FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About Water Quality
Why do I need whole-house water filtration if my city already treats the water?
Municipal water treatment kills bacteria and meets EPA minimum standards - but that doesn't mean it's actually clean. Your tap water still contains chlorine (used for disinfection), chloramines, heavy metals from old pipes, pesticide runoff, pharmaceutical residues, and trihalomethanes (carcinogens formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter). Treatment plants aren't designed to remove these contaminants. A whole-house system does.
How do I know what's in my water?
Start with your local water quality report (available from your utility company or the EPA website). For a more detailed analysis, get an independent lab test. We recommend the following kits for testing.
Is well water different from city water?
Yes. Well water often has higher levels of sediment, iron, manganese, sulphur (that rotten egg smell), and sometimes arsenic or bacteria. It's not treated at all, so you're responsible for filtration. We recommend testing well water before choosing a system.
What are trihalomethanes and why should I care?
Trihalomethanes (THMs) are cancer-causing byproducts created when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. They're regulated by the EPA, but "acceptable levels" doesn't mean zero risk - especially over decades of daily exposure. Whole-house carbon filtration removes THMs at the source.
About Our Systems
What's the difference between a water softener and a water filter?
A water softener removes minerals (calcium and magnesium) that cause hard water and scale buildup. A water filter removes contaminants like chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, and chemicals. Many people need both - softening for appliance protection and filtration for health. Our systems can be combined for complete treatment.
Why are your whole-house filters better than a fridge filter or pitcher?
Fridge filters and pitchers only treat drinking water - maybe 5% of your total water use. You're still showering in chlorinated water (absorbing through skin and inhaling vapor), bathing your kids in contaminated water, washing produce with unfiltered water, and running appliances with hard water. Whole-house systems treat every tap, shower, and appliance.
Do these systems reduce water pressure?
No. Our systems are designed to maintain full flow rate throughout your home when properly sized and installed.
How long do the systems last?
The tanks and hardware last decades. Filter media is recharged or replaced every 12-48 months depending on your water source and usage. We'll send you maintenance reminders.
What does "recharge" mean?
Our whole-house systems don't use disposable cartridge filters. Instead, the filtration media inside the tanks is cleaned and renewed (recharged) periodically. This is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than constantly replacing plastic cartridges.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
What is reverse osmosis? RO forces water through a semi-permeable membrane that removes 99% of contaminants—heavy metals, fluoride, arsenic, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and PFAS. It's hospital-grade purification for your drinking water.
Does RO remove healthy minerals? Yes, but you get minerals from food, not water. The trace minerals in tap water are negligible compared to what's in your diet. Removing contaminants is far more important than preserving minimal minerals.
How is RO different from whole house filtration? Whole house systems remove chlorine and sediment for showers and general use. RO provides deeper purification specifically for drinking and cooking water. Many homes benefit from both.
Why did you partner with Waterdrop? We evaluated dozens of manufacturers. Waterdrop won because: tankless technology (no bacterial growth, no wasted cabinet space), high flow rates (600-1600 GPD vs. 50-75 GPD for traditional systems), low waste (2:1 ratio vs. 3-5:1 for competitors), smart design (TDS monitoring, filter alerts, tool-free replacements), NSF certification, and real warranties. We're authorized distributors and earn a margin on sales, but we chose Waterdrop because we trust the product—our reputation depends on recommending systems that actually work.
Under-sink or countertop—which should I choose? Under-sink systems are permanently installed beneath your sink with a dedicated faucet—best for homeowners. Countertop systems sit on your counter with no installation required—best for renters or small kitchens. Same filtration quality, different convenience.
What size system do I need? For 2-3 people: 600-800 GPD. For 4-6 people: 1200 GPD. For large families: 1600 GPD. Most households are fine with 600 GPD. Higher capacities matter if you're filling large pots or using RO water for cooking and ice.
Can I install it myself? Under-sink systems are DIY-friendly if you're comfortable with basic plumbing (1-2 hours). Otherwise, hire a plumber for $100-200. Countertop systems are plug-and-play—no installation required.
How often do I replace filters? Pre-filters: every 6-12 months. RO membrane: every 18-24 months. Post-carbon: every 6-12 months. Annual filter cost runs $100-250, far cheaper than bottled water ($500-1000/year for a family of four).
How much water does RO waste? Waterdrop systems run at 2:1 waste ratio—2 gallons down the drain for every gallon purified. Much better than traditional systems (3-5:1).
How do I know if my system is working? Use a TDS meter ($10-15 on Amazon). Source water is typically 150-400 TDS. After RO, it should be under 20 TDS. That's proof of purification.
Does RO reduce water pressure? No. RO systems have their own pump and don't affect household pressure.
Installation & Maintenance
Can I install this myself?
Some systems are DIY-friendly if you're comfortable with basic plumbing (cutting into your main water line, adding a bypass valve). Most homeowners hire a plumber for 2-3 hours of labor. We can refer installers in your area if needed.
Where does the system get installed?
Whole-house systems install at your main water line - typically in a basement, garage, or utility room. It treats water before it enters your home's plumbing. Under-sink and countertop systems install where you use them (kitchen, bathroom).
How often do I need to replace filters?
Whole-house systems: Media recharged every 12-48 months (well water needs more frequent service than city water)
Under-sink RO systems: Filters replaced every 6-24 months depending on the filter stage
Countertop systems: Every 6-12 months
Shower filters: Every 3-6 months
What does maintenance cost?
Whole-house recharge: $500-900 depending on system size
RO replacement filters: $30-180 depending on filter type
Shower filters: $28-35
These are annual or bi-annual costs, not monthly.
Do I need a professional for maintenance?
For whole-house systems, yes - recharging the media requires specialized equipment. For under-sink, countertop, and shower filters, most replacements are DIY (twist-off, twist-on).
Pricing & Warranty
Why are whole-house systems so expensive?
Because they're treating thousands of gallons per day for your entire home - not just a single faucet. When you break it down, whole-house filtration costs less than 1¢ per gallon vs. $1+ per gallon for bottled water. Over time, it's actually the cheapest option.
Do you offer payment plans?
We may be able to help. But if not, many customers use Affirm, Klarna, or credit cards with 0% intro APR to spread payments. Check with your card issuer.
What's covered under warranty?
Whole-house systems come with lifetime transferable warranties on the tanks and hardware (not the filter media). RO systems typically have 1-3 year warranties. Specific coverage varies by product - contact us for details on your system.
What if I sell my house?
Whole-house systems add value to your property. The warranty is transferable, so the new homeowner benefits. Many buyers specifically look for homes with whole-house filtration.
Ordering & Shipping
Do you ship nationwide?
Yes. Most products ship within 3-5 business days. Large whole-house systems may require freight shipping (we'll contact you with details).
What if I order the wrong system?
Contact us immediately. We offer returns within 30 days on unopened products (restocking fees may apply on large systems). If you're unsure what you need, schedule a consultation before purchasing.
Can I pick up locally?
Not at this time. All orders ship directly to you.
Consultations
What's included in the consultation?
Review of your water test results (or guidance on what to test for)
Analysis of your home size, plumbing, and water source
Customized system recommendation based on your specific contaminants and budget
Installation guidance or contractor referrals
Ongoing support after purchase
Do I need a consultation or can I just order?
You can order directly if you know what you need. But if you're dealing with well water, high iron/manganese, specific contaminants, or just want expert guidance, the consultation saves you from buying the wrong system.
How long does a consultation take?
Initial call is approximately 30 minutes. We'll review everything and send you a written recommendation within 24-48 hours.
Still Have Questions?
Email us: info@airwatersurface.com
Schedule a consultation: LINK