Whole-house Carbon Filter

Whole-house Carbon Filter | Water Purification | Plumbing | McDonald

Imagine turning on any tap in your McDonald home and knowing the water is crisp, clean, and free from the lingering chlorine taste that can spoil a good cup of coffee. HEP’s whole-house carbon filter plumbing captures sediments, chemicals, and odours the moment water enters your line, so every shower feels like a spa and every load of laundry protects your fabrics. Our licensed technicians size the system to your household’s demands, install it with minimal disruption, and back everything with rock-solid local support.

Because the filter treats water at the source, there’s no need for multiple under-sink units or replacement pitchers cluttering your counters—just effortless, whole-home water purification that works around the clock. Call today and discover why so many McDonald neighbours trust HEP to deliver water that tastes as good as it looks.

FAQs

1. What does a whole-house carbon filter do, and how does it work?

A whole-house carbon filter is connected to the main water line so every tap—kitchen, bath, laundry, and outdoor spigots—receives treated water. Inside the tank is a bed of high-grade activated carbon. The carbon’s microscopic pores adsorb (bind to) chlorine, chloramine, disinfection by-products (THMs), many volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, herbicides, and the compounds that cause unpleasant tastes and odors. As water passes through the media, these contaminants stick to the carbon’s surface, allowing clean, fresh-tasting water to flow to your fixtures.

2. Do homes in McDonald really need a whole-house carbon filter?

The public water serving McDonald is municipally treated with chlorine or chloramine to control microbes. While this disinfection is essential, residents often report a chemical taste, odor, and dry skin or hair. A carbon filter removes the disinfectant at the point it enters your home, delivering water that tastes more like spring water and is gentler on plumbing, clothing, and appliances. If your home uses a private well, a carbon system also targets hydrogen sulfide (rotten-egg smell) and many industrial or agricultural chemicals sometimes detected in local groundwater tests.

3. How much maintenance is required, and how often does the carbon need to be replaced?

Our systems are virtually hands-off. The control valve backwashes automatically to fluff and clean the media, preventing channeling. No salt, chemicals, or cartridges are required. The carbon bed typically lasts 8–10 years for a family of four at average McDonald water usage (approx. 75,000–100,000 gallons per year). When the media is exhausted, our technician removes the old carbon, sanitizes the tank, and refills it—usually a 60–90-minute service call.

4. Will a carbon filter soften hard water, remove iron, or kill bacteria?

Activated carbon is excellent at removing chlorine, chemicals, and odors, but it does not reduce hardness minerals (calcium, magnesium), dissolved iron or manganese, or living microorganisms. If your water test indicates hardness above 7 gpg, iron above 0.3 ppm, or bacterial contamination, we recommend pairing the carbon unit with a water softener, iron filter, or UV disinfection system. Our team can design a multi-stage solution that addresses all of your specific water quality concerns.

5. Will installing a whole-house carbon filter lower my water pressure or require major plumbing changes?

We size the filter based on your home’s peak demand and plumbing size (3/4" or 1"). The system’s service flow rate (10–15 gallons per minute on standard units) easily handles simultaneous use of showers, dishwashers, and outdoor hoses without perceptible pressure loss. Installation usually takes 2–3 hours and involves cutting a small section of the main line near the water meter, adding bypass valves for easy servicing, and installing a floor drain connection for automatic backwash. No structural changes to your house are needed.

6. What does a whole-house carbon filter cost, and what is its expected life span?

A professionally installed system for a typical McDonald household ranges from $1,200 to $1,800, depending on tank size, control valve features, and any additional pre-filtration or post-treatment components. The tank itself is warranted for 10 years, the electronic control valve for 5 years, and the media usually lasts close to a decade before replacement. Over that period, the cost averages about $10–$15 per month—often less than bottled water and with the benefit of protecting every fixture and appliance in your home.