If you’re on a tight budget and your water is only mildly offensive (say, a little chlorine or sediment), a basic whole house filter might do the trick. These systems typically use a single carbon filter or a sediment filter, and they cost between $500 and $1,500 for the equipment alone. You’ll probably need to replace the cartridges every few months, which adds about $50–$100 a year—annoying, but not wallet-crushing.
Installation? If you’re handy with a wrench, you can DIY it for the cost of some PVC pipe and a few fittings (maybe $50). But if you hire a plumber—and let’s be real, most of us shouldn’t mess with copper pipes—expect to pay $200 to $600 extra. Pro tip: ask your plumber if they’ll install it while complaining about your neighbor’s lawn; that’s free.
