Best Water Filtration Systems for Your Home: How to Choose the Right One

Having clean, safe water at home is essential for your family’s health and for protecting your plumbing and appliances. The best water filtration system for your home depends on your water source, household needs, and budget. From activated carbon filters to reverse osmosis and whole-house systems, each option has its advantages. In this guide, we’ll help you understand how to choose the right water filtration system for your home and why homeowners across Ramsey, NJ, Bergen County, and Rockland County trust RJP Plumbing & Heating for professional installation and reliable service.

Key Takeaways:

• Test your water and match the system to contaminants and household needs—options include point-of-use (RO), activated carbon, whole-house filters, and UV disinfection.
• Compare performance (flow rate, contaminant removal, certifications), ongoing maintenance, and total cost of ownership when choosing a system.
• RJP Plumbing & Heating is the top choice to install your water filtration system, offering installation and repairs in Ramsey, NJ and surrounding areas throughout Bergen County NJ and Rockland County NY.

Understanding Water Filtration

Importance of Water Filtration

You should filter to remove taste, odor and specific pollutants that municipal treatment and private wells can leave behind; activated carbon often removes 90–99% of chlorine and many organics, while reverse osmosis can cut dissolved solids by 95–98%. If you have a private well, note it’s not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, so testing and treatment are your responsibility.

Pro Tip: RJP Plumbing & Heating, based in Ramsey, NJ, is a trusted, fully licensed and insured plumbing and heating company serving Northern New Jersey and Rockland County NY. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing services such as, drain cleaning, water heater installations, boiler replacements, leak detection, plumbing fixture installation and repair, water filtration installation and repair plus more! 

Types of Contaminants in Home Water

Common contaminants include lead from aging pipes, nitrates from agricultural runoff, microbial pathogens in wells, PFAS at parts-per-trillion levels, chlorine byproducts, sediment and hardness minerals; each requires different treatment, carbon for organics and chlorine, RO for dissolved solids and heavy metals, UV for microbes. You should test to identify concentrations and select systems accordingly.

• Lead — from older plumbing; linked to developmental harm in children.
• Nitrates — common near farmland; dangerous to infants at high levels.
• Microbes — bacteria and viruses in wells; cause gastrointestinal illness.
• PFAS — persistent industrial chemicals detected at ppt levels; resist breakdown.
• The hardness minerals (calcium, magnesium) that cause scale and reduce appliance efficiency.

Lead	Reverse osmosis, KDF + carbon
Nitrates	Reverse osmosis or ion exchange
Microbial contamination	UV disinfection and proper prefiltration
PFAS	Granular activated carbon (GAC) or RO
Hardness (Ca/Mg)	Ion-exchange water softener

You’ll want to test annually for bacteria and nitrates and every 2–3 years for metals, PFAS and TDS using a certified lab; compare results to EPA guidance (for example, lead action level 15 ppb historically) to prioritize treatment. Based on concentrations, combine technologies—UV plus carbon for wells with microbes and organics, or RO after a softener for very hard water and high TDS.

• Test annually for bacteria and nitrates to protect infants and immunocompromised household members.
• Compare lab results to EPA benchmarks like a 15 ppb lead action level to decide urgency.
• Match contaminant levels to system specs—RO typically rejects 95–98% of dissolved solids.
• Schedule maintenance: replace carbon every 6–12 months and prefilters every 3–6 months depending on usage.
• The installation by a licensed plumber ensures proper flow rates, warranty compliance, and adherence to local codes.

Bacteria	Test annually; treat with UV or chlorination
Nitrates	Test annually; remove with RO or ion exchange
Lead	Test every 2–3 years or after plumbing changes; use RO/KDF
PFAS	Test every 2–3 years; treat with GAC or RO
Hardness/TDS	Test every 1–3 years; use softener or RO depending on goals

Types of Water Filtration Systems

Activated Carbon Filters	Removes chlorine, VOCs, bad tastes/odors; best for municipal water; typical cartridge life 6–12 months.
Reverse Osmosis	Rejects 95–99% dissolved solids (membrane ~0.0001 µm); produces low-TDS water but wastes some water (1:1–4:1).
UV Purification	Inactivates bacteria and viruses (>99.99% when sized correctly); requires low-turbidity feed and annual lamp changes.
Distillation Units	Boils and condenses water to remove minerals, metals and pathogens; very pure output but slower and energy-intensive.
Ion Exchange / Softeners	Exchanges calcium/magnesium for sodium or potassium to prevent scale; periodic salt regeneration required.

• You’ll often pair sediment prefilters with carbon or RO to protect downstream components and extend cartridge life.
• You should weigh upfront cost, replacement frequency and footprint when choosing under-sink versus whole-house solutions.
• You can combine technologies (carbon + RO + UV) to cover chemical, particulate and microbial contaminants as needed.
• Perceiving the balance between cost, maintenance and contaminant removal will guide the right choice for your home.

Activated Carbon Filters

Activated carbon adsorbs chlorine, many VOCs and taste/odor compounds so you’ll notice better-tasting tap water quickly; you should choose block carbon for particulate removal or granular for higher flow, and plan cartridge swaps every 6–12 months based on gallons treated and turbidity.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

Reverse osmosis delivers very low-TDS water by forcing feed through a semi-permeable membrane that removes salts, lead and many dissolved contaminants; you’ll get high-purity water for cooking and drinking but should account for reject water and consider a remineralization stage if you prefer balanced taste.

Install RO with a sediment prefilter and carbon stage to protect the membrane, expect prefilter changes every 6–12 months and membrane swaps every 2–5 years depending on feed quality and usage, size the storage tank for peak demand, and hire a professional for proper drain and pressure setup.

UV Purification Systems

UV systems inactivate bacteria, viruses and protozoa by exposing flowing water to germicidal UV-C, so you’ll achieve >99.99% microbial reduction when the unit is correctly sized; note UV won’t remove particulates or chemicals, so start with clear, low-turbidity water and appropriate prefiltration.

Place UV after sediment and carbon stages for best performance, replace the lamp annually and clean the quartz sleeve as recommended, size the reactor for the household flow (typical domestic systems handle 5–15 gpm), and test your well if microbiological risk is suspected before relying solely on UV.

Distillation Units

Distillers boil water and condense the steam, removing minerals, heavy metals and most biologicals so you’ll get near-complete purity; expect flat taste without remineralization, slow production relative to RO, and routine descaling to maintain efficiency.

Choose a unit sized for your daily needs (small countertop models produce lower volumes), plan for regular scale removal and occasional component cleaning, and account for electricity use and venting when locating the unit to ensure safe, continuous operation.

Key Features to Consider

Assess features like contaminant removal rates, certifications, maintenance and capacity so you match system performance to your water quality and household size; look for NSF/ANSI 53/42 ratings, RO systems that remove up to 99% of TDS, and carbon filters that cut chlorine and VOCs. Typical filter lives run 3–12 months (cartridge) and 2–3 years (RO membrane), so factor replacement costs. Perceiving how those specs align with your home helps.

• Filtration technology: RO (up to 99% TDS removal), activated carbon (chlorine, VOCs), UV (pathogens), ion exchange (softening).
• Micron rating: sediment pre-filters 5–20 µm; carbon block 0.5–5 µm for fine particulate control.
• NSF/ANSI certifications: look for 42 (aesthetic), 53 (health-related), 58 (RO) to verify claims.
• Contaminant removal percentages: RO 95–99% for dissolved solids; carbon 80–99% for chlorine/VOCs depending on contact time.
• Flow rate and capacity: whole-house systems 8–15 gpm; point-of-use faucets 0.5–2 gpm; RO rated in GPD (50–100+ GPD).
• Filter life and maintenance: cartridge swaps every 3–12 months; RO membranes 2–3 years; costs vary $50–$300/year.
• Water pressure & pre-treatment: systems often need 40–80 psi; hard water requires softening or scale control before RO.
• Waste ratio & efficiency: conventional RO 3:1 waste:permeate; high-efficiency units approach 1:1 or use recovery pumps.
• Installation type & cost: POU under-sink $150–$800; whole-house filtration $800–$3,000 installed.
• Warranty, service plans, and monitoring: digital indicators or smart apps reduce guessing on replacements and service intervals.

Filtration Efficiency

You should evaluate removal rates against your lab results: RO systems typically cut 95–99% of TDS and heavy metals, carbon blocks remove 80–99% of chlorine and many VOCs, and UV provides >99.99% inactivation of bacteria and viruses when flow and contact time meet specs. If your TDS exceeds 300 ppm or you detect lead, prioritize RO or certified multimedia systems; aim for NSF/ANSI-verified performance levels when selecting filters.

Maintenance Requirements

You’ll plan on changing sediment and carbon cartridges every 3–12 months, replacing RO membranes every 2–3 years, and performing annual system checks; expect annual consumable costs typically between $50 and $300 depending on system size and usage. Scheduling professional service for pressure checks and cartridge swaps keeps warranties valid and performance consistent, and many homeowners in Bergen County choose RJP Plumbing & Heating for that care.

For hands-on upkeep, you can replace cartridges yourself in most under-sink and point-of-use units—turn off feed valves, depressurize, swap cartridges, and sanitize housings per manufacturer steps. Whole-house systems may require backwashing or media replacement and sometimes a licensed plumber for valve work; annual pressure-drop monitoring (a >15% drop indicates clogging) prevents flow loss. Budget $100–$400 every 1–3 years for parts and pro labor if you opt for boilerplate maintenance contracts.

Flow Rate and Capacity

You need to size systems to peak demand: a single bathroom household often needs 6–8 gpm, a 2–3 bathroom home typically requires 8–15 gpm for simultaneous use, and RO units are rated by gallons per day (50–100 GPD common for families of 2–4). Pay attention to storage tank volume on RO systems—a 2–4 gallon tank smooths delivery and reduces wait times at the faucet.

To calculate needs, add fixture flow rates: shower ~2.5 gpm, kitchen faucet 1.5 gpm, dishwasher 1–2 gpm; two showers plus a faucet concurrently push you toward a 10–12 gpm whole-house unit. If your incoming pressure is below 40 psi, you may need a booster pump for RO to achieve rated GPD; also consider recovery ratios (higher efficiency systems and tanks reduce water waste and improve usable throughput).

Choosing the Right System for Your Home

Match the system to your contaminant profile, flow needs, and budget. If you want whole-home protection, choose a 5–15 GPM system to guard plumbing from sediment and chlorine. For drinking water, you’ll often prefer a point-of-use RO unit (0.5–1.5 GPM, 50–75 gallons per day) to cut dissolved solids and heavy metals. Pair carbon prefilters with 1–5 micron sediment stages to extend filter life. When TDS exceeds ~300 ppm or you detect metallic taste, lean toward RO.

Assessing Your Water Quality

You should start with a certified lab test and your water supplier’s Consumer Confidence Report to identify lead, nitrates, PFAS, chlorine, hardness, and TDS. Municipal CCRs list measured levels and treatment methods; private wells benefit from annual coliform and nitrate testing. If lab results show lead above 0.015 mg/L or TDS over ~300 ppm, prioritize targeted media or RO. At-home kits help screen, but confirm with a lab before buying a system.

Family Size and Water Usage

You should size systems by household demand: an average person uses about 80–100 gallons per day, so a family of four needs roughly 320–400 gallons daily. Whole-house systems must support peak flow—aim for 8–12 GPM for 3–4 bathrooms; under-sink RO with 50–75 gpd output suits drinking and cooking. Check filter lifespan ratings (e.g., 10,000–100,000 gallons) to estimate replacement frequency and operating cost.

For larger households or high-demand uses—irrigation or frequent laundry—you’ll need higher-capacity media tanks and possibly a 200–500 gallon storage or booster pump to maintain pressure. For example, a six-person home with 600–700 gpd demand benefits from dual-tank softeners or a 15 GPM whole-house filter.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

You should size the unit to the available space and verify household water pressure (optimal 40–80 psi) before purchase; low pressure reduces flow and may require a booster pump. Change sediment and carbon cartridges every 6–12 months, expect RO membranes to last 2–3 years, and note RO systems commonly waste about 3–4 gallons per filtered gallon without a reclaim pump. Use a TDS meter to test before and after installation to confirm performance.

• Measure under-sink/cabinet space and line length; allow 18–24 inches clearance for cartridge removal.
• Shut off the main, relieve pressure, and follow manufacturer torque specs for fittings.
• Install pre-filters when iron or heavy sediment is present to extend membrane life.
• Keep service logs with filter change dates, part numbers, and TDS readings to detect drift.
• After installation run 2–3 full reservoir flushes on RO systems, inspect all joints for leaks, and schedule a professional check if pressure drops persist.

DIY vs. Professional Installation

For pitchers, faucet-mounted units, and simple under-sink cartridge swaps you can typically handle installation yourself; whole-house systems, RO with drain connections, and UV units often require permits, electrical hookups, and copper/PEX work. Labor for professional installs commonly ranges $200–$600 depending on complexity and permits.

Regular Maintenance Practices

Replace sediment and carbon filters every 6–12 months, change RO membranes every 2–3 years, and swap UV bulbs annually; test TDS monthly and sanitize housings yearly using the manufacturer’s sanitizer. Keep system pressure between 40–80 psi to prevent seal and membrane damage, and always use NSF-certified replacement cartridges (NSF 42/53) to maintain performance claims.

Many homeowners delay maintenance and see TDS climb—one Bergen County example showed TDS rising from 20 to 110 within 14 months when cartridges were overdue, causing taste issues and staining. When you service a system, shut off water, open a faucet to relieve pressure, replace cartridges, lubricate O-rings with food-grade silicone, and tighten fittings to spec; flush 2–3 reservoir volumes before retesting TDS. Consider an annual maintenance plan from RJP Plumbing & Heating to log services, preserve warranties, and catch performance decline early.

Conclusion

Upon reflecting, you should compare filtration technologies, certifications, maintenance needs, and costs to match system performance with your water quality and household demands; choose a proven installer to ensure proper sizing, placement, and warranty — RJP Plumbing & Heating is the top choice to install your water filtration system, serving Ramsey, NJ and surrounding areas throughout Bergen County NJ and Rockland County NY.

Our team at RJP Plumbing & Heating is known for quality workmanship, competitive pricing, and reliable emergency service. Whether it’s a simple repair, full system installation,or an emergency plumbing issue, RJP Plumbing & Heating is committed to getting the job done right the first time. Check out our 5 star Google reviews and contact us today.

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