If you are not looking to spend a fortune on a whole house filter but you would still like to get a model that does a nice job enhancing your home water quality, then you do have options in the marketplace.
One of them is the Nu Aqua Systems 3 Stage Whole House Filter. A good filtration system for water that I am about to go over with you in much more detail.
I will talk about such things as what makes it a popular choice for some people, some of the drawbacks that apply to it, and even if it’s possible to install yourself.
After that, you can decide whether this is the right budget-friendly whole house water filter solution for you.
Table of Contents
Nu Aqua 3 Stage Whole House Filter Key Features
These are the characteristics that you will like about this efficient cartridge-style whole home filter (also called whole house and point of entry water filters):
Efficient 3-Stage Filtration
There are 3-stages associated with this filtration system that your incoming water passes through before going to your taps. This includes:
Stage 1- Sediment Filter
Here larger-size contaminants that make water look and taste unpleasant and can impact your household plumbing and appliances are removed.
This stage will also help extend the useful life of the next two stages of filter elements.
At 5-microns in size, this filter stage can reduce or remove such bigger size sediments as rust, dirt, insect bodies, silt, and sand.
Stage 2- Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) Filter
This type of filter is especially impactful when it comes to absorbing chlorine and a whole host of other chemicals that are unhealthy for you and your family members to ingest.
This includes pesticides, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), chemicals from industrial processes, lead, mercury, and benzene.
Stage 3- Carbon Block Filter
While the first two stages do most of the dirty work when it comes to the filtration of the water that passes through them, this last stage polishes the water and makes sure that it looks, tastes, and smells very pleasing (many of which are caused by the presence of chlorine).
It does this by utilizing a 20-inch compressed 5-micron carbon block filter. Not only does it negate the impact of chlorine on water aesthetics, but it also removes or reduces chloramines, sulfur (whose presence causes the common ‘rotten egg smell’ found in well water), and cancer-causing byproducts of disinfectants which are called trihalomethanes.
Large Size Filters Require Less Maintenance
It’s reasonable to assume that the smaller the size of a filter, the better chance that it has of being clogged up or dirty and needing replacement.
Nu Aqua has sought to overcome this problem by designing 20” long and 4 1/2” in diameter filter elements to be used with it.
Decent 15 GPM Flow Rate
There are other benefits that come with the use of 20” x 4.5” filter elements too. That includes the ability of water to pass through the system more easily.
That combined with the types of filter media that were chosen for this system allows for a good 15 GPM (gallons per minute) flow rate.
It’s enough water flow for most small to medium-sized homes.
Space-Saving Design
You don’t have to worry about this system taking up much space around your home either. Even with its pre-assembled frame with mounting bracket and it takes up less than 3’ in width and is only about 30” high.
Not only is it a compact design, but the ability to mount it on a garage or basement wall allows it to take up even less space in the area in your home that you place it in.
120-Day Home Trial
Not many companies will let you try a product for 4-months and then give you your money back if you are not satisfied with it but that’s exactly what Nu Aqua offers to those that purchase this 3-stage POE filter
That guarantee even comes with a no questions asked return policy.
Pros/Cons
These are the good and bad traits associated with the Nu Aqua Systems 3 Stage Whole House Filter:
Pros:
- Efficient 3-stage filtration
- Excellent for use with chlorinated city water
- Large size filters require less maintenance
- Decent 15 GPM flow rate
- Space saving design
- DIY installation is an option
- Budget friendly
- 120-day home trial
Cons:
- Some periodic maintenance required
- Currently taking backorders of about 1-month
- Extra expenses even after installation
- Not recommended for poor quality well water use
Installation
DIY installation is not only possible with the Nu Aqua 3 Stage Whole House Filter, but I would recommend that you save some money by doing it if you have even a small amount of plumbing know-how.
The system comes prepackaged in a space-saving design that easily mounts on a garage or basement wall. All you will need to do is connect the system to your incoming water line and install a bypass line.
I believe it’s one of the easier point of entry water filters to install.
Maintenance
As with all cartridge-style whole house water filtration systems, you can expect to have to perform some periodic maintenance on them.
Most notably this involves installing replacement filters every 6 to 9-months depending on your home’s incoming water quality.
Other than that, you only must clean the filter canisters at the same time you replace the filter elements and check the system for leaks occasionally.
Here are the current replacement filter costs:
4.5″ x 20″ 5 Micron Whole House Carbon Block Filter – $34.95
4.5″ x 20″ 5 Micron Whole House Granular Carbon Filter – $39.95
4.5″ x 20″ 5 Micron Whole House Sediment Filter – $25.95
How Does It Stack Up Against Competitors?
I feel that there is much to like about the Nu Aqua Systems 3 Stage point of entry water filter. This is especially true considering that you may find it available for less than $500 before shipping.
Many consumers apparently feel the same way because to get one from the manufacturer, you will experience about a 1-month wait time.
Despite some of these strong points and the confidence I have in this filtration unit’s ability to enhance your drinking water, It did not make an appearance on our list of the best whole house filters.
Parting Thoughts About the Nu Aqua 3 Stage Whole House Filter
This is not by any means the fanciest of whole home filters, but it will get the job done for you in an affordable manner.
It’s recommended more for those that are on a city water supply as opposed to having a well. That’s because it will remove chlorine and other municipal-supplied water contaminants such as VOCs and pesticides.
Along with that comes the bonus of being able to install it yourself and a very generous 120-day home trial.
If you can accept the periodic maintenance that goes along with owning it and some extra expenses for new filters each year, then you should consider it if searching for a budget-friendly POE filter.
We also highly recommend checking out our best whole house water filtration systems guide to see our recommended filters.
