Generally, most whole house water filters can help to enhance the quality of your water. However, when it comes to filtering and softening the water, some of them aren’t as good as they should be. Some can soften, but can’t filter, while some can filter but are unable to soften.
If the problem that we’ve mentioned is relatable, then you’ll need the Aquasana Whole House Water Filter. In this review, we will be looking at the Aquasana Rhino Whole House Water Filter, an all-rounded filter and water purifier. After reading this review, you will understand more about Aquasana’s Rhino water filtration system and you can decide if this is the best one for you.
The review includes an overview of the Aquasana Whole House Water Filter, its specifications, the notable traits and components that come with it, how well it performs, the installation and maintenance of this whole house water filter system, information regarding its filter and finally, the pros and cons about it which could possibly make you like or not like it.
Whole House Water Filter Reviews : Overview of Aquasana Whole House Water Filter
Before proceeding with the detailed reviews of the Aquasana Rhino Whole House Water Filter, let’s have a look at the overview of it. This unit is a 2-in-1 filter system with a Salt-Free Conditioner, perfect for anyone that wants to soften and filter their water.
The water treatment process starts when the water enters the home, changing the ionic charge of hardness causing minerals, while getting rid of harmful contaminants before they reach your plumbing. With its KDF and carbon filter media, paired with the scale control media, this Aquasana filter system is extremely effective in the filtration of chlorine and sediment.
Although the system can’t remove total dissolved solids (TDS), it still removes a decent number of harmful contaminants. At the same time, conditioning the water to make sure the beneficial minerals are still present.
The Aquasana Rhino is a cost-efficient water softener and whole house filter, with the manufacturer claiming that it can clean water for below $0.01 a gallon. It is able to achieve this cost-efficiency because the system doesn’t water some other filters or softeners on the market.
Finally, maintenance is extremely simple as well, with no draining or back flushing required and you have to be ready to change the filter every 3 months to make sure that it’s functioning properly.
Specifications
- Model: EQ-1000
- Dimensions: 9” x 46” x 54”
- Water flow rate: 7 gallons per minute (GPM)
- Stages of filtration: 4-stage
- Filter lifespan: Post filter = 12 months; Pre filter = 3 months
- System lifespan: 10 years or 1,000,000 gallons
- Warranty: 10 years and a 90-day money back guarantee
Features and Components Included
- Easy installation and maintenance brass fittings for 1 inch or ¾ inch pipes.
- Post filter for the removal of contaminants like cysts and organic particles.
- Shut-off valves to prevent the flow of water during maintenance and filter changing works.
- 20 inches filter, which is double the size of standard filters, giving twice the life.
The Aquasana Rhino has three different models which are the EQ-600, EQ-1000 and EQ-Well-UV, in this review, we will be looking at the EQ-1000 only but you should know that most of its features and specifications are consistent with all three models.
For a lower-price version, the EQ-600 with a capacity of 600,000 gallons would be recommended and if you prefer UV light sterilization, then go for the EQ-Well-UV.
Besides the parts that are mentioned above, you can also get extra materials and equipment for an additional cost which includes a water softener without salt and also a UV filter. They also offer a professional installation kit but it is not essential for the city water supply. On the other hand, it is recommended for those with their own well water supply because well water is not chlorinated, which is prone to bacteria, cysts and other organic elements.
Performance
In comparison with the typical water softeners, the Aquasana Rhino water filter and conditioner has obvious performance advantages. With the additional filter, you can benefit from the fresh and great tasting water that is free from contaminants. If having soft water that tastes good consistently is what you want, then you’ll find this to be a good choice.
With a salt-free descaler designed to be integrated with the filter system, scale prevention can be achieved for the entire house without using any chemicals or salt. As a result, you will not have to top-up the salt and the system doesn’t have to regenerate, allowing you to ignore water waste too.
The average flow rate is rated at 7 gallons per minute (GPM) which is perfect for a small household of 4, without experiencing any drop in water pressure. To make sure that you are getting a consistent flow rate, change the pre and post filters once in 1 to 3 months.
Installation for the Aquasana Rhino
Installing this system might be slightly tough for some people, but if you have basic plumbing skills to connect it to the main water line, then it would be easy to install this system. Instructions are provided to install the system and you can also find videos online to help with the installation. Most people would seek a professional plumber to get the job done.
However, if you don’t want the help of a plumber, here is a quick guide for the installation of this system.
- Find a location. The best installation spot would be anywhere out of direct sunlight and close to the main water line.
- Remove the shipping caps from the inlet and outlet ports of the main tank.
- Flushing the filter media to precondition it.
- After preconditioning, place the main tank where you want it installed.
- Turn off the main water supply.
- Get the unit assembled to the water line. Prevent over tightening any fittings and don’t use pipe dope or your warranty will be void.
- Support the inlet piping with the given support brackets.
- Turn on the main water supply in a slow manner.
- Inspect for leaks.
- Turn on a faucet and let the system flush.
Preconditioning the filter
- With the included adapter, connect a hose to the inlet port of the main tank.
- Turn on the water slowly and let it flow out from the outlet port. It would be recommended to use a bucket or the drain.
- The first flush will take a few minutes.
- Continue by turning on the water supply for 30 seconds and off for 30 seconds. Repeat for about 15 minutes until the water is clear.
- Ensure the white washers are installed correctly inside the inlet and outlet ports.
- Disconnect the hose and you’re done with the preconditioning.
Maintenance
While the installation process may seem hectic and difficult, the steps to maintaining the system are easy and most importantly, fast. Since it is a salt-free system, you are not required to top up the salt and no need to clean the tanks. Just make sure to check the sediment pre-filter monthly and once the flow rate is decreasing, it is time for a replacement. The average filter life would be 2 to 3 months.
To maintain the post-filter, the replacement would usually be once or twice annually, depending on water quality and frequency of use. In the case where you purchased the UV filter stage, be sure to replace the bulb. The instructions for replacements are included in the manual, so check it out before you replace the pre and post-filters.
Information about the Filter
As you’ve already known by now, the Aquasana Rhino whole house water filter system implements a salt-free way that uses something called the Scale Control Media (SCM) softening technology to give you naturally soft water. The technology changes the structure of the hardness causing minerals, turning them into crystals and restricting them from forming scale build-up.
To get the salt-free water conditioner, or otherwise known as a descaler, you will need to purchase the professional installation kit. It would be worth your money to get a salt-free conditioner because it doesn’t require electricity or programming, there will be no water waste and it’s easy to maintain too. The benefits that you get from the salt-free conditioner makes it worth the purchase.
Unlike a salt-based water softener, the Aquasana whole house water filter system will not demineralize the water and it keeps the chlorine taste away, while maintaining the pleasant alkaline taste of drinking water. Since you’ll be getting salt-free water, it’s perfect for those that are on a low sodium diet.
The standard Aquasana Rhino water filter system, without the pro grade install kit, comes with a 5-micron pre-filter. With this filter, it can filter out contaminants that are more than 5 microns in size such as heavy metals, rust, sediment and silt with great effectiveness.
The pre-filter also consists of an activated carbon media to remove herbicides, pesticides, VOCs and chemicals. The KDF-55, also a mixture of copper-zinc mineral alloy, paired with mineral stone reduces chlorine as well as heavy metals like copper and lead. Most importantly, both media types prohibit the growth of bacteria and algae.
You will also find a 0.35-micron rear filter and a 0.35-micron size is great for filtering out lead dust particles, bacteria, molds and car emissions.
You will like this product if:
You are looking for a whole house water filter system with a saltless conditioner. The saltless conditioner that Aquasana Rhino has is able to bring impressive benefits and that includes ensuring the longevity of your appliances like the water heater, washing machine and others.
You prefer having filter systems with a low cost of ownership. You can enhance your water quality with the 1,000,000-gallon Aquasana Rhino Whole House Filter at a price of $0.01 a gallon only.
You fancy whole house filters with impressive durability. Besides the system lasting for 1 million gallons, the post filters can last for one whole year and you’ll start to feel the decrease and water pressure and flow rate.
You like the 10-year warranty period. Aquasana is offering a 10-year warranty for their Rhino filtration systems, giving you the peace of mind.
You will not like this product if:
You are completely new to installing a water filter system. For anyone that has no experience in setting up filtration systems, the Aquasana Rhino might be a challenge.
You don’t prefer maintaining the system frequently. The filters are required to be replaced every 1 to 3 months, which is a short period and if you rather not change the filter so often, then this might not be the right one for you.
You want a filter system certified against all NSF standards. The Aquasana Rhino is only NSF certified to remove chlorine and not every contaminant so if you prefer a system that removes more than just chlorine, then you should look into other systems.
Conclusion : Whole House Water Filtration System Reviews
If you’re looking for a system to give you safe and odorless water and doesn’t care to eliminate every single contaminant, then Aquasana’s system will be a great choice. Aquasana’s system is the most cost-efficient option as compared to buying a few individual systems, so we would highly recommend you to consider this unit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does the Aquasana system remove fluoride and arsenic?
No. Unfortunately, you will need a reverse osmosis system to remove fluoride and arsenic from your water.
Will the Aquasana whole house water filtration system decrease the flow rate of my appliances?
There shouldn’t be any significant effect on the flow rate of your appliances if the system is assembled properly. You will only experience a decrease in flow rate if you don’t change the filters regularly. Other than that, the flow will remain consistent.
Are there any differences between the 600,000-gallon system and the 1,000,000-gallon system?
Yes. Although the filter tank has the same size, the media inside is actually different. The larger capacity one just has a different media that enables it to function for a longer period of time without the filters replaced.
How does whole house water filters work?
The whole house water filtration system operates by multiple stages of filtration system. Ultimately, the water filtration system helps in contaminant reduction from your water source. It works by using the ranular activated carbon (GAC), deionizing resin, activated carbon block filter and coconut shell carbon filter.
These water filters remove any potentially dangerous substances from water contaminants. Thus, you’re left with only high-quality drinking water for your daily usage.
