If you're looking into a residential water filtration system, you can narrow down your choice by deciding what you want the filter to do and how much you want to pay. There are several options in water filtration, and you want to pick the one that fills your needs and fits your budget. Here are three things to consider.

1. Do You Want Whole-House Water Filtration?

If you want all the water in your house to be filtered to protect your water heater and to shower with filtered water, you'll need a whole-house filtration system. This is a different type of filter than the ones you put under your kitchen sink that only filters the water you drink and use for cooking.

If filtering drinking water is your primary concern, then putting a filter under your sink could be the right choice. There are several types of filters that mount under the sink with reverse osmosis being a popular one.

2. Do You Know The Contaminants In Your Water?

Consider having a water test done before you shop for a residential water filtration system. A water test will tell you the specific contaminants your water has and the level of contamination. This information guides you to the right filter to buy. Each filter lists the type of contaminants it removes, so you can be sure to buy a filter that does what you want.

You may also want to note if the filter you buy will improve the taste of your water, especially if you don't like the way your water tastes now. This will probably require a carbon filter alone or in combination with another filter.

3. Compare Cost And Installation Methods

Your budget might be an important consideration when you buy your new water filter. You'll want to compare costs since the most comprehensive filters that use reverse osmosis and other stages of filtration can be expensive. At the other end of the spectrum are inexpensive carbon filters.

You may also incur costs for the installation. If you're not handy, you may need to call a plumber to install a filter under your sink or a whole-house filter that fits into a plumbing line. Some filters rest on the countertop and hook to the faucet so you can install them yourself.

When comparing costs, also consider how much the filters cost and how often they need to be changed. Some of this information should be on the side of the box, but you may need to look up the price of the filters.

Choosing a residential water filtration system may seem daunting since there are so many choices, so you might want to read up on individual filters so you understand how each type works. Keep in mind, a filter is different from a water softener so you won't get soft water unless you buy a separate appliance.