One way to improve a house is by enhancing the quality of drinkable tap water with carbon filters. Carbon filters can make tap water taste so much better, but how much does it cost to have one in your home?
From whole-house water filtration to on-the-counter water filters, we’ve installed and seen how carbon filters make tap water taste better. Since 2007, we at Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air have helped homeowners improve the water quality in their homes.
Pricing for carbon filters depends on various factors, such as
- Size and type of the carbon filter
- Installation fees
- Additional work
After calculating these factors, the cost of a carbon filter can range from a few hundred to about $7,000.
There’s a vast difference in pricing for carbon filters, and by the end of this article, you’ll have a clearer picture of why. After understanding the pricing factors for a carbon filter, you can better determine if this filtration system is suitable for your house.
Let’s start by first highlighting what carbon filtration does.
What Do Carbon Water Filters Do?
Before jumping into the pricing factors of carbon filters, we will break down what exactly carbon filtration is. Carbon filters are a type of water filtration that helps improve water quality. Inside the carbon filters is a special material called activated carbon, which is responsible for the carbon filtration of water.
A carbon filter is specifically designed to remove the following impurities from regular tap water.
- Chlorine
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Disinfectants like bleach
- Hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg odor)
In terms of water filtration, carbon filters are some of the most commonly available. These filtration systems are used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings thanks to their ability to improve water quality.
Now that you understand what carbon filtration does, we can start examining the different cost factors that affect the price of carbon filters.
What Factors Affect Pricing for Carbon Filters?
While carbon filter pricing can change due to a number of reasons, certain recurring factors can determine how much a carbon filter can cost. Some of the main factors that affect carbon filtration pricing are the type of carbon filter and the size of a carbon filter, along with installation fees and additional costs.
Carbon Water Filtration Size
One of the first questions homeowners should consider when thinking about carbon filters is sizing. Do you want a whole-house carbon filtration system, a point-of-use carbon filter, or something smaller, like a carbon-filtered water pitcher?
A carbon-filtered water pitcher is a more budget-friendly option that can cost as low as $20 or around $150 for a high-end pitcher. These smaller carbon filters are easy to assemble and do not require the assistance of a professional technician, which can save homeowners money.
(image via Ehm)
Under-the-sink or countertop carbon filtration systems provide ready-to-use filtered water without relying on a water pitcher. These systems can cost a few thousand dollars, with an average price of $2,250.
Instead of providing filtered water at a single source, whole-house carbon filters produce filtered water for an entire home. These units can cost anywhere between $5,000 to $7,000.
The price of carbon filters can also be affected by the cost of labor required to install them.
Installation Fees
Another pricing factor for carbon filters is installation costs. Point-of-use and whole-house carbon filters usually require a technician’s assistance for installation.
Labor costs vary from business to business, with some offering installation fees at a single price or hourly rate. Pricing can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, depending on the extensive work required for installation.
Installing a carbon filter modifying countertops, and other areas of the home where a carbon filter can be installed. These types of modifications require a particular set of tools which may also be included in the cost of a carbon filter. An under-the-sink filtration system requires less work than a whole-house carbon filter which can make a difference in the final cost.
The final cost of a carbon filter includes the filter itself and the required labor to install it. Yet, additional but optional factors can increase the final cost of a carbon filtration system.
Additional Cost and Pricing Variables
There are additional costs that can be included in a carbon filter. Some businesses and manufacturers have carbon filtration systems with extra filtering options available.
Some carbon filter systems can be installed with a water softener or another filter chamber for sediment filtration. Additional features, such as double carbon filters, are available to help provide highly filtered water. These added features can increase the price by a few thousand dollars.
Another variable to consider is the cost to maintain the filter and replace the carbon cartridges. Some filters require monthly maintenance or filter replacement monthly or once every few months. Filter replacement can cost around $20 per filter.
Are Carbon Water Filters Worth it?
Carbon filters are among the top choice for filtered water, and now that you’re aware of the cost factors, you can soon have higher-quality water available in your home. By understanding the pricing behind carbon filters, you’re better positioned to find a carbon filtration system suitable for your budget.
At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Air, we’ve helped install all sorts of carbon filters in homes across Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. In over 15 years of service, we’ve helped homeowners understand carbon filtration pricing and assisted them with having a carbon filter that meets their family’s drinking water needs.
If you have any questions regarding pricing for a carbon filter, contact us using one of the buttons below. You can also book an appointment with our certified technicians through our water filtration scheduler.
Water filtration isn’t limited to just carbon filters. Find out how carbon filters compare with other water treatment systems to better understand water filtration and find a filter that’s right for you.