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This product review features the SpringWell CF Whole House Water Filter System.
Available in three different sizes, the system was designed for the filtration of city water disinfected with chlorine or chloramine.
At an affordable price, SpringWell promises that it will provide your entire home with clean and delicious filtered water.
Sounds like a great deal? Let’s find out more!
Contents
SpringWell CF – Main Specs
Coupon Code (5% Off): Masterz5
See more product images at springwellwater.com
- Designed for filtering tap water containing chlorine or chloramines
- Extremely high filtration capacity of 1 million gallons
- Max flow rate depends on which filter size you choose
- SpringWell CF1: 9″ tank width, 48″ (52″ with head) tank height – up to 9 gallons of filtered water per minute (for homes with 1-3 bathrooms)
- SpringWell CF4: 10″ tank width, 54″ (58″ with head) tank height – up to 12 gallons per minute (4-6 bathrooms)
- SpringWell CF+: 13″ tank width, 54″ (58″ with head) tank height – up to 17 gpm (7+ bathrooms)
- Required incoming water pressure: 25 to 80 psi
Highlights
At the beginning of our SpringWell CF Whole House Water Filter System review, a few highlights:
Most Effective Filter Materials
Catalytic activated carbon and KDF filter media are combined for targeting different types of water contaminants. This gives you the cleanest of waters.
DIY Installation
Installation may take a few hours, but it’s ideal for do-it-yourselfers.
Simple Maintenance
Changing the pre-filter cartridge once or twice a year is all that’s needed for system maintenance.
6-Month Money-Back Guarantee
The SpringWell CF is not as you expected? Just give it back and get a refund!
Lifetime Warranty
A lifetime warranty protects against defects in material and workmanship.
Pros
- The SpringWell CF uses a 5-micron pre-filter to trap sediments such as sand and rust in order to protect the rest of the system from clogging.
- The large media tank is filled with granular catalytic carbon and KDF. Catalytic carbon is even more effective than regular activated carbon at removing bad taste and odor plus a wider range of contaminants, including water disinfectants and their byproducts, lead, pesticides, herbicides, and other organic and inorganic chemicals. KDF filter media, a mixture of copper and zinc, aids in removing chlorine[1] and some heavy metals. But even more importantly, it controls pathogenic growth in the filter tank.
- For chlorine and chloramine, SpringWell guarantees reduction below the minimum detection level for 1,000,000 gallons or 6 years.
- You don’t need to be a professional to be able to install this whole house water filter system yourself, as long as you have the right tools and know how to use them – think pipe cutter. The provided setup instructions are detailed and there’s a photo for every single installation step. Also, you don’t have to install an additional bypass. The control valve has one already built in.
- Maintaining the SpringWell CF goes fast and easy. All there is to do is replacing the sediment pre-filter cartridge every 6 to 9 months at minimum cost ($40 a year). The catalytic carbon bed lasts a full 1 million gallons or 6 years, whichever comes first. When time has come, you can renew it yourself and continue using the filter system.
- SpringWell offers a 6-month trial period on each filter system. If you’re unhappy with the performance, you can return the product for a full refund, no questions asked.
- There’s a limited lifetime warranty.
- So far we’ve only heard good things about the company’s customer service.
Cons
- The only negative thing we can say is that we would have liked metal instead of plastic fittings.
Installation
CF whole house water filters aren’t shipped preassembled which is why their install involves a few extra steps. The following is a summary of the official installation instructions to give you an idea of the process (make sure to follow all applicable plumbing codes!):
- Installing the Head Valve
- Unscrew the top cap on the large media tank.
- Align the opening of the head valve with the pipe inside the tank and push down. Turn the valve clockwise until hand tight.
- Carbon Priming
- Install and tighten the bypass valve onto the head valve.
- Install and tighten the included MNPT fittings onto both ports of the bypass.
- Attach the hose bib assembly to the inlet side of the bypass valve.
- Attach a lawn hose to the hose bib.
- Put bypass in off position.
- Fill the tank with water until it starts coming out the outlet port.
- Disconnect the hose and hose bib.
- Put bypass valve in on position and let the tank soak for 48 hours.
- Carbon Flushing
- Switch off the bypass.
- Re-attach the hose bib and lawn hose onto the inlet port of the bypass valve.
- Run water through the tank until it runs clear.
- Attach the hose assembly onto the outlet port of the bypass valve and flush until the water runs clear.
- Installing the Sediment Pre-Filter
- Unscrew the housing lid.
- Lubricate the O-ring and place it into the groove.
- Insert the filter cartridge into the housing.
- Replace the housing lid.
- Install PVC nipples onto each side of the pre-filter housing. Apply plumber’s tape to all PVC threads.
- Mount the pre-filter and use the spanner wrench to fully tighten the filter housing.
- Connect the incoming water supply to the inlet of the pre-filter. Use threaded adapters, shut off valves, PVC nipples, and corrugated pipes where needed. Apply plumber’s tape to all threads.
- Installing the Tank
- Connect the pre-filter outlet to the main filter tank inlet and the tank outlet to the outgoing water supply line. Use threaded adapters, shut off valves, PVC nipples, and corrugated pipes where needed. Apply plumber’s tape to all threads.
- Testing the Filter System
- Open a cold bathtub faucet.
- Put whole house filter system in bypass and turn the water back on. Check for leaks.
- Open the bypass valve. Allow water to flow through the tank while checking for leaks.
- Let the system flush for 5 to 10 minutes.
Maintenance
Here’s how you can replace the sediment pre-filter:
- Shut off the water supply.
- Unscrew the filter housing using the spanner wrench.
- Remove the old filter cartridge from the housing.
- Clean the housing if necessary before inserting the new filter cartridge.
- Check the condition of the O-ring. Replace if need be and lubricate.
- Screw the filter housing back on. Tighten with spanner wrench.
- Slowly turn the water back on. Check for leaks.
What’s Included
As per the installation instructions, these are the system contents:
- Carbon filter tank
- Pre-filter
- Tank head
- Sediment filter
- Spanner wrench
- Gasket and lube
- Mounting bracket
- House bib assembly
- MNPT fittings (x2)
- Bypass valve
Recommended supplies are:
- 1-inch corrugated water connectors, 24-inch long
- 1-inch PVC nipples, 3-inch long
- 1-inch threaded connectors for pre-plumb
- 1 roll plumber’s tape
- 1-inch PVC shut off valve
SpringWell CF Whole House Water Filter Review – Conclusion & Best For
In our opinion, the SpringWell CF Whole House Water Filter System is the best on the market for city water.
Using highly effective catalytic carbon mixed with KDF, it not only removes unpleasant tastes and smell but also chlorine and chloramine, all kinds of chemicals and (in)organic contaminants, and some heavy metals. The end product is much healthier and great-tasting water perfectly suited for your home.
If you have questions about our SpringWell CF review please leave a comment below!
Coupon Code (5% Off): Masterz5
Further Reading
- Best Rated Whole House Water Filters 2023
- Whole House Well Water Filtration System Reviews in 2023
- SpringWell WS Whole House Well Water Filter System Review 2023
- SpringWell SS Water Softener Review 2023
Resources
His credo: Not a single American should have to drink unhealthy water at home.
