Point-of-Use vs. Point-of-Entry Filtration Systems: Which Is Right for You?

In the Home Water Filtration market, there are a wealth of options that can meet the needs of folks seeking clean, filtered water in their homes. The most popular options are Point-of-Entry (POE) filtration systems, which filter at the point the water enters your home’s plumbing, and Point-of-Use (POU) systems, which are installed to filter water at one water-dispensing point. Both have numerous benefits but choosing the right one for you depends on a few different factors. We’ll evaluate each of these systems to help you find the best water filtration system for your home.

In filtration, point-of-entry systems are the most comprehensive filtration systems as they treat your entire home. As mentioned before, POE filtration units like King Water’s attach to the water main entering the home and filter water before it continues through the plumbing to multiple points of use, like drinking, bathing and washing. If you experience skin irritation due to contaminants, this will improve quality of life considerably. Depending on the system, this can also inhibit and prevent hard water scale damage, extending the life of plumbing and making water easier to clean with, while also saving you money down the line.

POE systems do tend to be more expensive than POU systems, however. And when it comes to installation, they may require the services of a plumber to install, adding to the associated costs. If you’d prefer to install the system yourself, whole-home system installation takes effort and time, which not everyone has. Once it’s set up, though, the maintenance and upkeep costs of POEs tend to be lower over time, especially if your model requires no filter changes or additives.

Yes, the applications for a point-of-use filtration system may be more limited than a point-of-entry system but don’t think that their filtration is any less comprehensive. While many systems have 2–3 stages of filtration, King Water’s under-sink system has a whopping 11 stages, as compared to the 4, 5 or 6 stages of our POE systems. Because the filters are smaller, they have a higher density and can provide comprehensive filtration in spite of their smaller size. (Of course, KWF guarantees that every system will give you clean, safe water, no matter the size and amount of filtration stages.)

Although installation still requires a little elbow grease and time, POU systems tend to be easier and less time-consuming to install than POE systems. However, the biggest selling feature of POU systems is their price point. Because they’re smaller, they tend to be relatively inexpensive, making them a better option for households on a budget. If you’ve been reliant on bottled drinking water, the additional savings and reduced waste are added benefits.

As mentioned above, POU systems are somewhat restricted by their very nature: They only filter water through one point, effectively confining the water to a few uses like cooking, drinking, and/or washing fruits and veggies.

Clearly, both point-of-use and point-of-entry systems are excellent options when choosing the best water filtration system. But when it comes to clean drinking water, any filtration is better than no filtration, and whether you choose a POU or POE system from King Water Filtration, you can’t go wrong. If you have questions or want to discuss your needs with a King Water sales representative, you can give us a call at 855-957-2166 or schedule a consultation.