Does a water filtration system add value to your home?
Are you in the process of renovating your home or are looking for worthy investments you can do to increase its value? Unfortunately, if you are aiming to increase the value of your property, it is not a secret how renos can be very expensive to do.
This is why homeowners are always on the lookout for upgrades they can do without having to pay an arm and a leg. One of the things that may be recommended to increase home value is adding a water filtration system. But is it worth the money and effort? Or will you have to stick to upgrading your landscape instead?
Is water filtration a good investment?
When you are thinking of selling in the near future, you should be wise about spending your money on the upgrades in your house. After all, you would not want to spend your resources only to find later on that it may hurt your property’s appraisal instead.
To answer the question of whether a water filtration system would be a good investment, the general response is yes. As long as you are getting the right system for your home, we will daresay that every home needs a water filter, especially in the present.
But why exactly is it a good value for your money? And is there a situation when having one installed can be bad for your appraisal? To get your answers, let us delve into what a water filter really is, what it does, the types of filters, and the reasons why it can increase your home’s value.
What is a water filter?
A water filter is a device that removes impurities from the water in your home.
Since water is essential and we need it for a lot of things such as showering and of course, for drinking and cooking, we would not want to be in contact or ingest pollutants, bacteria, sediments, and other unwanted particles from it.
Some water filtration systems can even remove the taste of chlorine from your water, making it easier (and tastier) to drink.
What are the different types of water filters?
Water filters come in many sizes and shapes. Each one of them has its own system that makes it possible to make water safer to use and consume.
The 6 types of water filters:
1. Whole House Water Filters
If the goal is increasing your home’s value while also making the water in your house cleaner, you will benefit the most from getting your very own whole house water filter. If we compare it to other filters we use for residential purposes, this system is the one that consumes the biggest amount of space. However, since it filters the water in your entire home, its efficiency makes up for its bulkiness.
The pros and cons
This type of water filtration system removes the contaminants, bacteria, and other unwanted pollutants in your home’s water supply. When it comes to convenience, having a whole house filter is the best, however, you will most likely need a professional to install one in your home properly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, remember that just because a filter removes one contaminant, don't automatically assume that it will also remove others. Filters that remove chemicals often do not effectively remove germs, and vice versa.
2. Reverse Osmosis Filters
A reverse osmosis filter removes common pollutants from the water in your home. Also, it is proven to remove chlorine using a carbon filter.
The pros and cons
This type of water filtration system is the best bang for your buck if your priority is clean water. Unfortunately, in the process of filtration, it may also get rid of the minerals that can be beneficial to our bodies.
3. Under-Sink Filters
An under-sink filter, just like its name suggests, is usually installed under the sink and removes harmful contaminants in your water. It works by sending the water through a piper that connects to the filter’s faucet.
The pros and cons
This type of filter can make large amounts of water safer to consume and use for preparing food. Unfortunately, they can be a hassle to install.
4. Faucet-Mounted Filters
Faucet-mounted filters are a device you can attach to your faucets. If you want to remove it, all you have to do is remove the attachment and return it if you want to filter your water.
The pros and cons
This type of filter is very cheap but does not offer the same amount of filtration as the other systems. This means that some bacteria and sediments can still make their way to your food.
5. Pitcher Filters
Pitcher filters have a built-in device to remove unwanted sediments on your water.
The pros and cons
This type of filter is inexpensive to purchase but its filter may need regular replacement.
6. Countertop Filters
Countertop filters remove unwanted sediments on your water.
The pros and cons
They are easy to use and are portable, however, they take space in your kitchen sink.
How water filtration systems can increase your home’s value
Aside from the obvious factors that can increase your home’s value (landscape, the condition of the property), adding a water filter to your home is a good investment as it can:
Reason #1: Provide your household with clean water
When it comes to the water we use every single day, we can never be too careful with what we consume. Hence, whether you plan to sell your home or not in the future, you can still benefit from having clean water for the use of your family.
Yes, most local providers treat the water in their treatment plants. However, this does not make it a guarantee that you will have clean water once it gets to your home. In many cases, there are still a lot of contaminants that can make their way into your water supply. By having your very own water filtration system, the chances of getting sick due to ingesting contaminated water are significantly decreased. Who does not want to feel secure about the safety and cleanliness of their water? Surely, a water filter is an absolute must-have in many homes.
Reason #2: Make your home safer for new buyers
If you are sure about your decision to sell your home in a few years, do not skimp towards adding a water filtration system to the property. If clean water is a must-have in your own household, your potential buyers will surely have the same sentiments and will definitely appreciate your forethought. This is exactly why appraisers – the professionals who estimate the fair price for your home – can give your home a higher appraisal value if you have a functional filtration system in your property.
Many buyers are very interested in getting a home that is safe for children and elder people. After all, contaminated water can not only cause allergies but can even cause serious diseases. Because of this, not only are you increasing your home’s value by having clean water, it can also be a reason why your house will not be listed in the market for too long.
Reason #3: Make your home more convenient and environmental-friendly
Nowadays, caring about the environment is not a choice but a duty. This is the reason why many households gear into making better choices that will do good for our environment, and one of the things families do is reduce the use of plastic.
When households rely on buying bottled water, they produce so much waste that is bad for our ecosystem. Hence, buying a home with a filtration system already in place is so much better than getting a property that still needs a lot of upgrades. Also, buying bottled water can quickly add up when it comes to the cost, which is why many families prefer getting a filter instead. Not only will getting a filter increase your home’s value, but in many ways, you are doing so much good for our environment. Win-win!
The cost of having a water filtration system installed
When we compare the costs of installing a water filter to a reno to increase a home’s value, the expenses are significantly lesser. A water filter for your home can cost you around $20 with the priciest ones around $1,000.
How much is a water filter? Here is a ranking, from the cheapest to the most expensive:
1. Faucet-Mounted Filters
$ - Costs around 20 to 60 dollars.
Best for its simplicity and portability. All you need to do is attach the filter to your faucet and you are done.
2. Pitcher Filters
$ - Costs around 20 to 80 dollars.
Concerned about the water you drink? You can be more at ease if you have a pitcher filter. With this type, you would not need to install anything, just make sure to clean it regularly as some sediments may get stuck on its filter.
3. Countertop Filters
$ - Costs around 50 to 130 dollars.
Just like faucet and pitcher filters, it would not do much for your home’s value. But these three can serve as a sample to introduce you to the world of cleaner and safer water.
4. Under-Sink Filters
$$ - Costs around 60 to 400 dollars.
Households love under-sink water filters as they do not contribute to eyesore in the kitchen. If you need a low-cost filter that can give you cleaner water, this filter may be enough until you can upgrade to one with a better filtration system.
5. Reverse Osmosis Filters
$$ - Costs around 150 to 500 dollars.
Reverse osmosis filters are popular for a reason. Since they offer multiple stages of filtration that are proven to make your water supply clean and even gets rid of harmful contaminants, owning one can certainly be worth the cost.
6. Whole House Water Filters
$$$ - Costs around 300 to 1500 dollars.
As the only filter that brings a significant increase of value to your home, investing in a whole house water filtration system is a very wise decision if you have the budget for it.
Where can you get a water filtration system?
Looking forward to making your water look, smell, and taste better? If you want to increase the value of your home, you may be wondering where to get your very own water filtration system. You have three options: buy one online, get it from your hardware store, or contact a local company to install one for you.
Option 1: Online stores
You can get everything you need online – even water filters! If you want to get yours for a cheaper price, many shops sell water filtration systems at significantly lower prices.
Option 2: Hardware Stores
Of course, you can get a water filter in the hardware stores near you. However, it may be more expensive if you are buying one in a physical store. Still, if you need a replacement, this option will be more hassle-free than having to return the item from an online store.
Option 3: Local companies
If you really want to increase your home’s value, you can surely benefit from contacting a local company to install one for you. Let the experts do the work if you think that the process is too time-consuming or complicated. Some even offer regular maintenance services for just a small cost.
One of the reasons why local companies are preferred is that they are knowledgeable in your area’s water hardiness and can recommend the best filter according to what you need.