Whole House Water Filtration Systems
Filter every tap in your home—showers, washing machines, kitchen, everything. Here's what you need to know before investing £800-2,000+.
A typical whole house system installation—filters water at the point of entry before it reaches any tap
Keith's Honest Take
20+ years in water filtration
Most families don't need a whole house system. There, I said it. Under-sink filters handle drinking and cooking water for £150-400, and that's what matters most for health.
But if you have severe hard water (200+ ppm) destroying your appliances, or you're in an area with high PFAS/lead contamination and want every tap protected, whole house makes sense.
Just know what you're getting into: £800-2,000 upfront, professional installation required, and higher ongoing filter costs. It's a serious investment.
Who Needs This vs. Who Doesn't?
You Probably Need It
- Severe hard water (200+ ppm) causing limescale damage to appliances, boilers, and pipes
- High PFAS or lead contamination in your area and you want every tap protected
- Well water with sediment, iron, or sulfur issues affecting all taps
- Skin/hair sensitivity to chlorine and you want filtered shower water
- Long-term investment in a home you'll own for 10+ years
You Probably Don't Need It
- Only concerned about drinking water—an under-sink filter (£150-400) handles that
- Renting or short-term housing—you won't recoup the investment
- Moderate hard water (100-150 ppm)—a water softener is cheaper and more effective
- Budget-conscious—start with under-sink, upgrade later if needed
- Good municipal water quality—you're paying for protection you don't need
How Does It Work?
Point of Entry (POE) systems install where water enters your home—before it splits to different taps. This means every tap, shower, washing machine, and toilet gets filtered water.
Compare that to Point of Use (POU) systems like under-sink filters, which only filter one tap. POE is comprehensive but expensive; POU is targeted and affordable.
The Real Cost
Total 5-Year Cost: £1,500-3,500+
Compare that to an under-sink RO system: £300-600 initial + £50-100/year filters = £550-1,100 over 5 years. Whole house systems cost 3-4x more, so make sure you actually need whole-home filtration.
What Gets Installed?
A typical whole house system includes:
- •Sediment pre-filter: Removes dirt, rust, and particles (5-20 microns)
- •Carbon filter tank: Removes chlorine, taste, odor, and some chemicals
- •Optional: Water softener: For hard water areas (separate system, £400-800)
- •Bypass valve: Allows you to bypass the system for maintenance
Professional installation takes 3-5 hours and requires plumbing modifications at your main water line.
UK-Based Whole House Filter Companies
I recommend buying from UK-based companies to avoid replacement part delays and get proper customer service. Here are three established UK suppliers:
UK Water Filters
25+ years experience • Family-run • 4.8★ (9,247 reviews)
Why I recommend them: UK Water Filters is the UK's highest-rated water filter company with over 25 years of experience. They're a family-run business with excellent customer service and a huge range of whole house systems.
Pros:
- 3-year warranty + 90-day money-back guarantee
- Free same-day dispatch and UK delivery
- UK-based phone support (020 8761 6611)
- Wide range of systems for different needs
Cons:
- Verifying Northern Ireland delivery (contact them to confirm)
- Website can be overwhelming with 23,000+ products
Glacier Water Systems
Northern Ireland focused • Immediate NI dispatch
Why I recommend them: Glacier Water Systems explicitly states "ready for immediate dispatch to Northern Ireland and throughout the UK." If you're in NI, this is your safest bet for reliable service and parts.
Pros:
- Immediate dispatch to Northern Ireland
- UK-wide coverage with NI focus
- Water coolers, filters, and purifiers
Cons:
- Limited online information about whole house systems
- May focus more on under-sink systems—call to confirm whole house options
Osmio Water
Kent-based • Whole house specialists • Rated Excellent
Why I recommend them: Osmio Water specializes in Point of Entry (whole house) systems. They're based in Kent with a physical address and UK phone support. Good range of systems for different budgets.
Pros:
- Specializes in whole house systems
- Free delivery over £25
- 90-day returns policy
- UK phone support: 0330 113 7181
Cons:
- Limited phone hours (Mon-Fri 9am-3pm)
- Verifying Northern Ireland delivery (contact them to confirm)
Important: Verify Before Buying
Before purchasing, call each company to confirm:
- • They deliver to your area (especially Northern Ireland)
- • Replacement parts are UK-stocked (not shipped from US)
- • Installation requirements and costs
- • Annual filter replacement costs
- • Warranty coverage in your region