Undersink water filter: separate tap or no?
September 27, 2024 2:37 PM
I'm in the final stages of a kitchen remodel and it's time to make some sink-based decisions. Previously, I used an undersink water filter from 3M (Filtrete) that hooked up to the cold water coming out of my main faucet. Unfortunately, Filtrete seems not to be made anymore so I'm looking at other options. But some of them require a separate smaller faucet. I think there are pros and cons to the separate small tap so am looking for personal experiences/opinions to help me decide! My known pros/cons within.
Specifically, we're looking at either Aquasana Claryum Direct which would be a similar setup to our old Filtrete: hooks up right to the main tap, single filter OR the Aquasana AQ-5200 which would require a separate smaller tap.
Pros of the setup that goes into the main faucet (no separate tap):
- The water flow rate is better (separate tap is smaller/slower) (** this is one of my biggest concerns about going with the separate tap, that it will be slow and annoying)
- We have filtered water coming in for non-drinking uses like cooking, washing produce, etc
- Fewer items on the countertop to break and have to clean around
- Fewer holes cut into the counter
Pros of the setup with the separate tap:
- Filtration is better (? I think?)
- Changing filters might be easier (the filters are smaller and the instructions say you don't have to turn off the water supply to change filters for the AQ-5200 but it says you do have to turn it off for the Claryum)
We live in San Diego which as far as I can tell, has reliably safe drinking water. I'm not hugely concerned with filtration for safety reasons, but I do want it for taste and additional protection. The water is, however, very hard. So, it's also possible we could consider a whole-house filtration system or some other kind of system.
Also, we've considered but decided we didn't really need an instant hot/cold water thing like the Zip HydroTap.
Thanks in advance for any experience or opinions you can share to help me make this decision!
Specifically, we're looking at either Aquasana Claryum Direct which would be a similar setup to our old Filtrete: hooks up right to the main tap, single filter OR the Aquasana AQ-5200 which would require a separate smaller tap.
Pros of the setup that goes into the main faucet (no separate tap):
- The water flow rate is better (separate tap is smaller/slower) (** this is one of my biggest concerns about going with the separate tap, that it will be slow and annoying)
- We have filtered water coming in for non-drinking uses like cooking, washing produce, etc
- Fewer items on the countertop to break and have to clean around
- Fewer holes cut into the counter
Pros of the setup with the separate tap:
- Filtration is better (? I think?)
- Changing filters might be easier (the filters are smaller and the instructions say you don't have to turn off the water supply to change filters for the AQ-5200 but it says you do have to turn it off for the Claryum)
We live in San Diego which as far as I can tell, has reliably safe drinking water. I'm not hugely concerned with filtration for safety reasons, but I do want it for taste and additional protection. The water is, however, very hard. So, it's also possible we could consider a whole-house filtration system or some other kind of system.
Also, we've considered but decided we didn't really need an instant hot/cold water thing like the Zip HydroTap.
Thanks in advance for any experience or opinions you can share to help me make this decision!
GE and Insinkerator make separate smaller tap options. I have used both. The Insinkerator filter has faster water flow.
It may be worth looking at how expensive or difficult filters are to replace and source; these two companies are large enough that shopping around for replacement parts can be easier and cheaper.
Fewer holes in the countertop are better, but even if you have to cut another hole into the countertop, it can be filled with a soap dispenser or hot-water option later on, if you end up not needing the filter option down the road.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:02 PM on September 27
It may be worth looking at how expensive or difficult filters are to replace and source; these two companies are large enough that shopping around for replacement parts can be easier and cheaper.
Fewer holes in the countertop are better, but even if you have to cut another hole into the countertop, it can be filled with a soap dispenser or hot-water option later on, if you end up not needing the filter option down the road.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:02 PM on September 27
We have an Aquasana 3 filter thing with the separate tap. We've had one holder crack and leak on us, and we currently have to put a nylon washer in underneath one of the filters to get a reasonable flow rate. I'd have gone with another filter after that crack, but we had a bunch of their filters and they sent us a new carrier, so we're still locked in. I like the suggestion of a generic housing.
Our sink has 3 holes, we use one for the main tap, one for the filtered water, and one for a soap dispenser. I like separate taps because I don't need to be filtering water used for washing and other non-direct-consumption uses; my local municipality does a pretty good job of the basics.
posted by straw at 4:17 PM on September 27
Our sink has 3 holes, we use one for the main tap, one for the filtered water, and one for a soap dispenser. I like separate taps because I don't need to be filtering water used for washing and other non-direct-consumption uses; my local municipality does a pretty good job of the basics.
posted by straw at 4:17 PM on September 27
In our previous home I installed the Aquasana 5200 with the separate tap and was frequently annoyed by the slow flow. It was also difficult to install and the tap itself would come loose every few weeks so I'd have to crawl back under the sink and tighten it.
In our current home I went with the Claryum direct and it is so much better. The water flow is ever so slightly slower than unfiltered but totally usable. And the installation is much easier. I didn't even bother screwing the holder to the cabinet, I just lean the filter housing against the back of the cabinet.
Oh and to my taste the filtration effectiveness is exactly the same.
posted by davybyrne at 10:20 AM on September 28
In our current home I went with the Claryum direct and it is so much better. The water flow is ever so slightly slower than unfiltered but totally usable. And the installation is much easier. I didn't even bother screwing the holder to the cabinet, I just lean the filter housing against the back of the cabinet.
Oh and to my taste the filtration effectiveness is exactly the same.
posted by davybyrne at 10:20 AM on September 28
I have separate taps for my filtered water. I recommend going all house, especially if you have hard water. The potential cost and in convenience is outweighed by all the extra stress on your other household appliances in hard water conditions. Also, having separate taps and smaller filters to swap out is a pain and you are trapped by filter brand lock-in. My kitchen taps filters are cheaper than other vendors but still pricy.
Working off the hard water angle, you save time by not having to deal with hard water spotting and your hair and skin routines become much more pleasant with softer water. I have lived with hard water in the US and Europe, life with softer water is better. Presently in Sydney which is soft water but I still filter for taste, because depending on which reservoir is being tapped, the taste can be different.
posted by jadepearl at 1:09 PM on September 28
Working off the hard water angle, you save time by not having to deal with hard water spotting and your hair and skin routines become much more pleasant with softer water. I have lived with hard water in the US and Europe, life with softer water is better. Presently in Sydney which is soft water but I still filter for taste, because depending on which reservoir is being tapped, the taste can be different.
posted by jadepearl at 1:09 PM on September 28
I have separate taps for my filtered water. I recommend going all house, especially if you have hard water. The potential cost and in convenience is outweighed by all the extra stress on your other household appliances in hard water conditions. Also, having separate taps and smaller filters to swap out is a pain and you are trapped by filter brand lock-in. My kitchen taps filters are cheaper than other vendors but still pricy. I would also prefer one filter change over potentially multiple changes.
Working off the hard water angle, you save time by not having to deal with hard water spotting and your hair and skin routines become much more pleasant with softer water. I have lived with hard water in the US and Europe, life with softer water is better. Presently in Sydney which is soft water but I still filter for taste, because depending on which reservoir is being tapped, the taste can be different.
posted by jadepearl at 1:10 PM on September 28
Working off the hard water angle, you save time by not having to deal with hard water spotting and your hair and skin routines become much more pleasant with softer water. I have lived with hard water in the US and Europe, life with softer water is better. Presently in Sydney which is soft water but I still filter for taste, because depending on which reservoir is being tapped, the taste can be different.
posted by jadepearl at 1:10 PM on September 28
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posted by ssg at 2:47 PM on September 27