Will the Aquasana Whole House Filter reduce the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in my water?

You must verify your water’s TDS level using a home testing kit before ordering to determine if your water requires a different filtration method. If your goal is lowering TDS, you should prioritize systems that utilize Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange.

You can view how the Aquasana Whole House Filter compares to other models in our detailed breakdown.

Aquasana Whole House Filter carbon and KDF media do not reduce TDS

The Aquasana Whole House Filter uses carbon and KDF filtration media to remove 97% of chlorine and other contaminants. Because these media types are not designed to trap dissolved solids, the TDS reading will remain unchanged after passing through the unit. This distinction is critical for whole house filtration because while many systems improve taste and odor, they cannot address the mineral hardness or salt content that affects appliance longevity or scale buildup. We included this model in our comparison of whole house systems because it provides a high-volume 1 million gallon treatment capacity for a cost of less than $0.01 per gallon. The system uses a 20″ pre-filter and a dedicated filter tank to manage flow, but it does not provide the chemical-level filtration required for TDS reduction.

For a final decision, see our ultimate verdict on the Aquasana Whole House Filter.

What to Check Before Buying the Aquasana Whole House Filter

Before purchasing this system, confirm these specific requirements for your property:

It is also important to confirm if the Aquasana Whole House Filter fits 3/4 or 1 inch pipes.

• Verify if your water requires TDS reduction, as this system is designed for chlorine reduction and sediment filtration rather than mineral removal.
• Check if your local water source requires Ion Exchange, which is the standard for removing hardness that carbon filters cannot treat.
• Confirm your plumbing has 3/4″ or 1″ connections, as the included brass fittings are sized specifically for these standards.
• Ensure you have enough space for a unit measuring 46″L x 9″W x 44″H to allow for proper flow and maintenance access.
• Determine if you need a bypass valve configuration to maintain water flow to your home during the 2-month filter replacement cycle.

Comparing the Aquasana Whole House Filter to Other Options

This system is a large-scale gravity-fed filtration unit, which functions as a series of canisters and tanks that clean water as it flows through your pipes. Buyers who specifically need to lower Total Dissolved Solids should look at alternatives that feature Reverse Osmosis membranes or Ion Exchange resins. While this unit is ideal for removing chlorine and improving the aesthetic quality of water for a large household, it will not solve issues related to heavy mineral content or high salt levels. If your primary concern is water hardness, a carbon-based filter like this will not provide the necessary results.

If you are dealing with groundwater, explore effective whole house water filters for well water smell.

You should choose the Aquasana Whole House Filter if your main goal is removing chlorine and other organic contaminants from your entire home’s water supply. If you require a reduction in dissolved solids, you should choose a system designed for mineral removal instead.

You can also find a guide on selecting the best whole house water filter for chloramine.

Reviewed by the Green Writer editorial team. Green Writer writes these guides from the 200 most-reviewed whole house water filtration listings in our retail dataset, not from manufacturer copy.