine taste and odour

• Filtered water for bottles

• Filtered water for cooking

• A neat kitchen solution without filtering the whole house

Products such as the Puretec PureMix Z7 water filter, Puretec PureMix Z2 water filter and Puretec PureMix Z6 water filter are examples of drinking water filter options customers may compare.

Kitchen Water Filters

Kitchen water filters are a practical option when your main concern is drinking and cooking water from the kitchen tap.

This type of filter can be a good fit if:

• You mostly drink water from the kitchen

• You want filtered water for tea and coffee

• You want to reduce bottled water use

• You do not need every tap in the house filtered

• You want a compact under sink setup

Kitchen filters are not all the same. Some focus mainly on taste and odour, while others may have broader contaminant reduction claims. Always check the cartridge specifications.

Whole Home Water Filter Systems

A whole home water filtration system filters water before it reaches multiple taps, showers and appliances. This can suit households that want filtration beyond the kitchen sink.

Whole home systems are often considered for:

• Sediment reduction

• Chlorine taste and odour reduction

• Better shower water feel

• Water going to bathrooms and laundry

• Homes with visible particles in water

• Households wanting a broader filtration setup

Examples include the Puretec G6 whole house water filter, Puretec G12 whole house water filter and Puretec G13 whole house water filter.

A whole home filter does not automatically make every tap suitable for every health-related concern. The result depends on the water source, cartridge type, filter stages and maintenance.

Shower Water Filters

Shower water filters are designed for shower water, not drinking water. They may help households that dislike chlorine smell or want a more comfortable shower experience.

A shower filter can suit:

• Showers with noticeable chlorine smell

• Households wanting a simple shower-focused option

• People who want filtration at the showerhead rather than the whole home

• Rental or low-modification situations, depending on product type

A shower filter is not a substitute for a drinking water filter, kitchen filter, whole home filter, reverse osmosis system or UV system.

Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Systems

Reverse osmosis systems use a fine membrane to reduce a broader range of dissolved substances than many basic carbon filters. They are often considered when households want more advanced drinking water filtration.

Reverse osmosis may be useful for selected water quality concerns, but it is not automatically needed for every home.

Before choosing reverse osmosis, consider:

• Flow rate

• Storage tank space

• Cartridge replacement

• Membrane maintenance

• Wastewater

• Remineralisation preferences

• Water pressure requirements

• Whether the system suits your actual water concern

For specific concerns such as PFAS, heavy metals, bore water, rainwater or unknown contaminants, water testing and product specification checks are important.

UV Water Filtration Systems

UV filtration uses ultraviolet light to help manage bacteria and microbiological concerns in certain water supplies. It is often used for rainwater, untreated water or properties where biological contamination needs to be considered.

UV does not remove sediment, chlorine, chemicals, PFAS, heavy metals or bad taste by itself. It is usually installed as part of a broader system, commonly with sediment filtration before the UV chamber.

UV systems also need maintenance. UV lamps generally need regular replacement according to the manufacturer’s schedule, and the water must be clear enough for the UV light to work effectively.

Sediment Filters

Sediment filters are designed to capture physical particles such as sand, dirt, rust and other suspended material. They are often used as a first stage before carbon filters, UV systems or more sensitive filtration equipment.

A sediment filter may be relevant if you notice:

• Grit in water

• Particles in tap water

• Tank water sediment

• Discolouration after mains work

• Blocked aerators

• Sediment affecting appliances

Sediment filtration does not remove every dissolved contaminant. It is one part of a filtration setup.

Activated Carbon Filters

Activated carbon filters are commonly used to reduce chlorine taste, odour and selected organic compounds. They are popular for kitchen and drinking water filtration because they can make water taste fresher and more pleasant.

Activated carbon is often suitable for town water homes where the main complaint is taste or smell. However, it should not be assumed to remove bacteria, PFAS, heavy metals or every chemical unless the cartridge specifications clearly support that claim.

How to Choose the Right Water Filter System

Choosing a water filter system starts with the water source. Town water, rainwater and bore water can have very different filtration needs.

Town Water Homes

Town water homes often choose filtration for taste, odour and chlorine reduction. A kitchen filter or drinking water filter may be enough for many households.

A whole home filter may be considered where the household wants filtered water at showers, bathroom taps, laundry and appliances as well as the kitchen.

Rainwater Homes

Rainwater can require a more specific setup because water quality depends on the roof, gutters, tank condition, pump, pipework and maintenance. Sediment and biological concerns may need to be considered.

For rainwater used for drinking, water testing and suitable filtration are important. UV may be relevant in some setups, but it should be paired with correct pre-filtration and maintenance.

Bore Water Homes

Bore water can vary widely. It may contain minerals, sediment, iron, hardness, odour, staining or other water chemistry issues. A standard kitchen taste-and-odour filter may not be enough.

Water testing is strongly recommended before selecting a bore water filtration system.

Homes Concerned About PFAS or Heavy Metals

PFAS, lead, heavy metals and other health-related contaminants need careful product matching. Do not rely on a general water filter description alone.

For these concerns, check:

• Water test results

• Cartridge specifications

• Certification details where available

• What the filter is designed to reduce

• Replacement schedule

• Flow rate and capacity

• Whether pre-filtration is required

A taste-and-odour filter is not automatically a PFAS filter, bacteria filter or heavy metal filter.

Whole Home vs Under Sink Water Filters

Both whole home and under sink filters can be useful, but they solve different problems.

Choose an Under Sink Filter If You Want:

• Filtered drinking water at the kitchen sink

• Better water for coffee, tea and cooking

• A compact kitchen filtration setup

• Lower-cost filtration compared with whole home systems

• A dedicated filtered water tap

Choose a Whole Home Filter If You Want:

• Filtered water across more than one tap

• Sediment reduction before water reaches appliances

• Filtered water for showers and bathrooms

• A broader household filtration setup

• Main-line filtration rather than kitchen-only filtration

Some households use both: a whole home filter for general filtration, plus a dedicated drinking water filter at the kitchen sink.

Water Filter Maintenance Matters

A water filter system only works properly when it is maintained. Cartridges and filter media have a service life. Once they are exhausted, performance can decline.

Common signs your filter may need replacement include:

• Reduced water flow

• Change in taste

• Change in smell

• Visible sediment

• Filter age

• Reaching the litre capacity

• Reaching the replacement interval

• UV lamp service date reached

Replacement timing depends on water quality, water usage, cartridge type and manufacturer instructions. A high-use household may need cartridge changes sooner than a low-use household.

Water Filter Flow Rate and Pressure

Flow rate matters, especially for whole home systems. If a filter is too restrictive, it may affect water flow to showers, taps and appliances.

Before ordering, consider:

• Household size

• Number of bathrooms

• Peak water use

• Pipe size

• Filter flow rate

• Pressure requirements

• Whether the filter will serve one tap or the whole home

For whole home filtration, product selection should suit the expected household demand. For kitchen filters, the filtered tap flow rate should suit normal drinking and cooking use.

Environmental Benefits of Home Water Filtration

A home water filter can help reduce reliance on bottled water. This can lower plastic waste, reduce storage needs and make it easier to refill reusable bottles at home.

Filtered water at the tap can be useful for:

• School water bottles

• Work bottles

• Gym bottles

• Cooking

• Coffee machines

• Ice trays

• Everyday drinking

The environmental benefit depends on how much bottled water your household currently uses and whether you switch to reusable bottles after installing the filter.

Supply-Only vs Supplied-and-Installed

Installed Today offers supply-only ordering across major Australian metro areas. This can suit customers who already have a licensed installer organised and want to order the product online.

Selected supplied-and-installed options are available on eligible products in Brisbane and Gold Coast service areas. Availability depends on the product, address and installation requirements.

For supply-only products, the listed product price generally covers the product only.

It does not usually include:

• Installation labour

• Plumbing alterations

• Electrical work

• New valves

• Pipework changes

• Drainage changes

• Old filter removal

• Disposal

• Compliance upgrades

• Cabinet modifications

• Tap hole drilling unless listed

• Wall mounting changes

• Pipe resizing

• Water testing

• Cartridge replacement labour

• Site assessment

Plumbing work should be completed by a licensed plumber where required. If you are ordering a supply-only water filter, confirm the connection type, available space, pipework, pressure and installation requirements with your installer before ordering.

Brisbane and Gold Coast Water Filter Considerations

Homes in Brisbane and the Gold Coast can have different filtration needs depending on property age, pipework, water source and household expectations.

Town water homes may focus on taste, chlorine odour and drinking water convenience. Acreage or semi-rural properties may need to consider rainwater tanks, pumps, sediment, water source testing and UV suitability.

For health-related concerns, PFAS, heavy metals, rainwater, bore water or unknown water quality, testing should be considered before selecting a filter. The right system should be chosen based on the actual water issue, not just the product category.

Before Ordering Checklist

Before choosing a water filter system, check:

• Are you on town water, rainwater or bore water?

• Do you want filtered drinking water only or whole home filtration?

• Is the main issue taste, odour, sediment, chlorine, PFAS, bacteria, heavy metals or scale?

• Has the water been tested where needed?

• Is there enough space under the sink or near the main water line?

• What pipe size and connection type are required?

• What flow rate do you need?

• What pressure range does the product require?

• How often are cartridges replaced?

• What will replacement cartridges cost over time?

• Is UV required for microbiological concerns?

• Is reverse osmosis necessary or excessive for your needs?

• Do you need a licensed plumber for installation?

• Are you ordering supply-only or an eligible supplied-and-installed option?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best water filter system for a home?

The best water filter system depends on your water source and what you want to reduce. A kitchen drinking water filter may suit taste and odour concerns, while a whole home filter may suit households wanting broader filtration across taps, showers and appliances.

Are whole home water filters worth it?

Whole home water filters can be worthwhile if you want filtered water beyond the kitchen sink. They may help reduce sediment, chlorine taste and odour throughout the home, depending on the system and cartridge selected.

Is an under sink water filter better than a whole home filter?

Not always. An under sink filter is usually better for targeted drinking water filtration at the kitchen. A whole home filter is better if you want filtration to multiple taps, showers and appliances.

Does a water filter remove bacteria?

Some systems are designed to manage bacteria concerns, but not all filters remove or neutralise bacteria. UV systems may be used for microbiological control, often with sediment pre-filtration. Water testing and correct system selection are important.

Does a carbon filter remove PFAS?

Not every carbon filter is a PFAS filter. Some cartridges may be designed and tested for PFAS reduction, but this must be confirmed from the product specifications. For PFAS concerns, water testing and product matching are important.

How often should water filter cartridges be replaced?

Replacement timing depends on the filter, water quality and household usage. Some cartridges are replaced by time, some by litres, and some when flow or taste changes. Always follow the manufacturer’s schedule.

How often should UV lamps be replaced?

UV lamp replacement depends on the UV system. Many UV lamps are replaced around every 12 months, but you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific unit.

Can I install a water filter system myself?

Some simple filters may be designed for basic connection, but many under sink and whole home systems require plumbing work. Plumbing work should be completed by a licensed plumber where required.

Final Word

A water filter system can make everyday water more convenient, better tasting and more practical for your household. The right system depends on whether you want filtered drinking water, kitchen filtration, shower filtration, whole home filtration, reverse osmosis or UV treatment.

For most homes, the smart approach is to start with the water source and the problem you want to solve. Then choose a system that matches the issue, flow rate, maintenance requirements and installation setup.

Browse Installed Today’s range of water filters, compare kitchen water filters, or view whole home water filtration systems to find a suitable option for your home.