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Did you know that most people fail when buying a whole house water filter? Although it looks simple, a water filter is a complex unit, and there are many things to consider when buying one. Here, we’ve tested one of the leading brands in the market and will clarify everything that you need to know about the iSpring whole house water filter review and why you should get the WGB32B 3-Stage for your home.
iSpring WGB32B
| Product Features | |
| Feedwater pressure: | 25 – 80 PSI |
| Feedwater temperature: | 40 – 100 F |
| Cartridge replacement: | Every 6 months |
| Capacity: | 100,000 gallons |
| Stage: | 3 Stages |
| Flow rate: | 15 GPM |
| Number of filters: | 3 |
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We considered many things before testing this unit. First, it offers some fantastic features that almost every household needs. It’s relatively affordable and made of strong and durable parts which extend its lifespan.
When you install the filter, before the contaminated water reaches your faucet, it first passes through the system, removing rust, sediment, herbicides, and various viruses and bacteria. If you have trouble with bad-tasting water, this unit will take care of that, too. However, as you might have guessed, the filter directly affects the flow. Water will always come out at a slower rate if you have a filter or filtration system installed. But if you have a good filtration system, like the iSpring whole house filter, the flow rate won’t be significantly affected.
Installation is easy and doesn’t take much time. You don’t have to call a professional or use any special tools, and the filter comes with a helpful user manual. When you open the box, you will notice a 1-inch NPT inlet/outlet and Big Blue 20-inch x 4.5-inch filter cartridges. These require no maintenance.
Filtering Performance
1st Stage: Sediment Pre-filter
When the water flows through the system, it first goes through the sediment pre-filter. It’s a rough filtration, suited for removing larger particles of around 5 microns.
2nd and 3rd Stage: Activated Carbon Filter
Using carbon to filter water dates back to ancient Egypt, and many filtration systems still use it today since it’s so effective. These two filters contain coconut shell carbon blocks that trap the tiniest particles. It provides fantastic filtration and is NSF/ANSI certified.
Certification is important. If a system comes with no certification, it means that its filtration ability is not tested. Therefore, your water may not be filtered as well, or even be harmful because too many essential minerals are removed. NSF/ANSI certification requires the unit to pass numerous tests, leaving your water with the best in quality and safety.
Installation Steps
As we mentioned, installing the filter is very simple. The process might differ from home to home, but in any case, the process is very similar. Let’s start with the stuff that you need to do before installation.
Pre-installation
First, you should find the right place for the filter. It should be protected from areas that are prone to freezing and direct sunlight. Once you find the right spot, turn off the main water supply to your home. During installation, use Teflon tape on fittings, and follow all local plumbing codes.
Actual Install of Unit
Once you’ve turned off the main supply to your home, open all plumbing fixtures in the house. It will remove almost all the liquid from pipes, and dry them as much as possible.
Next, place the system in the right position. You should place it on the main supply line, as near as possible to where it enters the house, but before the pipes split away, and after the main shutoff valve for the house. On the other hand, you can still place the system after the pipes split away if you want to have filtered water only for specific parts of your house.
You need to precisely measure, cut, and remove part of the main water line where you need to install the system. Also, consider the filter width, shutoff valves, and nipple fittings when cutting the pipe. Make sure to place the system where it won’t get wet or moist.
It’s advised to place the valve close to the filter, which will ensure ease of service in the future. Then, mount the system using the brackets and bolts that you received in the package.
Using Teflon tape on fittings, fit together the pipe union and shutoff valve. Connect the shutoff valve and the system using the pipe (or hex) nipple, and do the same on the outlet side. Finally, fit the pipe hanger on the outlet and inlet side of the pipe for additional support.
Flushing the System
Now that your filtration system is installed, slowly turn on the main supply. The water might make an unusual sound as it first flows through the system. This is normal and should only last a couple of minutes. It might be slightly black, but it’s completely normal and caused by carbon dust. Once the water flows through clear, keep it flushing through for 15-20 minutes. After that, it will be completely safe to use.
System Maintenance
All that you need to do to maintain this system is replace the filter cartridges every few months. No special maintenance is required, and you won’t need to call the professional. Read below to learn how.
Cartridge Replacement
How to Replace a Whole House Water-Filter Sediment Cartridge
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Turn off the main water line and press the red button on the system. Then, rotate the handle to the OFF sign. Unscrew the cartridge housing, and remove the large rubber ring. Remove the filter cartridge and wash housing with soap and warm water. After you rinse it, fill it 30% with water and add a tablespoon of bleach for the proper disinfection. Then rinse it completely.
Properly wash the O-ring and lubricate it with silicone grease. Put it back in its position, replace the new filter cartridge over the standpipe, and screw housing onto the cap. Turn on the main supply line and put the handle back to the ON position. Press the pressure-release button and check for possible leaks.
How Long Do Filters Last?
It depends upon three factors – the level of water contamination, the usage, and the quality of the filter. However, most filters need to be replaced every 6-8 months. The iSpring WGB32B filtration system is able to provide up to 100,000 gallons of clean water, which is more than enough for an average family.
Unique Features of 3-Stage Filter
Warranty
When you get the unit, you will need to complete the warranty registration online. It’s simple to do and doesn’t take much time. However, there are some important items to remember about the warranty.
First, the warranty applies only to the original buyer of the unit. It covers only parts, which means that any kind of labor is excluded. However, it doesn’t cover O-rings, filters, and other parts that need replacement over time.
Some things might immediately void the warranty. For example, you shouldn’t feed the system with pressure over 80 PSI. The water temperature should be between 40 and 100 Fahrenheit and must have a pH balance between 4 and 8. The system must be properly installed according to the instructions to avoid nulling the warranty.
If you register your product online, the company will provide you with an extended manufacturer’s warranty and lifetime tech support. They have a highly-professional team based in the U.S., who are trained to troubleshoot if any problems occur.
My Opinion After 6 Months of Usage
I noticed a big difference the very first day I installed the filter. Now, after six months of usage, I can’t realize how I lived without it before. The filter provides a significant difference in quality, from drinking and showering to washing dishes and clothes.
The pressure in our home was around 150 PSI, but the filter shouldn’t work on more than 80. I set the pressure to 65 PSI, to prevent damaging the unit. I noticed that the filter provided a very good flow rate, and so far, it hasn’t changed. The unit still works like a charm.
FAQs
How Much Noise Does the Filter Make?
We haven’t measured the noise in decibels, but we didn’t have to – the filter is very quiet. Especially a few days later, when you get used to it, you won’t even notice that it makes any noise while working. It’s quieter than most filters that we tested.
What Contaminants Does the iSpring System Remove?
It mainly depends on which contaminants your water contains. If it’s not contaminated with heavy metals like iron, WGB32B will do the job. However, wells naturally have iron, manganese, and lead. In that case, you should buy either WGB32BM or WGB32B-PB. The iSpring filtration system removes over 1,000 contaminants. Those include lead, calcium, asbestos, fluoride, arsenic, bacteria, viruses, and more.
Where Can I Find Replacement Filters?
Most online stores that sell water-related products also sell replacement filters. The iSpring system is compatible with most filters, so you won’t have any trouble finding one.
Why Do You Need a Whole House Water Filtration System?
Many people nowadays drink contaminated water, without even knowing it. Contaminated water doesn’t always taste or smell bad, making it hard to tell if it’s contaminated. Still, contaminated water can damage home appliances, or decrease their lifespan.
Buying a decent whole house water filtration system will prevent these troubles. It might seem like lots of money, but it will pay off in the long run. If you care about yourself and your family, getting a water filtration system is the first thing to do.
Conclusion
Buying the right whole house water filtration system can be a tricky job. However, after testing the iSpring whole house water filter system, we can say that it’s perfect for most households. Even if you are a first-time buyer, iSpring is the best choice.