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Engineered & assembled in the USAStraightforward licensed-plumber installationCrystal Quest · Since 1994
HomeWhole Home Water Filters

Whole-house filtration for city water

Whole home filters. Better water, every day.

Bring filtration to your home’s main water line. Compare stainless steel systems for city water, add softening when you need it, and choose your own local plumber.

Compare systems Start with your water

Free U.S. shipping. Installation by your plumber is separate.

Need help choosing?
Illustrative Clearhouse stainless steel whole-home SMART filtration and softener installation in a bright utility room
One main-line system. Water throughout your home.Illustrative installation. Follow your model’s installation manual.
Filtration systems from$2,699.00
Standard / Large listed service flow9–11 / 10–13 GPM
Every product. No minimum.Free U.S. shipping

The clear answer

What does a whole home water filter do?

A whole home water filter treats water at the main supply before it reaches connected fixtures. Clearhouse’s Crystal Quest SMART system combines sediment prefiltration, multimedia treatment and carbon postfiltration for suitable municipal water. Choose filtration alone if that meets your goals. If a hardness test supports softening, choose the filter-and-softener package to also reduce calcium and magnesium.

See the manufacturer’s treatment specifications

A simpler starting point

What would you like your water to do better?

Choose the concern closest to yours. We’ll show you where to start; water chemistry and household flow confirm the fit.

Find your system

Filtration first. Softening when it fits.

Two stainless steel packages, with Standard and Large sizes. Choose a filter alone or combine it with a salt-based softener for confirmed hard water.

For city-water filtrationCrystal Quest SMART whole-home filter in stainless steel

Stainless Steel Whole Home Filter

SMART filtration in stainless steel, without adding a new softener.

  • SMART media tank with automatic backwashing
  • Sediment prefilter + carbon postfilter
  • Leak-detection shutoff valve included

A good fit for: Municipal-water homes that want filtration and do not need a new softener.

Choose your size

Match peak demand and available backwash flow before choosing a size.

Selected system$2,699.00Free U.S. shipping
Full system details
What’s included

One stainless steel SMART filter tank, 20-inch sediment and carbon cartridges, and the CQE-PT-03064 leak-detector valve.

Plan separately

A softener, UV, specialty treatment and installation are separate.

CQE-WH-01120

For filtration + confirmed hardnessCrystal Quest stainless steel whole-home filter and softener with brine tank

Stainless Steel Whole Home Filter + Softener

SMART filtration and salt-based softening in one coordinated package.

  • Separate SMART and softening tanks
  • Brine tank, prefilter + postfilter included
  • Leak-detection shutoff valve included

A good fit for: Municipal-water homes where measured hardness supports adding softening.

Choose your size

Match peak demand and available backwash flow before choosing a size.

Selected system$4,599.00Free U.S. shipping
Full system details
What’s included

Stainless steel SMART filtration and softener tanks, a brine tank, 20-inch sediment and carbon cartridges, and the CQE-PT-03064 leak-detector valve.

Plan separately

Softener salt, UV, specialty treatment and installation are separate.

CQE-WH-01129

Equipment prices shown. Free U.S. shipping; installation, site-specific parts and applicable taxes are separate. These packages are intended for suitable municipal-water applications. Private wells need their own test-based treatment plan.

Compare the options

A filter, or a filter and softener?

Both packages include SMART filtration. The second adds a dedicated salt-based softener when measured hardness and your goals support it.

Municipal-water systems: equipment and treatment stages
What you getWhole Home FilterFilter + Softener
Starting equipment price$2,699.00$4,599.00
Primary fitFiltration without a new softenerFiltration plus confirmed hard water
SMART filtration tankIncludedIncluded
Salt-based softener + brine tankNot includedIncluded
Prefilter, postfilter + leak shutoffSediment + carbon cartridges and CQE-PT-03064 valveSediment + carbon cartridges and CQE-PT-03064 valve
Listed service flowStandard: 9–11 GPM / Large: 10–13 GPMStandard: 9–11 GPM / Large: 10–13 GPM
ShippingFree U.S. shippingFree U.S. shipping

GPM means gallons per minute. Listed flow varies by size; your actual demand, water chemistry and available backwash flow determine the fit. Manufacturer specifications

A bright kitchen with a brass faucet and white cabinetry
Different jobs. One considered system.

Filter, softener, or both?

Filtration targets specific water-quality concerns. A salt-based softener removes calcium and magnesium hardness. Add the stages your water actually needs.

Water filtration

Match the media to the concern: dedicated iron treatment for a well, or SMART filtration for a broader set of water-quality needs. A filter does not automatically soften hard water.

Hardness removal

Ion-exchange resin removes hardness minerals. A separate brine tank restores the resin during regeneration; plan for salt, a drain and routine checks.

What about salt-free conditioning?

A salt-free conditioner manages scale while retaining hardness minerals. It does not produce softened water. The softener packages on this page use salt-based ion exchange.

Choose the Filter + Softener when you want both filtration and hardness removal. If effective filtration is already in place, the standalone softener may be the missing stage.

Read the filter vs. softener guide

The Filter + Softener, stage by stage. The filter-only package uses the sediment, SMART and carbon stages shown here.

How it works

Follow the water.

See what each stage does. Select a stage to take a closer look.

Water in To your home

A cartridge captures suspended particles such as dirt and sand before they reach the main treatment tank.

Ion-exchange resin replaces calcium and magnesium hardness ions with sodium. Salt in the separate brine tank regenerates the resin; brine is not the normal water path to your home.

A blend of filtration media treats a range of water-quality concerns through adsorption and redox processes. Match specific reduction needs to the exact manufacturer configuration.

The final carbon cartridge polishes the water for taste and odor. Replace it as conditions require; it is not a disinfection stage.

Treatment overview, not a plumbing diagram. Shows the base equipment only; selected add-ons require additional stages. Performance depends on water chemistry, flow and maintenance.

See the manufacturer’s treatment specifications

A little planning. A better fit.

Get to know your water before you buy.

Start with your utility report, then confirm conditions at your own tap. A public report helps explain the local supply; it cannot verify your home’s hardness, plumbing contribution or current tap-water quality. Match any specific contaminant concern to a suitable test and treatment.

Explore your local water report

Four things to confirm

  • Your water source and the filtration goals you want to address.
  • Measured hardness before adding a softener; also account for equipment already installed.
  • Peak water demand, supply pressure and the model’s service and backwash requirements.
  • A protected location with the right plumbing connections, drainage, power and access for maintenance.
Ask Clearhouse

From online order to everyday use

Our system. Your local plumber.

Order your equipment online with free U.S. shipping, then hire and pay your own licensed plumber for installation. Here is the process.

  1. 01

    Confirm your fit

    Review your water results and household demand. Have your plumber check the main line, pressure, drainage, power and service space before ordering.

  2. 02

    Order your system

    Choose the configuration and size on the product page. Clearhouse ships the equipment free within the U.S. Get the installation quote separately.

  3. 03

    Have it installed

    Your plumber follows the manufacturer’s manual for placement, connections, flushing and startup. Keep the manual and agree on a maintenance plan.

See the installation guide

Know the upkeep before you buy

Built to stay. Made to be serviced.

Cartridges, tank media and optional treatment stages have different service needs. Use the model’s manual and your water conditions to plan each one.

Typically 12–18 months

Refresh the cartridges

Change the sediment prefilter and carbon postfilter on the manual’s schedule, or sooner if flow or water conditions call for it.

If your system has a softener

Keep an eye on the salt

Check the brine tank regularly and replenish salt as directed. Hardness, water use and regeneration settings determine consumption.

Based on water and performance

Maintain the treatment media

Backwashing and regeneration do not make media last indefinitely. Have your installer assess the tank media and resin separately from the cartridges.

Why Clearhouse

A clearer way to buy better water.

Know what you are choosing, what it costs, and what happens after checkout.

Crystal Quest equipment, clearly identified

Compare the actual treatment stages and model sizes. Your product page includes the specifications and manuals to review with your installer.

Free U.S. shipping on every product

No minimum order. The product price covers equipment; your plumber’s labor, site-specific parts and applicable taxes are separate.

You choose the installer

Use a licensed local plumber and agree on the installation scope and price directly with them.

A plan for the water you actually have

Start with filtration. Add softening or a specialist treatment only when measured water conditions and your goals call for it.

Hardware by Crystal Quest

Why choose Crystal Quest for your home?

Compare what goes into the system, how it fits your water and how you will care for it over time.

What mattersCrystal QuestWhat to check with other brands
U.S. engineering & assembly
Engineered & assembled in the USA
Ask where the equipment is designed and assembled.
An experienced manufacturer
Crystal Quest · Since 1994
Look for a water-treatment track record and accessible support.
Documented quality processes
Manufactured under an ISO 9001 certified quality management system.
Check what is certified: the company, a component or the finished model.
Treatment matched to your needs
SMART filtration and salt-based softening in one package, with sediment/carbon cartridges and a separate brine tank.
Compare the actual treatment stages, rated flow and included accessories.
Parts for ongoing care
Manufacturer manuals and replacement components help you plan routine service with your plumber.
Check replacement-part availability and the maintenance schedule before buying.

Based on manufacturer information. Crystal Quest uses domestic and global components. ISO 9001 covers its quality-management processes; finished-system NSF certification is not claimed.

View manufacturer specifications
Customer feedback

From Crystal Quest customers.

Read reviews at Crystal Quest

Selected excerpts published by Crystal Quest. Each card names the product reviewed; these are manufacturer reviews, not reviews collected by Clearhouse or ratings of this exact package.

Good questions. Clear answers.

Whole home water filter FAQs.

Straight answers about choosing, sizing, installation and upkeep.

Are “whole home” and “whole house” filters the same thing?

Yes. Both terms commonly describe a point-of-entry system installed on the main water supply to serve connected fixtures throughout the home. The treatment media and selected configuration determine what it addresses.

How much does a whole home water filter cost?

Clearhouse’s stainless steel Whole Home Filter starts at $2,699.00. The Whole Home Filter + Softener starts at $4,599.00. Standard and Large sizes have different prices. Free U.S. shipping is included; installation, site-specific parts and applicable taxes are separate.

Do I need both a filter and a water softener?

Choose a filter for your filtration goals. Add a salt-based softener if a hardness test and your goals call for hardness reduction. A filter and a softener perform different jobs, so check measured hardness and any existing equipment before choosing the combination.

Does the SMART filter treat chlorine and chloramine?

Crystal Quest specifies standard and catalytic activated carbon in its SMART media for chlorine and chloramine treatment. Actual reduction depends on water chemistry, contact time, flow and maintenance. Review the selected model and any specific contaminant goal before ordering.

How do I choose Standard or Large?

Standard uses 1.5 cubic feet of SMART media and lists 9–11 GPM service flow. Large uses 2.0 cubic feet and lists 10–13 GPM. The manufacturer’s bathroom guide is a starting point; your plumber should confirm simultaneous fixture demand, pressure, available backwash flow and water conditions.

Can I use these city-water systems on a private well?

Do not choose a municipal-water package for a well without a water test and treatment assessment. Wells may require dedicated iron, sulfur, hardness or disinfection stages. Start with Clearhouse’s well-water collection and use current lab results to confirm the configuration.

Is installation included, and who installs the system?

Installation is separate. You buy the equipment from Clearhouse with free U.S. shipping, then hire and pay your own licensed plumber. Ask for a quote after they review the model manual, main line, space, drainage, power and any extra parts.

How often do I replace the filters or media?

The whole-house manual recommends replacing the prefilter and postfilter cartridges every 12–18 months, or sooner if conditions require it. Tank media has a separate service schedule. Nominal gallon capacity is not a cartridge-change interval. A softener also requires salt replenishment and regeneration.

Go a little deeper

Good questions deserve clear guides.

Let’s make the next step clear

Tell us about your water.

Have a report, a sizing question, or a concern you can’t pin down? Send the details to Clearhouse.

Helpful details: your water source, test results with units, household size, simultaneous fixture use, and any existing equipment.

Your details are used to respond to this request.

Better water starts with a clear choice

Make better water part of your home.

Compare filtration options, confirm your fit, and let your local plumber handle the installation.

Compare systems Need help choosing?

Sources & product details

Treatment and flow information comes from the manufacturer. Performance depends on incoming water, the selected model, flow and maintenance. Current Clearhouse prices appear above.

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