Many people believe that installing a water filter will reduce the water pressure in their homes. After all, isn’t that how filters work? They strain out impurities, so shouldn’t that take some of the pressure off of the water coming into your house?
The answer is a little bit more complicated than a simple yes or no. In some cases, a water filter can reduce water pressure, but it really depends on the type of filter you have and the condition of your pipes.
The Different Types of Water Filters
There are two main types of water filters:
- point-of-entry (POE) filters and
- point-of-use (POU) filters.
POE filters are installed at the main water line coming into your house, while POU filters are installed at specific fixtures, such as your kitchen sink or shower head. Depending on the type of filter you have, it could potentially decrease the water pressure in your home.
If you have a POU filter, it’s likely that you won’t see any difference in water pressure. That’s because POU filters are designed to remove impurities from your drinking water, not the water coming into your home.
On the other hand, if you have a POE filter, it’s possible that you could see a decrease in water pressure. That’s because POE filters remove impurities from all the water coming into your home, including the water that goes to your shower, washing machine, and dishwasher. As a result, there may not be as much water available to flow through these fixtures, which could lead to lower water pressure.
POE filters tend to put more strain on your home’s water pressure because they filter all of the incoming water. So every time you turn on a faucet or flush your toilet, the water has to pass through the filter before it reaches you.
On the other hand, POU filters only filter the water coming out of specific fixtures, so they don’t have as much of an impact on overall water pressure.
It’s important to keep in mind that the condition of your pipes can also affect water pressure. If your pipes are old or outdated, they may not be able to handle the same amount of water pressure as newer pipes. This is especially true if your pipes are made of lead or other metals that can corrode over time.
It’s also important to keep in mind that if your home has an aging plumbing system, installing a POE filter could make matters worse. That’s because as pipes get older and start to rust, they can get clogged more easily.
So if you have an older home with low water pressure and want to install a POE filter, it’s best to consult with a plumber first to see if your pipes can handle it.
Final Thoughts
Installing a water filter will not always reduce water pressure. It really depends on the type of filter you have and the condition of your pipes.
By installing a water filter, you can significantly improve the quality of your home’s drinking water. But whether or not it will reduce the water pressure in your home depends on several factors, including the type of filter you have and the condition of your pipes.
If you’re not sure which type of filter is right for you or whether or not your plumbing can handle it, be sure to consult with a professional before making any changes.