A whole house UV water purifier is one of the most effective home water treatment systems that helps to inactivate or kill waterborne microorganisms.
Best whole house UV water purifier comparisons
| Name | image | flow rate | power | Where to buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | S8Q-PA VIQUA |  | 10gpm | 120 V39W | Check Amazon for the best price |
| 2 | wholesale market LLC |  | 12GPM | 55W 110V | Check Amazon for the best price |
| 3 | iSpring UVF11A UV |  | 1.0 GPM | 11W 110v | Check Amazon for the best price |
| 5 | HQUA-OWS-12 |  | 12GPM | 55W 120v | Check Amazon for the best price |
| 6 | Ronaqua |  | 12GPM | 55W 120v | Check Amazon for the best price |
| 7 | vitapur |  | 30 W | Check Amazon for the best price |
What is a whole house UV water purifier?
UV stands for ultraviolet.
It is a method of water purification that has a built-in ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet light waves that kill or inactivate waterborne microorganisms.
It destroys 99.99 % of waterborne microorganisms.
Such microorganisms include:
- Bacteria
- Protozoa
- Cysts
- Cholera
- Dysentery
- Viruses
- Salmonella
- Cryptosporidium
- Giardia
How does UV water purification work
The UV water purification method uses special lamps that emit UV light waves or rays, which are also called frequency.
The unique lamp is surrounded by a clear quartz sleeve which prevents direct contact with water and short circuits.
Water passes through the special lamps that emit UV light frequencies. This UV light frequency penetrates through the microorganism DNA code, attacks, disrupts, and rearranges the microorganism DNA code, causing them to become inactive and stop reproducing further.
The best frequency used to kill germs is 254 nanometers (nm).
Most people fear this method because of exposure to ultraviolet rays, which they believe cause cancer. The method is approved to be safe for human consumption because the process of exposing water to ultraviolet rays is done in an enclosed container, causing no risk to the human body.
Also, it is safe since you don’t add chemicals to clean water.
Common components that are used in the ultraviolet method include:
- Sediment pre-filter: removes particulates such as sand, silt, and rust.
- The UV reactor chamber is where the quartz sleeve is stored and untreated water enters the chamber. The water is purified as it runs through the UV reactor chamber.
- The UV quartz sleeve is where the lamp is stored and ensures high transmittance for the ultra-violet and protects the UV lamp from short circuits.
- UV lamp: it emits ultraviolet light.
- An electronic ballast controls the electric output of the lamp and powers it to produce ultraviolet light.
The UV water purifier is a must if your water source is coming from lakes, streams, ponds, and well.
Advantages of UV water purifier
- It kills 99.99% of microorganisms.
- Do not alter the taste of water.
- It is a chemical-free process. No chemical is added when purifying water.
- low cost of maintenance because only the sleeve and lamp are replaced annually.
- It consumes less energy. It uses the same energy consumed by tube lights.
- They work well with all other methods of water purification.
- Do not waste any water compared with RO method
Disadvantages of UV water purifier
- It only kills micro-organisms but doesn’t remove heavy metals, salts, and chemicals.
- If the water contains particles or is muddy, UV light will not reach microorganisms because rays are blocked by particles.
- Most UV water purifiers don’t come with water storage containers.
- It requires electricity to operate.
- kills microorganism bodies in the water but their cells remain in the water.
- When the UV lamp gets dimmer or blocked by impurities, there is no warning, and you can end up getting unsafe water.
- It requires working with other methods of water filtration for you to get clean water for human consumption.
Whole house UV water Purifier reviews
S8Q-PA VIQUA Home UltraViolet Water Disinfection System
- It kills microorganisms.
- It is the best water treatment for homes with a flow rate of 10 gallons per minute.
- You don’t need to turn off the water while you change the UV lamp.
- It has an audible alarm for system failure.
- It uses 39 watts, almost the same as tube lights.
- The Viqua home UV water system kills contaminants such as microorganisms and bacteria.
- This UV water system is easier to maintain because it has a visual indicator of lamp life and an audible alarm for system failure.
Find out other types of VIQUA UV water purifier
Bluonics Ultraviolet Light UV Water Sterilizer Purification for Whole House Water Filter System
- It kills impurities such as bacteria, algae, viruses, microbes, and fungi
- 12 Gallon Per Minute UV Ultraviolet Sterilizer Water Filtration units
- Comes with two extra bulbs
- It uses a UV lamp of watts
iSpring UVF11A UV Disinfection Sterilizer Water Filter with Smart Flow Sensor Switch
The iSpring UVF11A UV Disinfection Sterilizer has a unique flow sensor that turns the unit on and off automatically with water flow; saving power and lengthening the life of the UV lamp.
After you turn off the faucet, the UV lamp stays on for an extra 2 minutes to pre-sterilize the remaining water in the chamber.
The package includes:
- Stainless steel housing with a quartz sleeve.
- 11W Germicidal UV lamp
- 110V electronic ballast with a smart flow control switch and a rubber O-ring.
- 2-quick-fittings
- 2-brackets to hang the filter on the wall.
- User Manual
It is perfect for killing contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts, making it suitable for well water, lakes, and streams.
This product is a complete add-on kit that can be added to most RO systems as a final stage of the system.
It has a flow rate of 1.0 GPM and the lamp lasts 8,000 hours. The lamp needs to be replaced annually.
HQUA Ultraviolet Water Purifier Sterilizer Filter for Whole House Water Purification
12 GPM UV water purifier that removes bacteria and viruses present in water.
The UV lamp needs to be replaced annually. Clean the quartz sleeve every 6-12 months and replace it after 24 months.
Ronaqua Ultraviolet Light Water Purifier Whole House UV Sterilizer 55W
- Flow Rate GPM – 12
- Lamp Power (Watt) – 55
- Max. Current (Amp) – 0.5
- Inlet & Outlet Size NPT – 3/4″
- Operating Pressure (PSI) – 10-100
- Operating Temperature Range (F) – 36-104
- Electrical – 100-240V 50/60Hz
- Electrical Plug – North American
This water purification is sufficient to remove impurities such as bacteria, viruses, and germs, for example, E. coli, coliform, Giardia, and Salmonella, especially from well water, therefore, protecting your family from waterborne diseases.
The system uses 12 GPM power, which is enough to sanitize the whole house water, including drinking and used water.
Only the UV lamp and quartz sleeve need to be replaced annually and low electricity is required. Therefore, it helps save a lot of money from buying bottled water and energy bills.
It is applicable for irrigation, swimming pool, washing, drinking, chemicals, and medicine.
VIQUA VH410-F20 Model 18 GPM Combo UV System
This system not only kills microorganisms using UV but already has a pre-filter that reduces rust, dirt, and sediments.
The system is installed at the point of entry at a flow rate of 18GPM. It is best suited for large homes (4–7BR) and light commercial applications.
The lamp and sediment pre-filter is replaced every 12 months. You can replace the quartz sleeve after 24 months or as needed.
Buy the replacement parts using the link below
vitapur Ultraviolet Whole Home Water Disinfection and Filtration System
This system has a sediment filter that reduces particulate and a carbon block filter that removes chlorine odor and taste.
The Vitapur ultraviolet water system inactivates bacteria and viruses such as E-coli, salmonella, and legionella.
The lamp lasts for one year, and the filter life is six months.
Where to buy replacement parts and filter
- Vitapur Replacement Carbon Block Filter for Whole Home UV Water
- vitapur Replacement UV Bulb and Quartz Sleeve for UV Disinfection Systems
Other whole-house UV water purifiers that you might like
- CO-Z UV Whole House Water Filter Ultraviolet Light Water Purifier UV Sterilizer (6W UV Water Purifier with 2 UV Tubes)
- New UV Light Bulb 6 W Watt Ultraviolet Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier Sterilizer-LSE lighting
- Express Water Reverse Osmosis RO Ultraviolet UV Filter with Chrome Housing and Bulb Water Purifier Ultraviolet Light Sterilizer
Uv water purifier replacement bulb
Viqua S810RL 8 GPM Replacement UV Lamp
This is the replacement UV lamp for Viqua S8Q-PA, S8Q, and S8Q-GOLD.
The replacement sleeve is for the S8Q-PA, SSM-37, S8Q, and S8Q-GOLD Series.
It is opened on both sides, and it ships with 2-o-rings.
Field Controls 46365402 18-Inch Replacement Lamp by LSE Lighting
The replacement bulb is 55W and has a Quartz Sleeve.
It has a voltage of 110v and 220v and can last 9000 hours (about one year)
Tips on how to choose a whole house UV water purifier
- Water Contaminant
It is essential to know the contaminants present in your water for UV water purifiers to work effectively. They are certain parameters that your water must meet, otherwise, you need to install a pre-filter. Such parameters include:
- Hardness < (less than)7 grains per gallon
- Iron < (less than) 0.3 parts per million
- Manganese <(less than) 0.05 parts per million
- Turbidity < (less than) 1 NTU
- Tannins < (less than) 0.1 parts per million
- UV Transmittance > (greater than) 75%
Note it is necessary to pre-filter your water and remove contaminants such as sediments and other particulates for the UV water purifier to work effectively.
Also, the sediment and other particulates can create a shadow that prevents UV rays from reaching harmful contaminants. If you have other water filters, the UV water purifier is installed last.
- UV system flow rate
The flow rate is how much amount of water can flow in the system.
The UV water purifier measures rates in gallons per minute (GPM).
The water may not be adequately treated, If you undersize the flow rate. The best thing is you oversize the flow rate.
1 Bathroom requires 6 gallons per minute flow rate
2 Bathrooms need 9 gallons per minute flow rate
3 Bathrooms want 12 gallons per minute flow rate
4 Bathrooms require 15 gallons per minute flow rate
5 Bathrooms need 18 gallons per minute flow rate
- Amount of UV energy from the lamp
For specific contaminants to be inactivated, it requires a particular dose of energy from the UV lamp.
The energy is measured using millijoule per square centimeter or mJ/cm2.
Contaminants such as E. Coli, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium typically require a UV dose/ energy of 10 MJ/cm2 to become inactivated.
Most UV water purifier certified by NSF “A” is rated at 40 mJ/cm2 and are best used for commercial application.
The most accepted standard is 30 MJ/cm2
- Added features
There is a UV water purifier that has an LED indicator informing when the filter is supposed to be replaced. Some brands come with a flow meter, a touchscreen display, and a shut-off valve.
Where to install a UV water purifier.
The UV water purifier can be fixed in two places. This includes:
- Under the sink-this type is installed at the pipe that supplies water to the faucet. Most of these systems supply 2 gallons of filtered water per minute and are expensive they cost approximately $150-$500.
- Countertop – they are attached to an electrical outlet and attached to the faucet. Just turn on the faucet; flip the switch that redirects water to the filter. This type is the most common and affordable costing approximately $150-$500.
A UV water purifier costs
There are two types of UV water purifiers. The countertop water purifier costs approximately $150 to $500.
The other type is under sink UV water purifier which costs $150 to $1000. This type the cost may vary if it is meant to filter water for the whole house it expensive compared with the one providing water into one faucet.
An ultraviolet water purifier ensures your water is free from any water contaminants, but the method becomes effective when used together with other methods of water purification.
